Accutane Treatment
Accutane, the brand name for the drug Isotretinoin, is a prescription drug generally reserved for the most serious cases of acne. This very powerful medication should be only considered as a last resort when your acne is otherwise untreatable, as there are many serious side effects possible when taking this drug. However, it has been known to improve extremely serious and persistent cases of acne. This medication is only available by prescription and is not recommended for mild or even moderate cases of acne.

Your doctor will have many questions regarding your medical history before prescribing a regimen of Accutane. Women who are able to bear children are strongly discouraged from considering this treatment unless all other treatments have failed because it is linked to serious birth defects in humans. Due to this, women who are nursing should not take Accutane and patients being treated with this drug should not donate blood to insure that it is not received by a pregnant woman. If you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to acitretin, tretinoin, or any other vitamin A preparations (like Retin A), you may also experience an adverse reaction to Accutane. Additionally, you might be at risk if you have a medical history of alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides in the blood or severe weight problems. Speak with your doctor regarding any of these factors which may be cause for concern.

WARNING: "Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide."

Side Effects May Include:

Birth Defects
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disorder
Rectal Bleeding
Abdominal Pain
Premature Closure of Growth Plates
Dessicated Discs
Organ Damage
Optic Neuritis
Central Nervous System Injuries
Bone and Muscle Loss
Cardiovascular Injuries
Liver and Kidney Damage
Pancreatitis
Immune System Disorder
Lupus
Hearing and Vision Damage
Thyroid Disorders
Suicidal Behavior

If your doctor has determined that you are a good candidate for a course of Accutane treatment, which typically lasts from 16 to 30 weeks, it is important to see that you are well versed in the specifications of the drug. Generally, the first three weeks of treatment are very hard on your skin, and the acne may seem to get worse before any improvement is shown. This medication typically results in an increased sensitivity to the sun, wind and cold weather. If exposure cannot be avoided, it is wise to protect yourself from the damaging elements with protective clothing or sunscreen. Your dermatologist will be able to help you find appropriate skin care products to lessen the drying impact of this medication. **Be EXTREMELY careful when considering this medication. If the goal of treating acne is to ease the depressing effects it has on you, be extremely careful about taking any medication that may increase depression or suicidal thoughts.**

If you are one of the many who do not want to take the risk of oral medications, there are extremely effective (sometimes more effective) treatments that work to ease acne in less than a month, or in some cases, less. Topical dermal medications like Truderma, take usually only 10-15 days for initial results to (dis)appear due to a combination three-step approach. Tru-derma is backed by all of the information from the Acne-Resource Center, and its active ingredients have been clinically studied for decades to ensure safety and effectiveness.

There is the possibility of experiencing some additional mild or severe side effects with Accutane. If you experience sun sensitivity, drying of the eyes, nose, or mouth, headache, upset stomach, or fatigue, continue to take the prescription, but make your doctor aware of the side effects. Some severe side effects may occur, including abdominal pain, back pain, vision difficulties, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Unfortunately many individuals who are taking Accutane report a high degree of depression, sometimes reaching the severity of suicidal ideation, and in rare cases, actual suicide. Consult your doctor immediately should any of these serious side effects present themselves.

When taken carefully, completely, and under the guidance of a qualified physician, Accutane is an extremely effective treatment in reducing the occurrence and severity of the most difficult cases of acne. At least fifty percent of those who suffer from serious acne find a measurable reduction in their acne after one treatment cycle. However, the side effects are severe, even debilitating, for some individuals. As with all medications, you will have to weigh the negative side effects against the potential results to determine whether or not this treatment is for you. In our opinion, Accutane should only be considered a last resort drug when every other product out there has failed.

We suggest that most people with mild or moderate acne should start with Truderma. Truderma is more affordable, easy to apply and has significantly fewer side effects. Order Truderma today, risk free.

References:
“Isotretinion”. Micromedix Physicians Desk Reference, 2004.