Isotrexin

The purity of the skin in modern cosmetology is an important indicator of its well-being. Acne, acne and acne not only spoil the appearance of the skin, but also cause psychological discomfort. How can one deal with such unaesthetic external manifestations of hormonal imbalance and failures in the work of various organs and systems of the body? This problem is worried about adolescents and adults, especially women. Probably because the pharmaceutical industry pays so much attention to the release of effective anti-acne remedies, such as Isotrexin.

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Indications Isotrexin

The gel "Isotrexin" refers to the category of local remedies used in dermatology for the treatment of acne, and in its composition is a combined retinoid.

The indications for the use of the drug indicated that it is intended for the treatment of acne of mild to moderate severity. Apparently, for strong acne with pronounced inflammation will need stronger antibiotics, and not only for external use.

The drug is intended as a gel for the treatment of adult patients and adolescents over 12 years of age, for whom the problem of acne is most relevant in connection with hormonal changes in the body.

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Release form

"Isotrexin" is a combination drug with two main active ingredients, one of which is an antibiotic. Thus, it can be attributed to the category of antimicrobial drugs that relieve inflammation due to the destruction of bacterial infection.

The medicine has only one form of release in the form of a gel of light yellow color, placed in tubes, of different capacity. Tubes having 6, 25, 30, 40 or 50 g are placed in cardboard packs, in which they are sold.

The drug is intended for external use. 1 g of gel contains 20 mg of erythromycin antibiotic and 500 mg of the second active ingredient, which is isotretinoin - one of the forms of vitamin A with increased biological activity. Auxiliary components are presented in the form of anhydrous ethanol, hydroxypropylcellulose (a viscosity stabilizer of the preparation) and butylhydroxytoluene (antioxidant).

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Pharmacodynamics

"Isotrexin" is a combined preparation with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseboric (eliminates peeling and itching) and keratolytic (exfoliates dead cells) by action.

Such a wide range of actions of the drug provides the mutual action of the two main components - erythromycin and isotretinoin.

Erythromycin is considered an antibiotic from the group of macrolides, which have the lowest toxicity. It is characterized by a pronounced antibacteriostatic and some bactericidal action. Bacteriostatic action of erythromycin is due to its ability to inhibit protein synthesis in pathogenic bacteria, as a result of which they lose the ability to grow and multiply, and the population of pathogenic microorganisms is gradually decreasing. In the case of acne, the antibiotic acts on the cellular structures of Propionibacterium acnes, which provoke the appearance of acne.

With all this erythromycin has both antibacterial and non-bacterial activity, which manifests itself in the removal of the symptoms of inflammation.

As for isotretinoin, although it is an antibiotic, it still contributes to the fight against acne. As an active form of vitamin A, it regulates the growth and differentiation (division, acquisition of a specific structure and functions) of epithelial cells. But most importantly, it inhibits the production of sebum, secreted by sebaceous glands, and regulates its composition. But acne is formed as a result of increased secretion of sebaceous glands, which clogs the pores and causes inflammation.

Isoretinoin prevents the appearance of comedones (black and white blackheads characteristic of adolescence), inhibits the keratinization of hair follicles, inhibits the growth and inflammation of already existing acne. It turns out that he not only struggles with existing acne, but also prevents the emergence of new ones.

It is worth noting that isotretinoin is considered effective for combating comedones characterized by mild inflammation, while erythromycin helps to eliminate more serious inflammatory processes with acne of mild to moderate severity.

There is a confirmed theory that erythromycin can provoke the appearance of superinfections or strains resistant to its effects. But it is isotretinoin makes it effective against the above strains, helping to fight in parallel with secondary infection.

Pharmacokinetics

Penetration through the skin and entering the systemic bloodstream of both active substances is very slight. In this case, erythromycin in the blood plasma is not detected at all, and isotretinoin there is in scant amounts.

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Dosing and administration

The drug "Isotrexin" is used only for external use. So, for medicinal purposes, it should be applied only to the skin in the place of localization of acne. On the skin, the gel is spread with a thin layer without subsequent rubbing.

To conduct manipulation doctors recommend 2 times a day. It is better to do this in the morning before applying make-up or decorative cosmetics, and then in the evening, after the face has been thoroughly cleaned from it and other contaminants.

Apply the gel only on clean skin without dust and make-up. Make-up can be applied to gel-covered skin, only after it has been completely absorbed. Therapy with the drug can be combined with the use of moisturizing cosmetics, but from the use of scrubs in this period should be abandoned.

The duration of treatment is strictly individual, but there is no need to expect immediate results from the drug. In some cases, the process of curing acne can be delayed for a period of up to 1.5-2 months. Doctors should warn the patients in advance about this medicine.

