Accutane

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a medicine specially designed for the treatment of severe acne. It’s a retinoid medication that works by slowing down the production of substances leading to the formation of pimples. In some rare cases this medicine has been reported to cause changes in thoughts and behavior that will need to be reported to your doctor right away. Make sure you tell your doctor if you suddenly develop the following symptoms that may indicate your treatment is not going quite as planned: sadness, lack of energy, anger, weight changes, sleeping more than usual, difficulty concentrating, irritability, dangerous thoughts, aggression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or appetite changes. There is no need to contact your health care provider if you have some weight changes, anger, dangerous thoughts, suicidal thoughts, sleeping more than usual, lack of energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sadness, aggression, anxiety, appetite changes, or hallucinations, as these are considered to be mild side effects that are likely to go away on their own without any need for medical help. Your doctor will need to know if you are taking any medications (such as vitamin A supplements, tetracycline antibiotics, oral steroids, or medications for seizures), or have a family history of asthma, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, or depression before prescribing you a dose of Accutane, as these factors may be important in determining your dose and schedule of taking Accutane. Also tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as you will be unable to use Accutane. This drug has been reported to cause life-threatening health problems in unborn babies and has been classified as FDA pregnancy category X. You will need to use reliable methods of birth control to avoid getting pregnant throughout the entire period of the treatment and a month after it. You may be first started on a lower dose of this medicine that can later be increased. Make sure you observe the dose prescribed very carefully and never exceed it. If you happened to take too much of Accutane, the following symptoms may occur: loss of coordination, vomiting, dizziness, headache, flushing, severely chapped lips, and stomach pain. Seek emergency medical help in case of an overdose and tell the doctor that will be treating you that you have taken Accutane.