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It is very important to have a health check or blood test before taking isotretinoin acne medication because taking this type of medication will cause side effects on the body of the person taking it in many ways, including the liver, skin, muscles, and affecting mood.
Important: For safe and proper medication, those who want to take isotretinoin acne medication should have a health check and blood test with a doctor before taking the medication every time.”
Information you should know about your health check before taking isotretinoin
- What is Isotretinoin?
- Generic and trade names of popular acne medications
- Side effects of acne medication isotretinoin
- Contraindications and precautions for Isotretinoin use
- Price of health check before taking acne medication
- What blood tests are needed before taking isotretinoin acne medication?
- When to take isotretinoin and for how long to take it?
- Why do I need a blood test before taking isotretinoin?
What is Isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin is an oral medication used to treat acne. It belongs to the retinoid family of drugs, or vitamin A derivatives. It is used in people with moderate to severe acne who have not had success with other treatments.
Acne can be caused by many factors, such as excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands, infection, and hormonal fluctuations. Treatment for each patient may vary depending on the cause of the acne. Examples include oral antibiotics, topical medications, and retinoids.
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” Isotretinoin is a drug that helps
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However, the use of this drug requires a doctor because it must be taken correctly and appropriately for each patient. The treatment will be effective and there are dangerous side effects that require continuous monitoring of the treatment. It should be used in patients aged 18 years and over.
Generic and trade names of popular acne medications
The most popular acne medication is oral vitamin A acid, commonly known as isotretinoin or retinoic acid.
Further explanation: Isotretinoin is a drug in the retinoic acid group, which is retinoic acid. It comes in both oral and topical forms. The difference is in the chemical formula.
“Isotertinoin is an oral retinoic. The formula is 13-cis-retinoic acid. You can call it by both names, but if you call it as Isotretinoin is more specific. It is a retinoic acid, an oral medication.”  |
And there are well-known trade names such as Roaccutane® (Roaccutane), Acnotin® (Acnotin), Sotret® (Sotres), Isotane® (Isotane), etc.
Side effects of acne medication isotretinoin
The most common side effects of isotretinoin are dry mouth, dry throat, and possibly dry eyes, dry and thin skin, increased sensitivity to sunlight, muscle aches and pains, headaches, and abnormally high levels of fat in the blood. These side effects are not dangerous and go away when the drug is stopped.
“However, patients may need to understand when taking the medication and take extra care of themselves from the side effects that occur, such as reducing high-fat foods, using moisturizers to increase skin moisture, and strictly applying sunscreen, etc.”
Serious but rare side effects include hepatitis, affecting mood and causing depression, or making depression worse and increasing suicidal thoughts in people who already have depression. Therefore, it is necessary to have a health check before taking isotretinoin.
Contraindications and precautions for Isotretinoin use
Contraindications to taking Isotretinoin include pregnancy, as the drug can cause birth defects in up to 40% of babies and affects children and bone and muscle growth. It is also prohibited in breastfeeding mothers and children under 18 years of age. Female patients taking the acne medication Isotretinin must use strict contraception.
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Other precautions : Patients who work with their eyes may need to be closely monitored as the drug causes dry eyes and may cause blurred vision. Avoid donating blood while taking the drug and at least 1 month after stopping it as patients who receive blood from us may be pregnant.
Price of health check before taking acne medication
- Health check before taking acne medication isotretinoin, price 1,550 baht
- Wait for health check results for 1 day.
Get your blood tested before taking acne medication with a doctor at Intouch Medical Care. Our staff are ready to provide advice and services.
What blood tests are needed before taking isotretinoin acne medication?
Urine pregnancy test
To start taking the drug safely, because the drug has an effect that causes birth defects in the baby up to 40% and if before starting the drug, the patient is at risk of becoming pregnant, should wait to check for pregnancy again after the risk approximately 4 weeks because if the pregnancy is early, the pregnancy test may not be detected yet.
Liver Function Test
Because the drug causes liver inflammation and makes it worse in patients with pre-existing abnormal values, the blood test for the following enzymes or a full liver function test can be performed.
- Liver enzyme levels SGPT (ALT)
- Liver enzyme levels SGOT (AST)
- Liver enzyme levels ALP (Alkaline phosphatase)
Kidney function test (Creatinine)
To assess kidney function before starting medication, as it may affect drug excretion and increase side effects.
Lipid profile
Since the drug causes abnormally high blood fat levels, it is necessary to check the fat levels before starting the drug and to monitor the fat levels after taking the drug to see how much they have changed.
- Total cholesterol level
- Triglyceride levels
- Good cholesterol (HDL) levels
- Bad cholesterol (LDL) levels
Get your blood tested before taking acne medication with a doctor at Intouch Medical Care. Our staff are ready to provide advice and services.
When to take isotretinoin and for how long to take it?
Acne medication isotretinoin is usually taken once a day, morning or evening. The duration of use is usually 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the acne, underlying disease, body weight, and treatment results, etc.
Why do I need a blood test before taking isotretinoin?
Due to the side effects mentioned above, it is necessary to have a blood test before taking acne medication for patients who will start taking Isotretinoin because some conditions are asymptomatic and patients may not know in advance that they have an abnormality in their blood test results.
“You should get a health check first to make taking Isotretinoin as safe as possible.”
Reference documents
- British Association of Dermatologists position statement on isotretinoin and soya allergy
- British Association of Dermatologists : PATIENT GUIDE ISOTRETINOIN
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. , ACNE CLINICAL GUIDELINE
- Acne medication isotretinoin, a danger that should not be overlooked, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University
Hot Line 
Nattawadee Sriborisut ,M.D.
General Practitioner
Last updated: 24/01/2024
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