Accutane

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a form of vitamin A used for the treatment of severe nodular acne. This medicine is available by prescription and should be used by people who need this kind of treatment. This medicine is very dangerous for the health of an unborn or nursing baby, this is why any woman intending to take Accutane is supposed to sign a special agreement within the iPLEDGE program where she will agree to use two effective birth control methods during the treatment. Regular pregnancy tests are also required by this agreement and are supposed to be done before, during and after the treatment. Make sure you talk to your health care provider before starting to take this medicine and discuss a number of aspects that can be really important – such as your health conditions that you have ever been diagnosed with, drugs you are taking and a history of an allergic reaction to any medicines. If you have ever been allergic to some drugs, especially Accutane, you may not be able to take this medication because of high possibility of the same reaction taking place again. Make sure you discuss the following health conditions before sting the treatment as they may require a dose adjustment or careful monitoring of your progress during the treatment: asthma, high triglycerides, bone disorders, eating disorder, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, a personal history of depression, liver disease, or a history of mental illness. If you have any other health conditions you think may potentially interfere with the success of your treatment – make sure you report them as well to avoid unpleasant health effects and reactions of your body. Always make sure you take this medicine exactly as prescribed and never exceed the dose recommended. If you happened to take too much of Accutane, the following symptoms are possible: loss of balance, vomiting, swelling of the lips, problems with coordination, stomach pain, headache, warmth or tingling under your skin, and dizziness. An overdose of Accutane is serious and you need to seek emergency medical assistance if you happened to take too much of this medicine. You also need to be aware of the possibility of some side effects that are likely when you are taking Accutane. The following side effects are not expected to get worse and will probably go away on their own pretty son without any need to report them to your health care provider: back pain, dry mouth or lips, nervousness, dry skin, drowsiness, peeling skin, dizziness, rash, joint pain, and itching. More serious side effects of Accutane, such as bone pain, joint stiffness, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, sudden numbness, fast heart rate, clay-colored stools, vomiting, and seizure, are unlikely but you need to know they are possible and call your doctor immediately if you get them. If you develop any other reactions or health effects not listed – contacting your health care provider is the best thing to do. You will be able to learn whether any changes need to be made to your treatment to make sure it’s efficient.