Many of our clients at Face Reality Acne Clinic , have been on Accutane (isotretinoin); but what’s surprising is that so many of them have been on it for two or three courses to get their acne under control. One client admitted to having gone through the Accutane regimen seven different times. Some of them didn’t get any benefit at all; however most of them experienced significant clearing, but to their dismay, started breaking out again within months of stopping the medication. So, how disappointing is that?? They took huge health risks (again and again) for only a short term benefit? I don’t think most people know what the risks really are from taking “the tane,” so that’s what I would like to talk about here.
Just three weeks ago, Roche Holding AG, pulled Accutane acne medicine from the U.S. market after juries awarded at least $33 million in damages to users who blamed the drug for bowel disease. Many have been relegated to using colostomy bags for the rest of their lives. This is one of the multitude of side effects attributed to Accutane. Let’s talk about the others.
The FDA posted an alert in 2005 that said all patients taking accutane should be closely watched for serious symptoms including depression, suicidal tendencies, sadness, short tempers, anger, loss of social interaction, psychosis, loss of motivation and changes in appetite. If any of these symptoms begin to appear, the patient is advised to stop taking accutane and to seek professional advice. In 2002, a director for the FDA told a congressional committee that they received over 3,000 reports of adverse psychiatric symptoms and over 170 reports of suicide attempts connected to the use of Accutane.
There is such a high risk of birth defects, miscarriage and fetal death, that women of child bearing age are only allowed to get a one month supply (even though the prescribed regimen is for 5 months) and cannot receive another until the doctor has determined that the woman is not pregnant and is on at least two forms of birth control. Accutane can cause other severe and even tragic side effects and psychiatric problems, including Crohn’s disease, central nervous system injuries, skeletal damage, liver damage, cardiovascular injuries, bone and muscle loss, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, immune system disorder, depression, and suicide.
Heard enough? Well how long after you’ve gotten off Accutane are you going to feel confident that you’ve dodged the bullet and haven’t caused irreparable damage to your body. Will the side effects show up in months, years, twenty or thirty years. Who knows?
Most cases of acne can be cleared up with using the right products in the right way, none of which have side effects more than maybe some dry skin every now and then. Even the cases of acne that Accutane works best for, inflamed acne, is the easiest to control with products. I know that most people suffering from acne just want to be done with it and have tried every product under the moon. They may be using some good products, but it is mainly how the products are used that makes the difference in clearing your skin and not.
Coaching clients in how to use safe products correctly is what Face Reality Acne Clinic excels in; and helps people to get better results than Accutane, often in less time. If you are at the end of your rope and are desperate enough to consider taking such a dangerous drug as Accutane, please call or email us first to let you know what your alternatives are.
©2009 Face Reality Acne Clinic
Tags: accutane, isotretinoin, when accutane doesn't work, when accutane fails, why not take accutane
I was lucky it never showed too much side-affects on me. But I guess… if you are prone to depression, look elsewhere. It did wonders for my skin though :(.
http://www.adultacnehometreatment.net/
Well, that’s the thing. Most people will not have severe side effects. But, as with any drug, you may be that one in a million that does. It’s just good to know your risks. I’m truly glad it ended your suffering around acne. It just hasn’t worked for so many people we know. Thanks for your comment.
Yup always best to know what your getting into.
I never face this type of side effect so i cant say anything.
I am 23 now, and I took Accutane when I was 15. I had blood tests every 3 weeks to moniter my liver etc, during the course of my treatment. I had taken all the antibiotics/topicals out there from the age of 9. (Acne is severe in my family). My older brothers both took Accutane with spectacular success. I still get acne, enough that I’m ashamed for my husband to see me without makeup. Sometimes it’s the painful, deep variety, other times it’s the very superficial ‘whiteheads’. In saying that, had I not taken Accutane I fear my acne could be a lot worse, even now. But I would’ve done anything not to take it. All medications have side effects, so everyone should take the time to understand the risks of whatever medication they’re taking. But I was miserable on Accutane, and I add again, it was a last resort that had worked for everyone else I knew that had taken it…
Accutane can truly be the “silver bullet” for some people’s acne, but for many people, their acne comes back after taking it (and taking the huge risks of taking it!). And lots of people won’t have the drastic side effects, but you don’t know if you will be one of them or not! I just want to let people know that there is another alternative that is drug free and that’s our acne clinic - http://www.facerealityacneclinic.com.
We do have long distance programs, so if you want help with your current acne, check us out.
Yes! I agree!
Accutane is a serious drug that has resulted in untold suffering for many people.
i believe Accuatne (isotretinoin) is the only drug with nonpsychiatric indication that has ever been ranked in the top 10 of the FDA AERS database for suicide attempts.
While there have been strong warnings on the label, those warnings did not include bowel conditions. That is why most Accutane lawsuits involve the following injuries:
1. Ulcerative Colitis
2. Crohn’s Disease
Both conditions are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
As an Accutane lawyer, I’ve seen first hand how the drug has affected the lives of people. It’s really sad!
Unfortunately, some doctors prescribed Accutane for mild or moderate acne, when the drug should only have been used for severe acne — if at all!
Although Accutane was taken off the market in 2009, there are still generic versions available. I’d be very cautious about taking any generic Accutane and would want to explore all the other available options.
I ran across some new info…there is a new medical study out by the prestigious British Medical Journal that talks about the link between Accutane and suicide. It says patients should be monitored for up to 6 months for suicide risks after stopping Accutane.
You can read the study here: http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5812.full
Honestly, I agree on what you are saying about your post.
Hi all
Above all do not want to scare or anything like that, but this is my story, and perhaps others will serve to decide whether or not to take the medicine.
My name is David I have 28 years, I’m from Madrid, and I also was taking Dercutane (Isotretinoin) for almost 9 months, a total of 10gram take that for my weight, 65Kilos is the maximum recommended dose can be given.
I had a mild nodular acne that is I got a few pimples but internal and took too long to leave, so the dermatologist decided to give me these miracle pills.
During the treatment, I had the typical side effects, like all people who take it, nothing alarming. But now, after almost a year after completing the treatment when I am suffering more: I have permament dry eyes, back and joint pains continued, headaches, generalized dryness throughout the body, nose bleeds, constipation, anxiety produced through all this trouble sleeping ..
My quality of life has been reduced by 70%, since I can not do almost anything he did before, I can not even bend over without pain in my back and knees.
My life has become a specialist come and go, orthopedic surgeons, ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, neurologists … and none of them give me solution to my problems.
I created a website so that all who pass or have passed through what I promote it and to know what they can do this drug, which not even the laboratories that produce exactly know the mechanism of action is a poison, and certainly, at least I do, I devote my time and desire to spread my message.
This is the website I created: (In Spanish)
http://secuelasdercutane.org
Greetings
David
What pill are you taking?