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Home » Areas of Practice » Product Liability » Accutane

Accutane FAQ's

What is Accutane, and what's important to know about it?

Accutane is a drug used to treat a form of severe acne, known as nodular acne, which is not curable by antibiotics or other treatments. Although it can do patients a lot of good, Accutane also can also inflict a lot of harm as well. Before beginning an Accutane cycle, assess how bad your acne is, Accutane's benefits, and if it seems like a right fit for you. Your doctor will then ask for your signature indicating you realize the major risks involved with the drug.

There are two extremely serious side effects to take into consideration if you are contemplating whether to take Accutane. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future, avoid the drug entirely because it can cause deformities in newborns. Accutane use can also lead to miscarriages, premature birth, or death of the baby. Do not become pregnant within a month after taking the medication either. If you do happen to get pregnant while on the drug, discontinue the dosage immediately and contact your doctor.

Some patients have developed depression or other problematic mental conditions during or immediately following Accutane use. Some of the related characteristics could be sadness, temperamental behavior, loss of interest in sports or other social events, changes in sleep pattern, weight fluctuation, deteriorating performance at work or school, or difficulty concentrating. Some people on Accutane have even thought about harming or killing themselves. Some of these patients were actually successful in committing suicide. By some accounts, these people did not seem depressed. It has not been proven if Accutane is directly responsible for these behaviors or if they would've happened regardless of whether the person took the drug.

What should females know about Accutane?

You have to avoid pregnancy while on Accutane all the way through one month after stopping the dosage. Even if they are only on the drug for a brief period of time, it can result in severe birth defects in those women's offspring. Odds are likely you baby will be deformed or die if you are pregnant during an Accutane cycle. Accutane use also yields a higher chance of miscarriage and premature babies. Female patients can expect to be denied their first prescription of Accutane without proof of two negative pregnancy tests. The first test must be administered at the time the doctor deems the prescription necessary, while the second should be during the first five days of the menstrual period just prior to starting the Accutane cycle. For each month of treatment, a negative urine test or serum pregnancy test is required to continue. Until there is evidence of a negative pregnancy test, females may not receive any further prescriptions for Accutane. A yellow adhesive, or the Accutane Qualification Sticker, on the outer part of your prescription lets the pharmacist know you have received proper approval from the prescriber.

You must use two different forms of birth control simultaneously for at least a month before you begin your Accutane cycle, during it, and for a full month after you quit. Discuss the various birth control options with a doctor or family planning expert. This appointment should be absolutely free and paid for by Accutane's manufacturer.

The explanation for the use of two birth control measures is simple; any one of them can fail, from pills to sterilization. There two reasons why two forms of birth control may not be needed:

  1. Your womb was surgically removed by way of hysterectomy.
  2. You refuse to have a genital-to-genital sexual encounter with a male during and one month following treatment.

If you happen to have sexual intercourse without using two forms of birth control, become pregnant, or miss your period, discontinue taking Accutane, and contact your physician at once.

What are the telltale signs of mental disturbance?

Let your doctor know of any family history of mental illness such as depression, suicidal tendencies, or psychosis. Psychosis is classified as losing contact with reality to the point where you experience hallucinations (i.e. hearing or seeing things that don't exist). Also, be sure your doctor is aware of any medication you may take for these problems.

Cease your dosage of Accutane and notify your physician immediately if you:

  • Often feel down in the dumps or have bouts of crying
  • Have no interest in activities you once relished
  • Sleep excessively or can't get to sleep at all
  • Become irritated easily
  • Notice a change in eating habits or body weight
  • Have a shorter attention span
  • Avoid socializing with friends and family
  • Feel listless
  • Feel worthless and shameful
  • Think about harming or killing yourself
What does Accutane do?

Accutane treats nodular acne, which is the most severe form. No other acne treatments, including antibiotics, can rid someone of the red, inflamed, tender bumps that form under the skin and grow to the size of pencil erasers. If left alone, nodular acne can leave very noticeable permanent scars. But, Accutane may not serve as the best remedy due to its serious side effects. Go over all the possible alternatives to Accutane with your doctor, and also determine whether the benefits of the drug outweigh the risk factors.

Who should avoid taking Accutane?

You should not take Accutane if you are expecting a child, trying to get pregnant, or conceive a child during treatment; Accutane contributes to birth defects such as disfigurement among other abnormalities.Women should take note of the previous section called "What should females know about Accutane?" for more information concerning the effects of Accutane on pregnancy. Do not take Accutane until you familiarize yourself with the associated risks and are willing to wholeheartedly follow these guidelines.

Inform your doctor of any of the following conditions that you or someone in your family has encountered during the course of a lifetime:

  • Mental problems
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis (bone loss)
  • Weak bones
  • Anorexia nervosa (eating disorder where people refuse to eat)

Also, don't forget to mention any past food or drug allergies. These problems won't necessarily prohibit you from receiving a prescription to Accutane, but this information is vital to your doctor's decision-making process.

