Accutane, The Good and The Bad

Accutane is patented by the well-known drug manufacturer Roche Pharmaceuticals. In the United States, it goes by the brand name of Isotretinoin. In other countries, Accutane is known as Roaccutane. Some generic versions are also now available. These are known as Amnesteem, Sotret and Claravis.
Isotretinoin is derived from the A vitamin very much like Retin-A, but unlike Retin-A, isotretinoin is taken orally rather than used on the skin. Vitamin A has been proven to be very healthy for the skin but the unfortunate aspect is that the human body doesn't always assimilate vitamin A very well. In addition, if taken in large amounts, it can build up to dangerous levels. These toxins then can cause serious side effects. This fact has caused the medical professionals to exercise caution.
Isotretinoin on the other hand is very effective in battling acne because it is the only medication that works in many ways. It reduces the size of the sebaceous glands, decreases cellular accumulation, eliminates bacteria and lessons inflammation. Another positive attribute of isotretinoin is that it continues to exhibit productive results well after the individual stops using it. This drug may have a long lasting, positive effect on the skin and in the curing of the nasty symptoms associated with acne.
Accutane's most frequently experienced side effects usually involve the skin. An individual's skin may become very dry and quite irritated. The mucus membranes may also feel very much the same. One's lips and or eyes may also become extremely dry and irritated. Some other side effects might be muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, or the thinning of hair.
There are other more serious side effects, which do seem to disappear once the medication is no longer taken. These may include colitis, loss of night vision, or hepatitis.
The most serious and permanent side effect that has occurred is the damage to the unborn child of a pregnant mother. Our medical professionals are well aware of the potential birth defects to the fetus. The Accutane warnings have always and still do indicate this unfortunate fact. The potential of birth defects cannot be underestimated. The risks are very high for the fetus and can be devastating even with the usage of very small doses.
Many women experience miscarriages while taking isotretinoin. The fact is that the numbers may as high as four out of ten pregnancies are terminated in this fashion. Consequently, many groups have petitioned for this drug to be taken off the market.
If a child is carried full term, the types of birth defects are numerous and varied. A few are facial and nervous system deformities, mental retardation, or severe learning and developmental disabilities. Some of these defects or disabilities have an effect on a child's IQ, which obviously can be a life long challenge.
The prescribing of Accutane is more involved than many other drugs. There are specific steps the physician must take before the prescription can be written. The patient must also go through a series of tests. She must agree to use birth control and undergo pregnancy tests.
These steps are all for the benefit of the unborn child. As good as Accutane can be in curing acne, it can be just as devastating to the fetus. Much caution must be exercised before prescribing and using.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acne Products

Is Accutane Safe?

Isotretinoin, sold under the brand name Accutane, is the only drug that can cure acne, but it can cause horrible birth defects when taken by pregnant women. Reports from Britain and Israel show that Accutane otherwise is much safer than we used to think.

Acne is a condition in which normally colorless, liquid skin oils are converted to solid white material. Then the skin responds to the trapped solid oil by turning red and swelling. A three- or four-month course of Accutane damages the oil glands and markedly reduces the amount of oil that your skin produces, making Accutane the most effective drug to treat acne. Having less skin oil should not cause any serious side effects as its only known function is to keep you from feeling too cold in the winter, because it slows evaporation of sweat. Dry skin is associated with lack of water, and aging of skin is associated with lack of collagen, not with lack of oil.

In the British study, ninety-three per cent of the people taking Accutane reported no long-term side effects. The British researchers reported that two percent suffered muscle aches at follow up, and 5 percent suffered from dry mouth. Fewer than one percent claimed that they had dry eyes and skin and joint pains. Higher doses were not associated with more side effects. The authors concluded that their study showed that isotretinoin is a safe drug with no serious long-term side-effects. However, it causes birth defects when taken during pregnancy.

A study from Israel also shows that Accutane is far safer than many doctors think. Many doctors refuse to prescribe Accutane for severe acne because they are afraid that Accutane will damage livers, raise triglyceride levels and cause heart attacks. In this study, none of the patients had liver tests that were abnormal enough to stop treatment. Only 1.5 percent of patients had serum triglyceride levels above 400 mg%, but all continued treatment. Only 3.5 percent of patients required a second treatment.

I insist that all women who take Accutane do nothing that could cause a pregnancy while they take it. Three months after stopping Accutane, a woman has no increased risk for birth defects.

I check liver tests and triglyceride levels and if normal, prescribe 40 mg of Accutane twice a day for 14 weeks. I check liver tests every four weeks and stop the drug immediately if the liver tests become abnormal. I repeat liver tests two weeks later, and if normal, restart Accutane. Eighty-two percent of those who follow this regimen are cured of acne for life. If the acne returns months or years later, I usually prescribe 40 mg of Accutane four times a day for one month. Check with your doctor.

For Journal references on Accutane see http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/G200.htm

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

How to stay Acne Free

Have you tried in desperation to deal with your acne? Have you attempted all the over-the-counter medications in the drugstore?

There are people just like you… everywhere.

Trying different medications to stay acne free can actually cause your face to irritate due to the diverse chemicals that upset the skin’s Ph balance. A natural acne treatment is the best way to replenish your skin’s health and you stay acne free.

Fundamentally, a natural acne treatment to stay acne free involves changing your eating habits, cleansing your insides and utilizing various remedies to provide nutrients to the organs. A prescription medicine, harsh chemical and junk or processed food with food additives would hinder your acne free skin greatly.

Although severe acne needs serious attention, mild to moderate acne can be acne free effectively by using a natural acne treatment with herbs. These natural herbs will help you remain acne free. This essential acne treatment is not from a foreign plant or uncommon species. This natural acne treatment is actually a part of ordinary products and oils found in your grocery store anytime.

Spices keep your face, digestive system and immune system well. Although they can do so much for you, they must be used in moderation if you want to be acne free. Raw spices can be used for ways to make recipes to stay acne free.

As you may have guessed, fruits and vegetables are also a part of an acne treatment. They are both luminous for your skin when applied straightforwardly. This is due to of the minerals, essential oils and antioxidants.

Vegetables such as asparagus are said to cleanse your skin from its extreme oiliness. You can remove the juice of vegetables, and put them on your face for several minutes a day. Regrettably, the acne treatment does not make you acne free overnight. You have to wait about 5 weeks before you start to notice serious results.

Because fruits and vegetables hold a lot of water, they help you rid toxic body chemicals. Water also transports nutrients to your body. Exfoliation is another acne treatment necessary in keeping skin acne free. Exfoliating sloughs off dead skin cells, also. Here is an example, use flour from your kitchen and add a minute bit of turmeric and a small number of drops of coconut oil to make your special face mask. The mask will soften your face and remove dead cells.

Guy Ray is a copywriter and has more than 200 articles to his credit.You can learn more about becoming and staying acne free by visiting his site at http://www.stop-acne-tips.com/Acne_Free.html