!Accutane Side Effects!

[liverpool_fc]

Hi, im interested in taking accutane as my doctor has suggested that i ask my dermotologist about it. The thing is my mom is a bit scared because of what she has heard about the possible long term effects of accutane. Is it true that the drug can cause serious liver damage etc? I am aware of the short term effects of accutane (chapped lips, blured vision etc) but can someone enlighten me on what can possibly happen in the long run with my health after i take this drug?

[loiloi]

Hi again. Your dermatologist will regularly check your liver function during treatment. My liver function had "absolutely nothing abnormal about it" (my doctor's words) after two courses of accutane.
No causal link has been established between accutane and depression. It is almost impossible to prove a link because 1) Many accutane patients are adolescent males, a group with a higher than average occurance of depression and suicide. 2) It can be argued that it is the acne itself that causes the depression.
As the post above says, you can relapse from accutane. However it is possible to take 2 or 3 courses of accutane in your lifetime, I have taken two.
Accutane currently remains the drug which is most likely to result in a long term remission from acne.
Loiloi xx

[Eggle]

I took roaccutane in my late teens and it cleared up my acne wonderfully for a few years, but then it came back, and worse.  My skin is much more sensitive now than it ever was before - rashes all the time..  Also, there have been big 'hoo haas' about whether or not it causes depression.  I have also suffered a number of clinical depressions since.

The best thing I've found for acne is Brevoxyl (4% benzoyl peroxide).  It's a cream, available over the counter.  (BP is available in other strengths but they don't work for me.)
Hope it works for you too.