Isofair 20 mg

For a suitable patient isotretinoin offers a treatment option when severe acne has not responded adequately to other medicines. The goal is to control active acne and reduce the ongoing inflammation responsible for further skin damage.

Treatment benefits include the following.

• Reducing excessive oil production

• Reducing deep inflamed acne lesions

• Improving severe acne after unsuccessful standard treatment

• Limiting the continuing acne activity that contributes to new scars

Results differ between patients. Acne recurrence is possible after a course and needs another assessment. Do not restart leftover capsules on your own.

The skin's oil glands produce sebum. Excess oil and changes in the cells lining hair follicles contribute to blocked pores. Inflammation then produces swollen acne lesions.

Isotretinoin reduces oil gland activity and sebum production. It also reduces follicle blockage and inflammation. These changes make the follicle environment less favourable for acne associated bacteria.

The effects develop gradually. An early acne flare occurs in some patients before improvement. Report a severe flare or marked skin irritation to your clinician rather than increasing or stopping the dose yourself.

Dryness is linked to the medicine's effects on skin oil production. Lip balm and a gentle moisturiser help manage it. Follow the skin care plan agreed with your dermatologist and avoid adding strong exfoliating products during the course.

Take Isofair 20 mg exactly as prescribed. The number of capsules and frequency depend on your treatment plan. One 20 mg capsule daily is not a standard instruction for every patient.

For conventional oral isotretinoin a common starting dose is 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight daily. The usual dose range is 0.5 mg to 1 mg per kilogram daily. Your clinician adjusts treatment according to response and side effects. Lower doses are used for selected patients when clinically appropriate.

These figures are general dosing information. Do not calculate your own dose or change from 10 mg to 20 mg without your prescriber's agreement.

Conventional isotretinoin capsules are taken with food once or twice daily according to the prescription. Follow the directions supplied with your Isofair pack. Swallow capsules whole with water. Do not chew or open them to divide the contents.

A course commonly lasts several months. The duration depends on your response and the total treatment received. Improvement continues after the last dose in some patients. Your dermatologist decides when the course is complete and whether further treatment is needed.

Blood tests assess liver function and blood fats before and during treatment. Your clinician sets the schedule. Reviews also cover mood and sexual function. Pregnancy tests are required for patients who can become pregnant.

If you miss a dose follow the leaflet or ask your pharmacist. Do not double the next dose. Seek urgent advice if you take more than prescribed. Do not share capsules with someone else who has acne.

Dry lips and dry skin are common during isotretinoin treatment. Dry eyes and nosebleeds also occur. Muscle or joint discomfort affects some patients. Blood tests detect changes such as increased triglycerides or liver enzymes. Use a gentle moisturiser and lip balm. Ask your pharmacist about suitable eye drops if dryness is troublesome. Report persistent symptoms and avoid driving if your vision is affected.

Stop treatment and seek urgent medical advice for a severe headache with nausea or vision changes. Severe abdominal pain or bloody diarrhoea needs urgent assessment. Blistering or peeling skin also requires immediate review. Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat. Report new depression or significant behavioural changes promptly. Thoughts of self harm require immediate help. Stop Isofair and contact your prescriber immediately if pregnancy occurs or is suspected.

Your clinician should check suitability before treatment. Do not take isotretinoin if any of the following applies.

• Pregnancy or plans for pregnancy during treatment or within one month after stopping

• Breastfeeding

• Inability to follow the required pregnancy prevention measures

• Allergy to isotretinoin or another capsule ingredient

• Liver impairment

• Excessively high blood fat levels

• Excess vitamin A in the body

• Current tetracycline antibiotic treatment

If you can become pregnant use the effective contraception agreed with your clinician for one month before starting. Continue throughout treatment and for one month after the final dose. Attend the required pregnancy tests.

Tell your clinician about previous depression or other mental health concerns. This needs assessment rather than automatic exclusion from treatment. Discuss kidney disease and food allergies too. Capsule excipients differ between products so check the actual ingredient list with your pharmacist.

Give your prescriber a complete list of medicines  and supplements. Include acne creams and products bought without a prescription. Ask for an interaction check before adding a new medicine during the course.

Important products to discuss include the following.

• Tetracycline antibiotics including doxycycline  and minocycline

• Vitamin A supplements

• Other retinoid medicines

• Strong exfoliating acne treatments

• Medicines that affect contraception

• St John's wort

Isotretinoin must not be combined with tetracyclines because of the risk of increased pressure inside the skull. Vitamin A supplements increase retinoid toxicity. Strong exfoliating skin treatments increase irritation.

Avoid alcohol or follow the limit agreed with your clinician because isotretinoin affects liver function and blood fats. Keep prescribed contraception in place. Do not stop another medicine yourself to manage an interaction. Your pharmacist can check supplements and skin products before use.

Follow the storage instructions on the supplied pack.

• Keep capsules in their original blister packaging until use

• Follow the temperature limit stated on the pack

• Protect the medicine from moisture and excessive heat

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children

• Check the expiry date before use

• Do not use capsules from damaged packaging

• Return unused or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal