Accutane for Severe Acne Problems

If you have severe, recurring acne and you have tried topical treatments and other medications without success, your physician may recommend that you try accutane.

Accutane is available only under a doctor’s supervision and with a prescription.  Accutane is taken by mouth in capsule form.  Capsules should be swallowed, not chewed.  Take each dosage with meals and with a full glass of liquid.  Accutane is generally taken twice a day, but follow your individual doctor’s directions, as outlined on your prescription label.  If you miss a dosage, wait until it is time to take the next dosage.  Do not double up on doses.  You can follow your regular food diet while taking accutane.

It may take several weeks to see the results of taking this medication.  Sometimes your acne will become worse at the beginning of treatment.

You should keep your doctor informed of what other medications you are taking, including all herbal and vitamin supplements.  This is to guard against adverse drug reactions, as well as to keep your physician fully informed of your medical conditions and needs.

You should store accutane at room temperature away from heat and moisture, which probably means it should not be stored in your bathroom.  Keep it in its original container.

Accutane, also called isotretinoin, was originally developed for use in chemotherapy treatments for serious, severe cancers such as brain and pancreatic cancer.  Accutane has the ability to kill off the rapidly developing cells present in cancer cases. 

Aside from nodular acne, accutane is used to treat acne rosacea and other serious skin conditions.  It slows down the production of oil by the glands in the skin.  An excess of oil in the skin is what causes pimples to erupt.