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Bulk Pricing
| Min Qty |
Price Per Unit |
| 5 |
USD23.00 |
| 10 |
USD21.00 |
| 20 |
USD20.00 |
| 30 |
USD19.00 |
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Description
Isotretinoin belongs to a group of medicines
known as retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A. Isotretinoin
taken by mouth works by reducing the production of the skin’s natural
oil (sebum).
Acne occurs due to an excessive
production of sebum from over-active sebaceous glands in the skin. The
sebum blocks the sebaceous glands, which prevents the oil from flowing
freely out and causes an accumulation of sebum under the skin. The
bacteria associated with acne thrive in these conditions. They feed on
the sebum, and produce waste products and fatty acids that irritate the
sebaceous glands, making them inflamed and causing spots.
Isotretinoin decreases the size and
activity of the sebaceous glands in the skin, which reduces the amount
of sebum that is produced. This stops the glands becoming blocked, and
means bacteria are less likely to thrive. It also reduces the
inflammation in the skin.
Isotretinoin can have serious side
effects and its use must be supervised by a dermatologist. It is
reserved for the treatment of severe acne (such as nodular or
conglobate acne or acne at risk of permanent scarring) that has not
improved with standard treatment involving oral antibiotics and topical
medicines.
Your acne may worsen at the start of
treatment, but this usually subsides within 7 to 10 days of continued
treatment. In most cases, complete or near-complete clearing of acne is
achieved with a 12 to 16 week course of treatment, and you are likely
to remain free of acne for a long time. Repeat courses are not normally
recommended, unless a definite relapse is seen after treatment is
stopped. Repeat courses should not be started until at least eight
weeks after stopping treatment, as your acne may still improve in this
time.
What is it used for?
Warning!
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Isotretinoin causes major birth defects
(serious malformations of a developing foetus) if taken during
pregnancy. For this reason your doctor will not prescribe the treatment
to women who could get pregnant, unless the following criteria are met:
At least one, but preferably two (for example the pill and condoms),
effective methods of contraception
must be used at all times to prevent pregnancy. Contraception must
start at least four weeks before starting treatment, be used at all
times during treatment and for at least four weeks after stopping
treatment, even if you don't have a period. Your doctor cannot
prescribe isotretinoin until you have been using effective
contraception for at least a month and have had a negative pregnancy
test. Your doctor is only allowed to prescribe 30 days supply of
isotretinoin at a time. You will need to have a follow-up visit every
month, at which you will have to have a negative pregnancy test before
a new prescription can be issued. Five weeks after stopping treatment
you should have a final pregnancy test to make sure you have not fallen
pregnant. If you think there is a chance you could be pregnant, either
during treatment, or in the first month after stopping treatment, you
must consult your doctor immediately.
-
There is no evidence to suggest that children
fathered by men who are taking isotretinoin will be affected by the
medicine, but men should remember not to give this medicine to anyone,
particularly females.
-
You should never give this medicine to
another person and you should return any unused medicine to your
pharmacist at the end of treatment.
-
People taking this medicine must not donate
blood during treatment, and for at least four weeks after stopping
treatment. This is due to the potential risk of the medicine to an
unborn child if the blood transfusion was received by a pregnant woman.
-
This medicine may cause depression, anxiety,
mood changes, psychotic symptoms and rarely suicide attempts. For this
reason, if you start to feel depressed, or experience any other mood
changes during treatment, it is important to talk to your doctor.
-
You should avoid exposing your skin to
intense sunlight or UV light while taking this medicine. You should use
a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 when necessary.
-
Isotretinoin is likely to make your skin and
lips very dry, so it is recommended that you use a moisturiser and lip
balm from the start of treatment.
-
You should avoid waxing any part of your body
while taking isotretinoin, and for at least six months after stopping
treatment, as this could cause stripping of the top layer of skin.
Chemical dermabrasion and cutaneous laser treatment should also be
avoided during treatment with isotretinoin and for five to six months
after stopping treatment, as this could cause scarring.
-
Isotretinoin can make your eyes dry. This can
be relieved with artificial tear drops. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
for advice. If you wear contact lenses you may find that they become
uncomfortable during treatment and you have to wear glasses instead.
