Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 14)

I have a son that took accutane 60 mg a day for six months in a row three years ago. Now after many trips to doctors over strange medical problems, it seems accuatne is the culprit medication that has caused servere joint and muscle pain, severe dry lips, redness in face, eye infections of own immune system attacking itself, systems of osteoarthritis in both shoulders, both wrist and right hand, blood in stool, possible hair loss, abnormal liver function test results in AST and ALT. My son went from being a high school football and track athlete while taking this medication three years ago to someone that is in constant pain just washing a car. After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne. All one has to do is look online what vitamin A overdose does to someone and then you have the results of what this medication has done to my son. This drug needs to be taken off them market ASAP and the drug companies that make it need to compensate all teenagers that they have possible ruined their future. Shame on them! What is going on here?

REPLY

REPORT

Ashley, I would have the colonoscopy. I took Accutane in the 1980's when first came out. There were no known side affects that I was made aware of accept risks to a baby if pregnant. I have so many gastro problems that started earlier than the usual age for people. Chronic reflux, IBS, Diverticulosis, and it's scary to think I have had reflux so many years and what I am at risk for and have to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy every five years. People are most upset with the prep for a colonoscopy but I found something to rid the taste of the stuff you have to mix. I took orange Gatoraide with it and didn't taste that nasty thing. Hope all goes well for you. Doubt anyone would be interested in my case since it was so long ago. I'm stuck with these problems. I don't even know if I have bone or muscle problems like someone else mentioned here. Not checked for that yet.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

This forum has opened my eyes to my problem. I am now 23 years old. When I was about 14 I was prescribed Accutane by my doctor. I did not know all the side effects now and would have never taken it had I known. I did not have any problems while on the medication except for the usual problems like extremely dry skin and lack of sweating. About a year after taking Accutane I began having bad stomach problems like acid reflux and stomach pain. I suffered with this for about 4 years before additional problems began. Around the age of 18 I felt very different I wasnt as happy as I used to be and was getting very tired all the time. Then around 20 years old I became very dizzy and went to the ER. The doctors said I was fine except my potassium was low. They gave me some potassium pills and sent me home. The dizziness continued from this point and I now suffer from orthostatic hypotension. I have been to several doctors over the years and was told I was depressed and also that I was slightly dehydrated. I now suffer from parasympathetic autonomic failure. This includes the irregular digestive tract, sleep problems (must take a drug to sleep), heart rate irregularities as well as many other symptoms. I was wondering if anyone out there had experienced similar symptoms or if anyone had any knowledge of whether or not this could be related to the use of accutane.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Kyle, I was like you prescribed Accutane at a young age, 14 and started developing servere acid reflux at the age of 23. That's when I saw a gastroenterolgist and had numerous tests which revealed chronic reflux known as GERD. I have had it now for 17 years and it's getting worse. Scary is the knowledge it makes me a risk for esophogeal cancer. I also have colon issues, bloating irritable bowel and diverticulosis in the colon. I have suffered depression and sleep disorder also. I heard depression has some relation but not certain how much it does. Mostly, gastro issues seem to be the most comon long term effects. I am pursuing some legal people to see what can be done if anything since for me it was so long ago. Their are class action suites and lawyers that can give you a free consultation over phone if you wish to pursue an inquiry.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Michellea, Im curious as to your sleep disorder. I know you said that your acid reflux is getting worse with time but is your sleep disorder and depression also seem to be getting worse. Reason I ask is because this disorder that I have which started right after taking accutane, some preteens develop naturally as they are growing up and then grow out of it. I read in a forum somewhere that accutane slows down the activity in the front part of the brain which is very scary because it controls things like temperature, sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, hormone regulation mood, digestion, and I have a problem with all of these and it seems many others on here have also. I didnt know if anyone on here who has been diagnosed with any of these problems has seen any resolution in symptoms with time.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Michellea,
I have heard of a class action law suits against the drug Accutane and it generic brands and I am also aware of lawyers taking on cases and being successful with IBD. But I have never known of any class action law suits where IBD is not present There are so mny other side efects like IBS, liver damage, excessive thirst, depression and many others that so many have and found no where to turn for help. Please pass any information on to me through this site or to my direct email at Scottp623 at aol.

Thank You !
Scott

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have just read all the 14 pages and thank you all for your stories and information. So many of your posts relate to our own situation and they helped us not to feel so isolated any more. Our two son's were on Acutane when they were in high school and are presently 23 and 21 now. As so many of you have communicated parts of our story, We were given the little booklet and information about the short term side effects while on Acutane but never informed of the possibility of long term issues that we are dealing with now. Our dermatologist had confidence in the drug and after our own research we allowed our boys to go on it never realizing the pain and complication that would follow so many years later. Since we are a family not prone to taking many drugs I remember being so relieved when they were finally off Acutane and did not have to worry about the depression and uncomfortable physical side effects anymore. How I regret those day now.
Our older son has been dealing with severe stomach and Gerd/ Reflux issues, sleep disorder, and mild depression that some of you have mentioned in your posts. His first symptom was losing 30 lb in a month and having stomach pain and ulcer sores in his mouth and down his esophagus. As others have mentioned he has been poked and prodded and blood tests regularly for a year now with limited explanation of what specifically he has. Prior to turning 23 he was an average university student active in school sports, going out with friends and his girlfriend. He is a different person now, his main focus has to be his health and finding a solution to his stomach and bowel disorder. After all the specialist, regular blood tests and and a natural path appointments he follows a GERD diet (low fat, low acid) and does not eat gluten or dairy products and he sticks to a strict routine schedule for eating meals and healthy power shakes while following a religious routine of weight lifting and yoga to try to get some of his weight back and build back some of his muscle and to help him keep in a positive mental state. (On a good day he laughs that he thinks he has a body of a 14 year old now at his worst he would say he had a body of an pencil thin 8 yr old) . I was wondering if anyone has tried or heard of any other positive ways to deal with the symptoms and illnesses that he and some of you are now dealing with. I know each person is dealing with their own symptoms in different ways but with so many young people dealing with the after effects of this drug are there any organizations or medical clinics that have suggestions on how to best deal with these long term side effects. Since there are different specialist for each of side effects none of the specialists or doctors are dealing with the whole person. How can you focus on maximum health with all the different disorders and possible others that may come up as he grows older when each Dr. is only looking at there own specialy. Most of the stuff I find on the Internet are about the lawsuit not so much on dealing with the disorders and illnesses that have developed. Our second son is starting with mild stomach problems at this point in time and we pray that both will find a way to live with this medical consequences from Acutane in the best way possible.
You may wonder why I am writing and not my son. It is to hard for him to keep positive right now when he reads about some many people who are worse off then him and he does not think he can read your stories and not worry what his next symptom will be.
I wish you all well and would be thrilled for any suggestions or advice.
ML

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

To answer some of your questions reguarding my post, my sleeping problems are worse and have had depression since the age of 23 also, round same time the GERD and IBS started. Now I have Diverticulosis too. I don't have some of the other things that like Crohn's or IBD at least not to my knowledge but I think the things I do have are enough to raise some eyebrows, in that the long term side effects include the entire gastro tract. I will have to go on a special diet for my GERD and diverticulosis. I have yet to get help with it but will soon.
I never thought about a lawsuit, but when you keep hearing these things it's upsetting. I am a high risk for Esophgeal cancer and colon cancer. Great, guess my life expectancy can be lowered do to this. Yeah, I am madd as h-ll!
What more can one say, it's very disturbing and I was 14. Why give a drug like that to a teenager? There must have been something else if they those who researched the drug properly and you hear it all the time. Drug companies know but don't include in their drug clinical trials. They should be ashamed of themselves. If someone wants to take my case for a class action suite, I'm in. I have nearly choked to death several times at night from my chronic acid reflux.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Piracetam will help clear up the mental problems caused by accutane long after you had the course of it, i felt really depressed after taking it, and felt like I had lost a part of myself, a couple of years later I took piracetam to help my studying and even after I stopped that I felt a lot of my old self had returned and now I feel like I have gotten over the whole ordeal to some extent and my memory can extend back a lot better than it could to before the antibiotics!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

