How does Accutane work and what are the side effects?
How It Works: It clears acne primarily through permanently reducing skin oil production, but also reduces bacteria, prevents clogged pores, and reduces inflammation. Side Effects: Because it is an oral medication, it affects the entire body.
What happens to a fetus after exposure to Accutane?
There are no accurate means of determining whether an exposed fetus has been affected. Birth defects which have been documented following Accutane exposure include abnormalities of the face, eyes, ears, skull, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and thymus and parathyroid glands.
What happens if you take isotretinoin while pregnant?
This means that isotretinoin causes birth defects if women take it while they are pregnant. The birth defects that isotretinoin causes include central nervous system, facial, cardiac, and thymus gland abnormalities. After isotretinoin treatment has been completed for one month, a woman can get pregnant without worrying about birth defects.
What happens at the end of 16 weeks of isotretinoin?
At the end of 16 weeks, about 85% of patients are clear. 6 The beneficial effects of isotretinoin do not stop when the drug is discontinued. A further reduction of acne lesions and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (or discoloration) is seen for months after treatment has stopped.
Is there a generic version of Accutane available?
Accutane is a brand-name version of the drug isotretinoin. The brand is no longer available in the United States. However, the generic version of isotretinoin and other brand-name versions, such as Absorica, are still available.
What’s the difference between Accutane and isotretinoin?
What is Accutane? Isotretinoin, commonly referred to as Accutane (note: Accutane was a brand name for isotretinoin and is no longer manufactured), is a vitamin-A derivative that, when taken orally, minimizes the oil production in your skin.
When to talk to your doctor about Accutane?
Patients should be open and honest with their doctor when deciding to take Accutane. If you have a history of mental health problems, diabetes, eating disorders, or high blood fats, talk to your doctor. These conditions could potentially put you at a higher risk for serious side effects.