Drug Information
- Brand: Accutane;
- Active substance: Isotretinoin;
- Manufacturer: Roche.
Active substance Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is the main active substance in Accutane tablets. It treats acne by reducing sebum production and by slowing down the cell division of the sebaceous glands.
In case of increased reproduction of these cells, the sebaceous glands become clogged, and the discharge of sebum is disrupted. The infectious process begins in the glands, and acne develops.
- Isotretinoin not only helps reduce sebum production but also changes its structure. Sebum becomes softer and is easily removed from the glandular ducts.
- Thanks to improved sebum flow, the inflammatory process on the skin decreases. Usually, the process is the result of the active reproduction of bacteria in clogged ducts.
- Dermal regeneration processes improve. This also helps in the rapid restoration of the skin after inflammatory processes while reducing the risk of scarring.
Indications for use
Severe forms of acne that do not respond to conventional cosmetic care products include:
- Acne conglobata;
- Nodular and cystic acne;
- Acne with a risk of cyst formation;
- Rosacea.
Accutane is also used to reduce the risk of scarring after acne, to eliminate dark spots, and to improve skin texture due to skin regeneration.
Treatment regimens and dosages
Accutane is available online as oral tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg.
Tablets/capsules are taken with meals twice a day. The daily dose is divided into 2 parts to reduce the risk of side effects from the gastrointestinal tract. A dose is selected individually. It depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's health, contraindications, and body weight.
- Treatment begins with a minimum dose of 0.4-0.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day (if body weight is 80 kg, the daily dose is 40 mg, i.e., 1 Accutane 20 mg tablet twice a day).
- The dose is increased to 2 mg/kg of body weight in case of lesions on the back, neck, and chest, or severe course of the disease (if body weight is 60 kg, the daily dose is 120 mg). In this case, the daily dose can be divided into 3 equal parts, i.e., 1 Accutane 40 mg tablet 3 times a day, with an 8-hour interval.
It is unnecessary to take more than 2 mg per 1 kg of weight. This is the maximum safe dose that does not cause severe side effects and provides the maximum result.
Recommendations for use
- Treatment lasts at least 12 weeks.
- The optimal period for Accutane use is 24 weeks. If the overall clinical picture has improved by more than 80% during this period, treatment is stopped.
- If the results do not satisfy the doctor or patient after 24 weeks, treatment continues. The second course of treatment is started after a certain period. The period is at least 3 months.
- Medicines should be taken with plenty of water.
- While taking the tablets, limit exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet rays. Use a cream with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30).
Missed dose
During the day, it is important to follow the prescribed treatment and dosage regimens. If you forget to take a daily dose, continue the regimen without compensating for the missed dose by increasing the amount of Accutane in the following days.
Precautions
This medication is not prescribed to patients with severe liver disorders. Accutane use increases the burden on the liver, which can lead to complications.
Also, you should not take Accutane if you suffer from:
- Hypervitaminosis A;
- Depression;
- Significant increase in blood sugar;
- Lipid metabolism disorders.
Accutane is prescribed to individuals over 12 years of age.
Accutane use during pregnancy
It is contraindicated to use Accutane during pregnancy. It has a teratogenic effect and can cause congenital malformations in the fetus. Furthermore, the medication should not be taken if you are breastfeeding.
Possible side effects
Despite its high effectiveness, the use of isotretinoin may be limited by the range of possible side effects. According to clinical studies, Accutane use can cause the following side effects:
- Inflammatory bowel disease;
- Dry skin, dermatitis;
- Headache;
- Symptoms of depression.
Allergic skin reactions such as redness and itching are possible. In case of these allergic reactions, regardless of their location and severity, consult a doctor.
Isotretinoin: interaction with other drugs
- Isotretinoin can decrease the effect of oral hormonal contraceptives;
- When taken with tetracyclines, Accutane increases the side effects of antibiotics, particularly increased intracranial pressure.
- During treatment with isotretinoin, do not use alcohol-containing medications.
Storage
Please store Accutane in a dry, dark place at a temperature not exceeding 20°C, out of reach of children.
Buy Accutane with delivery in Europe
If you want to buy Accutane at a low price, you can place an order on our online pharmacy. You will benefit from high-quality service, qualified medical expert consultation, original Accutane, and fast delivery to any country in Europe.
The specificity of our service is that we only provide original Accutane online from the manufacturer. Warehouses in Europe and an established logistics system guarantee fast delivery to all EU cities.
You can buy Accutane without a prescription, provided you are over 18 years old. However, we do not recommend using the medication without consulting a specialist, as improper use of the tablets can harm your health.