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Use Isotrexin during pregnancy

Despite the slight absorption of active ingredients, the use of the gel "Isotrexin" during pregnancy is considered undesirable. This is clearly indicated in the instructions of the manufacturer of this drug.

Contraindications

Despite the seeming safety of the external remedy for the treatment of acne, there are some contraindications to its use, related not even to the presence of an antibiotic in the formulation, but to the presence in it of the retinoid isotretinoin.

To such contraindications regarding the use of the drug "Isotrexin" include:

• children and adolescents under 12 years (due to insufficient knowledge of the effect of isotretinoin on a growing organism),
• the period of pregnancy planning and the expectation of a baby's birth,
• Breastfeeding infants.

In addition, the gel is not recommended for use if there is an increased sensitivity of the organism to at least one of the components of the drug, and also if the integrity of the skin is broken. Do not apply the drug to the burn surface, even if it is a light sunburn, to avoid severe skin irritation.

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Side effects Isotrexin

Isotretinoin, as one of the forms of vitamin A, when applied to the skin is unlikely to cause any non-standard reactions. Another thing is erythromycin. Many of the side effects associated with the use of the drug "Isotrexin" are associated with it. These include:

• allergic local reactions in the form of peeling and itching,
• photosensitization, or hypersensitivity to sunlight,
• sometimes there is a violation of the stool in the form of diarrhea.

When applied to the skin, a person may feel a slight but unpleasant tingling or burning sensation. This reaction is a variant of the norm, it is associated with a skin burn and passes quickly enough, and soon after the subsequent application of the drug such a reaction disappears altogether.

If the burning sensation does not disappear, but is accompanied by swelling and a significant reddening of the skin, the drug should be stopped. A reaction must be notified to the doctor so that he may have reconsidered his appointment.

Due to the fact that the drug "Isotrexin" causes an increased sensitivity to light, after its application to the skin it is undesirable to be exposed to the sun's rays or to use the services of a solarium. With this pleasure will have to wait.

Some unusual reactions may also be associated with one of the additional components of Isotrexin, butylhydroxytoluene. This can be local reactions in the form of redness or flaking, manifestation of contact dermatitis, and if accidentally ingested into the eyes or mucous membranes, the preparation causes irritation.

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Overdose

As for drug overdose, because the agent is applied only to the skin, and the absorption of active substances is very small, this phenomenon is almost completely eliminated. 

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Interactions with other drugs

However strange it may seem, even for external drugs it is common to react with other medicines, and interaction with other drugs often leads to very unpleasant consequences.

Producers and doctors do not recommend the use of medicines from the retinoid group (vitamin A preparations) in parallel with Isotrexin. This also applies to other drugs, which are characterized by keratolytic and exfoliative (exfoliating) action.

In order not to reduce the effectiveness of the drug against acne, containing isotretinoin, it is not recommended to use together with it tetracycline antibacterial drugs, as well as steroid hormones (GCS). And in combination with tetracycline, the photosensitization reaction can increase, which will lead to the occurrence of severe sunburn.

Treatment with isotrexin can not be combined with other therapies for acne and acne. Especially it concerns medicinal forms containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. This restriction is associated with a greater risk of side effects in the form of severe irritation of the skin and skin edema.

For the same reason, during the period of gel therapy, it is not recommended to use lotions, which include alcohol or extract from citrus.

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Storage conditions

Gel "Izotreksin" does not require special conditions for its storage, but like any medicine, especially containing antibiotics, it must be out of the reach of children.

The gel can be stored at room temperature. If the temperature in the room rises above 25 degrees, the medicine should be placed in a cooler place in order to avoid premature spoilage.

Speaking about the effectiveness of the drug "Isotrexin" it is worth recalling that the complete disposal of acne and acne is possible only if you get rid of the cause that caused their appearance. If this hormonal imbalance in adolescence, the gel, of course, will help to cope with its external manifestations, but here the treatment of other pathologies will have to be dealt with closely, before getting to permanently get rid of unaesthetic spots on the skin.

Special instructions

To avoid skin irritation, the gel "Isotrexin" needs to be applied carefully and carefully onto the skin, which is hypersensitive. These are areas of the skin in the eyes, mouth and neck.

Some side effects of the drug can make themselves felt only after 1 or 2 weeks from the start of therapy. If there is irritation on the skin, the use of the medication should not be stopped for a while until the symptoms come off. If irritation persists for a long time, or if the symptoms appear again when the product is applied again, you should consult your doctor to prescribe a different treatment.

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Shelf life

The life of the anti-acne medication in the form of a gel, provided it is stored away from sunlight according to the manufacturer's instructions, is 2 years.

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