Accutane Long Term Side Effects (Page 9)

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 After I have researched this drug extensively, I can't believe that the FDA allows this drug originally made for cancer patients to be marketed for teenagers with acne.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

REPLY

REPORT

Josh, can you tell me how long it was until the depression lifted and did you do anything to help it like anti-depressants? Is your mental health stable today?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Kathy,
I was on different antidepressants and counseling from November of 1997 to about 2000. Once I started on the antidepressant medication my grades went from Ds and Fs to As and Bs so that did help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Josh,

It most certainly wouldn't surprise me if most, if not all, your problems were from Accutane. Depression and stomach issues are two big issues with this medication. I too have suffered from this medicine, though not nearly as bad as you have. It sounds like you might have a real chance at a successful lawsuit. I would get in contact with a lawyer if I were you. Here is a website I found a long time ago to maybe help get you started (http://accutane.poweradvocates.com/index.html). Good luck with your future, it sounds like you need it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have to add to this forum that Accutane saved my life. After begging and begging my doctor to put me on it when I was 16 years old, he reluctantly did. This was right when the medication came out. It was brand new and no track record. Before Accutane, my life was miserable. I had severe acne and visited my dermatologist twice a week. They tried everything to get it under control. If you didn't grow up with Cystic acne, then you have no idea what it is like. People think you are dirty and don't take care of yourself. I was on the brink of committing suicide. Then, I started Accutane and had terrible side effects; nose bleeds, dry skin, dry eyes, you name it, I had it. Then, after only one course, I had almost perfect skin. The difference was truly a miracle. In my opinion, I think physicians are prescribing Accutane when it is not necessary. A 16 year old girl, with a few pimples asks for a prescription should not get it, as it is a very powerful medication. The six month course was hell! I would be in the middle of a final exam, look up and then look at my paper with blood all over it, from my nose. I had lab work done twice a month and my physician followed me very closely. To this day, I thank my physician for prescribing Accutane and making my life normal. I became a completely different person. All of a sudden, I had friends, I had a social life and ADULTS were not commenting on how dirty I was, when I washed my face three to four times a day! I am sorry if Accutane has caused some of you long-lasting side effects, but for me, it is truly a miracle drug! My life would have been so different if I never used Accutane, It gave me confidence and made me self assured. Luckily I do not have any lasting effects from taking Accutane. As soon as I stopped, the side effects went away. Now I break out every once in a while, but nothing like I did before using this medication.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I should have given you specific time frames of taking Accutane. I took one course of it almost thirty (30) years ago. I'm not sure if I am one of the first people in this forum who had started it, but I thought it should be clarified. Again, I was prescribed the medication the year it was approved by the FDA. Up until now, after thirty years, I have had no negative effects from the medication. If anybody else id on this forum who has taken it longer than thirty years ago, I'd like to know their experience. I'm great, no problems and very, very happy I decided to take it. And no, I am not from the manufacturer!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Douglas,

I am glad to hear Accutane changed your life for the good. It sounds like you did have a severe case of acne, and Accutane was your last option. I was one of the people you referred to who probably didn't really need the medication, but my doctor said it would work with absolutely no mention of possible long term side effects. This is where my anger comes from. Anyway, just curious, why are you still researching the long term side effects of Accutane 30 years after you took if it worked so well for you? Just curious.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Ronny: I actually am in the medical field and receive tons of information on Drugs, epidemiology, health care, health trends, etc. I just happened to notice an article about long-term side effects of Accutane, so I was curious. I did some research and found this site. Before now, I had never heard of side effects AFTER stopping the medication. It is true, while taking Accutane is hell, but in my case, I would do it 100 times again! Now that I know people are suffering from these effects, I will continue to track it and see what new information is published. These drug companies make us the guinea pigs, as they release medication without knowledge of the long-term effect. Probably the most controversial issue with regards to FDA approval. Actually, it is a catch 22, when we have AIDS victims dying and we rush medicine through to spare lives. One could easily make an argument for both sides. Now it makes me wonder if Accutane was different 30 years ago. One more thing to research!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello All,

I can't make any promises for all that have suffered from the terrible long term side effects of Accutane and its generic brands, but I would like to pass this site on to anyone that may be looking for legal advise. It's www.GacovinoLake.com

