Accutane - Concerns And Treatment
Accutane, a trademark name for the chemical isotretinoin, is a potent medication that has been used for the treatment of certain types of cancers. Originally, the medication was developed for use in chemotherapy for brain cancer and pancreatic cancer, along with other forms of malignant tumors. It is still currently in use in this manner due to its ability to kill rapidly dividing cells typical of tumor growths. Currently, it is also seeing use as a treatment for severe cases of conditions such as acne.
This drug was first used in the 1930's as treatment for acne. With administration, sebum production is notably reduced. From the time of its introduction, the drug was known to have teratogenic potential, and pregnancies with the drug were strongly discouraged. When they occurred, they were found to have approximately 30% rates of congenital malformation. In February 2002, more companies began to sell generic and cheaper versions of the drug.
Accutane is a retinoid, which means that it generally acts to reduce the amount of sebum that is released by the skin, reducing one of the theorized causes of acne and increasing its ability to renew. The drug specifically attempts to decrease the amount of sebum output by the sebaceous glands by slowing down production.
Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A and is naturally occurring in the human body. It is formed by the body during vitamin A intake, but only in trace amounts. As a naturally-occurring chemical, the body is able to quickly remove it from the bloodstream. In most cases, the chemical is gone from the body within nine days and is believed to have no lasting effects on future pregnancies. The combination of the trace amounts natural to the body and higher doses from medication are believed to be the cause of the birth defects that Accutane causes.
Accutane is typically taken in the form of soft gel capsules, which can vary in size from 10, 20 and 40 milligram doses. The amount taken by any individual patent can vary based on a number of factors, including height, weight, their general health, any allergies to medication they might have and the medical condition that is being treated. Physicians will generally ascertain what is the appropriate dose and patients are advised to stick with that. Accutane is easier to absorb with food, particularly a high-fat meal. However, like most medications, it also has a number of side effects. In small doses, there is a low chance of having side effects on average, but higher doses have been known to cause a drying of the oil glands and skin. In practice, it is best to adjust the dose to balance the efficacy of the medication and the risk of side effects.
Common side effects linked to accutane are chapped lips, dry skin, itching, nose dryness, mild nosebleed, eye irritation, joint and muscle pain. Other side effects include intestinal symptoms, urinary tract symptoms, temporary hair thinning, rash, headache, increased sensitivity to sun and decreased night vision. At worst, depression and thoughts of suicide are possible. If taken by sexually active women, accutane may be work as an effective birth control method. However, if taken during pregnancy, it can cause serious birth defects.
This drug was first used in the 1930's as treatment for acne. With administration, sebum production is notably reduced. From the time of its introduction, the drug was known to have teratogenic potential, and pregnancies with the drug were strongly discouraged. When they occurred, they were found to have approximately 30% rates of congenital malformation. In February 2002, more companies began to sell generic and cheaper versions of the drug.
Accutane is a retinoid, which means that it generally acts to reduce the amount of sebum that is released by the skin, reducing one of the theorized causes of acne and increasing its ability to renew. The drug specifically attempts to decrease the amount of sebum output by the sebaceous glands by slowing down production.
Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A and is naturally occurring in the human body. It is formed by the body during vitamin A intake, but only in trace amounts. As a naturally-occurring chemical, the body is able to quickly remove it from the bloodstream. In most cases, the chemical is gone from the body within nine days and is believed to have no lasting effects on future pregnancies. The combination of the trace amounts natural to the body and higher doses from medication are believed to be the cause of the birth defects that Accutane causes.
Accutane is typically taken in the form of soft gel capsules, which can vary in size from 10, 20 and 40 milligram doses. The amount taken by any individual patent can vary based on a number of factors, including height, weight, their general health, any allergies to medication they might have and the medical condition that is being treated. Physicians will generally ascertain what is the appropriate dose and patients are advised to stick with that. Accutane is easier to absorb with food, particularly a high-fat meal. However, like most medications, it also has a number of side effects. In small doses, there is a low chance of having side effects on average, but higher doses have been known to cause a drying of the oil glands and skin. In practice, it is best to adjust the dose to balance the efficacy of the medication and the risk of side effects.
Common side effects linked to accutane are chapped lips, dry skin, itching, nose dryness, mild nosebleed, eye irritation, joint and muscle pain. Other side effects include intestinal symptoms, urinary tract symptoms, temporary hair thinning, rash, headache, increased sensitivity to sun and decreased night vision. At worst, depression and thoughts of suicide are possible. If taken by sexually active women, accutane may be work as an effective birth control method. However, if taken during pregnancy, it can cause serious birth defects.