Article: For female patients of child-bearing age, the prescription must be filled and picked up within 7 days of the office visit when the tests were done to confirm that you are not pregnant. For everybody else, each prescription must be filled and picked up within 30 days of the office visit. Doses are to be taken orally, with food, and at approximately the same time each day. Food in your stomach helps the drug to be absorbed. An Accutane regimen will usually last several months.  Remember to take your pill every day.  It may be helpful to set a daily alarm on your cell phone or your alarm clock to remind yourself not to miss a dose. If you do miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, just skip the dose you missed completely. Do not double up doses in an effort to catch up. In addition to birth control, monthly blood tests are required to monitor for changes, including the balance of different forms of cholesterol in your blood (specifically, your triglyceride levels).  Routine lab work is necessary to ensure that Accutane is not causing any internal damage to your liver or kidneys. Triglycerides refer to the fatty acids that are normally found in your blood. These may peak when eating particularly fatty foods, such as fast food or other deep fried meals.  Maintaining a healthy diet helps the drug to be better absorbed, and helps to avoid abnormally high levels of fatty acids sometimes caused by eating meals high in fats. Taking Accutane during pregnancy has been shown to significantly increase the risk of birth defects. Women who get pregnant while taking Accutane have a 30% chance of birth defects, as opposed to the normal 3-5% chance. Remember that Accutane works by targeting your sebaceous glands. Using over-the-counter and prescription acne products will only aggravate your skin and increase dryness. Talk with your dermatologist about using any skin products while taking Accutane. Use a gentle skin cleanser, such as Dove or Aveeno, when using Accutane to avoid skin irritation. As the saying goes: Knowledge is power. Let your dermatologist know if you are experience anything unusual during your treatment. Ask about specific side effects to look for, such as blurry vision or severe back pain.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Pick up your prescription on time. Take your Accutane exactly as prescribed. Stick to your regimen, and commit to it. Understand other commitments required to take Accutane. Use the required forms of birth control. Avoid using other acne products. Keep in contact with your dermatologist.