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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
side affects of accutane
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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MedHelp Member's Question

side affects of accutane

by jennifer, Jan 27, 2000 12:00AM
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD HEARD OF ANY SIDE AFFECTS FROM USING THE DRUG ACCUTANE.  I HAVE HAD SERIOUS STOMACH PAINS AND NUMEROUS MEDICAL PROBLEMS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.  I DIDN'T KNOW IF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE LINKED TO USING ACUTANE ALMOST 5 YEARS AGO.  VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE INFORMATION. MY DOCTORS HERE ARE GETTING QUITE FRUSTRATED IN NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.
Doctor's Answer

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 27, 2000 12:00AM
Jennifer:



Accutane does not stay in the body after it is discontinued.  While I don't know the source of your medical problems, I'm quite sure the Accutane is not the cause.



Best.



Dr. R
Member Comments (34)

by danielle, Jan 29, 2000 12:00AM
I have been using 20mg of accutane for 2 weeks now.  Yesterday I broke out with hives everywhere, and immediatly went to the doctor to seek advice.  She told me that it was normal to break out in hives, and said to decrease my dosage to just one tablet a day. I woke up this morning with hives worse then yesterday, and I was just curious if I possibly could be allergic to accutane.  How long will it take to get rid of these hives, and how would I know if I have an allergy to the medicine?

by louiza, Jan 30, 2000 12:00AM
i had couple of sebaceous cystes on my face my dedrmatologist gave me keflex which worked good but not 100%, maybe 70%. so went back tomy dermatologist and he is recommending acutane, i don't have kids, i am 32 we may plan to have in the near future i am seeking advice about beeing on acutane is it true that it gets out of your system 1 month after discontinuing it, because there was a another doc who said to me that it's in your system for 2 years, i heard some much about acutane, but only negative side effets, so who to listen to. thanks :) louiza

by Jonathan, Feb 04, 2000 12:00AM
I have had many serious break-outs on my face from acne.  My doctor says I should try accutane, but I am suspicious.  I have only hear negative things about it.  Will my acne really come back after I stop taking it?  Also all the side effects!  It's seems not worth the trouble.  What should I do?

by DENISE, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
Im courious to hear from anyone who has completed a course of Acutane and then gone on to have children.  That packaging with all the warnings and pictures of deformed babies certainly has made me a bit apprehensive.... Feedback please.... Maybe a nice happy ending story....

by Amy, Feb 07, 2000 12:00AM
I took accutane as a teen-ager (maybe 15 - 16 years old).  I have since had two beautiful, perfect children.  Granted, my first was not born until I was 24.  But accutane was a miracle for me.  I have considered taking it again because since I turned 30 the cystic acne has come back more often!  Good luck.

by shannon, Feb 08, 2000 12:00AM
I would really like to try accutane, im ony 15 and my face isnt really that bad, but its bad enough to get sick an tired of scrubbing at. ive tried everything,  and i heard this works. Can you please explain to me exactly what accutane is.

by R HILL, Feb 17, 2000 12:00AM
I WAS WONDERING IF ONE OF THE SIDE AFFECTS FROM TAKING ACCUTANE

COULD BE INCREASE IN BREAST SIZE?

by amanda, Mar 01, 2000 12:00AM
Four years ago, I developed a terrible, painful case of adult acne.  My doctor prescribed acutane right away, and five months later I was cured.  I have an occasional pimple, but that is normal.  I had almost no side effects, none that I could feel.  I went in every month for a blood test to make sure my chemistry was within normal limits.  My cholesteral is typically around 110, and during my treatment it increased to 160, which was no problem.  My cholesterol is back to 110 and I gave birth to an absolutely healthy baby boy one year ago (became preganant about two years after finishing treatment), at the age of 33.

Acutane is a miracle drug.  As long as a person has the permission of his/her physician, I think they shouldn't hesitate in taking this wonderful medicine!



Amanda

by Judy, Apr 15, 2000 12:00AM
My son is 18 and has bad acne.  He is a weight lifter and takes creatine and other supplements.  This fall he will be playing college football.  Should we be concerned about any side affects?

by Sheri, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
My daughter is 15 & has been on Accutane for 2 months.  I am just

now beginning to see some results in her skin but am concerned

because she seems to be a bit withdrawn & has complained several

times about stomach upset...Should she continue to use this product?

by Baker, May 05, 2000 12:00AM
I took my first course of Acutane 18 years ago, at the age of 28. I had suddenly developed acne out of nowhere, and went to 5 different dermatologists in 2 years looking for the cure...finally number 6 suggested a ' new ' drug, and I started the course of Acutane. The only side effect that was a problem was the constant dry lips , as I remember. The effect on my skin was unbeliveable!!! And it has remained perfect until 2 years ago, when I began to break out in tiny little bumps on my forehead and around my mouth.( mind you I am now 45,too old for this!!!) Back I went to Dr.6, and he put me on tetracycline for months, which kept it at bay, but not gone. He also got a bit nervous when I mentioned another course of Acutane, an interesting reaction from a former beliver. We left to go on a 3 week trip to Turkey and I didn't take my antibotics. By the time we got back, my acne was in full swing! This time I went straight to my GP, who put me on the Acutane without batting an eye. Now it's been 10 days, and it has gotten somewhat worse, but I do remember it took awhile. I'm hoping this time the effect will take me into my 60's!!

by Baker, May 05, 2000 12:00AM
I took my first course of Acutane 18 years ago, at the age of 28. I had suddenly developed acne out of nowhere, and went to 5 different dermatologists in 2 years looking for the cure...finally number 6 suggested a ' new ' drug, and I started the course of Acutane. The only side effect that was a problem was the constant dry lips , as I remember. The effect on my skin was unbeliveable!!! And it has remained perfect until 2 years ago, when I began to break out in tiny little bumps on my forehead and around my mouth.( mind you I am now 45,too old for this!!!) Back I went to Dr.6, and he put me on tetracycline for months, which kept it at bay, but not gone. He also got a bit nervous when I mentioned another course of Acutane, an interesting reaction from a former beliver. We left to go on a 3 week trip to Turkey and I didn't take my antibotics. By the time we got back, my acne was in full swing! This time I went straight to my GP, who put me on the Acutane without batting an eye. Now it's been 10 days, and it has gotten somewhat worse, but I do remember it took awhile. I'm hoping this time the effect will take me into my 60's!!

by Andy, May 14, 2000 12:00AM
I took accutane when I was about 16 for four months.  I had a moderate case of cystic acne and my dermatologist was worried about the possibility of severe scarring on my face.  He prescribed accutane.  After 1 month of taking it, my face was totally clear. I'm now 23 and I can probably count the number of pimples I've had since on one hand.  My liver enzymes were high during treatment, but returned to normal when I finished.  Make sure you get your blood monitored closely, but I would highy reccommend accutane.  Also, I like cheese.

by Dana