Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 7)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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?

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Haley,

It's possible some or all of your side effects may go away after you quit taking this drug. Following up with your doctor to get some blood work done one or twice a year may not be a bad idea. My son also has light colored skin. He still has to put sunscreen on anytime he is now in the sun. Best of Luck !

Scott

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I was prescribed Accutane about 5 years ago. Since then I have had Sarcoidosis and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (I am sleepy ALL the time). Doctors from the Mayo clinic to Rush cannot figure out what is wrong. I started thinking about what happened to me 5 years ago. I started taking Accutane. Whether or not this is the culprit I have yet to find out.

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Don't take a chance with this stuff. I took this stuff back in 2000 before IPLEDGE, or whatever it's called, and have been suffering since. I was told it would only give me dry skin and bloody noses. Doc didn’t mention it was originally used as a chemotherapy drug. I ended up taking it thinking nothing but good things would happen. And it started off great; it completely got rid of my acne. At that point I thought it was my “miracle drug”. Then, about 2-3 years later I started experiencing problems. Extreme fatigue, hair loss, joint pains, depression, and loss of sex drive are just a few of the side effects I started to suffer from. I was a very HAPPY person before I took this drug. I was energetic, loved to exercise, and had a lot of friends. All of that quickly changed. In the end, I deeply regret taking Accutane. I had a relatively minor case of acne that probably would have cleared up with some diet changes. I would gladly take back my acne in exchange for the problems this medicine has caused me. I would advise against using any form of Accutane. The bigger point I want to make though is that I, and many other people, didn’t get major side effects until years later. So, when you read a post of someone who is currently on Accutane or just got off it, take their opinion with a grain of salt. I would have claimed it as a “miracle drug” too, until a few years down the road.

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Ronnie,

Thanks for sharing you story with us. I am the one who started this post. Thanks to you and many others that have left threads, we have answered many questions for parents and possible takers of this drug that have deterd them away from ever taking them.

God Bless,
Scott

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I took accutane in the 90s as a teenager. Skin was clear after wards. Had a baby and acne started again - hormones - kick started acne. Took accutane again in mid 90s. Skin clear as a china doll. No symptoms of depression, body pain, except when running more than 50 miles a week training for marathons - that was my own doing. I had another child 3 yrs ago and since my hormones have been crazy, acne like I had in highschool that almost looks like herpes around my mouth. I have large nodule bumps that get infected and pussy and then form into nice little pimple head or not at all and stay under the skin - very painful on my face and neck. I took my blood test 1 month ago, and I am supposed to start taking accutane again and I can't wait. Now - as for depression - I have never experienced depression like I have in the past 18 months, but it is due to a foreclosure, my brothers death in August, my fiance being diagnosed with a terminal brain virus - that is depression. It is unrelated to Accutane that I took several years ago. I think some of the folks that posted that have had issues were probably having Vitamin A overdose allergic reactions to the medication. My knees might give me some discomfort now and then, but that is due to pounding the pavement over many years as well as in the last year gaining 40 lbs.
I know we all have different reactions to medications - not all of us benefit the same - as our genetic make-up is different, hence our hormone balance too. If your child's acne is not severe - and there is not genetic family history of acne (my mother has severe scarring all over her face from acne) then do not subject your child the extreme medication. I don't know if I will have calcification of joints or issues with this round of treatment - I pray I do not and hope for the best for my treatment and for all of your and recovery for all of you and your ailments whether un/related to accutane.

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We are now 7mo off the Clarvaris now. My 16 yr old son is still suffering depression, talking to himself and his imaginary friends. We are now on our 7th combination of mood stimulating drugs and antipsychoitics, 3rd psychiatrist, a neurologist, a psychotherapist and are now on a waiting list to go to the psych dept at Childrens hospital in Denver. I have yet to have a doctor tell me what exactly they are treating. They just keep experimently with the drugs. There is not a doctor in the world that will say that my sons mental issues are related to the 10 days on the accutane. I have no doubt in my mind that the accutane caused this. My A student is struggling in school accemically and socially. My son is now in classes in special needs classes at school and cant even push a pencil or hold his focus long enough to do simple math. Yes, to most this drug is a miracle drug, but this drug has ruined my son's life. Unfortunately, my son is in the 10% that have problems and is the 1% that suffered severe psychotic effects. Be careful.

