Skin Care Review: Accutane (Isotretinoin) by La Roche

Rating
Adverse Effects

Benefits
temporarily cleared up mild to moderate acne

Drawbacks
MANY!!! some scarring, depression, liver problems. BIRTH DEFECTS TO FETUS (if pregnant)

Details
There is much controversy over Accutane in recent years since there have been some lawsuits against the makers of the drug by families of suicide victims who were also on Accutane. Like all medications, Accutane can work, but people also need to be adequately warned about the dangers and adverse effects and these should not be downplayed.

SUMMARY:

- Accutane is the trade name for Isotretinoin which is a derivative of retinoid (chemically related to Vitamin A). It was created in 1982 and patented by Hoffman - La Roche until 2002; now several companies are making similar drugs. It was supposed to be safer and more effective at treating Acne than retinoic acid. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin).

- I suffered from mild to moderate acne ("cycle" dependant) since I was a teenager. Many traditional acne treatments were too strong for me, ineffective, or I had adverse reactions. Some actually made my skin much worse.

- I was on Accutane a total of 4 times over a 10 year period (moderate dosage, I believe 1-2x/day, 40mg). Life changes and changes in medications over the years have caused my "zits" to return, therefore I took additional rounds of Accutane.

- When younger (first took it in early 20s), the clear skin benefits outweighed the side effects (dryness, some unusual mild bleeding). "Typical side effects". I also experience some depression but I tended to ignore it at the time.

- my last usage of Accutane was in 2000. I suffered a severe depression. Additional medications I was put on caused additional symptoms and caused my skin to break out all over again nullifying the "good" effects of the Accutane. I later discovered, with my doctor's help, that a herbal remedy I was on at the time also contributed to the problem, amplifying the side effects.

- Accutane is supposed to lessen scarring from acne; this has not happened for me. Many people tell me I have a nice complexion (ha, if they only looked more closely) but small scarring is still visible and I believe the Accutane made that worse. I still break out every so often (I'm in my late 30s); Accutane has not prevented that.

LESSONS LEARNED:

prescription and herbal medications need to monitored carefully and well researched (ask your doctor, but also learn much yourself since you live with it). Don't believe all the hype that Accutane is the cure-all for acne. It's one solution -- not the best for everyone -- and because it cleared your skin does not mean that it's permanent. Acne can return, especially for women.

SUGGESTIONS:

good food, good water to drink (doesn't have to be bottled), maybe supplements -- especially Omega-3 fatty acid (or balanced omega 3-6-9, usually fish oils or flax, other plant sources), Beta-carotene instead of Vitamin A in multivitamin, (beta-carotene is a precursor of Vit-A, but not fat-soluble therefore no potential toxic build-up), antioxidants (green tea, many fruits and berries, vegetables).

Hope you fair better than I did.

Conclusions
If it seems to be causing trouble, then it is.

Price (paid by reviewer)

Where to find it