Doctors often prescribe a drug called Accutane for individuals who suffer from severe acne. This medication is used to treat the more serious types of acne, as it destroys the acne bacteria that cause pimples by infecting the skin. It also affects the production of sebum, which can clog a person’s pores and lead to severe acne.
Although there are numerous names for the medication, Accutane is the most common one in the United States. Accutane is the trade name for a drug called isotretinoin, a generic version of which is also available under the name Claravis.
Normally, you will have to take a 0.50 to 200 mg dose of Accutane for 2 to 6 months to see positive results. The cost of treatment generally ranges from $150 to more than $200 monthly, depending on the dosage of the medication taken. It is important to be aware of the fact that the majority of health insurance companies won’t pay for you to take Accutane because they consider the drug cosmetic. However, you may be covered if you can prove that you need to take the drug in order to prevent modules or cysts.
You must sign up for a program offered by the FDA called iPledge if you want to obtain a prescription for Accutane, given the numerous possible side effects. This program was created to prevent birth defects in children whose mothers took Accutane while they were pregnant. If you are a female and wish to take Accutane, you will also have to undergo two pregnancy examinations that turn out negative. In addition, you must continue to take a monthly pregnancy exam during the course of Accutane treatment. If you are sexually active, you need to take two different types of birth control of practice abstinence. Although Accutane does have some serious side effects, it is one of the most effective treatment methods to combat severe types of acne.