Skin Fine ISO 10 mg

For a suitable patient Skin Fine ISO 10 provides treatment for severe acne that has remained active despite other medicines. The goal is better control of inflammatory lesions and less continuing acne activity.

Treatment benefits include the following.

• Reducing excessive sebum production

• Reducing severe inflammatory acne lesions

• Treating acne resistant to adequate standard therapy

• Limiting active acne that contributes to further scarring

Acne returns in some patients. Further treatment requires reassessment. Keep scheduled follow up appointments.

Acne develops through excess sebum and blocked follicles together with inflammation. Sebum is the oil made by glands in the skin. The environment inside a blocked follicle contributes to the development of inflammatory lesions.

Isotretinoin reduces sebaceous gland activity and lowers sebum production. It also reduces inflammation and helps control follicle blockage. Lower oil production makes the follicle environment less favourable for acne associated bacteria.

These effects develop gradually. Some patients experience an early flare before improvement becomes clear. Contact your dermatologist if acne worsens substantially or becomes unusually painful. Increasing the dose yourself does not provide a safe way to speed up results.

Take Skin Fine ISO 10 mg exactly as prescribed. Follow the written instructions for the number of capsules and the timing of each dose. Do not assume that 10 mg means one capsule daily for every patient.

For conventional oral isotretinoin a common starting dose is 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight daily. The usual daily range is 0.5 mg to 1 mg per kilogram. Lower doses are used for selected patients according to tolerability and clinical needs. These figures explain prescribing decisions and are not a personal dosing guide.

Conventional isotretinoin capsules are taken with food once or twice daily according to the prescription. Follow your supplied Skin Fine ISO pack and leaflet. 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 response and the total amount of treatment received. Do not extend treatment with leftover capsules or restart a course without clinical review.

Liver function and blood fats are checked before starting and during treatment. Your clinician sets the testing schedule. Pregnancy tests and prevention measures are required for patients who can become pregnant. Report new mood changes or sexual symptoms during treatment.

Follow the supplied leaflet for a missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for one that was missed. Seek urgent medical advice after an overdose. Never share capsules.

Dry lips and dry skin are common during isotretinoin treatment. Dry eyes and nosebleeds also occur. Some patients experience muscle or joint discomfort. Blood tests detect changes in liver enzymes or blood fat levels. Use a gentle moisturiser and lip balm. Ask about suitable eye drops if dryness affects contact lens comfort. Report persistent or troublesome symptoms to your clinician. Avoid driving when your vision is affected. Avoid waxing during treatment and for at least six months afterwards. Ask your dermatologist about timing before arranging skin resurfacing.

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 too. Blistering or peeling skin requires prompt medical help. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat. Report new depression or significant behavioural changes promptly. Thoughts of self harm need immediate help. Stop Skin Fine ISO and contact your prescriber immediately if pregnancy occurs or is suspected.

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 treatment with tetracycline antibiotics

If you can become pregnant follow the effective contraception plan agreed with your clinician for one month before starting. Continue throughout treatment and for one month after the last dose. Attend the required pregnancy tests. Contact the prescriber immediately about a missed period or contraceptive failure.

Previous depression requires careful assessment rather than automatic exclusion from treatment. Discuss kidney disease and significant allergies too. Check the actual capsule ingredient list because inactive ingredients differ between products. Isotretinoin is not recommended for children younger than 12 or for acne before puberty.

Give your clinician a full list of medicines and supplements before starting. Include vitamins and acne products bought without a prescription. Ask a pharmacist to check new products during the course.

Important products to discuss include the following.

• Tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline  and minocycline

• Vitamin A supplements

• Other retinoid medicines

• Strong exfoliating acne treatments

• Medicines that reduce contraceptive effectiveness

• St John's wort

Do not combine isotretinoin with tetracyclines because the combination increases the risk of raised pressure inside the skull. Vitamin A supplements add to retinoid toxicity. Strong exfoliating treatments increase skin irritation.

St John's wort interferes with hormonal contraception. Discuss herbal supplements before use. Keep prescribed contraception in place and do not stop another prescribed medicine yourself to manage an interaction.

Avoid alcohol or follow the limit agreed with your clinician because isotretinoin affects liver function and blood fats.

Follow the storage directions on your supplied pack.

• Keep capsules in their original packaging until use

• Follow the temperature limit stated on the pack

• Protect from moisture and excessive heat

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children

• Check the expiry date before taking a capsule

• Do not use capsules from damaged packaging

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