Accutane

Accutane (isotetnoin), a prescription medication for severe acne, has been linked to severe depression, birth defects and serious intestinal problems.

Accutane is a drug that is commonly prescribed for severe acne and other skin problems. It is normally reserved for patients whose acne has not responded to other forms of treatment, such as antibiotics. Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, is a form of vitamin A. Accutane helps those who have acne by decreasing the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands and increasing the skin renewal rate.

Considered the biggest breakthrough in acne drug treatment over the last 20 years, Accutane is the only drug that has the potential to clear severe acne permanently after one course of treatment. One course, which is typically five months, results in prolonged remission of acne in up to 85 percent of patients. A member of a class of drugs known as retinoids, Accutane is highly effective. However, it doesn''t work for everyone, and some patients need more than one course of Accutane treatment.

Accutane Side Effects

Accutane has been shown to have several serious side effects. Among these is the drug''s apparent connection to depression and suicidal behavior in some patients who are taking or have recently taken Accutane. Patients are sometimes warned at the onset of their treatment that "Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide. Discontinuation of Accutane may be insufficient." While it is unclear exactly why Accutane causes some patients to develop mental problems, the fact that it can have severe side effects is unavoidable.

Accutane and IBD

The FDA has required Accutane''s maker Hoffmann-La Roche to change its warning label to include inflammatory bowel disease. Accutane has been linked to Crohn''s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, both inflammatory bowel disorders, in patients with no prior history of intestinal disorders.

Note - Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.

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