It scares me to see someone actually suggesting Piracetam. I checked our son's computer and he used this stuff, as well, probably to correct his after effects. He complained of memory problems and not feeling the same as before. Little did he know your brain can keep on developing until your mid to late 20's(according to the article from NPR by Richard Knox/March1, 2010). Piracetum contects brain neurons used for alzheimer's patients. Ask a doctor you trust and research it beforehand. I am still trying to find out if it connects neurons too well/over-stimulating them.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have read a few studies as part of my research as whether it is safe or not, albeit not recently. It has a good safety profile in the short term, although how it acts in the long term I don't know, personally I only took it for a couple of months and have no plans of taking it particularly long term, although I may use it next year while in my 3rd year of university for both the enhanced memory and to let it fix any more of the problems caused with my first roaccutane experience. It stands to logic that it probably will have an effect on the growing mind, positive or negative I don't know unfortunately, but I'm willing to take a gamble since roaccutane has definately had the negative, though I urge people to do their own research. As it happens I am taking roaccutane now at a much lower dose, and I have found my mood (in this low dose its more just my concentration is affected, though seriously, depression wise its nil aaprt from a little grumpiness) can be much cyclic, though when no vitamin A (fat soluble found in animal but not plant fats) in my diet is consumed it is perfectly normal, avoiding all animal/fish fats and oils as well as eggs (red meats, all but skimmed milk in dairy) has really helped.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm 39 and have had bad acne since I can remember. I went to the derm many times for help. They always tried to get me to take accutane. The side effects always scared me, and I really wanted another child, so I did my own research and experimented with cutting out different foods. I wish I would have known what I know now, 15 years ago. Basically, my serious acne was caused from dairy, which is in so many of our foods. I just read the labels and avoid it. I have had small acne, nothing like when I have dairy though, but I'll eat more fruit, less wheat and drink green tea and the smaller acne goes away. I have gone up to a year with absolutely no acne. It's incredible. I went back to my derm to see about laser for my acne scars and not realizing why I was there, she thought I had started taking accutane, and that my skin look so much better. I told her I only took dairy out of my diet. She just had a shocked look on her face and said, I've read studies where that works. I thought, why didn't you mention that to me earlier!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took Accutane in the 80's stopped couldn't afford the full treatments and again in 1994 for six months. I had little side effects then while taking it. But now I have autoimmune disease from it...with that Lupus (SLE, CLE), Fibro, Arthritis (RA included), CFS, IBS, Colitis, Thyroid...the list goes on. It's caused lots of death and lots of organ problems. There is a lot of research out there on the internet, you just have to type it to where it reads long term effects or warnings. Accutane is suppose to be off the market now, but not the same drug under other names. I want to warn those thinking of taking this to realize this too can happen to you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took Accutane in high school on and off for about four years. Yes, they did provide us with general knowledge of the side effects and I did have blood work done to moniter my liver. When you are that young (not sure why my parents let me take it), you do not have a full understanding of consequences.

I am now 24 with severe back pain that started in high school for no reason. I also have tinnitus (ear ringing) that is apprentally a side effect and who knows what else. This should not be on the market and I am very interested in finding a way to help myself and others. I also remember my doctor not even knowing how many times I had been on it. Incredible

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took two courses of the drug, and if I recall the last course was 2 pills (40mg) a day.

Immediately I noticed fatigue, dry eyes, mouth, skin, and back pain. Now, 5 years later I am suffering with the same problems and they seem to be getting worse. They are getting so bad now that I had to drop out of university (one of the top schools in the country) and I am experiencing depression and even thoughts of suicide.

After doing extensive research on the web I have come to the conclusion that Accutane is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market and I am confident that I in the coming years it will be exposed as such. The damage this drug does to your body is absolutely unknown, but reports are coming out that shed some light on it's mechanism of action.

