How to use Accutane safely

The use of any prescription only medication always comes with some warnings. Accutane is no different in this respect. So before you begin use of this medication, check through the following list. Discuss the issues with your local health provider before asking for Accutane if. you have diabetes mellitus or there is a history of it in your family; you are overweight or have high levels of cholesterol, lipids or triglycerides in your blood; you have any heart or vascular disease; you have osteoporosis or any other bone disorder or disease; you have any disease of the kidney or liver; you are an alcoholic or have any eating disorder.

There is emerging evidence that the use of Accutane may affect mood. Although there is as yet no positive link proved, it is important that are honest about your own state of mind. If you are depressed or you have a tendency to feel sad, it is unwise to start taking this drug. Accutane may well increase the severity of your depression or psychosis. Even if you have not previously shown symptoms of depression, you should monitor your mood when you begin taking this medication. If you start feeling sad, seek medical advice.

If you are a woman able to have children you should not use Accutane without taking precautions against pregnancy. There is clear evidence that the use of this drug will damage the fetus and result in a baby born with abnormalities. Because of the risks, it is usual for the course of treatment to be approved and monitored by a dermatologist. The first step will be a formal blood test to make sure you are not already pregnant. You must then begin or continue the use of two approved forms of contraception. It is customary for women to wait at least one month. You will be asked to take a second test to confirm no pregnancy before beginning use of Accutane on the second or third day of your next menstrual period. You must continue the use of the contraceptives during the course of treatment. If you have to refill the prescription, you will be asked to take a pregnancy test. You must continue precautions for one month after the treatment has ceased. This is to allow the Accutane to wash out of your system before you resume unprotected sexual intercourse.

Almost all countries place limits on the use of this medication. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now authorized the introduction of the iPledge system which requires the distributors, the prescribers and the users of the drug to register before they can administer or receive treatment. If your religious or other beliefs prevent the use of a contraceptive, you cannot register and will be refused treatment. In the event that you buy this drug over the internet and use it without medical supervision, you must practice complete abstinence during the relevant period of time. You must not run the risk of pregnancy while taking this drug. 

As a final warning on this topic, if you are proposing to use this drug without medical guidance but you are prepared to use contraceptives, some of the contraceptives may not be effective when combined with Accutane. For example, the progestin-only pills such as Ovrette, and the pills, topical creams, implantable or injectable that rely on active hormonal components may not work. It is because of these problems that women are instructed to use two different forms of birth control before, during and after taking Accutane.