Accufine

What is Accufine by Healing Pharma?

Accufine is isotretinoin from Healing Pharma, packed as 100 pills of 20 mg. Isotretinoin is best known under the old brand name Accutane, and dermatologists still regard it as the most effective treatment for severe acne. It is not an antibiotic and not a hormone: it is a retinoid, a molecule derived from vitamin A (13-cis-retinoic acid).

Isotretinoin is the only acne treatment that acts on all four main causes of acne at once. It shrinks the sebaceous glands and sharply cuts the amount of oil they produce, normalizes the way skin cells line the hair follicle so pores stop clogging, makes the follicle a poor home for Cutibacterium acnes, and reduces inflammation. Many patients stay clear for years after one full course.

Who uses it and why?

Isotretinoin is reserved for acne that is severe, scarring, or that keeps coming back despite antibiotics and topical treatment. Typical reasons it is prescribed:

• nodular and cystic acne on the face, chest or back;
• acne that leaves scars or dark marks;
• acne that relapses after courses of antibiotics;
• very oily skin with constant breakouts.

Bodybuilders know the problem well: testosterone and other androgens make the sebaceous glands work harder, and back and shoulder acne often appears during or after a cycle. Isotretinoin addresses the oil production itself rather than just the bacteria.

How is Accufine taken?

The classic dose is 0.5 to 1 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, usually split into two doses and taken with a meal that contains fat, which improves absorption a lot. A standard course lasts about four to six months, and many dermatologists aim for a total cumulative dose of around 120 to 150 mg/kg to lower the chance of relapse. Lower daily doses over a longer period are also widely used for milder or persistent acne. At 20 mg per day, one pack of 100 pills covers more than three months.

Blood tests for liver enzymes and blood fats are taken before treatment and during it. The dose and the duration must be agreed with a qualified medical professional, usually a dermatologist.

Side effects and strict warnings

Isotretinoin causes severe birth defects. It must never be taken during pregnancy, and women who can become pregnant need reliable contraception before, during and for a month after the course. The common effects are predictable:

• dry, cracked lips, dry skin and dry eyes;
• nosebleeds from a dry nose;
• muscle and joint aches, more noticeable with hard training;
• raised triglycerides and liver enzymes.

Mood changes and depression have been reported, so any low mood should be raised with a doctor at once. Avoid vitamin A supplements, tetracycline antibiotics and alcohol excess, and do not donate blood during the course.

Accufine package

Each pack contains 100 pills of isotretinoin 20 mg, produced by Healing Pharma. Accufine can be ordered on MaxLabs.co; the isotretinoin page lists other strengths.