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I took accutane for 6 months in my early 20's. I am now 37 and have been experiencing some very troubling skin rashes that will respond only to medium doses of steroids. The rashes usually end up around my waist and other areas where I sweat / come in close contact with clothing such as behind my knees. I have been to numerous doctors and they have not been able to figure this problem out for nearly 7 years. I have now been recommended by my doctor to see an internal medicine specialist. I am wondering if this is the result of taking accutane. Has anyone else had any problems like this?

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I took acutane back in 07 an only went through with 3months of the procedure, because of ringing ears an severe temper.. now im having more issues since about 6-8 months ago ive been getting welts and rashes all over my body mostly around the neck an face its almost like a burning itching feeling an have some dizzy spells an seem to feel confused sometimes.. what can i do? does anyone have a cure for these rashes an welts?

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Our son had a mental health reaction while on Accutane the fall of 2007. He was taken off the medication due to the way he answered the mental health inventory at the doctor. He has not improved 2.5 years later. He went from having a 3.87 GPA to barely getting through high school. We have seen multiple doctors, therapist, psychiatrists and tried numerous medications for the severe debilitating depression. I am curious if anybody out there has found anything that has helped. Short of a divine miracle, I am starting to doubt that I will have know my son again. What he is now, no longer resembles the son we raised (who was gentle, kind, empathetic, a leader, an athlete, a student). This person simply struggles to get through life in everyway. Looking for anything...

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I was put on Accutane when i was 16 years old, we were told of some side effects, (mainly the ones having to do with if i was to get pregnant on the medication) and so we went ahead with it. I was only on it for 5 months and my acne was basically cleared. I am 22 almost 23 and i havent really experienced any of the extreme side effects as some of you.....but reading all of this has me kind of freaking out! I wish i had never takin it now because i will be paranoid of getting these problems. I do have indigestion problems sometimes and have noticed my once really thick hair has thinned somewhat in the last two years but i've been told that is just getting older and stress related....now im not so sure. I wish i had never gotten curious and looked up the long term side effects!

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I chose to take Accutane about 4 years ago during my Junior year of college. My doctor recommended it for me while I was in middle school due to my cystic acne along my jawline and just constant huge breakouts on my face and back. My dad did not let me take it then because of all the possible side effects. I tried all the gels and creams but nothing worked, so in college I decided to use it. It was amazing and completely cleared up my face and made my excessively oily skin normal. This was 4 years ago and have had no side effects what-so-ever, just still clear and normal skin. I pray that this continues and my prayers go out to those who are suffering with these effects.
As far as suggesting it, I always tell people how amazing it was/is for me, but that's the key for me. After hearing these stories, I do not know if I would newly take it now just to be on the safe side.

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Danielle let me tell you I feel the same way. I took accutane in 2002 when I was 16, and now I am constantly worried about what accutane may have done to me after reading all these horror stories on the internet. It has become a obession because of the scaremongering but it's all my fault

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To John,
First of all, I am happy that you haven't experienced the extreme side effects of Accutane (that is what I gathered from your post). After all those years it seems you are out of the woods or at least I hope so. I guess my question to you is why are you still researching the long term side effects of Accutane? Is it purely curiosity or have you experienced any side effects from it?
Second of all, I don’t like that you used the word scaremongering in your post. That word implies the intentional spreading of rumors with the hope of scaring people. I, like most of the people who are sharing their negative stories about Accutane, are not trying to scare people. We are simply sharing our experiences. Personally I really don’t care if people still want to take Accutane. I just want them to know what happened to me and what could POSSIBLY, not definitely, happen to them. What good is it if only the positive experiences are shared? I wish I would have known these stories before I took Accutane. I wish I would have known that it was first used as a powerful chemotherapy drug. Instead I listened to my doctor, who assured me that the only thing I had to worry about was temporary side effects like dry skin and bloody noses. Anyway, most people aren’t posting their negative experiences with the intent of scaring people. Or maybe I’m just a little too sensitive about the subject, and I’m overreacting to how you phrased your post.

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Ronny
yeah I think you took it a little to personal. Yes I have had problems since taking accutane but I can't say that accutane was the cause. I do have hair thinning but I'm also 24 abd runs in the family and I stress alot and had quite a few bouts of depression. I just don't know what to blame, myself or the drug. I'm not saying your a scaremonger but they are out there. Don't take it personal.

