Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 89) (Top voted first)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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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Iv been taking roaccutine for 4-5 months now, I found it working well, had dry lips but that was it, since they put me upto 40mg I'm struggling with my eyes there all red a puffy, won't stop watering. They just flare up all the time. Iv lowers myself back to 20mg and now noticed my skin getting bad again and my eyes are not clearing up there constantly red and watery.. What shall I do? :-(

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I'm 24, in the UK, and I'm not sure whether to stop taking my Accutane. I've been on it for two months now, it will be my third month this coming Friday. I have all the common side effects, although quite severe - my lips are constantly chapped, sore and peeling (often bleeding), and my face is so flakey and dry - I got some over the counter Diprobase cream which was a lot thicker and initially worked (doctor gave me some Epaderm cream, which was too runny and ineffective), however even the Diprobase isn't working now so I don't know what to try now. Moreover, lately I put it down to a cold, but the other day I woke up with extremely painful limbs, I was aching all over. I did go to the gym the night before, but I only ran for 30 minutes and never experienced such pain from such little exercise. However, the past few days it's been very painful to swallow, and I've only just noticed that the tip of my tongue looks like it's bleeding (it isn't, it's just extremely red) and looking at my tongue closely it just doesn't look right. I also suspect that this medication gave me thrush, since I'm still suffering from it. I even thought maybe it was oral thrush too, but I've noticed that finding swallowing painful is classed as a serious side effect of the Accutance. I've been forking out money for Lemsip and other flu-based medication, but I have a feeling it isn't that. It's that bad I'm starting to lose my voice. The acne that is on my back seems to be improving, but I'm not sure whether it is all worth this, although I had the acne on my back. I just don't know whether to take my last 5 days worth of tablets and go to see my dermatologist, or call my doctors on Monday and go and see them before Friday.

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My son has taken accutane for 7 days. I am having him STOP today. Can anyone tell me how long the medicine is in your body? How long do we need to wait to try a different medicated cream for face? Dermatologist office has been zero help. One doc says it remains in the body for 1 month, the other says 9 days. What is going on?

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Does isotretinoin has any other shape like white tablets? i am wondering because most of the acne clinic in my country doesn't say much about the drugs name and what it is for . i was prescribed this but i have no idea what kind of drugs is it .

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I recently met someone who is 38, mom of 2. She took accurate two different times and it caused her to have interstitial cystitis, same as me. When are we going to get a class?

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There are 2 generics on the market since Roche took accutane off the market around the time of the litigation in 2009. Google accutane/generics and look for pics.

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Yes, accutane is devastating to all the mucosal membranes in the human body, it dries and cracks those tissues systemically. Accutane is a retinoid. Have you ever put a retinoid on your skin? Can you imagine taking this internally in pill form? Accutane goes after the intestines (chrons, colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease all were in litigation), bladder (interstitial cystitis and chronic).

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I took accutane when I was 18. I have cystic acne. I had the hall mark symptoms of accutane(chapped/bleeding lips, face would flake and be like paper) and depression to boot. I was very active and in great shape. I will note I had knee problems when I was a child (Juvenile Arthritis was said but never confirmed). When I was 26 I messed up my back in a freak every day occurance. I had to quit my job and was found to have 3 slipped discs, none bad enough for surgery. I was getting in so much pain and so tired I was bed ridden for 3 months! I couldn't even use the bathroom without being in so much pain (back), I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Myofasical Syndrome in November of 2012 after having RA and Lupus ruled out. I was put on Cymbalta (horrible, worse than accutane) for my pain. I ended up having serotonin syndrome and they tried putting me on other medication (SSRIs and muscle relaxers) but come to find out through DNA testing I have a messed enzyme that counteracts this stuff (no knowledge on accutane). While I was on Cymbalta I gained 30lbs in 3 months. I suffer from all side effects of Hypothyroidism, but my levels come back normal. My mom has hypothyroidism was diagnosed about a year or two ago. I'm tired of hurting. I've had to quit 2 jobs because of it and the stress that comes with a job messes with my body. I love to work. I am fixing to start another full time job that isn't as physically demanding. I hope I can do it, but I want my life back. Tired of being tired and misunderstood. Thanks for your time, sorry for your suffering.

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I have been on accurate twice, once at 15 and again at 26. I did not finish the second round due to the side effects being worse than the first time around. I am now 32 and still have chronic cystic acne. Not only is it extremely embarrassing but the acne also can be really painful. I have been to doctor after doctor after doctor (dermatologists, gps and women's health) and they all want me to do accurate again. Even before reading this thread I have been worried about what my two rounds of it have done to my health long term. I have been on sooo many topicals, antibitiotics, retinoids, have tried laser treatment, chemical peels, have tried natural holistic remedies, and even tried eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar from my diet. Nothing works and I am at my wits' end. Are my only options suffering cystic acne forever (cause I am looooong past adolescence and my skin is never clear... Not even close) or an extremely toxic drug??

