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Severe Acne,hemochromatosis,accutane
Question: Hi
I used accutane 3 years ago but the acne has since returned, albeit in a less severe form.
However, I have been diagnosed with hemochromatosis in the intervening period.
My derm is considering putting me back on accutane to clear up the acne.
1) Is it possible to have hemochromatosis and take accutane? My doctor takes blood every 6 months to keep my iron levels low.
2) I will most likely be going on a low dose course of accutane. Does this make it less likely that I will have a severe flare up of acne during the treatment? On my previous course, it flared up at 50mg but was non-existent when I took 20mg. This time around, my derm won't be putting me on a dosage higher than 30mg. I would be interested in your opinion on this. Is a lower dose=less side effects?
Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help.
I used accutane 3 years ago but the acne has since returned, albeit in a less severe form.
However, I have been diagnosed with hemochromatosis in the intervening period.
My derm is considering putting me back on accutane to clear up the acne.
1) Is it possible to have hemochromatosis and take accutane? My doctor takes blood every 6 months to keep my iron levels low.
2) I will most likely be going on a low dose course of accutane. Does this make it less likely that I will have a severe flare up of acne during the treatment? On my previous course, it flared up at 50mg but was non-existent when I took 20mg. This time around, my derm won't be putting me on a dosage higher than 30mg. I would be interested in your opinion on this. Is a lower dose=less side effects?
Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help.
Hi!,
Thank you for the query,
I hope you are aware of all the precautions and side effects of this wonderful medicine -accutane(isotretinoin). I consider it as a wonder drug for Acne.
Before taking it one should have a normal liver function test, lipid profile and blood cell counts. Your doctor is aware of these, so you can ask him to get these done if not yet. One should not wear contact lenses, donate blood or get pregnant during the course of this medicine. In case you get headache following the tablet, then you should discontinue the tablet.
I hope your doctor has given you all the instruction before planning for the tablet.
Now to answer your questions:
1) Hemochromatosis treatment should not interfere with your Accutane regimen provided your liver functions & blood counts remains normal all the time.
2) The exact dose of isotretinoin is 1 mg per kg body weight. So for a low dose 20mg would be enough to control moderate acne. But the important thing is not just the daily dose, but the overall cumulative dose which one has to take.It is approx 120 mg per kg body weight. So a person weighing 60 kg it can be continued till the over all dose reaches 7200 mg.
The lower dose of isotretinoin does not mean less side effect. Side effects and precautions still remains the same.
Hope I've answered your query. But if you have any further questions, kindly write back to us. I'll be available for your follow up questions as-well.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda
Thank you for the query,
I hope you are aware of all the precautions and side effects of this wonderful medicine -accutane(isotretinoin). I consider it as a wonder drug for Acne.
Before taking it one should have a normal liver function test, lipid profile and blood cell counts. Your doctor is aware of these, so you can ask him to get these done if not yet. One should not wear contact lenses, donate blood or get pregnant during the course of this medicine. In case you get headache following the tablet, then you should discontinue the tablet.
I hope your doctor has given you all the instruction before planning for the tablet.
Now to answer your questions:
1) Hemochromatosis treatment should not interfere with your Accutane regimen provided your liver functions & blood counts remains normal all the time.
2) The exact dose of isotretinoin is 1 mg per kg body weight. So for a low dose 20mg would be enough to control moderate acne. But the important thing is not just the daily dose, but the overall cumulative dose which one has to take.It is approx 120 mg per kg body weight. So a person weighing 60 kg it can be continued till the over all dose reaches 7200 mg.
The lower dose of isotretinoin does not mean less side effect. Side effects and precautions still remains the same.
Hope I've answered your query. But if you have any further questions, kindly write back to us. I'll be available for your follow up questions as-well.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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