Accutane Side Effects Years Later

Accutane is one of the popular brands of Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin was earlier used as a chemotherapy medication in the treatment of cancer. Accutane is a medicine used to treat acne and its several severe types. Specifically, this medication is used for the treatment of nodular acne and has been used since a long time for the same. Accutane is a prescription medication and a form of vitamin A. It helps in controlling the amount of oil released from the oil glands found in the skin, which helps in treatment of acne. Although this medication can be obtained only with a prescription, people try to buy it through the Internet, without consulting doctors or health care providers. It should be noted that there are several side effects associated with accutane and hence, it should not be taken without prescription. On the other hand, there are also cases of long-term side effects associated with accutane. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Long-Term Side Effects of Accutane

As with most of the prescription medications, there are several minor as well as long-term side effects associated with accutane. Minor effects include stomach disorders, diarrhea, nausea, dry skin, dandruff, joint or muscle pain, hair loss, vision disturbances and mood swings. However, apart from these, there have been several cases of developing severe accutane side effects years later. Among these, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are the most prominent and common ones. A majority of people using accutane have complained of suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, and variations of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. Long-term side effects also include damage to the liver or development of liver disorders. Liver failure, live damage, jaundice, etc.

Miscarriage, birth defects, etc. are some of the complications that can develop while taking accutane during pregnancy. Retardation of growth, mental retardation, etc. are also some of the complications observed in babies if the mother takes accutane during pregnancy. In most of the cases, younger women are asked to give it in writing that they are responsible for the usage of the drug, before they are prescribed accutane. On the other hand, accutane side effects for men include erectile dysfunction, inflammation in joints, etc. Apart from the above mentioned ones, here is a list of a few more potential side effects that may show up only years later.

• Decrease in bone density
• Hair loss
• Decreased night vision
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Arthritis
• Depression, bordering on suicidal thoughts
• Dry skin
• Nasal/rectal bleeding

Although one of the best acne treatments available today, accutane has numerous side effects, with having suicidal thoughts being the most dangerous one. It should be noted that not all side effects are observed in all cases. In order to avoid them, it is advisable to have this medication only on prescription, in prescribed doses, for the stipulated period. One should also keep the doctor updated if any of the above mentioned side effects are observed when on these medications.

You can stay away from these potential side effects, if the doctor is consulted and proper advice is taken. Note that this write-up is meant only for providing information. Any medication or drug is to be taken only on consulting the doctor. Take care!