Best Wishes,
Scott
Creator of this forum

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

To Kjac220 : Our son at 20 was still in college. He was on Effexor and seemed he was doing well. He held down jobs, finished in four years and had a great resume going for him. He wasn't open with us. We were a close family, but what was going on inside (long term depression starting at 17) must have scared the living daylights out of him. He told us in his letter, I was able to get by, but I had terrible memory problems. Therapists now say he didn't want to burden us. Kids get to a certain age and want to be adults and if they tell their parents how they are truly feeling, they feel they are regressing and are becoming dependent again. If I had to do this all over again, first I highly recommend one on one therapy especially if you are on or were taking Accutane. It must go hand in hand. Second, never let their bad decisions get in-between you and him. Hug him and kiss him every single day. Sit down and make him talk to you. If he just has one word answers, question those one word answers. It must be so confusing for him. Never give up even if he is down. Always tell him you are here for him. Honesty and to be totally open will only make your relationship stronger and it will give him the strength to endure.
Class action law suit...it won't bring our son back, but I love to see a change in the way the FDA, drug companies and doctors operate. Something is not right.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

@ Dc, Fort Worth :

Your story almost hits me dead on. Effexor was one of the drugs I was on with a few others. I had changed so so severely that my parents realized this. Trust me not sure how I am still alive today. In standardize testing I had the highest Math scores in the whole school pre accutane. Post accutane I would be lucky to remember anything. It is so frustrating because you feel like a dumb ass because you completely blank in front of people. I was not always like this.

I am sorry for your loss.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Douglas- Acutally Patti Lodes who posted on the 1st page of this thread took accutane back 25 yrs ago and was highly damaged. I don't think there is a diffrence between then and now. There are also archived posts from 1990's of people complaining of problems.

I am glad to hear though that you have no damaging effects and accutane worked for you. You obviously had the acne it is was designed for, however, many derms are in denial and prescribe accutane like candy.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

To Josh : Don't ever, ever feel like a dumb ass. You have endured and you are smart to share your information. Be open with the people who love you. Thank God you are alive. Thank you for your compassion.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Oli Girl-Wow, that is so strange, as I took it in the 80's and then went to medical school. I started med school in 1987. I also got my MPH during the same time period and didn't hear about any lasting side effects, but that would have been too early. I am doing research now, to see why some people have long term side effects, while others don't. I haven't found any articles in the Journals writing about conclusive direct connection between Accutane and these side effects years after using the medication. As I said earlier, when it first came out, the physicians were very careful about prescribing it. You had to meet EXTREME acne criteria (Cystic Acne, prolonged over a certain number of years, after trying every other therapeutic methods available). Today, Dermatologists simply prescribe the medication when it isn't really necessary (risks vs benefits). Thanks, I'll keep researching!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Douglas- What type of physican are you??? As my husband is one and he had no clue about accutane except not to get pregnant.

Also to cut down time for you on research you can see a suffer who made a biochem board on retnoids and also NCC posted a link on pg 3 #52, he has also suffered for 10yrs and researched. You can read his theroy. Be nice to find someone who could put this to the test. Read all 64 pgs.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=RmNCckhVdGpwcFZMWEE9PQ

http://max001.proboards.com/index.cgi

Hope everyone has a nice memorial day weekend
Jen

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took Accutane in 1984 and have had a life time of problems. Acne is a sign that your body not processing correctly, for me it was too much sodas and sweets. Of course doctors don't tell you that. Today I have UC as well as a scared face where Accutane caused my face to drain so badly that my skin peeled off sticking to my pillow as I slept. Mentally, I had problems for some years, probably still do some, with suicide and depression. I also found I lost the ability to give speeches where as before they were no problem. Acne can be solved without drugs. Most likely you just need to change your diet. Even today if I drink too much soda I'll break out, and that's post Accutane 20+ yrs later.....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Again, with all medications, you have to weigh the risks and benefits. When I took Accutane in the early 80's, I had tried everything; two visits a week to a Board Certified Dermatologist, antibiotics, Twice a week dry-ice, skin peels, twice a week UV light-therapy and I did completely change my diet. I never ate chocolate, sugar, or anything else that was processed. Being a son of a Hospital Administrator, I was lucky to have many opinions prior to my decision to take Accutane. Every single body is different and will react differently to the exact same things. For me, the only thing that would lessen my acne, was reduced stress. Unfortunately, when you are in high school, preparing to graduate, taking the SAT and starting pre-med, there are limited stresses you can control. At that time, the research spoke about certain people being sensitive to certain food products. For instance, some people would break out when they ate chocolate, as their body responds poorly to the ingredients, while others have no problem. In my case, I tried everything physically possible to stop my cystic acne, the pain was terrible, it was embarrassing to the point that I was completely not social, people (including adults) would consider you dirty, or make fun of you. Again, it is a very difficult issue. Maybe you could compare it to Chemotherapy; for me, I would have taken the side effect, just to have a normal life. Many children used to commit suicide due to terrible acne. I could understand that. What I am trying to say, is that there is no single, correct answer to dealing with severe acne. Of course the physicians are obligated to warn you of the risks and potential side effects, however, in the end, I was the person living day to day with this terrible disease. I chose to take the risks, which were known at that time, for the benefits. There really isn't a medication that is prescribed, when you have to decide if the risk is too high for you. Again, I truly believe that is is the prescribing health care professional to tell you all of the side effects, but when a drug is new, they do not know what long term effects may be. This is true with any new medication. A perfect example would be Lyrica; you see all of these butterfly ads by Pfizer, yet I would not prescribe it to a single patient, from the research I have done. It has not been out as long as Accutane, but is reporting very serious side-effects (both short and long-term). Medication has always and will always be about the benefits outweighing the risks. The real problem is when the manufacturer knows these risks, but does not tell you, because they will make billions of dollars and have to pay only thousands in law-suits. To them it is like paying insurance to generate those billions of dollars. It is a shame, as there needs to be better transparency of the research done, yet drug manufacturers generate so much money, that they always get away with it. In this case, it is Accutane. As I posted earlier, I am a lucky one, as I have not experienced the long term effects, but that absolutely does not negate the fact that many other people are suffering. The drug companies need to be held accountable and will not, until they stop their huge lobbying in Washington and their donations to the politicians (thank you Supreme Court).

