[h=1]Accutane (Isotretinoin) information[/h]A personal account of Accutane treatment for acne. Accutane is often used by steroid users to treat acne.
Before I start I must make it perfectly clear that I am not promoting or giving advice on the use of this drug, but merely outlining my findings of the drug when I was taking a course of Accutane that was prescribed to me from a professional. I hope my article below will help others that are about to embark on a course of Accutane and are unsure on what to expect.
I used Accutane ("Roaccutane" in fact, which is the brand name by the drug manufacture Roche) after I had tried several antibiotic courses and creams by my GP to treat my acne. My GP referred me to a dermatologist who prescribed me the Accutane.
[h=2]What is Accutane?[/h]Accutane (genetic name "isotretinoin") is a form of vitamin A that is used in the treatment of acne due to its ability to reduce the amount of sebum produced from the sebaceous glands. A person is often prescribed Accutane after a couple of antibiotic treatments have been unsuccessfully used by the patient.
[h=2]Prior to the Accutane treatment[/h]I had bad acne on my face, back and some on my chest. The acne on my face was by far the worse, with also some bad acne on my back. The acne on my chest was not particularly bad, but this is in comparison to the other problem areas, any acne is bad I suppose. My acne was ruining my self esteem and I wanted it sorted.
I had tried several antibiotic treatments that my GP prescribed to me that had little in the way of positive effects on my skin. The benzoyl peroxide cream also did not really have much benefit, although it did dry out the skin and cause it to be flaky. I worked up from a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream, to the 5%, and then finally the 10%. None of these treatments had any success in reducing my acne.
Something I had noticed however was how my skin got better in the summer months, when the sun was in the sky and we had decent levels of sunshine. I am unsure on the reasons behind this, whether it be the sun causing the skin to dry out and maybe the light tan helped also. Many others have noticed this, and have advised sun beds of a good way of reducing acne. We of course have to be careful of how much UV light we are exposed to, however.
[h=2]Seeing the Derm[/h]After waiting for some time in the waiting room I finally had my name called to see the dermatologist. She examined the acne on my face, back and chest and asked me some questions about my previous treatment, and how long I had the acne for. She told me she would be prescribing Accutane.
Before I could start my course of Accutane I had to have my blood taken and examined to ensure I was okay to take the drug, and also to get a base level reading of some important levels in my blood. Accutane can cause serious health problems in some individuals, and the warning sheet inside the drug boxes are quite scary! Accutane is a powerful drug and blood tests are regularly taken throughout the course to ensure everything stays within the normal range.
My blood test results arrived and I was at the dermatologist again who then prescribed the drug.
[h=2]First few weeks on Accutane[/h]My dermatologist had wrote a sheet out of the dosages I was to follow over the up and coming weeks. The dosage during the first week was 20mg each day, followed by 40mg for the following two weeks, then on 60mg for a one month period. After this I was set to see the dermatologist again to have my blood reviewed. This pyramiding of the dosage is common, and is most likely done for two reasons; a) it reduces the breakout that often occurs in patients for the first month or so of taking Accutane, and b) it is cheaper as less mg is taken.
I was told not to drink excessively whilst taking Accutane due to the stress on the liver that drug can cause. I also was made aware of the common side effects of the drying of the skin and lips, and therefore had Vaseline ready to apply to my lips, and a good quality moisturiser to use on my skin. A breakout of acne is also expected in the first month or so of treatment, but then this usually subsides and the acne reduces in "angriness" and the skin starts to clear.
After a few weeks I started to notice the drying of the skin taking place, and it was especially noticeable after taking a shower and not drying off properly. My lips started to get dry also, and after a few more weeks this had elevated to the stage where they were starting to crack if I did not apply the Vaseline.
[h=2]The second stage after my blood was reviewed[/h]After this initial two month period I had to get my blood taken again to ensure certain levels were still within normal range before continuing with the treatment. My results came back all clear and I continued with the treatment at a dosage of 60mg each day for a further two months.
