Isotretinoin |
|
Name: | Isotretinoin |
Synonyms | 13-cis-Retinoic acid; 13-cis-Vitamin A acid; 3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-cis-4-trans-6-trans-8-trans-nonatetraenoic acid |
Molecular Structure: | |
Molecular Formula | C20H28O2 |
Molecular Weight: | 300.44 |
Cas. No.: | 4759-48-2 |
EINECS: | 225-296-0 |
Standard: | USP |
Description: | |
Isotretinoin is indicated for the treatment of severe cystic acne vulgaris.[5][6] It is also effective for hidradenitis suppurativa and some cases of severe acne rosacea.[6] It can also be used to help treat harlequin ichthyosis, and is used in xeroderma pigmentosum cases to relieve keratoses.
Since 1 March 2006, the dispensing of isotretinoin in the United States has been controlled by a FDA-mandated website called iPLEDGE – dermatologists are required to register their patients before prescribing and pharmacists are required to check the website before dispensing the drug. The patient must visit the iPLEDGE website or call the hotline number in order to log in with his or her ID code to answer the iPLEDGE questionaire. The prescription may not be dispensed until all three parties have complied. A physician may not prescribe more than a 30-day supply. A new prescription may not be written for at least 30 days. Pharmacies are also under similar restriction. There is also a 7-day window in which the medication must be picked up at the pharmacy. If the original prescription is lost, or pick-up window is missed, the patient must re-qualify to have another prescription written. Doctors and pharmacists must also verify written prescriptions in an online system before patients may fill the prescription. In Mexico, this drug is of restricted use, and an official identification and patient signature is required by the pharmacies. Dosage Other studies show that lower dosage treatments are just as effective.[10][11] In these experiments, subjects used 20mg/day, which is 0.25 mg/kg/day for an 80 kg (176 pounds) person. More experiments and studies showing the success of low dosage treatments with diminished or non-existent side effects. |