Isoface: Uses And Effects
Isoface is a drug for systemic use that is used for the treatment of cystic nodule acne and severe acne. Therefore, it is a drug subject to medical prescription and dermatological control.
Its active ingredient is isotretinoin and it belongs to the group of retinoids, derived from vitamin A, or retinoic acid. Do you want to know more about it? In that case, do not stop reading everything that we are going to tell you below.
How does Isoface work?
Acne is a complex disease that can be triggered by many factors, therefore, it must be addressed with medical treatment and a good daily care routine. It presents with obstruction and chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous follicle and alternates periods of flare and remission.
Its mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is known to suppress the activity of the glands that produce fat and decrease their size, as indicated in Vademecum.
Isotretinoin prevents the proliferation of cells that produce fat. Therefore, it reduces the production of sebum and prevents bacteria from colonizing the ducts.
What is it indicated for?
Isoface is the drug of choice in severe acne, cystic nodule acne, and inflammatory acne in which other treatments have failed. It is a drug for systemic use that is also used in cases of rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis.
How is Isoface taken?
There are different presentations to take orally. One of them consists of soft capsules that contain isotretinoin as the only active ingredient and differ in doses and excipients.
It is advisable to take the capsules with food. The dose is adjusted individually, since the response to treatment and the appearance of side effects depend on each case.
The recommended dose to start treatment in adults is 0.5 mg / kg of body weight per day. In patients with severe renal insufficiency, it is started with lower doses.
Long-term remission and relapse rate are related, especially to the total dose administered, rather than to the duration of treatment. In general, 16-24 weeks of treatment is sufficient to achieve remission.
In most cases, acne clears completely with just one treatment. However, if a relapse occurs it is possible to administer another treatment cycle with the same doses.
If it is necessary to repeat the treatment, you should wait at least eight weeks, which is the time that the acne can continue to improve after the treatment.
Contraindications
Isotretinoin is contraindicated in the following cases:
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypervitaminosis A.
- Liver failure.
- Hypersensitivity to isotretinoin.
- Pregnant women or women of childbearing age : there are studies that demonstrate the teratogenic effect of retinoic acid and some of its analogues.
- Nursing mothers: isotretinoin easily passes into breast milk, and due to the possible adverse effects for the mother and the infant, its use in this case is contraindicated.
- Simultaneous treatment with tetracyclines: in these cases there is a risk of benign intracranial hypertension. Symptoms that may appear include headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
In case you are being treated with Isoface, you should avoid sun exposure and always use a sunscreen with a high factor.
Side effects
The side effects are numerous and depend on the doses. They can appear within a few days of starting treatment and include:
- Extreme dryness of the skin.
- Headache, stomach and bones.
- Dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips and eyes.
- Redness and peeling of the skin.
- Pain in the muscles and joints.
- Increase in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Presence of blood or protein in the urine.
- Thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, and neutropenia.
- Increased level of triglycerides in the blood and liver enzymes.
While the treatment lasts, it is not advisable to use exfoliating treatments on the skin, since there is a risk of irritating it more and causing some type of injury.
In summary, Isoface is indicated to treat the most serious forms of acne, since isotretinoin helps to reduce the production of sebum . For this reason, the results obtained far outweigh the possible adverse effects that it can generate.
If your doctor has prescribed it, carefully follow his instructions and, in case of doubt, avoid taking measures on your own and consult with the professional.
