Accutane Side Effects

So common is Acne, research reports a figure of around 60 million Americans suffering from it today.  There are many kinds of acne and causes for outbreaks and blackheads, whiteheads, nodular acne and cystic acne are just some of the causes of acne scarring suffered by over 20 million Americans.  Statistics show that almost half of the Americans who currently have acne accept the problem without taking any action.

One form of modern day acne treatments is retinoid drugs such as Accutane (manufactured by Roche).  Isotretinion, found naturally in vitamin A is the main ingredient and while treatment is effective, there are side effects.  Prior to Accutane, antibiotics were the main oral acne medication prescribed, but they soon became ineffective as the acne built up resistance.  In these cases, worse acne would often be the long-term result.

High doses of vitamin A have been a last resort acne treatment for some time, but have also been recognized as having negative side-effects.  For this reason, such treatments are avoided where possible.

The initial vitamin A treatments used for acne were in a fat soluble form until 1982 when Accutane was officially introduced to the market.  With less side effects and more positive results, Roche soon declared success based on popularity.  Accutane does have side effects, but they are in no way as severe as their predecessors. 

Treatment for acne will usually begin with topical applications and oral antibiotics.  If this doesn't work, Accutane may be prescribed cautiously.  This is a more expensive alternative and usually has long and short term side effects.

The only way to take Accutane is with a prescription and when taken for around 18 weeks, it can clear up acne in more than half of patients.

The side effects to be aware of before embarking on a course of Accutane include:

-Pregnancy is definitely out of the question for anyone taking Accutane because it severely damages fetuses.

-Cases present with varying severity, but everyone experiences some dry lips, dry mouth, dry sinuses, dry, itchy eyes and dry, flaking skin.  Usually the drying side effects can be managed with the right products like using ice for a dry mouth or petroleum jelly for the nose.

-When taking Accutane, the skin is super sensitive so any damage is more likely to result in scarring:  avoid hair removal, micro-dermabrasion or laser treatments and piercings.

-If isotretinion drugs are taken for long periods of time, they can result in a decreased bone mass and tenderness of bones, hair thinning and aching muscles and joints.

-There are also short-term side effects such as depression, hearing loss, stomach pains, ringing in the ears, blood pressure changes, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a rise in liver enzymes and decreases in the white blood cell count.

If you are taking Accutane or any other isotretinion drug, it is important to advise your doctor of any other medication you are taking so there are no adverse reactions.  Certain guidelines will need to be strictly adhered to so safety is ensured:  only have minimal amounts of alcohol, wearing maximum protection sunscreen and for women, take every precaution necessary to prevent pregnancy. 

Accutane is a highly effective acne medicine; however patients must be closely monitored by their doctor.  While many people may only experience mild signs of side effects, others will see a more severe reaction.  Regardless of the discomfort, if all avenues have been exhausted, Accutane can be the answer to your problem with acne.

Long-term, negative effects of acne include permanent and severe scarring, depression and self-esteem problems that can lead to more serious cases of anxiety such as social phobia.  While drugs can have negative side effects, they are minimal compared to leaving acne without any treatment and potentially ending up feeling like a social outcast.

Instead of worring about the side effects of accutane, try Acnezine.