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ThinkingKitten -> RE: Accutane (11/11/2007 6:49:06 PM)
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It very much depends on the dosage rate you're given. The minimum is 10 mg/day, the maximum is usually 40 mg/day, although some Docs have gone higher. The US tends to follow the high dose for a shorter period route, while the Europeans go with a lower dose for a longer period - in an attempt to minimise side effects. The ultimate effect is the same for both routes, as it depends on the total cumulative dose that you receive. Roche have very strict guidelines on administration of the drug - especially with females of child bearing age, as it is known to cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Stay out of the sun, don't take Vitamin supplements containing vitamin A and so on and so forth.
Most patients I've known, who were young males and taking it at the 40mg/day route only really complained of the dry skin and severe lip chapping that can occur. (A pot of vaseline will become your new best buddy). One of them did have an acute sudden raise in their triglyceride levels, but after staying off the drug for a month (TG levels returned to normal in that time) and then resuming at a lower dose, he was fine. As long as you follow the dietary guidelines to the letter (low fat diet, absolutely NO alcohol etc) and have your blood checked on at least a monthly basis then you should be OK. Talk to your doctor about taking at a lower dose if you have concerns about the other possible side effects. Note: it is not guaranteed to clear up your skin. In most individuals it has a significant and dramatic, long-lasting effect, true, but some people require repeat doses of it, and their acne has been known to recur. And yes, I have taken it myself, with mixed results.
Good luck with it. And of course, talk to your doctor at every opportunity, as nothing I've said here is meant to replace their advice!
This will probably be moved to the Health and Safety thread.....
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