Used as a chemotherapy drug, it causes cell death in rapidly proliferating cells (cancer cells). Problems is, your skin, mucous membranes, and joints are also rapidly changing, so it affects them too. It causes autoimmune problems, neurological problems, psychological problems, and on and on.

In any case the drug company Hoffman La Roche will never do any research on how the drug works because they know this will open them up to an innumerable number of lawsuits. My advice to anybody considering taking Accutane: DO NOT TAKE THIS DANGEROUS DRUG.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello All,
You might have read my post a month ago or so. I took Accutane while I was in the ARMY and have had all kinds of problems since just like all of you. For years I have suffered with all kinds of problems like all of you from severe stomache problems, fatigue, weakness, bone and joint aches with muscle wasting, eye problems, severe dryness and allergies, depression, anxiety and unable to concentrate at times and just feeling like I had arthritis at 30 yrs old. This is from someone who was a soldier and I've ran miles and miles everyday since I was about 17, I just felt like I was workig hard and fighting against something cause instead of feeling healthy from living healthy I was always in pain with no energy and have slept with pain for years.

About a month ago I found the best thing ever and I'm starting to feel great and sleeping with no pain. I actually discovered something as simple as water made by the japanese. They call it 'Miracle Water', and the results people are getting from it are nothing short of just that- a miracle!! Japanese are #1 in the world when it comes to longevity and us americans are close to #40- not good. This water is MICROCLUSTERED (Its like comparing beebees to golfballs in our normal water) so its more easily absorbed by every cell in the body. Its Alkaline Water and most all our tap & bottled water is acidic (DISEASE THRIVES IN AN ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT AND CANNOT LIVE IN AN ALKALINE ENVIRONMENT). This water is helping with all conditions and working miracles from diabetes to high blood pressure and even doing miracles for cancer patients, they even think its gonna help beat obesity. This water is a SUPER ANTIOXIDANT and it even DISSOLVES FAT & FLUSHES IT OUT OF THE BODY! I've been drinking it only a month and for the first time in years I'm sleeping with no pain and feel more hydrated than ever here in the dead of summer in Phx, Az- it improves hydration by up to 10 times cause every cell is finally being hydrated. I can go on and on and on- I have tons of info i can send you if it sounds interesting and many demos that will amaze you along with thousands of testimonials on the miracles this water has done for many ill people and its just now hitting the US, Europe and the rest of the world. Send me an email so I can get you more info for all of you who have suffered like I have just for wanting better skin, I've also cut out dairy and all acidic drinks like pop and stuff.

Steven Torstenson
sgtsat602 at yahoo

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Steven - are you talking about Kangen water? A friend of mine has a device at his house and it does have some pretty great implications. The only thing I found is that it can be cost prohibitive.

Can you please post back with any other details about the water which you are talking about?

Thanks!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am 34 years old, I took accutane three times in the past 7 years the first time for 6 months, then a few months later I took it for another 3 months. Then in 2008, I began taking it again for 4 months. I have since then had severe stomach cramping many times doubling me over in pain, diarrhea, I have reflux and heartburn almost everyday. I also have hip an knee pain that no Doctor can explain. My knees swell up twice their size and are so painful I cannot walk. The other day my joints hurt so badly I just cried. Painkillers, anit-inflammatory meds nothing works. Even a shot of cortisone into the joints only worked for a month before it happened again. According to the Doctors there is nothing physically wrong with my knees. I never considered that accutane might be the problem, but now I am wondering why at 34 I have all these problems, I feel like a 70 year old. I also had lasik back in 2006 and my vision regressed after two years, I now have night blindness and I am stuck wearing glasses. Due to the cutting of the flap I cannot wear contacts. My eye Doctor cannot tell me why this happened, but now it makes me wonder.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am 19 years old and currently on accutane. I'm yet to feel any side effects others other than dry lips and skin, I could probably turn around and blame my tiredness or mood swings on it, or I could be realistic in the way that I've always gotten very tired after exams and that I've always had mood swings.

