Accutane Side Effects for Men

Accutane is a very strong medication that is used for the treatment of severe acne. This medication was actually developed to be used for cancer treatment. In fact, accutane is sometimes used for the treatment of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer and brain cancer. But today, accutane is widely known for its use in the treatment of severe nodular or cystic acne. The generic name of accutane is isotretinoin and is derived from vitamin A. Though accutane can prove quite helpful in treating severe acne, it can cause a number of side effects in both men and women.

Accutane for Acne

Accutane has found to be very effective for reducing the oiliness of the skin. Acne is mainly caused by the clogging of the skin pores due to excessive secretion or oil or 'sebum' by the sebaceous glands. The blocked skin pores harbor bacteria and other microorganisms, which in turn causes infection and inflammation. Accutane can help to reduce the production of sebum by the oil glandes present on the skin. In this way, it can help to prevent the clogging of the skin pores, while helping the skin to renew itself. At the same time, it can help to destroy the acne causing bacteria.

Accutane Dangers

Accutane is a strong medication, and is used for acne treatment only when all the other treatment options fail to control acne breakouts. It is usually not used for mild to moderate acne. Though this medication can prove quite effective for treating acne, its side effects have generated much concern. The most common side effects for men are excessive dryness of the skin, lips and the mucous membrane, fragile skin, skin peeling, rash, dry mouth and nose, nosebleeds, headaches, increased sensitivity to sunlight, dry eyes, eye irritation, conjunctivitis, flushing, itching, impetigo and muscle pain. Sometimes, its use can lead to mild to severe acne flare ups instead of curing it. Hair thinning or hair loss on the other hand, is one of the most commonly reported side effects.

Apart from these, it can cause certain potentially serious side effects. Some of the severe accutane long term side effects which are observed in men are, decreased night vision, aggressive behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, joint pain and tenderness of the bones, cataract, corneal scar, hepatitis, blood in urine, pancreatitis, decreased pigmentation of the skin, glomerulonephritis, jaundice and liver damage, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems, decreased density of the bones, fluid retention, gum inflammation, bleeding gums, rectal bleeding, ringing in the ear, high blood triglycerides, erectile dysfunction and seizures.

People allergic to accutane on the other hand, can experience side effects like, skin rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, unusual swelling of the face, lips, mouth and the throat, and tightness in the chest. In addition to these, this medication can interact with certain other drugs, especially vitamin A and tetracycline. As has been mentioned already, it is derived from vitamin A and hence, taking it along with vitamin A supplements can lead to build up of a large amount of vitamin A in the tissues of the body. This can lead to vitamin A toxicity. Other than vitamin A and tetracycline, it can interact with corticosteroids and anti-seizure drugs. Individuals using accutane should refrain from donating their blood while taking the medicine and also for one month after discontinuing it.

To minimize the risks for serious side effects associated with accutane, one should never take accutane without consulting his or her health care provider, especially if he or she has a personal and family history of mental illness and depression, heart disease, high triglycerides or cholesterol, diabetes, liver disease, asthma, eating disorder and osteoporosis. To sum up, it is the medication of last resort for acne treatment, and one should opt for this medication only after properly evaluating the possible risks and the benefits. In this regard, one can also take the help of his or her physician.