Isotretinoin (Accutane®)

Click here to view the A-Detail™ on Accutane®.

Isotretinoin (Accutane®) is a retinoid or vitamin A analog, which means that its molecular structure is similar to Vitamin A. It was first approved in the US in 1982. Capsules come in either 10mg or 40mg doses.

How Do Patients Use This Medication?

Your patient should take capsules as directed with fat-containing food for example, with 2% or whole milk. The fat in the food helps the acne medication to be fully absorbed so that enough can be delivered to the skin to make it effective.

Women who are of childbearing age need to use two reliable forms of contraception while taking this medication, and for one month after completing the treatment.

How Well Does It Work?

For severe acne, it cures approximately 35-38 percent of patients after one course of treatment, 70 percent of the people who take Accutane® experience long-term remission. Adult women have higher relapse rates than teenagers. One course of treatment will take on average, 4-6 months.

The daily dose is most often determined at 0.5 – 1mg per kg of your body weight, the total dose, that is, the total amount taken over the whole treatment period should be not less than 120mg per kg of body weight for long lasting benefit.

If your patient has very oily skin and giant blackheads or a younger teenager, or have acne on their chest and back, then they have a greater chance of having a relapse of their acne. Most dermatologists believe it is a remarkable acne medication, some people’s acne clears quickly while in others improvement is gradual, multiple courses can be taken.

How Does It Work?

Isotretinoin basically helps the sebaceous gland to mature, it does so in several ways. Testosterone drives this oil gland to produce a number of different oils that influence the lining of the hair follicle. Accutane® brings the amount of oils to a more normal level and helps to change the composition of the oil so that it does not allow the pores to clog up. It prevents an excess of keratin from being produced, which means that comedones are not so readily formed.

This is the most effective therapy currently available, it can be used to treat your patient's acne if it is severe and will reduce the risk of scarring. However, only doctors who have experience in its use should prescribe this medication. This is because regular monitoring, including periodic blood testing, is necessary. Women and girls who are using this medication must follow the manufacturer’s Pregnancy Prevention Program.

Frequently Asked Question's About Isotretinoin:

1. "Can patients take other medications?"

The following drug interactions have been reported:

Clindoxyl® Gel

Close | Move

INTRODUCTION
Clinical experience confirms what has been shown in clinical trials, that Clindoxyl Gel is effective and well tolerated Once daily application of topical that combines two active anti-acne agents may well increase patient compliance... | Read more ...

CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
More than six international studies involving over 6,000 patients have shown reductions in the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) of approximately 40% after one week of treatment and 70% after four weeks... | Read more ...

INDICATIONS
Moderate comedonal and papulo-pustular acne Approved in Canada as a once daily topical for moderate Acne in December 2000... | Read more ...

PATIENT PROFILE
Any patient who has inflammatory acne can be treated with Clindoxyl Gel Acne patients with comedones only are best treated by topical retinoids Patients with cystic acne usually require systemic therapy... | Read more ...

DOSING
Once daily application of Clindoxyl Gel is recommended The product needs to be applied to the whole region of skin that is affected with acne. In other words... | Read more ...

EFFICACY
The following figures show pooled data from randomized, controlled double-blind trials involving 673 patients with acne... | Read more ...

COMPLIANCE
Three factors to consider for good compliance of Clindoxyl Gel are: Well tolerated by most patients, results are often seen within 2 weeks... | Read more ...

SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Overall tolerance was rated as excellent in 94% of patients. Potential side effects expected in some patients... | Read more ...

COST OF TREATMENT
This is a cost effective product. Reducing inflammation can reduce the risks of scarring... | Read more ...

View the entire Clindoxyl® Gel presentation.

Diane-35^®

Close | Move

INTRODUCTION
There are limitations for regulators, pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical sales representatives to present clinical evidence following development of product monograph and drug approval... | Read more ...

CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
Diane-35® (2mg cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg ethinyl estradiol) is approved for use in Canada to treat women with severe acne who are unresponsive to other available treatments and who have associated symptoms of androgenization, such as seborrhea and mild hirsutism. In addition to treating acne, Diane-35® also provides reliable contraception... | Read more ...

INDICATIONS
Used to treat women with severe* acne and its associated symptoms of androgenization, including seborrhea and mild hirsutism.. | Read more ...

PATIENT PROFILE
Women who have acne associated or not with signs of hyperandrogenism. Any woman who has acne that is not controlled with topical medication... | Read more ...

DOSING
Diane-35® is sold in blister pack units containing 21 tablets. Each tablet contains 2mg of cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg of ethinyl estradiol. Each cycle consists of 21 days on the medication and a 7-day interval without it... | Read more ...

EFFICACY
Improvements in seborrhea are generally seen after 2 to 3 months. Improvements to acne are generally seen after 3 to 4 months. Numerous studies have proven the efficacy of hormonal therapy in treating acne over 6 or more months of use... | Read more ...

COMPLIANCE
Patients should take Diane-35® at the same time each day with liquid... | Read more ...

SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Side effects are typical of most oral contraceptives and can include breast tenderness, headache, nausea, breakthrough bleeding, ankle swelling and weight gain. These side effects are typically mild and tend to resolve by the second or third cycle of therapy... | Read more ...

COST OF TREATMENT
Diane-35 is sold to pharmacy wholesalers at a cost of $19.00 per cycle... | Read more ...

View the entire Diane-35^® presentation.