accutane side effects

[kwm1965]

My 16 1/2 year old son has been on Accutane (60mg per day) for 2 months.  His blood tests show liver function is great and triglycerides have stayed low.  I am worried, however, about his complaints with joint pain.  He recently had x rays and an MRI done on his right knee (which was an issue b4 the accutane) and then got relief for that knee when it was drained of excess fluid.  He complains that he feels like an old man, something is always hurting.  I took him off the MSM supplement I had been giving him for joint pain, because he felt that it may have contributed to the fluid on his knee. I give him biotin each day but his hair has changed texture although we can't tell that he is actively losing any.  Should he stick it out and stay on the medicine or would a lower dosage work (since his cysts have already gone away)? I don't want to make him quit the accutane early and then have the cysts come back. But I want to know that the joint pain will go away soon after his last dose. help!

[kwm1965]

I forgot to add that he is losing weight too. at 5'9" he was 140lbs. when we started 2 months ago, now he is 133lbs.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A daily oral intake of vitamin A derivative isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) over a period of 4-6 months can cause long-term resolution or reduction of acne. It is believed that isotretinoin works primarily by reducing the secretion of oils from the glands, however some studies suggest that it affects other acne-related factors as well. Isotretinoin has been shown to be very effective in treating severe acne and can either improve or clear well over 80% of patients.

The drug has a much longer effect than anti-bacterial treatments and will often cure acne for good. The treatment requires close medical supervision by a dermatologist because the drug has many known side effects (many of which can be severe). About 25% of patients may relapse after one treatment. In those cases, a second treatment for another 4-6 months may be indicated to obtain desired results.

It is often recommended that one lets a few months pass between the two treatments, because the condition can actually improve somewhat in the time after stopping the treatment and waiting a few months also gives the body a chance to recover. Occasionally a third or even a fourth course is used, but the benefits are often less substantial. The most common side effects are dry skin and occasional nosebleeds (secondary to dry nasal mucosa).

Let us know about how you are doing and what your doctor advises.

Post us if you need any further information.

Regards.

[loiloi]

Hi. I have taken Accutane and experienced joint and muscle pain. However, this and other side effects wore off as my body got used to the medication. I had no side effects, except for dry lips, from 12 weeks onwards and took Accutane for 24 weeks.
Side effects are generally dose related. Taking Accutane at the recommended dose for 16 to 24 weeks is your son's best hope of a long term remission from acne.
The recommended dose is between 0.5 and 1mg x kg bodyweight per day. So your son should take between 30mg and 60mg per day because he weighs about 60kg.
He should not stop taking the medicine before 16 weeks, even if his skin is clear, because he is likely to relapse if an insufficient amount of the drug has been taken.
See our Acne forum too, for more advice.
Eloise.