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Im very VERY sorry about the nightmare you and your son are enduring :(
I know what its like to wake up one day with a disfigured face from cystic acne. The depression and hit to ones self esteem is indescribable. I remember one day balling my eyes out in the passenger seat of the car while my dad drove, and looking up at him and saying,"I dont want to be ugly anymore." I could tell right then and there, looking at my hero and seeing tears well up in his eyes, just how much acne had taken over my life.

As soon as possible we scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist and without hesitation jumped on the accutane train.
After about 5 months my face was clearer and healthier then it had been in years, and my self confidence finally started to grow back piece by piece.

After about a year or so of basking in the glory of normality, my worst nightmare was realised.
My acne was relapsing, and the cysts were attempting to rebuild their lost domain.
After trying everything known to man to fight back, I again decided it was necassary to call in another bombardment of accutane, and after only a couple months my face was back and better then ever.....or so I thought :/
Although my acne problem was now solved, I had an entirely new battle to fight.
I had extreme anxiety due to my struggle with acne, and would have mild but enduring anxiety attacks.
Thats not what my problem was though.
Everytime Id have an anxiety attack, my face would turn tomato red, and would stay that way for what I remember being several hours.
I was so embarrased of looking like a walking fire hydrant that the embarrasment would just add fuel to the fire. It was a vicious cycle.

I went on this way for a couple years, slowly building the skills to cope with the anxiety and reduce my flare ups, until I enlisted in the army, and
it was the best thing to ever happen to me and my poor face. While I was in constant duress, running miles and miles everyday, I discovered a secret weapon..... And that secret weapon was sweating.
Not just sweating, but sweating from CARDIO.
The excercise combined with the fresh air and UV rays and constant hydration finally delivered me into a life without acne, without anxiety, and without the constant worry of when the next outbreak was coming.

We put so much emphasis these days on the quick route or the ,"Try this mask! Try this super quick method! Try this easy diet! Try this new FDA approved carcinogenic chemical!" That we've forgotten about the most important, yet most obvious tool we have to better ourselves both mentally, and physically, and that ladies and gentlemen.......... is excercise, and H2O. PERIOD.

Thanks a ton for reading!

--Veteran Combat Medic
--2x Accutane courses
--Tried everything EVER to win the war over Propionibacterium Acnes.

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Has anyone tried drinking raw goat or cow's milk from small dairy farms?It's supposed to be amazing for IBS and Chrohns so maybe. I just started drinking it a week ago and am super hopeful it will help. Over time it is supposed to heal the body and digestive system.

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So sorry you're going through this. Have you talked to a professional? Counseling/Therapy? Hope you find relief.

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I have the same symptoms as you. Everyday has been excruciating for me. The doctors can't find anything. I took 3 regimens of Accutane during my 20's.q

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I want to put my daughter who is 15 years old to this drug..., I am scared help... I don't know what to do she is suffering from acne for 7 years

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Matt, thanks for posting. My son, 19 now, has similar symptoms and is trying desperately to find answers. I'm wondering how your doing now and if you have been able to find relief.

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Im 24 years old and i been on accutane for 6 months now ive been off accutane for 1 month and my skin has been really super itchy and i get little bumps im glad my acne hasn't flared up but im really super itchy all over and when i say all over i really do mean "all" over...also my mid to lower back feels really sore and tired like im over worked im not 100% sure if its cause of the accutane or because i have a new job and im standing up all day then i come home and sit at my computer and play video games im trying to maintain a positive attitude and try to stay strong mentally and im just really glad my acne is pretty much gone the only thing is i have alot of scarring chest back shoulders and face .also my face gets red very easily and my dermatologist gave me tretinoin cream and that dries up my skin but i should be ok. LASTLY i wanted to ask if your sons acne is gone or has it come back?

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My 11 year old son was taking 60 mg daily for about 7 weeks to treat very severe cystic acne. He stopped in part because the dermatologist wanted him to have a 2 week course of antibiotics. That said we have made the decision to stop the med because he has been having joint pain, muscle weakness, and all around discomfort. Our formerly active guy now hobbles around like an old man. Derm ordered a CK test for him today. I don't know that it matters. I am terrified I've screwed up my son for life. I am hoping since he didn't take it for long, his symptoms will eventually go away but seeing people's stories here, I am VERY scared. He has been off the med for 7 days with absolutely no improvement in his pain so far.

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My son's case is a bit different... he has precocious puberty- puberty started in when he was 17 months old. He had hormone suppression therapy to hold it off as long as possible, and stopped treatment when he was ten. He's now in full blown puberty with a bone age of about 16-17. That's probably why they thought it'd be okay for him. Definitely not your average case.

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And ... I want to say thank you for your kind words and encouragement, it is appreciated!!

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Which one? Great Lakes Gelatin? Green one? How long have you taken it?

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