Accutane is used to treat the most severe forms of acne that cannot be cleared up by any other acne treatments, including antibiotics. In severe nodular acne, many red, swollen, tender lumps form in the skin. These can be the size of pencil erasers or larger. Nodular acne can lead to permanent scars, however because Accutane can have serious side effects, you should talk with your Doctor about possible alternatives as the benefits are outweighed by its possible risks.

Accutane and the iPLEDGE Program

Under the new iPLEDGE program, a woman who is pregnant or breast–feeding may not take Accutane. She must have two negative pregnancy tests before starting Accutane treatments, and test negative for pregnancy during every month while she takes the drug. She must also use two forms of birth control.

The former SMART program had similar requirements, but many hope that the iPLEDGE electronic tracking system will prove more effective. Dr. Nancy Green, medical director for the March of Dimes, commented “If this doesn’t work, we will call for the FDA to take this drug off the market.” (New York Times, August 13, 2005).

Beginning December 31, 2005, only pharmacies registered with iPLEDGE can dispense Accutane®, and only to doctors and patients who are also registered with the program. A doctor must provide pregnancy counseling to female Accutane patients of childbearing age and supply iPLEDGE with their monthly pregnancy test results.

Who should not take Accutane?

  • Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant. Accutane causes severe birth defects
  • Do not take Accutane unless you completely understand its possible risks and are willing to follow all of the instructions in this Medication Guide.
  • Tell your health professional if you or someone in your family has had any kind of mental problems, asthma, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis (bone loss), weak bones, anorexia nervosa or any other important health problems.

How should I take Accutane?

  • Legally you are permitted no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time, if you do decide to proceed with this drug be sure you check in with your prescriber each month to discuss side effects.
  • Stick to the specific dosage that your doctor or pharmacist has recommend, follow these instruction very carefully as they can help ease the adverse affects on your health.
  • If you miss a dose, just skip that dose. Do not take 2 doses the next time.
  • Because some of Accutane’s serious side effects show up in blood tests, some of these visits may involve blood tests (monthly visits for female patients should always include a urine or serum pregnancy test).
  • When administered orally, is best absorped when taken after a high fat meal.

Key elements to consider

To help you make your decision think about the information available and your personal situation. Acne will improve over time with treatment for most people. However, for some, Accutane can spare the emotional and physical scarring of severe acne. With the volume of detrimental information on this drug available at the moment you should only undertake a course ot his drug if serioulsy reccomended by your physician as a last hope solution. Take into account the following when making your decision:

You may want to take Accutane if:

  • You are suffer from severe acne that does not get better after several months of treatment.
  • A parent or sibling has severe acne with scarring.
  • Your acne causes emotional anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression.

You may not want to take Accutane if:

  • You can control your acne with other medications or treatments.
  • There is a reasonable chance that you could become pregnant.
  • You or members of your immediate family have a history of depression.

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