Accutane- Pros And Cons

There are several medications on the market that claim to help control or eliminate acne

, but none seem to work as well as accutane. Most of the time patients seeking treatment are offered several creams, soaps, antibiotics and acne medications before moving into the use of accutane. Accutane came onto the market as the brand name for the drug Isotretinoin several years ago and was proven to be quite effective through the patients taking the drug. While it began as a drug used only for severe acne cases, accutane has become more and more commonly used for moderate acne as well because of the widespread knowledge that the drug actually works on almost all cases of acne. The majority of patients will see a very noticeable difference in their skin within 4 weeks.

Accutane, while it works, is not without side effects. The major concern is related to females of child bearing age, as becoming pregnant while taking accutane or within a few months of stopping can cause severe birth defects including missing limbs and severe retardation. Doctors strongly recommend taking birth control pills while on accutane, and some even require it before dispensing a prescription to get filled. While on accutane, most doctors require monthly office visits where a pregnancy test will be given to ensure the drug is not continued if the patient is pregnant.

Other side effects of using accutane can include extreme dryness of lips, skin and eyes, itchiness, joint aching, and increase in cholesterol levels. Patients often are required to get a lipid profile every few months to track their cholesterol levels and make sure they are not increasing. In addition, several cases of severe depression and hallucinations leading to suicide have been somewhat linked to the use of accutane. While it has not been definitely proven, there is now a warning for parents to watch their childrens behavior and demeanor while they are taking this medication because it is a distinct possibility these psychiatric problems are linked with the drug use.

It is obvious that the use of accutane should not be taken lightly. If you are female, be extremely cautious if you are sexually active as the birth defects reported from the use of accutane during or directly before pregnancy are devastating. As with any drug, be sure to weigh all of the risks and benefits before deciding to take the medication, and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.

by: katchang

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