the accutane book
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 the accutane book. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects the accutane book. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane, andthe possible side effects the accutane book. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy the accutane book.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane the accutane book. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X the accutane book. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby the accutane book. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby the accutane book. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition the accutane book. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane the accutane book. 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 the accutane book. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis the accutane book. 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 the accutane book. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor the accutane book.
• 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 the accutane book. 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 the accutane book.
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane the accutane book. This could cause increased side effects the accutane book.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment the accutane book. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby the accutane book.
• 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 the accutane book.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane the accutane book. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult the accutane book.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night the accutane book. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision the accutane book. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden the accutane book.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve the accutane book. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve the accutane book. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed the accutane book. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane the accutane book.
What is Accutane?
• Accutane is a form of vitamin A the accutane book. 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 the accutane book.
• Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not respondedto other treatments, including antibiotics the accutane book.
• Accutane may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide the accutane book.
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 the accutane book.
• 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 the accutane book.
• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnantduring treatment or for one month after you stop taking Accutane the accutane book. Accutane isin the FDA pregnancy category X the accutane book. This means that Accutane is known to causesevere birth defects in an unborn baby the accutane book. It can also cause miscarriage, prematurebirth, or death of the baby the accutane book. You must take a pregnancy test and have negativeresults when you and your doctor decide that Accutane may be beneficial foryour condition the accutane book. You must have a second pregnancy test with negative resultsduring the first 5 days of the menstrual period right before you start takingAccutane the accutane book. 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 the accutane book. You will also be asked to take a pregnancy test on a monthly basis the accutane book. 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 the accutane book. If you become pregnant,stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop takingAccutane and notify your doctor the accutane book.
• It is not known whether Accutane passes into breast milk the accutane book. Do not takeAccutane without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby the accutane book.
How should I take Accutane?
• Take Accutane exactly as directed by your doctor the accutane book. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou the accutane book.
• Accutane is a medication taken to treat severe nodular acne that hasnot been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics the accutane book. However, Accutanecan cause serious side effects the accutane book. Before starting treatment with Accutane, discusswith your doctor how bad the acne is, the possible benefits of Accutane andthe possible side effects the accutane book. Your doctor will ask you to read and sign a formindicating that you understand the serious risks associated with Accutane therapy the accutane book.
• You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time the accutane book. Yourprescription should have a special yellow self-adhesive sticker attached toit the accutane book. If your prescription does not have this yellow sticker, call your doctor the accutane book. The pharmacy should not fill the prescription without this sticker the accutane book.
• Take each dose of Accutane with a full glass of water the accutane book. This will helpprevent the medication inside the capsule from irritating the lining of theesophagus the accutane book. For the same reason, do not chew or suck on the capsule the accutane book.
• Take Accutane twice a day with food or milk to get the best results fromthis medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor the accutane book.
• Take all of the Accutane that has been prescribed for you even if yoursymptoms start to improve the accutane book. The acne may seem to get worse at the start of therapy,but should then begin to improve the accutane book. For the best results, finish all of the medicationthat has been prescribed the accutane book. You may require more than one course of therapy withAccutane the accutane book.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests during treatment with Accutane tomonitor side effects from this medication the accutane book.
• Due to the serious side effects that may occur with the use of this medication,do not share it with anyone else the accutane book.
• Store Accutane at room temperature away from moisture and heat the accutane book.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember the accutane book. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularlyscheduled dose the accutane book. Do not take a double dose of this medication the accutane book.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention the accutane book.
• Symptoms of an Accutane overdose include vomiting, abdominal pain, flushingof the face, inflammation of the lips, headache, dizziness, and clumsiness the accutane book.
What should I avoid while taking Accutane?
• Do not take vitamin supplements containing vitamin A during treatmentwith Accutane the accutane book. This could cause increased side effects the accutane book.
• Do not donate blood while taking Accutane and for at least 1 month followingthe end of treatment the accutane book. Blood donated while taking Accutane may be given to apregnant woman and be harmful to her baby the accutane book.
• 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 the accutane book.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or UV rays while taking Accutane the accutane book. Accutanemay increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and a severe sunburn couldresult the accutane book.
• Use caution when driving a vehicle at night the accutane book. Accutane can cause decreasednight vision the accutane book. The onset of decreased night vision may be sudden the accutane book.
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) the accutane book.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur the accutane book. 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 the accutane book.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur the accutane book. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome the accutane book.
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) the accutane book.
• Taking any of the drugs listed above during treatment with Accutane maybe dangerous the accutane book.
• Before taking Accutane, tell your doctor if you are taking carbamazepine(Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol) the accutane book. You may require a dosage adjustment or specialmonitoring during treatment the accutane book.
• Do not use other acne medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor the accutane book. They may interfere with the treatment or increase irritation of the skin the accutane book.
• Do not take birth control pills that do not contain estrogen ("minipills")during treatment with Accutane the accutane book. They may not work while taking Accutane the accutane book.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Accutane the accutane book. Talkto your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products the accutane book.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Accutane written forhealth professionals that you may read the accutane book.
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