Also known as Isotretinoin or Roaccutane, this drug is commonly associated with some of the more serious side effects like malformations in fetuses, depression, or suicide. It is common to hear about the drugs potential side effects before hearing about how it works.

It is derived from vitamin A and is taken in the oral form. Although vitamin A is necessary for your health, too much of it will build toxicity in your body. This is why many of the main accutane side effects develop.

Typical accutane side effects

Accutane is known for keeping a patients skin clear for a long period of time after completing the required prescription dosages.

The most common Accutane / Roaccutane side effect is called hypervitaminosis A which is associated with high toxic levels of vitamin A. This can lead to dry and irritated skin, dry eyes, and dry and cracked lips. Others experience loss of hair or headaches. Also common are muscle aches and pain, and joint pain. Therefore, you should avoid vigorous exercise while on the drug.

Less typical accutane side effects

Less common accutane or roaccutane side effects include colitis, inability to see clearly at night, hepatitis, and increased levels of lipids in the blood. Accutane may sometimes increase the level of blood fats to risky levels. Occasionally it may affect the liver by increasing liver enzymes. This is the reason why blood tests are necessary on a regular basis during the treatment. If these measures are all taken carefully, the risks may be reduced. Side effects are said to stop once a person stops taking Accutane.

Other more serious, though less common, accutane side effects include, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, changes in mood, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, bowel problems, calcium deposits in tendons (the significance of this is unknown), an increase in cholesterol levels, and yellowing of the skin.

Pregnancy and Accutane

The birth defect rate linked to Accutane is 90% in women taking Accutane. The best way to avoid this risk if you want to take the drug is to abstain from sex altogether. If you are taking the pill, you will need to use a second method of birth control at the same time. Make sure you consult with your doctor if you wish to use Accutane under these circumstances. A pregnant woman can suffer a miscarriage.

Depression

A clear link between Accutane and depression has not yet been established. In previous studies, the proportion of those attempting suicide while using Accutane in comparison with the entire number of patients on Accutane, is not higher from the general percentage of those attempting suicide out of the entire population.

However, it is still listed as a potential side effect and it is still a possible consequent of taking Accutane.

Skin Vulnerability

Another caution when taking Accutane is that your skin will not heal as quickly. Your skin will become more prone to scarring, even from such things as face waxing.

Failure of Accutane or Roaccutane or Isotretinoin

Sometimes even after a second or third course of Accutane an individuals acne returns, or returns worse than it did before. The primary reasons for its failure include taking the incorrect dose for too short a time, using other medications that counteract Accutane, and hormonal irregulatiry in females.

Only after consulting with your doctor and considering the effects of Accutane and how serious your acne may (or may not) be, should you consider taking Accutane.