Roaccutane is the brand name for the drug isotretinoin and is used in the treatment of severe acne. It is classified as a retinoid and is made from a synthetic form of vitamin A.

Vitamin A plays a very important role in the maintenance of healthy skin. It assists in the release of oil from the oil glands and it also aids in skin renewal. As a form of vitamin A, Roaccutane is one of the most effective treatments available for people with severe or cystic acne. In fact 69-75% of those who used this product experienced a significant decrease in breakouts or a complete remission of acne. Even those who have failed to respond to other treatments seem to benefit from its use.

ACTION AND TREATMENT

Roaccutane works by shrinking the sebaceous glands within the dermis, which in turn reduces the amount of oil produced. The reduction in oil in turn leads to less clogging of the pores and therefore a reduction in breakouts.

It is commonly used for periods of 16-20 weeks followed by a period of rest. If, after this initial treatment, a noticeable improvement has not been observed another course may be prescribed. However, it is usually the case that 1 course is all that is needed to produce results and only about 20% of those who use Roaccutane require a second course.

It is very important that the drug is taken for the entire period prescribed – even if skin becomes clearer early on in the course. Early termination of treatment could lead to a relapse.

SIDE EFFECTS

Roaccutane is a drug that comes with significant side effects. Most people who use it will experience chapped lips, dry skin and itching, dryness of the nose, mild nosebleeds, irritation of the eyelids and eyes, joint and muscle pain. Some users will also experience temporary hair thinning, headache, increased sensitivity to sunburn, decreased night vision.

More serious side effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, severe chest or abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing are the exception rather than the rule.

Roaccutane may also pose a threat to the liver and it is recommended that regular blood tests be conducted throughout its use – with a baseline reading taken before you begin a course of treatment.

Serious mood changes have also been noted by those taking Roaccutane ranging from depression to suicidal thoughts and psychosis.

Given the above, this is definitely not a drug to be taken lightly. However, severe acne can be extremely painful and socially debilitating for most people and the long-term advantages are often considered to outweigh the short-term risks.

Roaccutane is a very popular drug in Hollywood and the world of modeling where perfect skin is almost a job requirement.

PREGNANCY WARNING

The most significant side effect with Roaccutane concerns its effect on the unborn fetus. If a pregnant woman takes even one dose she risks causing major birth defects on the baby’s eyes, ears, face, skull, heart or brain. If a woman is sexually active and could become pregnant it is mandatory that birth control be used in conjunction with Roaccutane. In fact, if obtaining this drug directly from a doctor, a woman must sign a written consent to use birth control. Negative pregnancy tests must also be submitted 30 days prior to beginning treatment and before getting each prescription filled. At least two months should elapse following termination of treatment before it is considered safe to become pregnant.

It is not known whether Roaccutane taken by men can cause birth defects, so it is best not to get a woman pregnant while taking it just to be on the safe side.

Roaccutane is an extremely potent drug and it is often a last resort for people who have tried all other forms of acne treatment. There is no doubt that it works; you just have to be very aware of the side effects. It is certainly not an ancillary drug to be used without adequate education and knowledge.

N.B. You can find out more about Roaccutane by visiting www.maximedicine.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’

She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com. 

By Leigh Penman

Thank you for sending me your questions. I will continue to answer as many of them as I can here on site. I recently received the following question regarding EPO use:

Q: I am a runner, but I think I have poor blood (RBC – 4.6, Hemoglobin -15). I used EPO for 5 days but after each dose I felt tired. My dosage was 10 000i.u/day – a total of 50 000 over 5 days. I have not taken it for ten days now. Could you advise me about my dosage?

A: When using EPO, in order to achieve the best results many athletes use the following protocol:

Week 1 and 2: Inject 4000 units three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri)
This amounts to a total of 12 000 units per week. This will gradually increase hematocrit levels by 5-10%. After the initial treatment a single 4000-unit injection is taken per week.

When injecting EPO the use of two injection sites is preferred. This translates to 2000 units to the right of the navel, 2000 units to the left of the navel. This technique has been observed to achieve the best results.

In addition to this it is wise to take supplemental iron, vitamin E, folic acid and vitamin B12 on a daily basis when using EPO. These nutrients are essential to the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Vitamin E also serves as a protective measure when it comes to avoiding potentially life threatening blood clots. Remember also that EPO should always be stored in the refrigerator and removed prior to injecting to allow it to reach room temperature.

Also, since the reference ranges for RBC are 3.80-5.10 mil/cu.mm and hemoglobin 11.6-15.2g/dl I would hardly accuse you of having ‘poor blood’.
Side effects from EPO administration include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, diarrhea and an increase in potassium levels. Fatigue could be related to blood pressure. Have your BP checked or buy yourself a BP monitor (a very worthwhile investment). Also – I know you don’t want to hear this – EPO is a potentially life threatening drug. If you are not an elite level athlete you are taking a significant risk with your health.

Q: I am thinking of adding Insulin to my off-season cycle, as I want to increase my appetite. Can you advise me on this?

A: Insulin is a very dangerous drug to mess around with and my first instinct is to tell you to stay away from it. If your appetite is all that is worrying you I would suggest Equipoise and Vitamin B12 shots (both available from www.maximedicine.com). Also, anyone who is thinking of using insulin for athletic purposes should be aware that it is so powerful that if it is overdosed a coma can quickly set in. Overdosing can happen pretty easily since several factors can influence the way your body responds to it. Insulin also comes in fast acting and slow acting forms. Using this drug without medical supervision or monitoring for signs of hypoglycemia is extremely dangerous. There have been many cases of bodybuilders going into hypo-glycemic shock when using insulin incorrectly.

Insulin is also a double-edged sword when it comes to weight gain. Increased insulin activity leads to an increase in fat storage as it inhibits the release of stored fat and promotes the production of enzymes that pull fat into the fat cell. So, yes, you will increase your appetite and yes, you will gain weight, but will it not all be lean muscle tissue.

The use of insulin requires education, instruction and medical supervision. To ignore any of these factors is not only fool hardy but also potentially life threatening.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.