Accutane: Salient Aspects

Inactive Ingeredients

beeswax, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, hydrogenated soybean oil flakes, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and soybean oil. Gelatin capsules contain glycerin and parabens (methyl and propyl), with the following dye systems: 10 mg — iron oxide (red) and titanium dioxide; 20 mg — FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Blue No. 1, and titanium dioxide; 40 mg — FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10, and titanium dioxide.

- Accutane is used to treat extremely severe cases of acne that cannot be cleared up by any other treatment. In severe nodular acne, red, swollen, tender lumps are formed in the skin, which if left untreated, can lead to permanent scaring.

- However, before you take Accutane it is very important that you know that this drug has very serious side effects. Do not take Accutane unless it is prescribed to you. You must speak to your doctor about all other possible avenues and treatments before you consider using Accutane.

Important Information

Possible serious side effects of Accutane include birth defects and mental disorders. Accutane can cause birth defects if taken by pregnant women. It can also cause miscarriages, premature birth, or death of the baby.

Do not Take Accutane

if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while on this drug. Do not get pregnant for 1 month after you stop taking Accutane. If you do get pregnant while taking Accutane, stop taking this drug immediately and call your physician.

While you are taking Accutane, you must use effective birth control. You must use 2 separate effective forms of birth control at the same time for at least 1 month before you start Accutane, while you take it, and for 1 month after you stop taking it. You must use 2 separate forms of effective birth control because any method, including birth control pills and sterilization, can fail.

There are Only 2 Reasons Why You do not Need to Use Effective Birth Control:

• If you have had a hysterectomy
• If you are absolutely certain you will not have any sexual contact with a man during, before, and for 1 month after Accutane treatment.

Some patients while on Accutane or soon after they stop taking this drug, have become severely depressed or have developed serious mental problems.

Symptoms Of These Problems Include;

• Sad, "anxious" or empty mood
• Irritability
• Anger
• Loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities,
• Sleeping too much or too little,
• Changes in weight or appetite,
• School or work performance going down, or trouble concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts
• Withdraw from your friends or family
• Feel like you have no energy
• Have feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

A yellow self-adhesive Accutane Qualification Sticker on your prescription indicates to the pharmacist that you are qualified by your physician to get Accutane.

Who Should Take This Drug

• Do not take Accutane if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during Accutane treatment, as this drug causes severe birth defects.
• Do not take Accutane unless you completely understand all its risks and are willing to strictly adhere to your doctor’s instructions about taking this medication.
• If you or someone in your family has had any kind of mental problems, asthma, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, anorexia or any other important health problems, it is important that you inform your doctor about it.

If You are Taking Accutane, Avoid;

• Getting pregnant or breastfeeding
• Do not give blood while you take Accutane and for 1 month after stopping Accutane.
• Do not take vitamin A supplements, as high doses of Vitamin A have the same side effects as Accutane.
• Do not have any cosmetic surgery procedures, including waxing, dermabrasion, or laser procedures, while on Accutane and for at least 6 months after you stop. Accutane can increase your chance of scarring from these procedures.
• Avoid sunlight and ultraviolet lights as much as possible as Accutane may make your skin more sensitive to light.
• Do not use birth control pills that do not contain estrogen as they may not work.
• Speak with your doctor if you plan on taking any other drugs or herbal products. You should not take the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort because this herbal supplement may make birth control pills not work as effectively.
• Speak with your doctor if you are currently taking any corticosteroid or anticonvulsant medication.
• Do not share Accutane with other people.
• Do not take Accutane with antibiotics unless you talk to your doctor first.

Side Effects

Accutane has many serious side effects. It can cause;

• Birth defects, premature births, and death in babies
• Serious mental health problems.
• Serious brain problems as Accutane can increase the pressure in your brain. This can lead to permanent loss of sight, or in rare cases, death.
• Abdomen problems. The liver, pancreas, intestines, and esophagus can be permanently damaged by taking Accutane. Stop taking Accutane and call your doctor if you get severe stomach, chest or bowel pain, trouble swallowing or painful swallowing, new or worsening heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or dark urine.
• Bone and muscle problems. Accutane may affect bones, muscles, and ligaments and cause pain in your joints or muscles. Some patients have reported stunted growth after taking Accutane for acne as directed. There is no conclusive proof that taking Accutane will affect your bones.
• Hearing problems. Some people taking Accutane have developed hearing problems that can lead to permanent hearing loss. Stop using Accutane if your hearing gets worse or if you have ringing in your ears.
• Vision problems. While taking Accutane you may develop a sudden inability to see in the dark. This condition usually clears up after you stop taking Accutane, but can be permanent. Other serious eye effects can also occur.
• Lipid/Cholesterol problems. Many people taking Accutane develop high levels of cholesterol and other fats in their blood.
• Allergic reactions. In some people, Accutane can cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking Accutane and get emergency care right away if you develop hives, a swollen face or mouth, or have trouble breathing, or if you develop a fever, rash, or red patches or bruises on your legs.
• Accutane may cause other problems as well, inform your doctor if you have trouble breathing, are fainting, are very thirsty or urinate a lot, feel weak, have leg swelling, convulsions, slurred speech, problems moving, or any other serious or unusual problems.

Serious permanent problems do not happen often when taking Accutane, however you must be aware of them. If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking Accutane immediately and call your doctor. Stop taking Accutane if you get any of these signs of increased brain pressure: bad headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Also, some patients taking Accutane have had seizures or strokes.

Common Less Serious Side Effects of Accutane Include;

Dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, and dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds. People who wear contact lenses may have trouble wearing them while taking Accutane and after therapy. Sometimes acne may get worse for a while, when taking Accutane.

It is important you remember to strictly follow all your doctors’ instruction while on Accutane, and never take it more than it is prescribed. If you miss a dose, skip it; do not take two doses of this drug together. You will get no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time, to be sure you check in with your physician each month. Accutane, as per the FDA medication guide, is a dangerous drug, be cautious while using it.