Medical Questions » Medicines Questions » Question No. 634
| Question: | Could you tell me about Roaccutane? What effect does it have on the body and how safe is it? |
| Answer: | Roaccutane is the most potent medication available for very severe cases of acne that do not respond to any other medication.
The prescription of Roaccutane is restricted to dermatologists only, and cannot be prescribed by your family doctor. The main reason for this restriction is that this drug will severely damage a foetus if it is given to a pregnant woman. It is therefore essential for any woman using the drug to totally abstain from sex while on treatment, and for some time afterwards, or be well established on a very reliable contraceptive.
The most common side effects of the drug are dry eyes, lips, nose and mouth. Othets include muscle pains, thinning of the hair and changes in some liver enzymes and fat levels in the blood stream.
On the other hand, Roaccutane can result in dramatic improvements to the skin, and almost complete resolution of disfiguring acne.
No dermatologist will start this medication without trying every other form of treatment first, but if started, it will be for very good reasons.
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