Article best acne treatment

There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your prescriber (doctor or other health care provider).
What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?

Accutane is used to treat a type of severe acne (nodular acne) that has not been helped by other treatments
including antibiotics. However
Accutane can cause serious side effects. Before starting Accutane
discuss with your prescriber how bad your acne is
the possible benefits of Accutane
and its possible side effects
to decide if Accutane is right for you. Your prescriber will ask you to read and sign a form or forms indicating you understand some of the serious risks of Accutane.
Possible serious side effects of taking Accutane include birth defects and mental disorders.

1. Birth defects. Accutane can cause birth defects (deformed babies) if taken by a pregnant woman. It can also cause miscarriage (losing the baby before birth)
premature (early) birth
or death of the baby. Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking Accutane. Do not get pregnant for 1 month after you stop taking Accutane. Also
if you get pregnant while taking Accutane
stop taking it right away and call your prescriber.

All females should read the section in this Medication Guide "What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?"

2. Mental problems and suicide. Some patients
while taking Accutane or soon after stopping Accutane
have become depressed or developed other serious mental problems. Symptoms of these problems include sad
anxious
or empty mood
irritability
anger
loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities
sleeping too much or too little
changes in weight or appetite
school or work performance going down
or trouble concentrating. Some patients taking Accutane have had thoughts about hurting themselves or putting an end to their own lives (suicidal thoughts). Some people tried to end their own lives. And some people have ended their own lives. There were reports that some of these people did not appear depressed. No one knows if Accutane caused these behaviors or if they would have happened even if the person did not take Accutane.

All patients should read the section in this Medication Guide "What are the signs of mental problems?"

For other possible serious side effects of Accutane
see "What are the possible side effects of Accutane?" in this Medication Guide.

What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?

You must not become pregnant while taking Accutane
or for 1 month after you stop taking Accutane. Accutane can cause severe birth defects in babies of women who take it while they are pregnant
even if they take Accutane for only a short time. There is an extremely high risk that your baby will be deformed or will die if you are pregnant while taking Accutane. Taking Accutane also increases the chance of miscarriage and premature births.

Female patients will not get their first prescription for Accutane unless there is proof they have had 2 negative pregnancy tests. The first test must be done when your prescriber decides to prescribe Accutane. The second pregnancy test must be done during the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before starting Accutane therapy
or as instructed by your prescriber. Each month of treatment
you must have a negative result from a urine or serum pregnancy test. Female patients cannot get another prescription for Accutane unless there is proof that they have had a negative pregnancy test.

A yellow self-adhesive Accutane Qualification Sticker on your prescription indicates to the pharmacist that you are qualified by your prescriber to get Accutane.

While you are taking Accutane
you must use effective birth control. You must use 2 separate effective forms of birth control at the same time for at least 1 month before starting Accutane
while you take it
and for 1 month after you stop taking it. You can either discuss effective birth control methods with your prescriber or go for a free visit to discuss birth control with another physician or family planning expert. Your prescriber can arrange this free visit
which will be paid for by the manufacturer.

You must use 2 separate forms of effective birth control because any method
including birth control pills and sterilization
can fail. There are only 2 reasons you would not need to use 2 separate methods of effective birth control:

1. You have had your womb removed by surgery (a hysterectomy).
2. You are absolutely certain you will not have genital-to-genital sexual contact with a male before
during
and for 1 month after Accutane treatment.

If you have sex at any time without using 2 forms of effective birth control
get pregnant
or miss your period
stop using Accutane and call your prescriber right away.

All patients should read the rest of this Medication Guide.
What are the signs of mental problems?

Tell your prescriber if
to the best of your knowledge
you or someone in your family has ever had any mental illness
including depression
suicidal behavior
or psychosis. Psychosis means a loss of contact with reality
such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there. Also
tell your prescriber if you take medicines for any of these problems.

