Common Side Effects of Accutane
Accutane is a drug used regularly for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. It has had many years of success in changing the lives of those suffering from acne that fails to respond to other medications. The drug often clears the skin in as little as four months of treatment. Unfortunately, Accutane’s success rate is clouded by concerns regarding its side effects.
Accutane is actually a form of Vitamin A that occurs naturally in the body. This natural quality means that large amounts of the drug affect the body similarly to excessive amounts of Vitamin A. It also means that the body expels it fully in around nine days. This keeps the drug from causing long term damage. However, there are negative reactions to Accutane experienced during the treatment process.
Side effects of Accutane most commonly occur with higher doses. Low amounts of the drug only affect the acne it is targeting. The larger amounts result in additional drying of the oil glands. This leads to the most common side effects, which are dry itchy skin, chapped lips, and nosebleeds caused from drying of the nostril linings. About 80% of those complaining of adverse reactions of Accutane report suffering mainly from the over-drying of the skin. The lesser reported side effects of the drug are joint and muscle pain, thinning hair, rash, and headaches. As little as 5% of complaints include issues with intestinal and urinary systems and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
The two most significant side effects of Accutane are birth defects and liver damage. These are easily managed by diligent birth control and scheduled blood tests. Patients using Accutane are warned of the increased risk to an unborn child. It is recommended that two forms of birth control, such as a condom and birth control pills, be used while taking the drug. The medication also increases the fat levels in the bloodstream which could adversely affect the liver. This is monitored by regular blood tests.
The use of Accutane has been historically successful. As with any medication, its benefits are countered by negative side effects. However, all of the side effects occur only during treatment. The body fully clears itself of the drug in a short period and leaves no long term damage. The side effects that are the most harmful are easily managed by the responsibility of the patient and doctor.
