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Accutane is prescribed for the treatment of severe
disfiguring cystic acne that has not cleared up in response
to milder medications.
Isotretinoin belongs to a group of medicines known as
retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A. It works by
reducing the production of the skin’s natural oil (sebum).
Acne occurs due to an excessive production of sebum from
over-active sebaceous glands in the skin. The sebum blocks
the sebaceous glands, which prevents the oil from flowing
freely out and causes an accumulation of sebum under the
skin. The bacteria associated with acne thrive in these
conditions. They feed on the sebum, and produce waste
products and fatty acids that irritate the sebaceous glands,
making them inflamed and causing spots.
Isotretinoin decreases the size and activity of the
sebaceous glands in the skin, which reduces the amount of
sebum that is produced. This stops the glands becoming
blocked, and means bacteria are less likely to thrive. It
also reduces the inflammation in the skin.
Isotretinoin can have serious side effects and its use
must be supervised by a dermatologist. It is reserved for
the treatment of severe acne that has not improved with a
course of oral antibiotics, and for acne with cyst
formation.
Your acne may worsen at the start of treatment, but this
usually subsides within 7 to 10 days of continued treatment.
In most cases, complete or near-complete clearing of acne is
achieved with a 12 to 16 week course of treatment, and you
are likely to remain free of acne for a long time. Repeat
courses are not normally recommended, unless a definite
relapse is seen after treatment is stopped.
How should Accutane be used?
Accutane comes as a capsule to take by mouth. Accutane
usually is taken twice a day. Take Accutane with food or
milk.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully,
and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take Accutane exactly as directed. Do not
take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your doctor.
You may not notice any improvement in your condition
until after 4-6 weeks of treatment, and your acne may
actually get worse during the first few weeks. Your acne
should improve within 15-20 weeks. If it does not improve,
your doctor will probably stop giving you Accutane for 8
weeks and then restart your treatment.
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