Hi,
Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in
spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug
and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects.
Accutane has been discussed before on our group, some entries can be
found in the highlights, but the text below is borrowed from Gillian
Chinns excellent site: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2738/
I recommend her site for all considering taking Accutane:
"So what's it really like?
If you've been considering taking roaccutane I guess by now you've
heard or seen lists as long as your arm of possible side effects. I
will say it now - DON'T PANIC!
The more serious side effects are actually very rare. What you will
suffer from is dryness. Your skin, lips, hair and eyes will become dry
as the drug inhibits the grease glands. This is one of the ways in
which accutane helps with your acne, although exactly how it works is
not known.
If you're anything like me, the relief at not having to wash your face
three or four times a day may well outweigh the inconvenience of being
dried up. I would advise you to take preventative measures right from
the start, then the dryness
doesn't become too much of a problem. I was on half my maximum dose,
(that's 25mg) which I think is the normal starting dose, and my grease
glands stopped work completely whilst I was on the treatment.
Petroleum jelly (e.g. vaseline) is good for the lips, but too heavy too
be used on the face. One of my main reservations about accutane was
caused by a number of horror stories I heard about monsterous chapped
lips. I believe this can be prevented by using petroleum jelly right
from the start - I used it several times a day, and missing just one
application could cause me to wake up next morning looking dreadful,
but more jelly soon cleared it up again. I was even able to continue
playing the horn in my church music group!
You'll also want to use a good moisturiser on your face - I think
something straightforward like cream E45 is better than exotic
moisturising creams, but take your doctor's advice on this one.
In the end, the only major disadvantage I experienced was being unable
to wear my contact lenses. This is a normal effect, caused by dryness
of the eyes, and seems a small price to pay.
[...] (Reg. birth defect)
Before you are given your medicine, you are required to sign a form [in
UK that is] stating that you are not pregnant, and will use a reliable
form of contraception during and for one month after treatment.
Even if you're a virgin, you are quite likely to be prescribed the
pill, even if you have no intention of becoming sexually active. I
certainly had no luck pursuading my consultant! In the UK,
contraceptives prescribed by a doctor are free, so at least you don't
have to worry about extra expense!
I think the pill is generally the preferred method, so you may have to
start taking it even if you already use a different method."
And now a learned description of Accutane from a very informative site:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm
"Accutane (isotretinoin), a retinoid which inhibits sebaceous gland
function and keratinization, is available in 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg
soft gelatin capsules for oral administration. Each capsule also
contains beeswax, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium,
hydrogenated soybean oil flakes, hydrogenated vegetable oil and soybean
oil. Gelatin capsules contain glycerin and parabens (methyl and
propyl), with the following dye systems: 10 mg - iron oxide (red) and
titanium dioxide; 20 mg - FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Blue No. 1 and titanium
dioxide; 40 mg - FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. IO and titanium
dioxide.
Chemically, isotretinoin is 13-cis-retinoic acid and is related to both
retinoic acid and retinol (vitamin A). It is a yellow-orange to orange
crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 300.44."
Best wishes,
Thor Jonsson,
who had excellent results
taking maximum dose of Roaccutan
for five months.
original article:
85
> I went to a dermatologist today. He prescribed Accutane. He said I
> had a few Rosacea symptons, but mainly cystic acne. I would like to
> know if anyone has done the Accutane treatment and what side effects
> occurred. I have been doing some reading on the web and I'm not sure
> if I want to try Accutane or not. Any thoughts would be helpful.
>