Accutane and broken urethral lining

I started taking 40 mg of Accutane about 8 weeks ago. I started getting the regular side-effects such as dry lips and nose etc.

After about 4 weeks I noticed that at the tip of my penis at the urethral opening the skin had gone red and it seemed broken. As a result the opening often gets sort of sealed (because the broken skin sticks together). This causes problems when urinating because the urin has to break the sealed opening which is occasionally is painful and which sometimes has caused it to bleed a bit. Recently I noticed that when urinating, the tip of the penis around the urethral opening is raised a bit, as if the pressure of the urin flowing was too great. I believe this is a side-effect of Accutane, because its side-effects include dry mucous etc. and nothing suggests that I have an infection (it's about 4 weeks since I noticed the problem) in the urethra (no bleeding other than from the urehtral opening, no discharge or pain while urinating apart from when the sealed opening is forced open.)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I have seen lots of dry lips from Accutane, some mild involvement of the nose and eyes, but never dryness of the penis.  On the other hand, the penile opening can get irritated by itself sometimes.  I advise you to keep the area moisturized (e.g. vaseline), and show your doctor if the irritation isn't gone in 10 days.  You might need something medicated (e.g. hydrocortisone.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[xman]

Oops! I forgot the actual question which is: If I was to stop taking Accutane temporarily and the problem was caused by Accutane, how long should it be until the urethral lining / opening should start healing? Or should I just keep on going with Accutane for the remaining 8 or so weeks inspite of this?

Thanks.

[moonbeam]

If your acne is bad, and the treatment seems to be working, I wouldn't quit.  You can have your doctor lower your dose, which may improve side effects, but will lengthen your treatment time.  You would have to decide if that was worth the trade off.  Your problem sounds like dry skin, and like you said, is very common around the mucous membranes.  I have taken accutane, and the best product I found was Neutrogena hand cream (use it anywhere! it's not greasy or oily, I used it on my mouth, nipples, face, & hands) you can mix it with water if it is too thick, it's cheap (like 3.00 at target or wal-mart).  You could also try putting neosporin on it, the petrolatum for moisturizer, and the antibiotic to prevent infection.  Moisturize as often as you can, watch out for infection (common when taking accutane), and best of luck!!

[Chancy]

I begain another course of accutane about 3 weeks ago and am presently experiencing exactly the symptom you describe.  The end of my PP is red, chaffed, sore and has the puffy asymetric appearence you described.  I think it perfectly plausable that this stuff would have the same effect there as it does everywhere else?

[xman]

I tried using moisturizers, which seemed to do the trick except that the skin won't start healing. So would it be ok for me to try 1% Hydrocortisone on it?

[moonbeam]

I would think antibiotic would be better.  Don't know why the other would be a problem though.

[DaHonch]

A related discussion, Accutane and Red Urethra was started.