Stop using Accutane and tell your provider right away if you:

? Start to feel sad or have crying spells

? Lose interest in activities you once enjoyed

? Sleep too much or have trouble sleeping

? Become more irritable than usual

? Have a change in your appetite or body weight

? Have trouble concentrating

? Withdraw from your friends or family

? Feel like you have no energy

? Have feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

? Start having thoughts about hurting yourself or taking your own life (suicidal thoughts)
What is Accutane?

Accutane is used to treat the most severe form of acne (nodular acne) that cannot be cleared up by any other acne treatments
including antibiotics. In severe nodular acne
many red
swollen
tender lumps form in the skin. These can be the size of pencil erasers or larger. If untreated
nodular acne can lead to permanent scars. However
because Accutane can have serious side effects
you should talk with your prescriber about all of the possible treatments for your acne
and whether Accutane?s possible benefits outweigh its possible risks.
Who should not take Accutane?

? Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant
plan to become pregnant
or become pregnant during Accutane treatment. Accutane causes severe birth defects. All females should read the section "What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?" for more information and warnings about Accutane and pregnancy.

? Do not take Accutane unless you completely understand its possible risks and are willing to follow all of the instructions in this Medication Guide.

Tell your prescriber if you or someone in your family has had any kind of mental problems
asthma
liver disease
diabetes
heart disease
osteoporosis (bone loss)
weak bones
anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder where people eat too little)
or any other important health problems. Tell your prescriber about any food or drug allergies you have had in the past. These problems do not necessarily mean you cannot take Accutane
but your prescriber needs this information to discuss if Accutane is right for you.
How should I take Accutane?

? You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time
to be sure you check in with your prescriber each month to discuss side effects.

? Your prescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive sticker attached to it. The sticker is YELLOW. If your prescription does not have this yellow self-adhesive sticker
call your prescriber. The pharmacy should not fill your prescription unless it has the yellow self-adhesive sticker.

? The amount of Accutane you take has been specially chosen for you and may change during treatment.

? You will take Accutane 2 times a day with a meal
unless your prescriber tells you otherwise. Swallow your Accutane capsules with a full glass of liquid. This will help prevent the medication inside the capsule from irritating the lining of your esophagus (connection between mouth and stomach). For the same reason
do not chew or suck on the capsule.

? If you miss a dose
just skip that dose. Do not take 2 doses the next time.

? You should return to your prescriber as directed to make sure you don?t have signs of serious side effects. Because some of Accutane?s serious side effects show up in blood tests
some of these visits may involve blood tests (monthly visits for female patients should always include a urine or serum pregnancy test).
What should I avoid while taking Accutane?

? Do not get pregnant while taking Accutane. See "What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?" and "What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?"

? Do not breast feed while taking Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane. We do not know if Accutane can pass through your milk and harm the baby.

? Do not give blood while you take Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane. If someone who is pregnant gets your donated blood
her baby may be exposed to Accutane and may be born with birth defects.

? Do not take vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A in high doses has many of the same side effects as Accutane. Taking both together may increase your chance of getting side effects.

? Do not have cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin
including waxing
dermabrasion
or laser procedures
while you are using Accutane and for at least 6 months after you stop. Accutane can increase your chance of scarring from these procedures. Check with your prescriber for advice about when you can have cosmetic procedures.

? Avoid sunlight and ultraviolet lights as much as possible. Tanning machines use ultraviolet lights. Accutane may make your skin more sensitive to light.

? Do not use birth control pills that do not contain estrogen ("minipills"). They may not work while you take Accutane. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you are not sure what type you are using.

? Talk with your doctor if you plan to take other drugs or herbal products. This is especially important for patients using birth control pills and other hormonal types of birth control because the birth control may not work as effectively if you are taking certain drugs or herbal products. You should not take the herbal supplement St. John?s Wort because this herbal supplement may make birth control pills not work as effectively.

? Talk with your doctor if you are currently taking an oral or injected corticosteroid or anticonvulsant (seizure) medication prior to using Accutane. These drugs may weaken your bones.

? Do not share Accutane with other people. It can cause birth defects and other serious health problems.

