Drug name: Roaccutane (Isotretinoin)

Therapeutic effects:

Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) is a biologically active form of vitamin A that can be synthesized in the body. Isotretinoin does not directly bind with the nuclear retinoic acid receptors. It quickly transforms into tretinoin (trans-retinoic acid) and other substances - ligands of nuclear receptors of retinoic acid, and disrupts expression of the gene that causes changes in protein synthesis. Isotretinoin reduces the amount and output of sebaceous glands, resulting in a reduced content of propionibacterium acnes (isotretinoin itself has no antibacterial effect). Roaccutane has anti-inflammatory, keratolytic and antiseboreynoe effects, inhibits terminal differentiation of keratinocytes, stimulates regeneration processes.

Indications:

• severe forms of acne vulgaris
• severe rosacea
• folliculitis caused by gram-negative microorganisms
• purulent hydradenitis (as auxiliary treatment)
• keratinization disorders

Side-effects:

• Symptoms associated with hypervitaminosis A: dry skin, mucous membranes of the lips, nasal cavity (bleeding), hypopharynx (hoarseness), eyes (conjunctivitis, intolerance to contact lenses)
• Skin: rash, itching, facial dermatitis, sweating, pyogenic granuloma, paronychia, increased proliferation of granulation tissue, persistent hair thinning, reversible alopecia, fulminant form of acne, hirsutism, hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity
• Musculoskeletal system: muscle pain, joint pain, hyperostosis and other changes in the bones, tendinitis
• Central nervous system and mental health: behavioral disorders, depression, headache, increased intracranial pressure and seizures
• Senses: individual cases of reduced visual acuity, hearing loss, photophobia, cataracts, keratitis
• Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, ileitis), bleeding, rare - hepatitis
• Respiratory system: bronchospasm
• Blood system: reduced level of leukocytes and erythrocytes, changes in amount of platelets, acceleration of the ESR
• Immune system: local or systemic infections caused by gram-positive pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus)
• Other: lymphadenopathy, hematuria, proteinuria, pancreatitis, vasculitis

Drug interactions:

Do not use Roaccutane with the following drugs:

• vitamin A
• tetracyclines
• oral birth control pills with progesterone
• thiazide diuretics

Cautions and restrictions:

Do not use Roaccutane in:

• hypersensitivity to isotretinoin
• pregnancy, breastfeeding
• liver and kidney failure
• hypervitaminosis A
• severe hyperlipidemia

Additional information:

Store the drug in a dry, dark place at temperatures below 25 C. Shelf life - 3 years.