Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 50)
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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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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?

1933 Replies (97 Pages)

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953

Listen dude half of us that took it were NOT aware of any side affects I'm 33 years old I took it for about 6 months when I was 17 and it stunted my growth bad stomach problems and still have issues from taking that garbage ! Hell yea it did wonders for my acne too but that will go away in time after puberty anyway , if we wouldbhave known to have long term side affects that will never go away ill be damned if I would have tried it. Try proactiv and all that its Not worth it

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952

Oh and I forgot to mention Accutane is and was orginally for Chemo of pancreatic cancer, neuroblastoma etc... Chemo causes cell death...Chemo causes alot of things...

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951

Key words you stated you had Severe Cystic Acne, in which Accutane is called for and you say your 50 and took when you were 15......Accutane wasn't easily attainable and wasn't distributed like candy as it is now. Kids are given high doses and on it much longer for mild/moderate acne which comes back anyways....

Also, there are suffers out there who took it back in the 80's. Much research, studies and even congressional hearings have transpired since you took it.... It has been proven to cause changes in the brain, effect hormones, alter dna, IBD & chron's, type 1 diabetes etc....

Many young teens have severe joint issues, osteoarthritis, bone loss, tendon damage, spine issues, alopecia and the list could go on....That is not normal.... Look up Accutane side effects, there is about 500 and people now have to sign and have monthly visits....You be crazy to take it in this day and age.....

I am glad to know though it worked for you & that your okay and it probably did as it is for severe cystic acne.

I could go on, but I will stop:)

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950

I am 50 years old,I had severe cystic acne. I took accutane when I was 15 it changed my life. All good. It was a cure. Are you sure accutane caused your troubles? I have nothing but good to say about accutane.

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949

Did his behaviors improve? Did it ever completely clear his system?

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948

Both my daughters and myself have all taken accutane, twice actually, and I think my older daughter took it for about 6 months the second time which is kind of long, normally it's about 20 weeks. Both daughters took it at about 13 and again at about 18 (although the younger did only a 30 day round the first time). I took it at about 35 and again at age 41. We had no serious side effects at all and no long term side effects at all but I am cautiously looking at it for my son who has autism and lyme disease. I understand why people are afraid of taking it and if my son was not in so much pain from his severe acne, I would not give it to him. He is 17 so I don't think growth stunting is an issue. I just wanted to give our story so you could hear that there are people that have used accutane successfully with no serious side effects long or short term. I am now 48 and my daughters are 26 and almost 23.

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947

Miranda,
Most folks trust that their physicians and pharmacists areare knowledgable about the benefits and risks of a drug. Even ibuprofen has side effects (can ruin the lining of the stomach, cause kidney issues) but it is still prescribed and people consume large quantities. However, the testimonials here are not from a lack of someone doing their homework, after all, some have taken it with no side affects. When you have IBS, Colitis, fused bones and it is happening to you or your children, you're no longer a statistic, it's someone figuring how to contend with a complete life change and now living with a chronic health condition. Please consider a more empathetic response in the future when you post on a board that others are using to reach out for help.

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946

Lou,
Thank you for your posting. I am glad you made the decision not to take Accutane( which should not be available in the USA since June 2011). Accutane Generic brands are still available in the USA, (medicinenet.com/isotretinoin/article.htm. These drugs are just as dangerous as Accutane.
Best Wishes,
Scott

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945

hiii! my name is ioanna and i am 16 years old..i started the treatment with accutane 2 months ago.Actually my acne has finished i have only scars and this is the reason i decided to take accutane.i know all the side effects and i did it. i want to ask everybody here who took accutane if this medicine really cleans your skin because until now i didnt see any difference.thank youu

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944

Hi, im 17yrs old and have been 20mg of accutane for 4 months and than 40mg for a little less than a month, the only side effects so far that i have had is dry skin/lips and a wierd rash that went away. I exercise regularly and eat healthy. After now just reading some of these stories i realized it was not worth taking this pill, i really hope in the years to come i dont have any bad side effects and i pray for those who did and hope they recover well.