? Do not take Accutane with antibiotics unless you talk to your prescriber. For some antibiotics
you may have to stop taking Accutane until the antibiotic treatment is finished. Use of both drugs together can increase the chances of getting increased pressure in the brain.
What are the possible side effects of Accutane?

Accutane has possible serious side effects

? Accutane can cause birth defects
premature births
and death in babies whose mothers took Accutane while they were pregnant. See "What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?" and "What are the important warnings for females taking Accutane?"

? Serious mental health problems. See "What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?"

? Serious brain problems. Accutane can increase the pressure in your brain. This can lead to permanent loss of sight
or in rare cases
death. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away if you get any of these signs of increased brain pressure: bad headache
blurred vision
dizziness
nausea
or vomiting. Also
some patients taking Accutane have had seizures (convulsions) or stroke.

? Abdomen (stomach area) problems. Certain symptoms may mean that your internal organs are being damaged. These organs include the liver
pancreas
bowel (intestines)
and esophagus (connection between mouth and stomach). If your organs are damaged
they may not get better even after you stop taking Accutane. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you get severe stomach
chest or bowel pain
trouble swallowing or painful swallowing
new or worsening heartburn
diarrhea
rectal bleeding
yellowing of your skin or eyes
or dark urine.

? Bone and muscle problems. Accutane may affect bones
muscles
and ligaments and cause pain in your joints or muscles. Tell your prescriber if you plan vigorous physical activity during treatment with Accutane. Tell your prescriber if you develop pain
particularly back pain or joint pain. There are reports that some patients have had stunted growth after taking Accutane for acne as directed. There are also some reports of broken bones or reduced healing of broken bones after taking Accutane for acne as directed. No one knows if taking Accutane for acne will affect your bones. If you have a broken bone
tell your provider that you are taking Accutane. Muscle weakness with or without pain can be a sign of serious muscle damage. If this happens
stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away.

? Hearing problems. Some people taking Accutane have developed hearing problems. It is possible that hearing loss can be permanent. Stop using Accutane and call your prescriber if your hearing gets worse or if you have ringing in your ears.

? Vision problems. While taking Accutane you may develop a sudden inability to see in the dark
so driving at night can be dangerous. This condition usually clears up after you stop taking Accutane
but it may be permanent. Other serious eye effects can occur. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber right away if you have any problems with your vision or dryness of the eyes that is painful or constant.

? Lipid (fats and cholesterol in blood) problems. Many people taking Accutane develop high levels of cholesterol and other fats in their blood. This can be a serious problem. Return to your prescriber for blood tests to check your lipids and to get any needed treatment. These problems generally go away when Accutane treatment is finished.

? Allergic reactions. In some people
Accutane can cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking Accutane and get emergency care right away if you develop hives
a swollen face or mouth
or have trouble breathing. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you develop a fever
rash
or red patches or bruises on your legs.

? Signs of other possibly serious problems. Accutane may cause other problems. Tell your prescriber if you have trouble breathing (shortness of breath)
are fainting
are very thirsty or urinate a lot
feel weak
have leg swelling
convulsions
slurred speech
problems moving
or any other serious or unusual problems. Frequent urination and thirst can be signs of blood sugar problems.

Serious permanent problems do not happen often. However
because the symptoms listed above may be signs of serious problems
if you get these symptoms
stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber. If not treated
they could lead to serious health problems. Even if these problems are treated
they may not clear up after you stop taking Accutane.
Accutane has less serious possible side effects

The common less serious side effects of Accutane are dry skin
chapped lips
dry eyes
and dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds. People who wear contact lenses may have trouble wearing them while taking Accutane and after therapy. Sometimes
people?s acne may get worse for a while. They should continue taking Accutane unless told to stop by their prescriber.

These are not all of Accutane?s possible side effects. Your prescriber or pharmacist can give you more detailed information that is written for health care professionals.

This Medication Guide is only a summary of some important information about Accutane. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. If you have any concerns or questions about Accutane
ask your prescriber. Do not use Accutane for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
Active Ingredient: Isotretinoin.

Inactive Ingredients: 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. 10
and titanium dioxide.