Accutane helps your skin renew itself more quicklyPosted by Nick Niesen on October 26th, 2010 What is Accutane? Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne. It is usually given after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms. Accutane may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide. What is the most important information I should know about Accutane? Accutane is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE. You must be registered in the program and sign agreements to use birth control and undergo pregnancy testing as required by the program. Read all program brochures and agreements carefully. It is dangerous to try and purchase Accutane on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. The sale and distribution of Accutane outside of the iPLEDGE program violates the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the safe use of this medication. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Accutane? It is dangerous to try and purchase Accutane on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. The sale and distribution of Accutane outside of the iPLEDGE program violates the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the safe use of this medication. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Accutane or to parabens, or if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. - a personal or family history of depression or mental illness; If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Accutane. Accutane can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Even one dose of Accutane can cause major birth defects of the baby's ears, eyes, face, skull, heart, and brain. Never use Accutane if you are pregnant. Even women who have had their tubes tied are required to use birth control while taking Accutane. You must have a negative pregnancy test 30 days before you start taking Accutane. A pregnancy test is also required before each prescription is refilled, right after you take your last dose of Accutane, and again 30 days later. All pregnancy testing is required by the iPLEDGE program. You must agree in writing to use two specific forms of birth control beginning 30 days before you start taking Accutane and ending 30 days after you stop taking it. Both a primary and a secondary form of birth control must be used together. Primary forms of birth control include: - tubal ligation (tubes tied); Secondary forms of birth control include: - a male latex condom plus spermicidal foam or gel; Do not take St. John's wort, an herbal supplement, if you are using any type of hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, implants, injections, or a vaginal ring. Breakthrough bleeding may occur. It is not known whether Accutane passes into breast milk. Do not take Accutane without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Like it? Share it!More by this author |