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Is It Safe To Use Accutane, Atripla And Septrin For Acne?
Question: I have a bad acne and it does not seem to go away. I have stuck to a regular routine of cleansing and toning and moisturising it but nothing. My skin therapist wants to put me on acutane and I'm on atripla and septrin. Will this combination have side effects and will it actually work for the acne?
Help,
Stressed one
Help,
Stressed one
Brief Answer:
Accutane and atripla can be combined with caution; Monitor for side effects more frequently
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.
Although accutane (isotretinoin) is a wonderful antiacne drug, and is US FDA approved for acne, specially for severe acne Or acne that is resistant to traditional antiacne treatment Or acne that relapses quickly as soon as treatment is stopped.
Most of the side effects with isotretinoin are minor and reversible on discontinuation/ completion of treatment with isotretinoin e.g dryness of skin, cheilitis, increased hair shedding etc
However, accutane (isotretinoin) and atripla (combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir) can result in additive side effects like rise in blood cholesterol, rise in serum triglyceride levels, hepatic toxicity, depression and other neuropsychiatric side effects. This fact should be taken into account as these side effects are seen with both of these medications and thus may add up, when these two drugs are combined.
Therefore accutane and atripla can be combined but with caution and my advice would be to monitor for serious side effects more frequently e.g once every fortnight liver function test and once every month lipid profile and a watch by close relatives and family members for any behavioral changes/ side effects.
Septrin is cotrimoxazole+sulphamethoxazole combination. It has no major interaction with accutane.
Regards
Accutane and atripla can be combined with caution; Monitor for side effects more frequently
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.
Although accutane (isotretinoin) is a wonderful antiacne drug, and is US FDA approved for acne, specially for severe acne Or acne that is resistant to traditional antiacne treatment Or acne that relapses quickly as soon as treatment is stopped.
Most of the side effects with isotretinoin are minor and reversible on discontinuation/ completion of treatment with isotretinoin e.g dryness of skin, cheilitis, increased hair shedding etc
However, accutane (isotretinoin) and atripla (combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir) can result in additive side effects like rise in blood cholesterol, rise in serum triglyceride levels, hepatic toxicity, depression and other neuropsychiatric side effects. This fact should be taken into account as these side effects are seen with both of these medications and thus may add up, when these two drugs are combined.
Therefore accutane and atripla can be combined but with caution and my advice would be to monitor for serious side effects more frequently e.g once every fortnight liver function test and once every month lipid profile and a watch by close relatives and family members for any behavioral changes/ side effects.
Septrin is cotrimoxazole+sulphamethoxazole combination. It has no major interaction with accutane.
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. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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