Accutane - I'm taking Acnotin 20 and have got many more pimples recently. Is this normal?
Medically reviewed by drugclasses.com. Last updated on April 5, 2024.
My face now has more pimples than before. Not sure whether Acnotin 20 is suitable for me?
Accutane and Acnotin are both brand names of Isotretinoin, a potent form of Vitamin A used to treat severe acne. One in five people on Isotretinoin experience a worsening of their acne about three to four weeks into the treatment. It usually only lasts for several days and is not a sign of treatment failure. Real improvement in acne is generally not evident until six weeks into the treatment, when it usually begins on the upper face and then gradually proceeds downward.
People with severe acne over the trunk may expect to be on treatment for 6-9 months whereas those with just severe facial acne will usually only need 6 months treatment. The treatment duration is obviously dependent on the dose of the drug which the patient can take.
To learn more about Accutane and other peoples experiences see:
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Is Absorica the same as Accutane?
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How long does Absorica take to work?
Absorica starts to work within 4 weeks but may take up to 20 weeks (5 months) for the full effects to be seen. Within four weeks of taking Absorica, a more than 33% reduction in the overall number of acne lesions was reported. Over 70% of people with severe nodular acne achieved a 90% reduction in the number of their nodular acne lesions after 20 weeks with Absorica. A single course of Absorica for 20 weeks has been shown to result in complete and prolonged remission of acne in many patients. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Accutane Information for Consumers
- Accutane prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Accutane (detailed)