Roaccutane. Instructions for use, side effects. How to use acne pills, analogues, price

Roaccutane is a drug that allows you to get rid of severe forms of acne. Instructions for use describe all the features, precautions and nuances of using the medicine.

Structure

The components of the drug:

• the main substance is isotretinoin;
• soybean oil (fully and partially hydrogenated);
• beekeeping product – wax.

The shell consists of:

• glycerol;
• gelatin;
• sorbitol;
• mannitol;
• hydrolyzed potato starch;
• titanium dioxide;
• the coloring component is red iron oxide.

Ink is applied to the shell. They consist of a coloring matter – black iron oxide and shellac. Sometimes a ready-made pigment is used – Opacode Black S-1-27794.

Forms of release and cost

Roaccutane (instructions for use indicate that the drug is available in the form of capsules) has 2 forms of release, based on the concentration of the main substance:

1. The terracotta capsules are oval in shape, have an inscription on the shell of the black dye. The content of isotretinoin is 10 mg. Inside there is a homogeneous powder, the tone of which varies from yellow to dark yellow.
2. The capsule is divided in half into 2 colors: terracotta and white. The design remains the same, the presence of isotretinoin – 20 mg, is changing.

Roaccutane is dispensed in blister packs that are packed in cardboard boxes.

Price range – $ 27 – $ 54. Cost depends on pharmacies and the.

pharmachologic effect

Roaccutane has a list of actions characteristic of pharmacology:

• anti-inflammatory;
• anti-seborrheic;
• antibacterial;
• restorative
• exfoliative;
• regenerative.

The medicine is actively used to treat acne.

Indications for use

The drug is prescribed for the following forms of acne:

• nodular cystic;
• with the threat of scarring;
• conglobate.

Roaccutane is prescribed in some cases when acne cannot be treated in other ways.

Contraindications

Roaccutane (instructions for use, enclosed in the package, describes a number of contraindications) is prohibited in cases:

1. The lactation period.
2. Bearing a child.
3. Children under 12 years old.
4. An allergic reaction to the components of the drug.
5. Elevated blood lipids.
6. Excessive intake of vitamin A.
7. Treatment with an antibiotic from the tetracycline group.
8. Violations in the functioning of the liver.

Use with caution:

• diabetes mellitus;
• drinking alcohol;
• overweight;
• depressive disorders;
• disorders in the production and breakdown of fats in the liver and adipose tissue.

In the treatment of Roaccutane, UV-UV therapy is contraindicated.

Side effects

The appearance of side effects depends on the dosage. They are eliminated after adjusting the dose or stopping the medication. Sometimes unpleasant symptoms remain after therapy.

The list of possible side effects:

1. Pain in the head.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Fear of the light.
4. Visual impairment.
5. Hearing loss.
6. Rapid loose stools.
7. Pancreatic inflammation.
8. Bleeding from the mucous membranes of the nose.
9. Decrease in hemoglobin concentration.
10. Reduction of red bodies, white blood cells, neutrophilic granulocytes in the blood.
11. Bronchospastic syndrome (usually in people with bronchial asthma).
12. Muscle pain, inflammation in joints, ligaments.
13. Inflammation and degeneration of tendon tissues.
14. Excessive bone growth.
15. Urticaria, itching.
16. Hyperhidrosis – severe sweating.
17. Hair loss.
18. Pathological changes in the nail plates.
19. Inflammation of the nail roller.
20. Excessive hair growth in women, inherent in men.
21. The special sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes to ultraviolet radiation, the sun.
22. Dry skin and mucous membranes.
23. Various allergic reactions.

Scientific studies have shown that most often after using Roaccutane, facial dermatitis and cheilitis appear – an inflammatory process that affects the skin, mucous membrane and red border of the lips.

Overdose

Taking the medicine in larger doses than recommended by the doctor can lead to symptoms of hypervitaminosis A. In case of an overdose, it is recommended to rinse the stomach for several hours.

How does the drug work

Roaccutane refers to vitamin A drugs.

The instructions for use indicate that Roaccutane has the following spectrum of actions:

1. Suppresses the activity of sebaceous glands.
2. Relieves inflammation.
3. Reduces the stratum corneum.
4. Increases microcirculation.
5. Eliminates seborrhea.
6. Destroys bacteria.
7. Cleanses the skin.
8. Tightens pores.
9. Removes acne without leaving marks.
10. Prevents the reappearance of blackheads.
11. It inhibits the formation of horn plugs.