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I am 15 and am currently taking accutane right now. I beleive it is a miracle drug! being a teen in highschool makes body image a number one concern. I beleive that doctors should be in control wether a person takes it or not, not the government. You wouldnt beleive the things i have to do just to get a months presciption. Not everyone is a good candidate for the drug. the only side effects I encounterd are dry eye, chapped lips, dry skin, headaches, and occasional muscle cramping due to track. My dad and uncle also took it and are fine today, My dad is in the military and never expirienced any long term effects. people are to caught up and expect a drug that does it all and is perfect...their is no such thing. The doctors informed you about the risks, you should expect what is coming. The medicine has effected my everyday life but my self confidence skyrocketed! I hated pictures and now love them. I think the mental image outweighs the not permenant effects. You people sound paranoid, these effects could have coincidentaly happened you know. All im saying is that this drug should be made easier to get to for those depressed underprivilaged teens with bad acne and get picked on for it. You adults also need to understand that the regulations and rules have changed since you first got it. Their are more blood tests, questions, concerned doctors, birthcontrol, and even an online website that i must go on to answer a few questions just to get the prescription. Things have changed along with the dosage.

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Jacquie,

I am happy that you are responding to this drug with positive results and few side effects. I think your position is clearly that of a young person who has had the positive cosmetic benefits of this drug which I know is very important at your age. I allowed my son to go on accutance at your age. Within 10-13 days on this drug we saw his personality change 180 degrees. He was a smart athletic boy with leadership skills and a strong future. Today he struggles to get out of bed, will barely pass high school and we do not know what his future brings even though he now has beautiful skin. The beautiful skin will neither relieve his depressed state nor his inability to concentrate for what may be his lifetime. In our family three other cousins took the medicine with no negative consequnces; however, if one of them had suffered what our son has, it would be one too many. Pharmacuetical companies must be accountable to ALL people and the FDA must make sure that ALL drugs on the market are safe for ALL people. If one dies, commits suicide or is impaired for life, that is one too many. There are other methods for treating acne and I wish we would have simply waited it out. Our son was moderately affected by acne and this drug should have been limited to the serious cases but instead began being prescribed for the masses. When a young person at the age of 15 is offered a chance for clear skin as my son and you were, he is persistent to get the drug for the results. I should have listened to my guts. Again, congrats on your results.

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I'm sorry to hear about folks having problems from Accutane. I took it back in the mid 90s when I was in high school and have had no problems. It cleared up my cystic acne and the only side effects at the time was dry skin and lips, which went away when I got off the drug. But it worked great for me because I never had acne problems since then, and I'm still a very active, athletic person so I think I would notice any physical problems.
Again, I'm sorry for all those having problems, but is there data for what percentage of users have trouble and those that don't? I'm not discounting anyone's experience, but I wonder if this forum is a bit one-sided. Please don't take that the wrong way.

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Lucky,
I am happy for you that Accutane has worked for you with no know health concerns. Yes, there are people that take that Accutane and it’s generic brands in United States , Clavaris and Amnesteem.

It seems with some but not all, that the length of time and the dosage prescribe may have a part in who has side effects and who doesn’t. It may also have to due with on how active a person is while taking the medications. And simply put, it just may have to due with the fact that Accutane is a chemo drug and should only be used as such.

When I started this forum last summer I had no idea, if anyone would reply to it. Fortunately This forum has become a wonderful place for those who have suffered, or family members that have. I personally am very grateful for those who have opened up their own personal experiences with the only thing they wanted was to let other know what these drugs have done for them. Personally if I can just deter one person from taking these drugs, I have succeeded in my reasons for this forum. I thank all those who have shared their personal story’s with us.

We welcome all replies to this forum, but it it obvious it has become a place of support than a place to argue.

Best wishes, Scott

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I decided not to take accutane. I thought there where way to many possible side effects-even though it is rare that such serious effects happen. Instead now I'm on Mylan-Minocycline once a day-which I'm bad at remembering to take :P and a Retin-A Micro topical (micronized tretinoin, tretinoin gel 0.04%) anyways the tpoical has helped HEAPS-yes I still have horrid acne and scars but my cyctic acne has gone down in size incredibly-my skin is dry and flaky, very sensitive and more prone to burning even though I don't usually every burn-but I'm glad I'm on it-so far it's worth it. It's upsetting what has happened to some of the people/parents on here :( good luck-and thank you for this forum I would have blindly gone on it-and may have regretted it later :)

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accutane side-effects

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