Accutane Side Effects

Accutane or Roaccutane are the most well known brand names for Isotretinoin, a potent acne medication that suppresses the activity of the sebaceous glands. Isotretinoin is a retinoid based compound that is a synthetic and highly processed derivative of vitamin A.  Accutane also controls keratin levels, which if overproduced may clog up the skin’s pores and could also increase testosterone production. The treatment involves taking this medication for several months to see positive results, for these reasons there are thousands of people who have benefited from positive results with Accutane.

For persistent, unmanageable acne problems, Accutane or other Isotretinoin medications are often prescribed by doctors. However, it is important to understand, that this is a potentially dangerous medication. It  is in fact only recommended for people who have exhausted all the other available acne treatment options without success. It is important to be aware of the fact that there are several devastating Accutane side effects, which are well documented.

Even if you have been suffering for years with unmanageable and painful acne breakouts, before you decide to subject yourself to this particular treatment, think again! Is it really worth taking the potential risks that come with this drug?

Accutane Side Effects

• hair loss/Alopecia
• birth defects if taken during pregnacy
• intracranial hypertension/headaches
• several neurological symptoms, such as depression, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, seizures, strokes, fainting, numbness or nervousness
• problems with vision, such as reduction in color vision or night vision, loss of dark adaptation
• anaphylactic reactions
• dry lips,
• bleeding gums/gingivitis
• nosebleeds
• eczema or other types of dermatitis
• hyperostosis/overgrowth of the bones
• ligament, tendon or bone calcification
• inflammation of a tendon
• hearing impairment
• hepatotoxicity/elevated liver enzymes
• lower back pain
• joint pain
• IBD/inflammatory bowel disease
• ulcerative colitis
• inflammation of the pancreas
• respiratory problems, such as voice alteration, breathing difficulties or broncho-spasms
• neutropenia/low white blood cell count
• thrombocytopenia/low blood platelet count
• photo-sensitivity of the skin
• reduced blood flow to the brain
• Roche Pharmaceuticals®, the manufacturerss of Accutane, included a warning to their Accutane label regarding depression and suicide in 1998.

This list is not exhaustive as Accutane is a non selective systemic medication, which affects not only your skin, but most parts of your body. Some of the above mentioned Accutane side effects are permanent, while others are temporary.

Due to the nature and risks of these serious and harmful Accutane side effects, it is very advisable to use caution and give careful consideration to the information given before deciding if you will start such a regime which has to be undertaken for a number of months. What should be a valid part of this decision making process is to know the fact that this treatment does not cure the condition.

The key to a permanent cure is in fact to address the underlying causes of acne that allow this condition to manifest in the first place. These include hormonal imbalance, increased vulnerability to stress caused by vitamin deficiencies and a dietary imbalance. Holistic health strategies can address these issues and so lead to a dramatic improvement in the treatment and elimination of acne.  The most important fact to understand is that all holistic methods use only natural ingredients and so there are absolutely no risks of any side effects, but at the same time millions of people have benefited from this approach worldwide.

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