Accutane - The Acne Medication

When all else fails - most dermatologists will prescibe Accutane. Accutane is a very powerful oral drug used to cure severe acne when other methods have failed. This form of acne medication is usually the last step in fighting the skin condition because it is the most effective.

Like Retin A, Accutane is a derivative of Vitamin A which decreases the amount of oil released by the oil glands of the skin. Vitamin A is actually naturally produced in the body but can be dangerous if too much is introduced into the bloodstream.

The downside to Accutane is its many negative side effects - some being very serious - although not likely to happen to most users. That is why Accutane is monitored through blood tests to make sure the levels are not too high because this acne drug does build up in the bloodstream.

NEGATIVES OF ACCUTANE

As an acne medication Accutane can take up to five months to see clearer skin - so anyone hoping for immediate results will have to wait.
In a lot of cases the acne actually gets worse before it gets better. This can be difficult for a lot of people to accept - especially young adults who may already be self conscious.
If too much Accutane is prescribed it can actually have negative affects on various organs including the liver, brain and stomach which is why blood tests are required.
If you experience trouble breathing, feeling faint, weak, convulsions, slurred speech, leg swelling - contact a doctor immediately
Headaches are common while on this acne medication. However most pain reliever medications will calm the pain. But if the pain continues your doctor should be notified.
There are some users who start to feel depressed while on this acne medication. In fact, if you have a history of depression that info should definitely be mentioned to your doctor. If you start to feel down, more anxious, angry, have less energy to where it affects your life on a daily basis - contact your doctor.
The most damaging side effect of Accutane is serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It is best to wait an entire month if you are taking Accutane and want to become pregnant. It is even required by most doctors that a woman be on birth control while taking Accutane.

While on Accutane do not:

Give blood - if a pregnant woman gets your blood her baby may be born with birth defects
Take vitamin A - because this acne medication is a form of Vitamin A too much will have negative results
Suntan- your skin will become much more sensitive to sunlight
This acne medication should definitely be taken as prescribed. A good doctor will tell you every detail you need to know and be there with any answers you may have. Accutane can work very well for severe acne.