Accutane is a prescribed treatment for acne that provides you with Vitamin A in a concentrated form which stops production of oil, the main cause of acne. It is not only used to fight severe acne like acne vulgaris, but also several other types. It is a powerful medicine that is prescribed usually for severest acne. However it has some restrictions in the U.S. due to its negative and potentially dangerous side effects. It is recommended to have a pregnancy test for women before taking this medication as it can cause severe birth defects. You can get Accutane in both topical as well as oral form.
Accutane is manufactured by Hoffman-La-Roche and was approved by the FDA in 1982. From then, it has been associated with several positive results, but has also been linked to several side effects and risks. It has surely not been successful for everybody.
Accutane contains only one single active ingredient, isotretinoin, which is an extremely processed variety of vitamin A and helps reduce oil in the skin. Since the main cause of acne is excess oil production, this can prove to be a really helpful tool for those with acute nodular acne.
In serious instances of acne vulgaris, it has been very effective in reducing acne, even in cases where everything else had failed. Accutane is also known to cure other forms of acne such as acne conglobata which could actually not be treated using any other methods. Accutane is proved to be significant in reducing the production of oil in the skin and treat acute acne effectively. Accutane reduces the output and size of the sebaceous glands. It also helps in limiting the flaking of dead skin which tends to block the pores.
Isotretinoin has various side effects including stomach pain, diarrhea, headaches, dry mouth, mood disturbances, drowsiness, dizziness, peeling or cracking skin, rashes, itching, hearing problems, joint pains, and sudden weakness or numbness. A combination of such side effects can be worse than the acne. Accutane can be taken only after the prescription from a qualified doctor. It also requires a waiver to be signed indicating that you have understood the possible results of using Accutane. You may experience dryness of lips, skin and eyes as the direct effect of restricted oil production. However, other serious side effects must be immediately reported to the dermatologist.
Accutane should be used only as absolutely the last resort to treat severe acne problems and should be taken under careful monitoring of the physician only. It is the last option for those who have tried everything else but failed. Accutane has many side effects that are associated with it, and can be more serious than the actual acne. Try considering the use of a treatment which attacks the root of the problem such as Clearpores and other topical products and medications before you consider taking Accutane. It is always best to take expert opinion of a dermatologist and other people who have used Accutane before deciding on the medication for treating acne.
The writer of this article have their own acne skin care website at Acne Skin Guide where you can find additional information about natural acne products and acne treatments. Acne Skin Guide is a website dedicated to providing unbiased reviews for acne medication.
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