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Oral Isotretinoin

Dermatologists may prescribe oral isotretinoin in cases where other conventional methods have failed. Isotretinoin is a Vitamin A retinoid compound. This drug was first released under the name Accutane. Now its available in the generics Sotret and Amnesty. This drug does a much effective job of clearing up acne but its side effects are strong. This drug has been blamed for suicides and birth defects. One has to be entered into a registry to be able to use this drug.

Oral isotretinoin therapy decreases sebum production by nearly 90% by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands. Without sebum, the bacteria that causes inflammatory acne, Propionibacterium acnes, is virtually destroyed. However, once treatment is discontinued, sebum productions will increase. Because sebum production will return to normal, Propionibacterium acnes will return and it may cause to the formation of acne.

A dermatologist will normally prescribe a dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to be taken in the morning and at night. It works best when taken with food. It may take up to 2 months before real results are seen. Common side effects of oral isotretinoin are dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth and nosebleeds. Some uncommon but serious effects are liver function abnormalities, headaches, mood swings, depression, suicidal ideation, pseudotumor cerebri, bone changes and decreased night vision. If this drug is used during pregnancy or 1 month after stopping the drug, it can cause birth defects.