I know of many of the side effects people have listed here, and I know that some of them may be long term, I also so know that as all medication they aren't sure if there is any other side effects. I know this because I read through the 50 or so pages provided to me with my medication. I made the decision that I'm willing to risks it.

I feel deeply sorry for a lot of people here and what has happened to their families. But I also feel sorry for any person that will not have the choice to access accutane in the future if it happens to be taken of the market.

I think the biggest problem with this drug is the lack of information provided by doctors. A lot of drugs get misused or a lot of people don't understand the drugs they are on. You can not blame a drug company on the fact that your doctor didn't give you the information. More so, in these past couple of years where there is the internet available for most people the information is there, and I even at 19 have taken the responsibility of doing my own research of the drugs they are on, I hope everyone else does to.

I understand, a lot of people here took accutane at a time where there wasn't a lot of information on the internet, or even at a time when the internet exist. I have to wonder; 20 years ago when you took accutane do you think even the drug company knew of the long term effects for what it was being used for? Because I don't.

Like mentioned I feel honestly very sorry for what has happen to some people here but I believe that the biggest problem with this drug, and many others, is the lack of information people are given and then how regulated the use of it is. Doctors shouldn't be allowed to prescribe 80mg a day for 6 months, I know mine isn't allowed too. I take it a lot of you guys are in the USA?

So to all of you that weren't given the information of what you were signing onto and didn't get to make the same informed decision as I did, I am sorry. I don't hope for the drug to be taken off the market, but I hope for future users of accutane to be able to make an informed decision, weighing ALL the ups and downs, and for them to be treated properly by their doctors who we put so much confidence in.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey Roy,
Yes its the Kangen water that I've been drinking. Yes they are a little expensive for the machine anywhere from 1-5 grand so not that cheap but if you have any kind of condition it could be one of the best investments you can make for your health. It does amazing things- not only for your health but for cleaning fruits, vegtables and everything you eat since most fruits and veggies are sprayed with oil based products so its not cleaned off by rain or normal water so we eat alot of toxins. The machine actually has 5 different pH levels for the water and all levels do different amazing things from cleaning your skin to your house. They are a little expensive, I'm still working on trying to get my own machine but over a couple years with the money people spend on bottled water and other drinks you'll end up saving in the long run so I figured it would be much worth it for my health. You can send me an email if you want any other info or have any other questions.

Thanks,
Steve

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Linda- Have you had any blood work to test for autoimmune such as R.A.? Accutane is known to cause RA and lupus like syndrome. I myself know 1st hand. I too have no sucess w/nsaids etc...I take plaquenil now that lupus pts take and it has helped w/things.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had Harvoni treatment last spring. I am not the same. My nervous system is a wreck. My anxiety problems have increased...

263 REPLIES

What are the long term effects of the brain and mood changes in people taking 30mg of oxycodone for years? Do they act w...

6 REPLIES

My wife has been using Nexito Plus for the past 4 years. She is doing good, but she feels sleepy in the morning time and...

3 REPLIES

my boyfriends complaining after taking large dosages prescribed by doctors for sleep that he feels loss of sight, blurre...

3 REPLIES

My doctor just prescribed me Tramadol for a chronic back pain issue. If I take this med every night, will there be any l...

2 REPLIES

I have been taking clopidogrel 75mg + atorvastatin 10mg + metoprolol 10mg + telmisartan 40mg for the past 3 years since ...

1 REPLY

I am 41 yrs male.For the past one month occasionally one or two of my fingers move sideways without my control and then ...

1 REPLY

My father has been prescribed ecosprin 75 along with Dytor plus 10mg, prolomat XL and cardace 2.5 by a cardiologist. He ...

1 REPLY

I was just prescribed this medication by my doctor, because of irregular periods. For the past 2 years I have had my per...

1 REPLY

Folks, like everyone else who has started MULTAQ, I am having second thoughts about it's effectiveness. When I first...

1 REPLY