Accutane (isotretinoin) is an OTC (over the counter) product used for treatment of severe acne problems. Isotretinoin is given as an oral medication, only prescribed by a dermatologist. Isotretinoin was first developed as chemotherapy medication for pancreatic and brain cancer and other. His chemical composition is retinoid; he is derivative of a synthetic form of Vitamin A and is found in small quantities normally in the body.

But in 1982 Hoffman-La Roche announced isotretinoin as Accutane, a revolutionary systemic drug for treatment of severe acne problem. Accutane targets sebaceous glands and reduces oil production. But as all drugs he has side effects, like dry skin, dryness of the nose which leads to nose bleeds and eyes dryness also.

But the more serious side effect is his teratogenic (Birth Defects) effect. Sexually active woman and still in reproductive age are given the advise to take at last two forms of contraceptives during treatment. It also effects on blood composition and may lead to depression, suicide and mental instability.

The best benefit of Accutane is that after one or two treatments courses, acne should go into long term remission, however there are some that have not experienced this and have had pursue alternative acne treatments.

For the prescribing of the Accutane it is the doctor or dermatologist that must carefully and correctly gauge the proper dose and time of administration and the period of treatments duration. Also the dermatologist must take care of the benefit–risk ratio for every single patient with acne. Since 01.03.2006 this acne medicament is prescription drug in United States and dermatologist are required to register their patients before prescribing.

But these precisions didn’t work at all stages and the consequence of the side effect of this medical treatment was 30% of children with congenital malformations.
On 29.06.2009 Hoffman-La Roche discontinued Accutane manufacturing and selling in United States.

Now some generic alternatives are available on the market Roaccutane – not for American market (same as Accutane before July 2009), Amnesteem, Claravis, Clarus, Decutan, Isotane, Izotek, Oratane, ISOTRET or Sotret, while topical isotretinoin is most commonly marketed under the trade names Isotrex or Isotrexin. These generic products have the same side effects as Accutane.

Unfortunately, you can’t just go out and take vitamin A, as it can become toxic if taken in too high of dosages, however, there are some excellent alternative products to treat acne which combined things like supplements and cleansers and other specialized topical ingredients which treat acne safely and very effectively.