Over these two months the drying of the skin become more apparent, as well as the cracking of the lips. You really need to keep applying the Vaseline to the lips and also the moisturiser several times a day to keep on top of the situation. My skin had improved a lot, as I had not had any new sports form which was a drastic positive for me from where I was before the treatment. Due to my previous serious acne I was still left with red marks on the skin from where this had been, and also some mild scaring. It was at this stage that it was clear how effective Accutane is for the treatment of acne.
[h=2]After the two month at 60mg each day[/h]After the two months had past on 60mg I had noticed a small out break of acne on my back. When I went to see the dermatologist for the next review I let her know and she decided to up the dose to 80mg a day for a final two months. 80mg would be the usual dose for some body of my weight (80kg at the time) but I had not gone up to this dosage due to my positive reaction to 60mg each day.
[h=2]80mg each day, full dosage[/h]After a week on 80mg each day it was clear that the extra 20mg was having a notable effect. The skin dried a lot more then previously and started to flake somewhat, my lips were cracking more, and the inner nose and ears were starting to harden and feel very flaky. My eyes also become irritable and felt dry.
Although the side effects were not pleasant, it was a lot more bearable then having bad acne. The 80mg was extremely effective at clearing the any acne that was left.
After two months had past I had a final appointment with the dermatologist, and the treatment was ceased. I was told it can sometimes take a few courses in some people to stop the acne, so if it started to come back I could book another appointment.
[h=2]After the Accutane treatment[/h]The notable side effects subsided a week or so after stopping the treatment. Any active acne had gone, and all that was left was red marks from the previous acne that I was told would take a while to fade. After a few years these red marks have near enough faded. I am extremely happy with the results, and would do it again.
Accutane is a very powerful and effective drug for those suffering with serious acne. I have had a positive experience with Accutane, but it is worth remember that people can react very differently to drugs and you should fully research the drug and its effects, as well as speaking them through with a medical professional before starting a course of prescribed Accutane.
| Name: | Isotretinoin |
|---|---|
| Other common names and terms: | Accutane, Roaccutane (Roche brand name) /td> |
| Drug Class: | Form of vitamin A for acne treatment |
| Common doses: | 1mg per 1kg of body weight |
I used Accutane ("Roaccutane" in fact, which is the brand name by the drug manufacture Roche) after I had tried several antibiotic courses and creams by my GP to treat my acne. My GP referred me to a dermatologist who prescribed me the Accutane.
[h=2]What is Accutane?[/h]Accutane (genetic name "isotretinoin") is a form of vitamin A that is used in the treatment of acne due to its ability to reduce the amount of sebum produced from the sebaceous glands. A person is often prescribed Accutane after a couple of antibiotic treatments have been unsuccessfully used by the patient.
[h=2]Prior to the Accutane treatment[/h]I had bad acne on my face, back and some on my chest. The acne on my face was by far the worse, with also some bad acne on my back. The acne on my chest was not particularly bad, but this is in comparison to the other problem areas, any acne is bad I suppose. My acne was ruining my self esteem and I wanted it sorted.
I had tried several antibiotic treatments that my GP prescribed to me that had little in the way of positive effects on my skin. The benzoyl peroxide cream also did not really have much benefit, although it did dry out the skin and cause it to be flaky. I worked up from a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream, to the 5%, and then finally the 10%. None of these treatments had any success in reducing my acne.
Something I had noticed however was how my skin got better in the summer months, when the sun was in the sky and we had decent levels of sunshine. I am unsure on the reasons behind this, whether it be the sun causing the skin to dry out and maybe the light tan helped also. Many others have noticed this, and have advised sun beds of a good way of reducing acne. We of course have to be careful of how much UV light we are exposed to, however.