Decreased night vision may also occur during treatment and after
treatment has been stopped, and can occur suddenly. For this reason you
are advised to be cautious when driving or operating any vehicle at
night. If you experience any visual difficulties, inform your doctor so
that your vision can be monitored. It may sometimes be necessary to
stop treatment.
-
You will need to have a blood test to monitor
your liver function before you start treatment with this medicine, one
month after starting and then at further three-monthly intervals.
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The amount of lipids (fats such as
cholesterol) in your blood should also be monitored before treatment,
one month after starting treatment and at three-monthly intervals. If
your blood level of triglycerides becomes too high, your isotretinoin
dose may need to be reduced and you may have to go on a low fat diet.
If your triglycerides cannot be controlled, you may have to stop
treatment with isotretinoin.
-
This medicine may increase your blood sugar
level. People with diabetes may need to monitor their blood sugar more
frequently during treatment with this medicine. Ask your doctor for
advice.
-
If you experience severe bloody diarrhoea
during treatment with this medicine you should stop taking it and
consult your doctor immediately.
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This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Use with caution in
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Women who could get pregnant
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History of depression
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Decreased kidney function
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Alcoholism
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Diabetes
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Obesity
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Lipid metabolism disorders
Not to be used in
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Pregnancy
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Breastfeeding
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Woman who could get pregnant, unless the criteria described in warnings above are met
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Acne that has developed before reaching puberty (prepubertal acne)
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Decreased liver function
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High levels of fats (lipids) such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (hyperlipidaemia)
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A condition resulting from the excessive consumption of vitamin A (hypervitaminosis A)
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People taking tetracycline-type antibiotics
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Peanut or soya allergy (Roaccutane capsules contain arachis oil and soya oil)
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Rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance (Roaccutane capsules contain fructose)
This medicine should not be used if you are
allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or
pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using
this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be
used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be
safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the
mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor
if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
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Isotretinoin MUST NOT be used during
pregnancy as it causes major birth defects and serious malformations of
the foetus. Women who could get pregnant will only be prescribed this
medicine if all the criteria listed in warnings above are met. At least
one and preferably two effective methods of contraception must be used
to prevent pregnancy for at least one month before starting treatment,
during treatment and for at least one month after finishing treatment.
If you think you could be pregnant at any point during treatment or in
the month after stopping treatment you must consult your doctor
immediately.
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This medicine must not be used by
breastfeeding mothers, as it passes into breast milk and could have
adverse effects on the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your
doctor.
Label warnings
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Follow the printed instructions you have been given with this medication.
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Take this medication with or after food.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side
effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following
are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this
medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that
all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
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Dry skin (causing inflammation, scaling, itching, increased skin fragility)
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Dryness of the mucous membranes, eg lips,
eyes (causing irritation, conjunctivitis), nose (causing nosebleeds)
and throat (causing hoarseness)
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Headache
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Increased liver enzymes
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Disturbances in the composition of the blood
(eg increased cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar; decreased red
blood cells, white blood cells, platelets)
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Pain in the muscles and joints
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Mood changes, strange or abnormal thoughts, anxiety, depression, suicidal feelings
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Hair loss (alopecia)
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Visual disturbances (eg blurred vision, cataracts, colour blindness, decreased night vision)
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Inflammation of the surface of the eye (keratitis)
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Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)
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Nausea
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Inflammatory bowel disease
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Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
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Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)
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Bone disorders
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with
this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine
or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
It is important to tell your
doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including
those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you
start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor
or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to
ensure that the combination is safe.
If isotretinoin is used in combination
with tetracycline-type antibiotics, eg minocycline, doxycycline,
tetracycline, this may increase the pressure within the skull, leading
to adverse effects. For this reason, tetracycline antibiotics must not
be taken in combination with isotretinoin.
Combined treatment with isotretinoin
and vitamin A may result in a condition similar to vitamin A overdose,
which may cause changes in the structure of the bone. Vitamin A
supplements should therefore be avoided.
The use of other treatments
conventionally used for acne, including antibiotics, exfoliants,
medicines which loosen the dead skin on the skin surface
(keratolytics), or radiation therapy with ultraviolet light, should be
avoided while taking isotretinoin. However, non-irritant preparations
can be applied to the skin if necessary.
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