Acne Treatment with Roaccutane

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What is Roaccutane?

Roaccutane can be prescribed by your skin specialist doctor to treat severe cases of acne that have not responded successfully to other treatments. Roaccutane is a retinoid compound that contains a substance called isotretinoin, which is chemically related to vitamin A.

How does Roaccutane work?

Roaccutane works by reducing the amount of sebum and grease produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It also reduces the number of bacteria on the skin surface, reducing inflammation and opening blocked pores.

How long will the treatment last?

The treatment with Roaccutane can last between four to eight months. During the first few weeks of treatment your acne can get worse before it gets better. However this is an indication that the treatment is working. After the initial period you should see a significant improvement of the skin, in most patients the skin continuous to improve even after the treatment has finished. However, Roaccutane can not improve scaring caused by acne, but it can help to prevent new scarring from occurring.

When you must not take Roaccutane?

• You must not take Roaccutane if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or at least one month before you fall pregnant, however your doctor can advise you to play safe and wait at least six months after treatment is finished before you fall pregnant, due to the high risk of having a severally deformed baby. Female patients should wait until the 2nd or 3rd day of the next normal menstrual period before starting taking Roaccutane.

• You must not take Roaccutane if you have had an allergic reaction to Roaccutane, vitamin A or other retinoids medicines.
• You must not take Roaccutane if you are taking tetracycline antibiotics.
• You must not take Roaccutane if you have severe liver disease.
• You must not take Roaccutane if you have very high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood.
• You must not take Roaccutane if you have hypervitaminosis A, which is a condition caused by an excessive amount of vitamin A in the diet.

Things to be aware of while taking Roaccutane:

• Your doctor may ask you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function, blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels.
• You should not drink alcohol, at all, while taking Roaccutane, due to the increased risk of liver damage.
• Tell your doctor if you intend to do lots of heavy lifting or exercise, as your muscles and joints may get tender or stiff with heavy exercise.
• You should not donate blood during the course of treatment or at least one month after the treatment has finished.
• You should be cautions when driving or operating machinery after starting treatment, until you know how you react to Roaccutane. It does not normally affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However altered night vision and other visual disturbances may occur when taking Roaccutane.
• It may be uncomfortable to wear contact lenses during treatment with Roaccutane as it can cause dry eyes. You may need to use eye lubricant to alleviate the discomfort or wear glasses instead.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun cream while taking Roaccutane as your skin can be more sensitive and prone to sunburn.
• Avoid waxing and dermabrasion during treatment with Roaccutane and for 5 to 6 months after the treatment has finished, as the skin may be more sensitive to dermatitis and scaring.
• Avoid facial peels, electrolysis and some hair treatments, as the skin may be more delicate during and for a while after treatment.

What are the possible side effects of Roaccutane?

Some of the following unwanted side effects may occur in some people taking Roaccutane. All medicines can have side effect, sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Medical treatment may be needed if you get some of the side effects. This is a list of most possible side effects, it does not mean you will experience them during treatment.

• Dry lips, mouth, nose and skin – Chapstick Medicated lip balm can be used to soften the skin of the nose and lips
• Fragile skin
• Change in colour of the skin
• Peeling palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• Itchy skin rash
• An increased susceptibility to sunburn
• Sweating
• Changes to the nails
• Eye problems such as dry, sore, swollen or itchy eyes, discharge or trouble seeing at night
• Nosebleeds
• Tenderness or stiffness in your bones, joints or muscles
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Hair loss (sometimes occurs and is usually temporary but in rare cases, has persisted)
• Excessive hairiness
• Hoarseness

These side effects are usually mild and related to the dose taken. Most of them disappear completely after the dose is lowered or stopped.

Other more serious side effects include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Persistent headache
• Blurred vision or visual disturbances
• Severe upper stomach pain
• Blood in stools or severe diarrhoea
• Severe skin rash or severe bruising
• Liver damage
• Skeletal hyperostosis – excessive bone growth that occurs along the sides of the spine.
• Psychosis: thinking, seeing or hearing things that are not real
• Feeling depressed, with or without suicidal thoughts
Symptoms of depression may include:
• Feeling sad or having crying spells
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
• Changes in your appetite or body weight
• Having trouble concentrating
• Withdrawing from your friends or family
• Feeling like you have no energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Ingredients of Roaccutane:

Active ingredient - isotretinoin

• Each 10 mg capsule contains 10 mg isotretinoin
• Each 20 mg capsule contains 20 mg isotretinoin

Inactive ingredients -

The capsules also contain:
• Soya oil
• Yellow beeswax
• Partially hydrogenated soya oil
• Hydrogenated soya oil
Soya oil may contain traces of arachidic acid (a component of peanut oil).
The capsule shell contains:
• Gelatin
• Glycerol
• Orbital
• Mannitol
• Maize starch product
• Titanium dioxide
• Iron oxide, red
The printing ink contains:
• Shellac
• Iron oxide, black
ROACCUTANE does not contain sucrose or gluten.

Tags: acne, acne treatment, Roaccutane, spots