[h=2]Seeing the Derm[/h]After waiting for some time in the waiting room I finally had my name called to see the dermatologist. She examined the acne on my face, back and chest and asked me some questions about my previous treatment, and how long I had the acne for. She told me she would be prescribing Accutane.
Before I could start my course of Accutane I had to have my blood taken and examined to ensure I was okay to take the drug, and also to get a base level reading of some important levels in my blood. Accutane can cause serious health problems in some individuals, and the warning sheet inside the drug boxes are quite scary! Accutane is a powerful drug and blood tests are regularly taken throughout the course to ensure everything stays within the normal range.
My blood test results arrived and I was at the dermatologist again who then prescribed the drug.
[h=2]First few weeks on Accutane[/h]My dermatologist had wrote a sheet out of the dosages I was to follow over the up and coming weeks. The dosage during the first week was 20mg each day, followed by 40mg for the following two weeks, then on 60mg for a one month period. After this I was set to see the dermatologist again to have my blood reviewed. This pyramiding of the dosage is common, and is most likely done for two reasons; a) it reduces the breakout that often occurs in patients for the first month or so of taking Accutane, and b) it is cheaper as less mg is taken.
I was told not to drink excessively whilst taking Accutane due to the stress on the liver that drug can cause. I also was made aware of the common side effects of the drying of the skin and lips, and therefore had Vaseline ready to apply to my lips, and a good quality moisturiser to use on my skin. A breakout of acne is also expected in the first month or so of treatment, but then this usually subsides and the acne reduces in "angriness" and the skin starts to clear.
After a few weeks I started to notice the drying of the skin taking place, and it was especially noticeable after taking a shower and not drying off properly. My lips started to get dry also, and after a few more weeks this had elevated to the stage where they were starting to crack if I did not apply the Vaseline.
[h=2]The second stage after my blood was reviewed[/h]After this initial two month period I had to get my blood taken again to ensure certain levels were still within normal range before continuing with the treatment. My results came back all clear and I continued with the treatment at a dosage of 60mg each day for a further two months.
Over these two months the drying of the skin become more apparent, as well as the cracking of the lips. You really need to keep applying the Vaseline to the lips and also the moisturiser several times a day to keep on top of the situation. My skin had improved a lot, as I had not had any new sports form which was a drastic positive for me from where I was before the treatment. Due to my previous serious acne I was still left with red marks on the skin from where this had been, and also some mild scaring. It was at this stage that it was clear how effective Accutane is for the treatment of acne.
[h=2]After the two month at 60mg each day[/h]After the two months had past on 60mg I had noticed a small out break of acne on my back. When I went to see the dermatologist for the next review I let her know and she decided to up the dose to 80mg a day for a final two months. 80mg would be the usual dose for some body of my weight (80kg at the time) but I had not gone up to this dosage due to my positive reaction to 60mg each day.
[h=2]80mg each day, full dosage[/h]After a week on 80mg each day it was clear that the extra 20mg was having a notable effect. The skin dried a lot more then previously and started to flake somewhat, my lips were cracking more, and the inner nose and ears were starting to harden and feel very flaky. My eyes also become irritable and felt dry.
Although the side effects were not pleasant, it was a lot more bearable then having bad acne. The 80mg was extremely effective at clearing the any acne that was left.
After two months had past I had a final appointment with the dermatologist, and the treatment was ceased. I was told it can sometimes take a few courses in some people to stop the acne, so if it started to come back I could book another appointment.
[h=2]After the Accutane treatment[/h]The notable side effects subsided a week or so after stopping the treatment. Any active acne had gone, and all that was left was red marks from the previous acne that I was told would take a while to fade. After a few years these red marks have near enough faded. I am extremely happy with the results, and would do it again.
Accutane is a very powerful and effective drug for those suffering with serious acne. I have had a positive experience with Accutane, but it is worth remember that people can react very differently to drugs and you should fully research the drug and its effects, as well as speaking them through with a medical professional before starting a course of prescribed Accutane.
