Accutane - What You Should Know Before Using

Having acne is difficult enough to get rid of, but having severe acne can make finding a cure next to impossible it seems. That is where Accutane comes in. Accutane is actually the trade name for the medication called Isotretinoin. Let's take a closer look at this acne medication and what you should be aware of before using it.

Accutane is a deravitive of Vitamin A and comes in a tablet form. The dose that you would take is basically determined by your weight along with how severe the doctor or dermatologist estimates your case is. It can range anywhere from 0.5 mg to 2.0 mg per day. Treatment generally lasts anywhere from 5-6 months in most cases. It can be a good medicine to use in the event that you have gone through other topical treatments without any positive results. With that said, there are serious side effects with using Accutane that you really need to be aware of, including:

- Birth Defects - Isotretinoin is listed by the FDA as being highly likely to cause birth defects if you use it while you are pregnant. It is recommended that you wait for at least one month following its use before getting pregnant. This is especially serious when teenagers are using Accutane and are also sexually active. They need to be sure they are using some form of birth control. In fact, while using Accutane you can not donate blood for 30 days following its use.

- Dry And Itchy Skin - This is a common side effect from Accutane.

- Liver Problems - Because Accutane raises liver enzymes you will most likely need simple blood tests while using this medication to be sure it is not damaging your liver.

- Other Less Common Effects - These can include headaches, hair thinning, skin rash, eye irritation and depression.

Isotretinoin has been around since 1982, but only in recent years have so many other companies begun marketing it. The cost is much higher than that of other topical medications and there is no guarantee it will work. Acne is difficult to control at times. You may notice that the problem has gone away with treatment, but when you stop the acne returns again.

I know many people who have used Accutane and had good results with it. For others it hasn't worked out so well. Ultimately, it is a decision between you and your dermatologist. I would definitel say it should be used as a last resort only. With the potential harm it may do you will need to weigh your options carefully.