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943

Accutane was a lifesaver. I had awful acne in college that responded to nothing else. I experienced dry, cracked lips and perhaps mild persistent fragility of no facial skin. I am in my thirties now and more than 12 years after a course of Accutane, I am glad this treatment was available and that I suffer no significant adverse effects. Every treatment and medication has potential benefits and risks. One should make a point to understand these prior to engaging in any regimen. Accutane requires vigilance in medical and personal monitoring. Routine lab studies monitoring lipids and liver enzymes must be checked. Becoming pregnant while taking Accutane may produce horrible birth defects in a fetus. Before one takes any over the counter, prescribed, or "natural" medicine, one needs to learn from a reliable source what the risks and potential benefits may be. Then, whatever the results, one can say they were as informed as possible, made a choice given the possible known risks of treatment , and will accept the good and bad consequences. Bad risks do not equal bad medicine. Potential risks and benefits must always be weighed for a particular individual in a particular situation.

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942

I am sixteen years old and I am currently taking Accutane for the second time. I was fourteen when i took it for the first time and the result were amazing, but due to the severity of my acne I am trying it for the second time after my acne returned. This drug is the best thing that ever happened to me. Yes I have experienced dry skin and lips and occasional stomach aches but other then that this drug is the best thing that ever happened to me. However, my acne was extremely severe and I had been suffering from acne since the fourth grade. I knew about the side effects when I took this medicine and I am prepared to deal with what may come in the long run. Though I would recommend to anyone who's acne is not severe and could be dealt with in other ways to not take this drug. For me Accutane was my only option. I spent six years of my childhood trying every cream, pill, and cleanser out there and none of them helped at all. If it wasn't for this drug my life would be so different. I am so thankful for this medicine. Anyone out there who has a similar situation as I did and Accutane is your only option, do it! I'm only thankful that I was able to get on it before they get sued. For me I already decided that no matter what side effects I have later, it's worth it. This is a personal decision that you have to make for yourself. Evaluate your own situation and decide if its worth it for you.

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941

I am 32 years old and I have taken accutane twice in my life. Unfortunately, i also still suffer a few side effects from it. It is now 2 yrs from my last course and 18 yrs from my first course. I respect and empathize with all who suffer ill side effects of this drug. But I do want to say that accutane has been known to be a HORRIFIC drug and cause VERY NASTY side effects. This drug has been out for over 20 years and all of its nastiness has been advertised repeatedly over and over again. Whoever consents to this drug is WILLINGLY putting themselves at risk. Why are you complaining about it now? You know the risk...you know the potential side effects...now that you have some or all of them...you want to sue??!! That's wrong. You shouldn't have consented to it in the first place!!! I too am paying the price but I knew what I was dealing with. I chose the risk in order to rid myself of acne...I am owning my decision....Own yours!!!!

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940

Dear Elise,
Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about your stomach pains. Seems this drug can create many bowel problems. If you haven't please follow up with your Primary Care Physician if possible. Maybe he can run some test and help your mood some. Hope your feeling better !
Scott

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939

I am 1 month post accutane and every time i eat most foods I would have severe pain in the stomach. Iv also had an increase in vellus hair all over my body and very bad depression.

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938

Hi scott, yes after taking accutane I developed auto immune problems.my bowel nn digestive system has changed.right from day one on accutane I observed frequent bowel movements still I conti as my acne was severe.but after 6 months on drug I lost 10 kg, now still having abnormal frequent biwel movements, diagnosed with thyroid problem problem in joints I m not able to play cricket.I m going to one of the best doctors in india.but still they r not fully agreed that it is due to accutane.its three months after I stopped the drug but no change in body.it is very bad n life thretning drug.should be banned.I believe more side effects observed in US n canada but in india it don't.hence pls share the remediea asap.I need help as I m loosing nutrients,cpnfidence n life.pls help by replying directly. india do not have good laws like FDA. We have to do it by own money

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937

I took acutane the summer between 8th and 9th grade. It made my skin very dry, especially my face. I kept chapstick and eye drops always on hand. It completely cleared my acne. I was able to play baseball through college without joint side effects from acne or any type of problems with my musculoskeletal system (other than injuries from baseball). I'm 26 now and my hips, knees, and neck ache from time to time. These problems as well as others posted may be from accutane or they may be just side effects from being older than I was in high school. I'm happy I took the drug.

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936

i took accutang and suffered from many of the same side effects as everyone else and still am.. unless you are dyeing no one cares..Good luck!!!

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935

Thanks Scott! I've been looking through past posts and am going to try some of the tips people have given. I did notice a ton of other people here have the same symptoms and its so wrong that we weren't properly warned about the stomach problems til after we had taken the drug.

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934

Fed up Coed,
Sorry to hear of your health problems. If you have time, please read some post on here. Your symptoms sound so familiar with so many others. There are some good ideas for dieting that claims to help out with stomach issues. I wish I could help more......stay strong!
Wishing you the best

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