When all else fails - most dermatologists will prescibe
Accutane. Accutane is a very powerful oral drug used to cure
severe acne when other methods have failed. This form of acne
medication is usually the last step in fighting the skin
condition because it is the most effective.

Like Retin A, Accutane is a derivative of Vitamin A which
decreases the amount of oil released by the oil glands of the
skin. Vitamin A is actually naturally produced in the body but
can be dangerous if too much is introduced into the bloodstream.

The downside to Accutane is its many negative side effects -
some being very serious - although not likely to happen to most
users. That is why Accutane is monitored through blood tests to
make sure the levels are not too high because this acne drug
does build up in the bloodstream.

NEGATIVES OF ACCUTANE

As an acne medication Accutane can take up to five months to see
clearer skin - so anyone hoping for immediate results will have
to wait. In a lot of cases the acne actually gets worse before
it gets better. This can be difficult for a lot of people to
accept - especially young adults who may already be self
conscious. If too much Accutane is prescribed it can actually
have negative affects on various organs including the liver,
brain and stomach which is why blood tests are required. If you
experience trouble breathing, feeling faint, weak, convulsions,
slurred speech, leg swelling - contact a doctor immediately
Headaches are common while on this acne medication. However most
pain reliever medications will calm the pain. But if the pain
continues your doctor should be notified. There are some users
who start to feel depressed while on this acne medication. In
fact, if you have a history of depression that info should
definitely be mentioned to your doctor. If you start to feel
down, more anxious, angry, have less energy to where it affects
your life on a daily basis - contact your doctor. The most
damaging side effect of Accutane is serious birth defects if
taken during pregnancy. It is best to wait an entire month if
you are taking Accutane and want to become pregnant. It is even
required by most doctors that a woman be on birth control while
taking Accutane.

While on Accutane do not:

Give blood - if a pregnant woman gets your blood her baby may be
born with birth defects Take vitamin A - because this acne
medication is a form of Vitamin A too much will have negative
results Suntan- your skin will become much more sensitive to
sunlight This acne medication should definitely be taken as
prescribed. A good doctor will tell you every detail you need to
know and be there with any answers you may have. Accutane can
work very well for severe acne.

About the author:
Michele Bucci is a licensed esthetician and contributing editor to Begin With the Skin.Com - a site created to answer your questions about skin care!