For many years, acne has been the main cause of a serious conflict between youth and self-esteem. But thanks to science, treatment for this unappealing condition is now a reality. Accutane is a potent dermatological drug that has arrived to completely eradicate those painful breakouts on your skin.
But due to the high cost of the treatment and the impossibility of obtaining it through private means, many people wonder how much Accutane costs with insurance. After reading this article, you will have the answer to this question. You will surely want to take out a comprehensive coverage policy that includes an effective dermatological treatment with Accutane.
But what exactly is Accutane?
Before you know how much Accutane costs with an insurance policy, you should know what it is. It is an effective acne medication that was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This was in 1982 when it was known as isotretinoin, its generic name. However, in 2009, the drug we know today under the name Accutane was discontinued by the different manufacturers.
It is known worldwide by the pharmaceutical industry for being a vitamin A derivative. But also for belonging to the retinoid family of drugs. For this reason, it has been associated with other drugs such as Retin-A, also used to treat acne-related conditions.
This product has been prescribed at least 2 million times internationally. And its purchase certainly requires a doctor’s prescription as there have been proven side effects associated with this drug.
How much does Accutane cost with insurance?
Generally, Accutane is a treatment covered by any health insurance in the United States. But companies approve its use only when the acne has not been cured by other medications or when the diagnosis is cystic acne.
For an insurer to approve coverage for this drug, the patient must have tried other medications such as antibiotic gel, benzoyl peroxide, orates antibiotics, and Retin A without success.
If the patients pay for the treatment on their own, they will pay an average total of between $300 and $400 for a standard dose of 30 milligrams twice a day. Most people who require this drug must use Accutane for six months.
Now, the cost through some insurances will depend on your plan. For more details on this, it is best to check with the insurance company.
Generally, the cost of this medication can range from $100 to $150 with your insurance, which is a significant savings compared to the actual retail price at specialty pharmacies.
How does this medication work?
The way these drugs work is quite complex. Their main objective is to alter the DNA transcription so that the sebaceous glands present in the human body shrink and stop producing large amounts of oil.
In addition, the cells present in the skin are much less sticky, thus changing their appearance. Of course, the chances of spots and blackheads are reduced.
But that’s not all, because Accutane can restrict the number of bacteria in the skin and sebaceous glands. The main objective is to completely eradicate all those agents or microorganisms that significantly damage the skin.
What are the side effects of this treatment?
Although it has become one of the most effective products to treat acne, it is also known for its side effects. Here are some of the side effects.
1. During pregnancy
If applied to pregnant women, the risks of miscarriage are extremely high. It is also capable of causing defects in the child, such as heart problems, sight and hearing loss, which can be noticed after birth.
Health agencies recommend not use the treatment during pregnancy and much less during breastfeeding.
2. Interferes with mental health
It has been clinically proven that this drug affects patients’ mental health, even those who have never presented this type of problem.
Some specialists have associated psychosis, depression, and suicidal behavior symptoms with this drug. Therefore, they recommend that both family members and relatives pay close attention to the patient, to detect any of those signs.
3. Hair and skin
If you notice that, at the beginning of the treatment, the acne worsens, you should not worry because this is a normal effect before it starts to improve.
Other adverse effects of skin and hair care are Cracked lips, very dry skin, sun sensitivity, dry nostrils, increased skin fragility, yellowing of the skin, and excessively fine hair.
4. Central nervous system
It has also had a significant impact on the central nervous system, seriously affecting it after consumption. Among the most evident symptoms are headaches and extreme tiredness.
Other signs are difficulty to see at night or in dark places, sudden ringing in the ears, dry eyes, constant mood swings (sadness or anger), and hearing loss.
In more extreme cases, this specially developed acne-fighting drug can put pressure on the brain. This can compromise health to such an extent that the risks of losing one’s life can be high.
Pressure on the brain can be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, vomiting, palpitations, convulsions, severe headache, and blurred vision.
5. Digestive tract
Constant consumption of this drug can severely affect the digestive tract. When this happens, heartburn, bleeding gums, and pain in the intestines may occur.
But other equally important signs may also appear, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, bleeding from the rectum, considerable loss of appetite, inflammation in the intestines, stomach pain, and joint pain.
Laboratory tests
Now that you know how much Accutane is and the side effects that could put your health at risk, it is important to know that any responsible physician may order routine tests to see the patient’s condition.
They may also repeat the same tests if adverse effects severely damage your health. This will help them determine how serious the situation is and how to remedy it quickly.