Acne Directions

Side effects and the effect of the drug depend on the individual characteristics of the person and the prescribed dosage. Roaccutane is taken with meals, 1-2 times a day.

Several dosage options are available:

• initial – 0.5 mg per 2 pounds of weight (daily maximum rate);
• average – from 0.5 to 1 mg;
• high – 2 mg (for especially severe cases of the disease).

It was established that the duration of therapy depends on the prescribed dosage. Treatment is extended for patients who are poorly tolerated, but the dose is reduced.

According to statistics, Roaccutane helps after 1 course of treatment. When acne appears again, repeated therapy with a similar regimen is indicated.

After treatment, Roaccutane has a beneficial effect on the skin for 8 weeks, so it is recommended to repeat the course at the end of this period. If a person has impaired all renal functions, a minimum daily dosage of 10 mg per day is provided. The dose slowly incre
ases to 1 mg per 2 pounds of weight.

Keratinization disorders

Roaccutane (instructions for use indicate that reception is possible with keratinization disorders) is taken according to the scheme. Keratosis of the skin is treated by the course, its duration is 4 months. The maximum dosage is 4 mg per 2 pounds of weight. With improvements, the amount of substance taken is reduced.

Pregnancy and lactation

Based on the studies, it was found that the use of Roaccutane during pregnancy and lactation is strictly prohibited. The main substance – isotretinoin damages the embryo, which leads to the development of defects in the child. The likelihood of such an outcome is very high.

Roaccutane is appointed on the basis of special nuances:

• a woman has a complex degree of acne, which is not subject to other methods of treatment. Usually it is nodular cystic acne with the threat of scarring or a conglobate form;
• it is important to strictly comply with all admission requirements;
• the doctor must explain the danger in case of possible conception during treatment with Roaccutane;
• at the time of treatment must be responsible for the protection. It is recommended to choose at least 2 options: tablets + condoms or female diaphragms;
• it is worth paying attention to the reaction in the community with other medicines, which will be described below;
• protection should be continuous 4 weeks before treatment, throughout the entire treatment period and for 4 weeks after completion of therapy;
• HCG test is done 11 days before the start of taking Roaccutane, to eliminate the risk of fertilization. The possibility of pregnancy will have to be checked every month during therapy and after completion after 5 weeks;
• a doctor is required to visit every month;
• reception of Roaccutane is recommended to start on 2-3 days of the next normal monthly cycle;
• there is a chance of relapse, so it is important to protect yourself correctly and systemically;
• women whose uterus is removed, have no monthly cycle (amenorrhea) or have no sex, there is no need to take contraceptives.

The doctor is responsible for the health of the patient, so you must be sure that:

1. The pregnancy check procedure did not give a positive result.
2. The woman strictly follows the requirements and recommendations.
3. The patient uses several effective methods of protection, as recommended in 2 variations.
4. The form of acne is one of the most complex (nodular cystic, with the threat of scarring or conglobate).

Check for conception is carried out in the first 72 hours of the monthly cycle:

1. 4 weeks before therapy – to exclude a possible pregnancy, a test is performed. The doctor should record all the results. If a woman has a “lunar” cycle, the pregnancy test is done 21 days after sexual intimacy. Checking the level of hCG is carried out on the day of appointment or 3 days before visiting the doctor. Roaccutane is prescribed to patients who used contraceptives 4 weeks before taking the medicine.
2. During the treatment period, the doctor must be visited monthly. Testing is carried out on the day of admission or 3 days before the consultation.
3. After treatment – 5 weeks after completing the intake of Roaccutane, a second pregnancy test is done. The prescription for the drug is issued for 30 days. To obtain a new permission for admission, a repeated check is made for the possibility of conception. It is advisable to conduct a test, write a prescription and buy the drug in 1 day.

Roaccutane can be purchased within a week from the time of writing the prescription. When pregnancy occurs, medication is stopped.

