By Emily Miller
Accutane is a powerful drug used to treat moderate to severe forms of acne that have failed other forms of treatment. It is a potent medication that is very effective for nearly all types of breakouts, especially for severe, scarring acne.
However, due to the nature of the drug, there are very specific instructions and guidelines one must follow while taking Accutane or also known as Isotretinoin. Users may also experience some side effects due to the potency of the drug.
Accutane is a form of vitamin A and is detectable in the bloodstream of all people. However, you should not take any vitamin A supplements while taking Accutane.
It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin review itself more quickly. While your acne may initially increase, this should subside shortly after taking it. Speak to your doctor if it doesn’t decrease.
Accutane has been known for “curing” about half of those people who take it so that they never need to do anything else for acne other than daily cleansing. In the first weeks of treatment, about one in five patients get a little worse, and one in 500 patients gets much worse. It usually takes a patient four to six months to rid skin of moderate to severe acne, but some may need to go through the cycle one more time.
A prescription for Accutane is only available under a special program called iPLEDGE, which is a program dedicated to educating consumers about the drug and the potential side effects it may have on someone.
Under this agreement, you must register into the program, sign the appropriate documents and agree to use birth control as required by the program. Consider speaking with your doctor prior to registering for the program as they can assist you with any questions you may have.
Purchasing Accutane outside of the iPLEDGE program violates the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the safe use of this medication and can cause serious side effects.
To make sure you are a good candidate for this drug, tell your doctor if you have or had any of the following conditions:
· Personal or family history of depression or mental illness;
· Heart disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides;
· Osteoporosis or other bone disorders;
· An intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease;
· Diabetes;
· Asthma;
· An eating disorder; or
· Liver disease
Unfortunately, if you have or had any of these conditions, Accutane may not be right for you as it can cause mild to severe side effects. Even one dose of Accutane can lead to birth defects if the mother takes it while pregnant.
You must have a negative pregnancy test 30 days before you start taking Accutane and 30 days after you complete the prescription. You will also need to take a pregnancy test in order to get a refill prescription.
Due to the intensity of the drug, consumers have often expressed concern whether or not Accutane will be covered under their health insurance policy.
Fortunately Accutane (or the generic name, Isotretinoin) is usually covered by insurance for the treatment of acne. It will only be approved for severe, cystic acne or acne that has not improved with other treatments such as topical agents or oral antibiotics.
If you plan to pay out-of-pocket, the average cost for a standard dose (30mg twice daily) can range from 300 to 400 dollars per month and most patients need several months. In addition, you will also need to see your doctor and have blood tests every month while on the drug. These costs can add up very quickly.
With this being said, Accutane is a very effective acne treatment for moderate to severe forms of acne that hasn’t cleared up with other treatments. Patients will need to follow a very strict set of guidelines while taking it and contact their physician if they notice an abnormality as soon as possible.
