Accutane Information

Acne is a very common and extremely bothersome skin condition. It can develop on many different parts of the body, but is typically found on the face. Acne may persist into adulthood but peaks for boys between the ages of 16 and 19 and between the ages of 14 and 17 for girls.
 

Acne Treatments

While there is no cure for acne, there are treatments that can keep it under control and also prevent scarring. This medication has proven to decrease oil production within the skin and limit the shedding of dead skin which usually clog pores. The best treatment will depend on the type and severity of the acne and how much of a concern it is for the one suffering from it. Some people are mortified by the least amount of acne while others are unconcerned with any amount of it. Treatments can range from mild and gentle to very strong. There are many systematic and topical therapies, physical therapies and in some cases even surgery.
 

About Accutane

The most successfully documented type of severe acne therapy is Accutane. It is product that is related to vitamin A and should only be used for people with multiple, large, swollen nodules, scarring or unsuccessful improvement with other conventional acne treatments. Accutane is an effective, but very powerful medication that has significant side effects.

Accutane (known as Roaccutane or Isotretinoin in other parts of the world) was created in 1979 when it was first offered to patients with severe acne, most of whom showed drastic and permanent improvement of their acne. It is not known how Accutane works exactly, but it is known that it affects the four ways acne develops. It reduces the size of oil glands and how much oil is produced. The amount of acne bacteria in the skin is reduced. The rate at which skin cells are produced is slowed down and it also works as an anti-inflammatory.
 

Accutane Lawsuits

Nearly 5,000 lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Accutane – Roche Pharmaceuticals – alleging that this medication causes serious side effects. Adverse reactions include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal disorders, suicidal thoughts, birth defects and inflammatory bowel disease. Other side effects with taking Accutane may include dry skin, headaches, hair loss, eczema, fatigue, sensitivity to light, brittle nails, menstrual problems, muscle pain and skin infections.

Accutane is seen as the biggest breakthrough in acne treatment within the last 20 years. It is the only drug that has the possibility of clearing severe acne forever after just one course of drug treatment. According to its manufacturer, Accutane has been provided to 5 million people living in the U.S. and 12 million around the world.
 

Consulting With A Physician

The decision for someone to begin taking Accutane must be discussed with a dermatologist. Because it is so strong and has potential harmful side effects, it is recommended to be used by only people who are suffering from cystic or severe inflammatory acne and all other treatments options have failed. All patients taking Accutance must be monitored by their doctor.
 

When Using Accutane

The most common method of treatment is a 16- to 20-week course that is then followed by a rest period. More courses are then given if the proper amount of clearing was not achieved with the first course. For most patients, only one course is needed and about 20 percent of patients need a second course. To prevent a relapse, patients need to finish the course that is prescribed, even if the skin clears up before all the medication has been taken.