The list of possible fetal defects with the use of Roaccutane:

• dropsy of the brain – a disease in which fluid accumulates in certain parts of the brain;
• a significant reduction in the skull and brain;
• disorders in the formation of the cerebellum – Joubert, Payne, Arnold-Chiari, Gillespie (which is characterized by loss of coordination, lag in mental development and uncontrolled muscle hypertonicity);
• narrowed or absent auditory meatus;
• a decrease in the size of the auricle, its deformation or complete absence;
• reduction in the size of the eyes and cornea;
• “Blue” heart disease – the right heart is developing incorrectly. With the disease, the right stomach, interventricular septum, and pulmonary valve are abnormally formed. In such children, the mucous membranes and skin have a bluish tint;
• transposition of the main arteries – the aorta departs from the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery from the left. Central vessels incorrectly depart from the heart, which leads to a violation of blood circulation in the body, and oxygen begins to flow poorly to the tissues;
• cleft palate (cleft palate) – a gap in the middle of the palate;
• abnormalities in the development of the thymus;
• disorders associated with the parathyroid glands.

Each patient is required to sign a written informed consent, as Roaccutane is dangerous for an unborn child.

Interaction with other drugs

Roaccutane (instructions for use describe with what means the drug is not compatible) should not be taken with:

• Retinol, since Roaccutane is a retinoid drug, an overdose is possible;
• antibiotics from the tetracycline group – they increase the pressure in the cranial cavity and may increase the body’s sensitivity to ultraviolet and visible radiation;
• contraceptives with progesterone in the composition – isotretinoin weakens the effect of such drugs;
• medicines that soften and dissolve the stratum corneum;
• peeling for deep cleansing of the skin – irritation may occur.

Drug effectiveness

Upon reaching the desired course dose, it is possible to achieve the stability of the treatment result and the absence of relapse. In patients with conglobate form of acne (rashes on the face and trunk) after 8 months of treatment, the efficiency reached 92%. In 6% of the people in the group, the disease recurred.

Based on clinical studies, the following results were collected:

• decrease in symptoms of seborrhea after 1-2 weeks of treatment;
• reduction in the number of ulcers, nodules and inflammatory processes after 3-4 weeks;
• a decrease in the number of subcutaneous acne after 1-2 months of therapy.

In 91% of patients after treatment, the disease resumed. Within 1 week of treatment, 50% of patients had a side effect – cheilitis, which was temporary.

If you follow the recommendations and the correct use of the drug, it is possible to fully recover in 16-24 weeks. Roaccutane has a prolonged anti-acne effect, so usually 1 course of treatment is enough.

Analogues of Roaccutane

Similar in composition and effect are:

1. Retasol is an Indian-made drug, the main component is isotretinoin propy
   lene glycol. The average price is $ 6,8. It is used orally, rectally and applied to the skin with a thin layer.
2. Sotret is an Indian counterpart. It costs up to $ 27. The main component is isotretinoin.
3. Aknekutan – a drug manufactured in Croatia, at a price close to Roaccutane. Capsules contain isotretinoin.
4. Dermoretin is a American drug produced in the form of capsules and rectal suppositories. The main component is isotretinoin. The price starts from $ 1,63.
5. Retinoic ointment is a domestic remedy. Available in tubes of 10 g. It costs about $ 3,4. The ointment acts locally, relieving inflammation and healing wounds.
6. Verocutan is a American drug produced in the form of capsules. It costs from $ 10,34. Has a similar active substance.
7. Isotrexin – produced in the union of Ireland, Great Britain, Ukraine. Available in aluminum tubes in the form of cream and gel. It costs from $ 1 – $ 4. for packing. As part of isotretinoin and erythromycin.

special instructions

Roaccutane can be prescribed only by a narrow specialist – a dermatologist. So that the drug does not get into the blood of other people, you can not become a donor during the treatment period.

• To prevent the development of other diseases, it is necessary to constantly check the condition of the kidneys, liver and the whole body, taking a blood test.
• To minimize the appearance of dryness on the mucous membranes and skin of the lips, it is necessary to use products with a moisturizing effect: creams, balms.
• People taking active sports may experience muscle and joint pain while taking Roaccutane.
• During the period of taking the medicine, it is advisable to avoid direct insolations and protect the skin with a cream with a high protection factor.
• In some patients, an exacerbation of acne begins, which disappears after a week without changing the dosage.
• So that the mucous membranes of the eyes do not suffer from dryness, a moisturizing gel is acquired, for example, Korneregel or drops of Systeyn Ultra, Chilokomod.
• Sometimes, while taking Roaccutane, it is advisable to use glasses, abandoning the optical device – lenses.

A modern and potent remedy – Roaccutane is sold only after providing a prescription form. In the instructions for use, all the necessary information is collected. The drug should be stored in a dark, cool place at a temperature of no more than 35,6 – 41°F. It is valid for 36 months.

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