Since 1982, dermatologists have prescribed accutane for the treatment of severe, scarring acne.
Over the years it has been used successfully by many patients, but also has been broiled in quite a bit of controversy due its side effect profile.
Here are a few side effects patients may experience while on accutane: 1.
Accutane will make you feel very dry! Dry lips are very common while on accutane and many patients need to use vaseline or another lip balm during treatment.
2.
Dry, itchy skin may occur while using accutane.
Most patients improve with the use of a good moisturizer cream.
3.
Some patients develop a sunburn more easily while using accutane.
Don't forget to wear your sunscreen! 4.
Many patients experience dry eyes.
Some contact lens wearing patients struggle while using accutane, but with regular use of saline eye drops most can continue wearing contacts.
5.
Some patients may experience nosebleeds.
This is due to the dryness of the nasal passages.
Regular use of saline nasal spray or vaseline can often improve this.
6.
Your skin might be sensitive and can scar more easily while on accutane.
For this reason, do not have cosmetic procedures during and for 6 months after taking accutane.
7.
Some patients experience muscle or joint aches.
If minor, ibuprofen products are often helpful.
There are several more serious side effects discussed in the medical literature that are possible from accutane.
These include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting or blurred vision, depression, sadness, or changes in your mood, unusual tiredness or lack of appetite, severe stomach pain, diarrhea or bleeding from your rectum, a yellow color in your skin or eyes, and dark yellow urine.
Perhaps the most well known side effect is that female patients cannot get pregnant while taking this medicine! For this reason, all female patients must have regular pregnancy tests and be on two forms of birth control for the entire duration of accutane treatment and for a month after finishing accutane.
Because accutane has so many potential side effects, patients must be monitored very carefully by a dermatologist while on this medication.
A dermatologist is trained to monitor for side effects and is able to adjust the dose of accutane appropriately.
A few years ago, the FDA developed the iPledge Program to more carefully monitor accutane.
All patients must now sign a consent form and be registered with the iPledge Program prior to starting accutane.