What are the facts on Accutane prescriptions?
  • You will be allotted no more than a 30-day supply of Accutane at a time in order for monthly discussions to take place regarding any side effects you may be experiencing.
  • Your prescription should have a yellow sticker attached to it. If this sticker is missing, by no means should the participating pharmacy fill the prescription.
  • The amount of Accutane in your daily dosage has been personalized for you and could be altered at any time during treatment.
  • Accutane is consumed twice a day with a meal unless your physician changes the routine. Accutane capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of liquid. This will prevent the medicine inside the gel cap from escaping and irritating your esophagus (connects your mouth to your stomach). Avoid chewing or sucking on the capsule so the contents does not empty too soon.
  • If you miss a dose, skip it. Never make up for it by taking two capsules in one sitting.
  • Talk with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure no serious side effects are mounting. Some of Accutane's most serious side effects only appear in blood tests, so some visits to the doctor may require blood to be taken. Monthly visits for females should always feature a urine or serum pregnancy test.
What doesn't mix with Accutane?
  • Definitely avoid getting pregnant.
  • Do not breast feed during and one month following the conclusion of your Accutane cycle. It hasn't been established yet whether the drug can be passed to the baby through the mother's milk.
  • Do not give blood during and one month following the conclusion of your Accutane cycle. If the recipient of your blood is pregnant, her baby is liable to be negatively impacted due to exposure to the drug.
  • Do not take vitamin A supplements because high doses have similar side affects to Accutane. Combining vitamin A with Accutane may increase the odds of experiencing side effects.
  • Do not submit yourself to cosmetic practices to smoothen your skin such as waxing, dermabrasion, or laser procedures during and at least six months following the conclusion of your Accutane cycle. Accutane heightens your chances of scarring, so consult a physician to find out how long you must wait before you can undergo facial modifications.
  • Stay away from sunlight and devices producing ultraviolet light like tanning beds. Your skin may be more likely to burn while taking Accutane.
  • Do not take birth control pills without the ingredient estrogen because they may not function properly. Inquire about what kind you are using with your doctor.
  • If you plan on taking drugs or herbal products in addition to Accutane, consult a doctor first. Women on birth control should take this seriously because it may not work as effectively when combined with other drugs or supplements. For example, the herbal supplement St. John's Wort can reduce the potency of birth control.
  • If you are taking a corticosteroid or anticonvulsant medication either orally or by injection, talk it over with your doctor before introducing Accutane into the mix. There's a possibility a combination of these may weaken your bones.
  • Do not allow others access to your Accutane prescription. There is a reason plenty of precautionary measures are taken prior to granting a patient a prescription.
  • Do not combine Accutane with antibiotics without seeking advice from your doctor. Some antibiotics require you to terminate your Accutane use until antibiotic treatment wraps up. Synchronized use of the drugs could increase pressure to the brain.
What kinds of side effects can Accutane cause?
  • Birth defects, early birth, and even death in babies whose mothers were on Accutane during pregnancy.
  • Severe mental instability.
  • Increased pressure on the brain that can lead to permanent loss of eyesight and, in some instances, death. Signs of increased brain pressure include throbbing headaches, blurred vision, vertigo, queasiness, or vomiting. In rare cases, Accutane patients have experienced seizures and strokes. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop taking Accutane right away and call a doctor.
  • Damage to internal organs of the abdomen that could be permanent. Organs that may be affected are the liver, pancreas, intestines, and esophagus. Even after you discontinue use of the drug, the damage to these organs may be irreversible. Cease intake of Accutane if you experience:
    • Unbearable pain in your chest, stomach, or bowels
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Heartburn
    • Diarrhea
    • Rectal bleeding
    • Yellowed eyes or skin
    • Dark urine
  • Bone or muscle problems. Accutane may cause pain in bones, muscles, and ligaments. Let your physician know whether you plan to participate in vigorous exercise while undergoing treatment. Also, tell your physician if you notice and back or joint pain. Some data supports that Accutane contributes to stunted growth in patients, and other reports have shown that patients may be more prone to broken bones and slower healing of broken bones after taking the drug as directed. Muscle weakness with or minus the pain could be an indication of muscle damage. If you are feeling feeble, contact your physician now.
  • Hearing problems that may end in permanent hearing loss. If your hearing seems to worsen or you have ringing in your ears, call a doctor.
  • Vision problems that could become permanent. While on Accutane, you may realize that you unexpectedly can't see in the dark and may have difficulty driving at night. This symptom normally ends with the stoppage of drug use, but there is a minute chance that it may not return to normal. Discontinue your dosage of Accutane, and call the doctor if you have trouble seeing or dryness of the yes that hurts or won't go away.
  • Increased levels of cholesterol and fat in the bloodstream. Schedule blood work on a regular basis to keep track of lipids. These symptoms usually subside when Accutane treatment is concluded.
  • Allergic responses. Stop using Accutane if you experience
    • Hives
    • Swelling of the face or mouth
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Fever
    • Rash
    • Red blotchiness or bruises on legs
  • Blood sugar problems highlighted by recurrent urination and thirst.

Permanent damage does not occur often. But, since the symptoms mentioned above may lead to more serious problems, hold off on the Accutane and contact a doctor as soon as you notice anything wrong. If not treated, what began as a minor symptom may compound into a severe health problem. Then again, even if you do address your problems, there's no guarantee that they'll disappear when you stop taking the drug. If you face any of the following problems while on Accutane, don't hesitate to get them examined.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fainting
  • Thirstiness
  • Constant need to urinate
  • Overwhelming feeling of weakness
  • Swelling in legs
  • Seizures
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty moving around
Are there less serious side effects?

Some of the more common and less serious side effects of Accutane include dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, and a dry nose that may bleed. If you wear contacts, you will probably notice it is more difficult to keep them in during and after Accutane treatment. Patients' acne could also worsen during the onset of Accutane usage. If this happens to you, don't worry, and continue taking it unless your doctor says otherwise.

The previous information does not address all side effects associated with Accutane. If you'd like a more comprehensive list written for healthcare professionals, request one from your doctor or pharmacist. This guide is merely a summary of Accutane's key points.

Additional links on the dangers of Accutane: