side affects of accutane

[jennifer]

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.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

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

[danielle]

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?

[louiza]

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

[Jonathan]

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?

[DENISE]

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....

[Amy]

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.

[shannon]

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.

[R HILL]

I WAS WONDERING IF ONE OF THE SIDE AFFECTS FROM TAKING ACCUTANE
COULD BE INCREASE IN BREAST SIZE?

[amanda]

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

[Judy]

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?

[Sheri]

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?

[Baker]

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!!

[Baker]

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!!

[Andy]

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.

[Dana]

A friend of mine took Acutane a couple years ago and underwent severe depression and suicidal thoughts.  Also a friend of mine hung himself in February of 99.  He was also on Acutane.  His suicide was very unexpected eventhough his friends said he seemed depressed prior to his suicide.  Acutane is the alleged cause of his hanging.  I was wondering if anyone else had heard of stories like these.  Both of my friends were very happy-go-lucky, optimistic and christian.

[JOHM]

Christians don't commit suicide??????????

[Joe]

I'm 15 and I went on accutaine, i had some side effects but nothing serious just dry skin and flush face.  I went on accutaine not for my face but for the acne on my chest.  I had a view pimples on my face but not real serious, my face cleared up completly but I still have acne on my chest. It's as severe and not really pimples but red marks were the pimples used to be.

[lisa]

I started taking Roaccutane 1 day ago and I'm still nervous about side affects. Before I started taking it I visited http://AcneSite.wwwpublishing.com/index.html and read some weekly diaries people were writing online while on Accutane. This site helped a lot with deciding to use the drug.

[SCATMAN JON]

I have a friend who used accutane and he experienced very good results..I don't c y theres no reason anyone should worry about using the drug.People that comit suicide are alreadt depressed beore taking the drug...its probably just coincidental, considering it is mainly teens that use the drug, they have mood swings and depressions no matter what they are or arnt taking

[Darny]

To anyone who is taking accutaine or considering.  Isotrentonin is a harmful drug that may cause very noxious effects.  Despite Rosche laboratories and physicians denial of the neurologic peril in taking accutaine, it causes severe neurologic symptoms.  These include, but are not limited to:  
Paranoid subtypes of schitzophrenia, suicide and suicidal ideations, major depression, psychoisis, dementia, tremmors, convulsions, hallucinations, affect change, and long-term psychological illness. There are very extensive reports under the custody of the FDA and Rosche labs with very extensive documentation on the harm accutaine may cause.  Consider carefully the risks involved in taking isotrentonin.

[Erin]

I took acutane from October 199- April 2000. My skin was ccausing me to lose confidence at work. I was 23 when I began my treatment and now at 24 I am more confident than ever. My skin is finally clear after taking prescriptions for 7 years straight. I can't say that it was not hard, the treatment was brutal. My lips cracked and bled everyday. I had scbs in my nose that lasted until the end of May and my skin was so dry that it would bleed. I also felt depressed. Now, after all of that i still feel that I would do it again. I have to say that now my pores are getting somewhat more oily again but it seems more excessive to me than to anyone else. You have never suffered from dry skin like this before! My side affects started about 3 weeks in and lasted the entire course. BE PREPARED and do not take this lightly!

[juanita]

There seem to be 2 extreme opinions about the side effects of accutaine. I am considering taking it at age 36. I've had acne since I was 16 and have been on varios antibiotics and sulfates ever since. My doc. seems to think it would be a good idea. But I'm concerned about having children - I plan to have children w/in the next 2 years, you know the clock is ticking. Most of all I'm really concerned about the break out before the clear up all the pamphlets talk about. I'm a teacher and can't bear the thought of a severe breakout. Is it worth it?

[Jo]

A lot of you seem worried about the effects of accutaine. Well, I have never tried it, but from the sounds of it, it has had some devastating effects. I am currently using an antibiotic called Minomycin. I recommend it to anyone with acne problems. After a month of taking it, all of my pimples just disappeared. The only problem is that once you stop taking it, the pimples return, although it does not have any side effects. I think its great!!!

[Jim]

I've heard that Accutane causes thinning hair and eventual baldness. Along with this I'm also concerned with the possible damage this drug can have on your liver. I have considered using Accutane for quite some time, but I'm hesitant, to say the very least, in light of these possible side effects. What can you tell me about this?