description
CONTENT: Pedal 20, 20mg (10 capsules)
Isotretinoin (INN) (etymology and pronunciation), also known as 13-cis retinoic acid and first marketed as Accutane by Hoffmann-La Roche, is an oral pharmaceutical drug primarily used to treat severe nodular acne. It is also rarely used to prevent certain skin cancers (squamous cell carcinoma) and in the treatment of other cancers. It is used to treat harlequin-type ichthyosis, a mostly fatal skin condition, and lamellar ichthyosis. It's a retinoid, which means it's related to vitamin A and found naturally in the body in small amounts. Its isomer, tretinoin, is also an acne drug.
Isotretinoin is mainly used as a treatment for severe acne. The most common side effects are a temporary worsening of acne (lasting 2-3 weeks), dry lips (cheilitis), dry and fragile skin and an increased susceptibility to sunburn. Unusual and rare side effects are muscle aches and pains (myalgia) and headache. Isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects due to utero exposure due to the close similarity of the molecule to retinoic acid, a natural vitamin A derivative that controls normal embryonic development.
Indications
The primary indication for isotretinoin is the treatment of severe cystic acne vulgaris. Many dermatologists also support their use for the treatment of less severe degrees of acne that prove to be resistant to other treatments, or that produce physical or psychological scarring.
It is also somewhat effective for hidradenitis suppurativa and some cases of severe acne rosacea. It can also be used to treat harlequin ichthyosis, lamellar ichthyosis, and is used in xeroderma pigmentosum cases to relieve keratosis. Isotretinoin has been used to treat the extremely rare disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. It is also used for the treatment of neuroblastoma, a form of nerve cancer.
Isotretinoin therapy has been shown to be effective against genital warts even when used experimentally, but is rarely used for this indication because there are more effective treatments. Isotretinoin may be an effective and safe alternative systemic form of therapy for RCA of the cervix. In most countries, this therapy is not currently approved and is only used when other therapies have failed.
Prescribe restrictions
Isotretinoin is a teratogen; There is approximately 20% -35% risk of congenital defects in infants exposed to the drug in utero, and approximately 30% -60% of children exposed to isotretinoin prenatally have been reported to show neurocognitive impairment. Because of this, there are strict controls in prescribing isotretinoin to women who may become pregnant and women who become pregnant while using isotretinoin are strongly advised to terminate their pregnancies.
In most countries, isotretinoin can only be prescribed by dermatologists or medical specialists; Some countries also allow a limited prescription from general practitioners and general practitioners. In the UK and Australia, isotretinoin can only be prescribed by or under the supervision of a dermatologist consultant. Because severe cystic acne has the potential to cause permanent scarring over a short period of time, the limitations of its immediate availability have proven controversial. In New Zealand, isotretinoin can be prescribed by any doctor, but is only subsidized if practiced by a registered general practitioner, dermatologist or nurse.
