Accutane Treatment for Acne

DEAR JORDON:  Accutane is a medication generally prescribed for more severe forms of acne or for acne (Type 4) that does not respond to traditional topical and oral antibiotics.  It is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called retnoid’s.

Accutane helps to reduce acne by: Reducing the size and secretion of sebaceous glands in the skin, inhibiting the growth of bacteria know to cause acne (P. acnes), reducing inflammation caused by acne lesions and preventing formation of comedones

It is generally used once or twice a day for 15-20 weeks and in my practice I have a 90% success rate.  It has been used safely for over 20 years but there are some important side effects to consider.

Accutane can cause birth defects in the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. It is important that women of childbearing age are not pregnant or breast feeding and do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. I usually insist women use two separate effective forms of birth control at the same time for 1 month before treatment begins, during the entire course of treatment, and for 1 full month after stopping the drug.

Changes in mood and mental health have been reported during treatment or soon after completing a course of Accutane. A doctor should be consulted if a person feels unusually sad or has other symptoms of depression, such as loss of appetite, trouble concentrating, increased irritability and suicidal thoughts.

Other possible side effects include dry eyes, mouth, lips, nose, or skin.

It is important to fully discuss the effects of the medication with your doctor and pharmacist and follow up with them regularly as advised by them.