accutane dangers
isotretinoin (oral)(eye so TREH tih noyn)
What is the most important information I should know about Accutane?
• Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that hasnot been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics accutane dangers. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects accutane dangers. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane, andthe possible side effects accutane dangers. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy accutane dangers.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane accutane dangers. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X accutane dangers. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby accutane dangers. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby accutane dangers. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition accutane dangers. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane accutane dangers. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used at the same time(unless abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have undergonea hysterectomy) for one month before starting treatment with Accutane, duringtreatment with Accutane, and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment accutane dangers. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis accutane dangers. Your doctorwill discuss with you and provide for you a video and written information regardingchoices for birth control, possible causes for birth control failure, and theimportance of using birth control while taking Accutane accutane dangers. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor accutane dangers.
• Some patients have experienced depression (including feelings of sadness,irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, and loss of appetite)and suicidal thoughts and/or behavior during, and soon after stopping, treatmentwith Accutane accutane dangers. Notify your doctor immediately if you begin to experience signsof depression or if you begin to have thoughts about taking your own life duringor shortly following treatment with Accutane accutane dangers.
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane accutane dangers. This could cause increased side effects accutane dangers.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment accutane dangers. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby accutane dangers.
• Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures(such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed while taking Accutane andfor six months following treatment due to the possibility of scarring accutane dangers.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane accutane dangers. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult accutane dangers.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night accutane dangers. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision accutane dangers. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden accutane dangers.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve accutane dangers. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve accutane dangers. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed accutane dangers. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane accutane dangers.
What is Accutane?
• Accutane is a form of vitamin A accutane dangers. It decreases the amount of sebum (oil)that is released by the sebaceous (oil) glands, and it increases that rate atwhich the skin renews itself accutane dangers.
• Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not respondedto other treatments, including antibiotics accutane dangers.
• Accutane may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide accutane dangers.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Accutane?
• Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you have
· a personal or family history of mental problems including depression,suicidal behavior, or psychosis (loss of contact with reality, hearing voices,or seeing things that are not there);
· diabetes;
· asthma;
· heart disease;
· osteoporosis (bone loss) or weak bones;
· anorexia nervosa;
· high cholesterol or triglyceride levels (types of fat) in the blood;or
· liver disease accutane dangers.
• You may not be able to take Accutane, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove accutane dangers.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane accutane dangers. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X accutane dangers. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby accutane dangers. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby accutane dangers. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition accutane dangers. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane accutane dangers. Two reliable forms of birth control must be used at the same time(unless abstinence is the chosen method of birth control or if you have undergonea hysterectomy) for one month before starting treatment with Accutane, duringtreatment with Accutane, and for at least 1 month following the end of treatment accutane dangers. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis accutane dangers. Your doctorwill discuss with you and provide for you a video and written information regardingchoices for birth control, possible causes for birth control failure, and theimportance of using birth control while taking Accutane accutane dangers. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor accutane dangers.
• It is not known whether Accutane passes into breast milk accutane dangers. Do not takeAccutane without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby accutane dangers.
How should I take Accutane?
• Take Accutane exactly as directed by your doctor accutane dangers. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou accutane dangers.
• Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that hasnot been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics accutane dangers. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects accutane dangers. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane andthe possible side effects accutane dangers. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy accutane dangers.
• You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time accutane dangers. Yourprescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive sticker attached toit accutane dangers. If your prescription does not have this yellow sticker, call your doctor accutane dangers. The pharmacy should not fill the prescription without this sticker accutane dangers.
• Take each dose of Accutane with a full glass of water accutane dangers. This will helpprevent the medication inside the capsule from irritating the lining of theesophagus accutane dangers. For the same reason, do not chew or suck on the capsule accutane dangers.
• Take Accutane twice a day with food or milk to get the best results fromthis medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor accutane dangers.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve accutane dangers. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve accutane dangers. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed accutane dangers. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane accutane dangers.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with Accutane tomonitor side effects from this medication accutane dangers.
• Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the use of this medication,do not share it with anyone else accutane dangers.
• Store Accutane at room temperature away from moisture and heat accutane dangers.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember accutane dangers. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularlyscheduled dose accutane dangers. Do not take a double dose of this medication accutane dangers.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention accutane dangers.
• Symptoms of an Accutane overdose include vomiting, abdominal pain, flushingof the face, inflammation of the lips, headache, dizziness, and clumsiness accutane dangers.
What should I avoid while taking Accutane?
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane accutane dangers. This could cause increased side effects accutane dangers.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment accutane dangers. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby accutane dangers.
• Do not use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures(such as dermabrasion or laser treatment) performed while taking Accutane andfor six months following treatment due to the possibility of scarring accutane dangers.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane accutane dangers. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult accutane dangers.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night accutane dangers. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision accutane dangers. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden accutane dangers.
What are the possible side effects of Accutane?
• Stop taking Accutane and seek emergency medical attention or contactyour doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious sideeffects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision (especiallyat night);
· painful or constant dryness of the eyes;
· depression including feelings of sadness, crying spells, irritability,changes in sleep patterns, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, loss ofappetite, and/or suicidal thoughts or other mental problems;
· stomach, chest, or bowel pain;
· rectal bleeding, or severe or bloody diarrhea;
· difficulty or pain when swallowing;
· new or worsening heartburn;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes or persistently dark urine;
· severe headache or dizziness;
· seizures;
· nausea and vomiting;
· joint or muscle pain or bone problems;
· hearing problems or hearing loss;
· trouble breathing;
· fainting;
· increased thirst or urination;
· slurred speech or problems moving;
· leg swelling;
· increased levels of cholesterol or triglyceride (types of fat) in yourblood (detected by blood tests) accutane dangers.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur accutane dangers. Continue totake Accutane and talk to your doctor if you experience
· inflammation, dryness, or cracking of the lips;
· dry skin, dry mouth, dry or bleeding nose, dryness of the eyes and/ordifficulty wearing contact lenses;
· itching; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun accutane dangers.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur accutane dangers. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome accutane dangers.
What other drugs will affect Accutane?
• Do not take any of the following medicines while taking Accutane:
· vitamin supplements containing vitamin A; or
· a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin,Panmycin, Robitet, others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, Vectrin), doxycycline(Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), demeclocycline (Declomycin), or troleandomycin(TAO) accutane dangers.
• Taking any of the drugs listed above during treatment with Accutane maybe dangerous accutane dangers.
• Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you are taking carbamazepine(Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol) accutane dangers. You may require a dosage adjustment or specialmonitoring during treatment accutane dangers.
• Do not use other acne medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor accutane dangers. They may interfere with the treatment or increase irritation of the skin accutane dangers.
• Do not take birth control pills that do not contain estrogen ("minipills")during treatment with Accutane accutane dangers. They may not work while taking Accutane accutane dangers.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Accutane accutane dangers. Talkto your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products accutane dangers.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Accutane written forhealth professionals that you may read accutane dangers.
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