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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
mistakes commited with Roaccutane...§ a question on Accutane and pregnancy
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
mistakes commited with Roaccutane...§ a question on Accutane and pregnancy
by Ishtar, May 12, 2001 12:00AM
Hello dear Dr:
First of all. I'd like to thank you so much for the help and valuable advice you provide to all the people and I hope you can be patient enough to answer my questions.
I had an acne problem two years ago. I used many creams with no progress. until I consulted a doctor who recommended ROCCUTANE.He said that my acne wasn't the severe kind so he gave me 20ml each day for 4 months, and in the last month he lessened the amount to 10 ml daily. My skin became extremely great and glowing. yet after one year of stopping Roaccutane. the acne came back again, and this time really in a wrong time for I'm about to get married.I went back to the doctor and he gave me a second treatment of ROACCUTANE 2o ml every two days (I mean I take the tablet one day and leave it the other day) that was on last january, nearly 5 months now. my skin returned back great and pure and I'm extremely happy with it and I still have 4 more packets to finish. but I commited some mistakes which I hope are not severe.
1. I didn't use any sun-block during the time of the treatment and some friends told me that something really disastrous is going to happen to my skin because of this..please doctor can I mend this mistake? am I out of time now..please help me
2. My second question is I'm going to get married next August (with God's will) and I should go on using ROACCUTANE but at the same time I have to use a pill to prevent pregnancy what kind of pill do you recommend that is extremely gaurantied you know it is a dangerous risk if there's any possibility of getting pregnant.
3. can I use the medicine every day? or just continue the same method evey two days (day yes, and day no)? will it harm my skin to use it everyday instead of that method?
I hope you can help me with this and sorry to bother you.
First of all. I'd like to thank you so much for the help and valuable advice you provide to all the people and I hope you can be patient enough to answer my questions.
I had an acne problem two years ago. I used many creams with no progress. until I consulted a doctor who recommended ROCCUTANE.He said that my acne wasn't the severe kind so he gave me 20ml each day for 4 months, and in the last month he lessened the amount to 10 ml daily. My skin became extremely great and glowing. yet after one year of stopping Roaccutane. the acne came back again, and this time really in a wrong time for I'm about to get married.I went back to the doctor and he gave me a second treatment of ROACCUTANE 2o ml every two days (I mean I take the tablet one day and leave it the other day) that was on last january, nearly 5 months now. my skin returned back great and pure and I'm extremely happy with it and I still have 4 more packets to finish. but I commited some mistakes which I hope are not severe.
1. I didn't use any sun-block during the time of the treatment and some friends told me that something really disastrous is going to happen to my skin because of this..please doctor can I mend this mistake? am I out of time now..please help me
2. My second question is I'm going to get married next August (with God's will) and I should go on using ROACCUTANE but at the same time I have to use a pill to prevent pregnancy what kind of pill do you recommend that is extremely gaurantied you know it is a dangerous risk if there's any possibility of getting pregnant.
3. can I use the medicine every day? or just continue the same method evey two days (day yes, and day no)? will it harm my skin to use it everyday instead of that method?
I hope you can help me with this and sorry to bother you.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 13, 2001 12:00AM
, May 13, 2001 12:00AM
First, don't worry about the sun. Patients who take this drug do get a bit more sensitive to sunburn while they take it, but a little sense and sunscreen is enough to prevent even minor discomfort. Nothing "disastrous" to worry about.
Second, the best way to take Roaccutane (Accutane in the US) is to take a course of 4-5 months and stop. It is not a good idea to take it long-term. It's true that acne may recur, especially if the case was not too bad to start with, but milder therapies may suffice for subsequent treatment.
While you're on it, you should use 2 forms of contraception, one of which should be the pill, but it doesn't matter which one. Check with your contraception advisor.
And congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Second, the best way to take Roaccutane (Accutane in the US) is to take a course of 4-5 months and stop. It is not a good idea to take it long-term. It's true that acne may recur, especially if the case was not too bad to start with, but milder therapies may suffice for subsequent treatment.
While you're on it, you should use 2 forms of contraception, one of which should be the pill, but it doesn't matter which one. Check with your contraception advisor.
And congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
but I want to make sure: do I have to start taking contraception from now? or it is o.k to begin in the month in which I'll get married..i mean will the contraception be sufficient and gaurantied If I started taking it before my wedding day and continued? please I hope you can tell me.for I haven't used such things before.