What is Isotretinoin (Accutane) Acne Medicine?

Isotrentioin (Accutane) is a medication that might be prescribed for severe acne and works by altering DNA in a way that it decreases the sized and output of the sebaceous glands. This is a medication that belongs to the family of medication known as retinoids and it also helps the dead cells that are in the sebaceous glands to be less sticky. This means they have more chance of being washed away rather than staying in the gland and helping to infect the hair follicle.

The most common types of acne it is prescribed for is acne with nodules or pustule acne that has not responded to other medications or several rounds of antibiotics. The use of this medication because of the way it works to rid the follicles of shedding skin cells makes it difficult for blackheads and whiteheads to form.

Since this is from the rentnoid family there are some people this medication is not right for, like woman that are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, because it has been associated with birth defects.