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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Isotretinoin
Question: Hi Doctor,
I am having severe pimple problems and are I have been advised to take Isotretinoin on alternative days by one of the dermatologist. Although I have been taking the tablet from last one week, there has been no improvement in the condition.
My main concern is the tablet itself, a sI have heard there are many side effects of the medicine.
Kindly suggest if I should continue taking the tablet?
I am having severe pimple problems and are I have been advised to take Isotretinoin on alternative days by one of the dermatologist. Although I have been taking the tablet from last one week, there has been no improvement in the condition.
My main concern is the tablet itself, a sI have heard there are many side effects of the medicine.
Kindly suggest if I should continue taking the tablet?
Brief Answer:
Isotretinoin is a safe drug for acne
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
Isotretinoin is one of the most effective medicines for acne. One week is too short a time to have noticeable improvement in acne therefore i suggest you to continue with it further and you would notice improvement in next 3-4 weeks.
Isotretinoin is a safe medicine for acne. Apart from dry skin, cheilitis (dryness and cracking of lips) and transient abnormalities in serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) other side effects like on liver, pancreas and neuropsychiatric side effects like depression are very rare.
Hence my advice would be to continue with isotretinoin.
Regards
Isotretinoin is a safe drug for acne
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
Isotretinoin is one of the most effective medicines for acne. One week is too short a time to have noticeable improvement in acne therefore i suggest you to continue with it further and you would notice improvement in next 3-4 weeks.
Isotretinoin is a safe medicine for acne. Apart from dry skin, cheilitis (dryness and cracking of lips) and transient abnormalities in serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) other side effects like on liver, pancreas and neuropsychiatric side effects like depression are very rare.
Hence my advice would be to continue with isotretinoin.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Kakkar,
Many thanks for your quick and very useful response.
Just few follow up questions:
1. She has suggested I take Azithromycin 500 mg on daily (except the day I take Isotretinion), as far as my idea, this is an antibiotic and talking it daily may make me immune to this useful antibiotic drug. (I used to take this drug for throat infection and other infections before)
My concern here is - should I continue to take Azithromycin daily for acne treatment?
2. Also, I have read taking Isotertinion makes skin sensitive and one should not come in direct contact with sun rays.
As I am preparing for marathon, would it be ok if I expose to sun rays in early morning hours (6-8)? or I should completely avoid sun exposure during the course?
Many thanks in advacne for taking up these questions.
Thanks,
XXXXX
Many thanks for your quick and very useful response.
Just few follow up questions:
1. She has suggested I take Azithromycin 500 mg on daily (except the day I take Isotretinion), as far as my idea, this is an antibiotic and talking it daily may make me immune to this useful antibiotic drug. (I used to take this drug for throat infection and other infections before)
My concern here is - should I continue to take Azithromycin daily for acne treatment?
2. Also, I have read taking Isotertinion makes skin sensitive and one should not come in direct contact with sun rays.
As I am preparing for marathon, would it be ok if I expose to sun rays in early morning hours (6-8)? or I should completely avoid sun exposure during the course?
Many thanks in advacne for taking up these questions.
Thanks,
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Advice regarding isotretnoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Azithromycin is a useful antiacne oral antibiotic. It helps control inflammation and thus helps acne that is red, pustular or nodular. Oral antibiotics have a particularly important role early in acne therapy becaue isotretinoin takes time to act whereas antibiotics act faster and also have additive action along with isotretinoin. In addition oral antibiotic also suppress the inflammatory acne flare that can happen in some acne patients at start of isotretinoin therapy. Development of resistance to oral antibiotics can be a concern in those who take long term and repeated oral antibiotics but when combined with isotretinoin and topical benxoyl peroxide this is usually not a concern in acne patients who have taken just one or two courses of oral antibiotics(a course of oral antibiotics can last 1-3 months in acne depending on response) Nevertheless oral antibiotics should be discontinued as soon as satisfactory response has been obtained i.e usually after 3-4 weeks of antibiotic therapy.
Isotretinoin does make skin sensitive and it is advisable to avoid strong afternoon sun partcularly afternoon sun. Morning sun is ok. However one may also use a sunscreen while on isotretinoin treatment.
Regards
Advice regarding isotretnoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Azithromycin is a useful antiacne oral antibiotic. It helps control inflammation and thus helps acne that is red, pustular or nodular. Oral antibiotics have a particularly important role early in acne therapy becaue isotretinoin takes time to act whereas antibiotics act faster and also have additive action along with isotretinoin. In addition oral antibiotic also suppress the inflammatory acne flare that can happen in some acne patients at start of isotretinoin therapy. Development of resistance to oral antibiotics can be a concern in those who take long term and repeated oral antibiotics but when combined with isotretinoin and topical benxoyl peroxide this is usually not a concern in acne patients who have taken just one or two courses of oral antibiotics(a course of oral antibiotics can last 1-3 months in acne depending on response) Nevertheless oral antibiotics should be discontinued as soon as satisfactory response has been obtained i.e usually after 3-4 weeks of antibiotic therapy.
Isotretinoin does make skin sensitive and it is advisable to avoid strong afternoon sun partcularly afternoon sun. Morning sun is ok. However one may also use a sunscreen while on isotretinoin treatment.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Kakkar,
Many thanks for giving a comprehensive reasoning on the said drug and addressing my concerns.
Really appreciate you for all the critical information you provided.
Thanks,
XXXXX
Many thanks for giving a comprehensive reasoning on the said drug and addressing my concerns.
Really appreciate you for all the critical information you provided.
Thanks,
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
you are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us
regards
you are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us
regards
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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