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello all. Well Douglas, I , like yourself was one of the original takers of accutane. I took it about 27yrs ago for the same reasons you did and i heard about some longterm effects (actually from a tv program) and thought i would look up the longterm effects. Now i do have a lot of joint problems and mood swings but i thought it was caused from all the sports i played..hmmm..as for scott yes it is terrible the side effects that you are seeing but like douglas the medicine changed my life..i wasn't that ugly pizza faced kid that everyone beat up and teased..the only real side effect the doctors told me about (hell i was only 14 at the time) was to not get pregnant..i am a guy so it was just a running joke in the office between me and the nurses..but believe me i am reasearching the longterm effects so i can be well informed..esp now that i am a nurse and study natural medicine..well good luck everyone and again only take it if you need it..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I WAS PUT ON THE MEDICATION DUE TO SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH ACNE, I WAS 27 YEARS OLD. MY KIDNEYS STARTED TO SHUT DOWN AND MY LIVER FUNCTION WAS NOT RIGHT MY SPEEN WAS ENLARGED, I HAD JUNDAIS AND BRUSED REALLY EASY. I STOP THE MEDICATION AND APROXIMITLY 2 MONTHS LATER I BECAME VERY SICK. WENT TO THE HOSPTIAL AND WAS TOLD I HAD CANCER. I WAS BOOKED FOR A BONEMARROW FOR FOUR WEEKS AFTER THIS. I GOT REALLY SICK AGAIN MY STOMACH WAS REALLY BAD. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS PREGNANT. I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE PAPER WORK I HAD TO SIGN, THE DERM TOLD ME I WAS OKAY. I ALMOST LOST MY SON 3 TIMES IN HIS FIRST YEAR. I AM NOW SUFFERING STILL FROM BOWEL ISSUES, STOMACH ISSUES AND ACKY JOINTS. THEY NEED TO TAKE THIS OF THE MARKET, I SEE THEY HAVE IN THE STATES BUT NOT HERE IN CANADA.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Carol-ann,
May you get well at God's speed. My prayers and thoughts are forever with you !

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I took accutane in high school and suffered from severe joint pain. My knees hurt so badly that I could barely walk at points. I had depressive thoughts at times as well.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had Harvoni treatment last spring. I am not the same. My nervous system is a wreck. My anxiety problems have increased...

263 REPLIES

What are the long term effects of the brain and mood changes in people taking 30mg of oxycodone for years? Do they act w...

6 REPLIES

My wife has been using Nexito Plus for the past 4 years. She is doing good, but she feels sleepy in the morning time and...

3 REPLIES

my boyfriends complaining after taking large dosages prescribed by doctors for sleep that he feels loss of sight, blurre...

3 REPLIES

My doctor just prescribed me Tramadol for a chronic back pain issue. If I take this med every night, will there be any l...

2 REPLIES

I have been taking clopidogrel 75mg + atorvastatin 10mg + metoprolol 10mg + telmisartan 40mg for the past 3 years since ...

1 REPLY

I am 41 yrs male.For the past one month occasionally one or two of my fingers move sideways without my control and then ...

1 REPLY

My father has been prescribed ecosprin 75 along with Dytor plus 10mg, prolomat XL and cardace 2.5 by a cardiologist. He ...

1 REPLY

I was just prescribed this medication by my doctor, because of irregular periods. For the past 2 years I have had my per...

1 REPLY

Folks, like everyone else who has started MULTAQ, I am having second thoughts about it's effectiveness. When I first...

1 REPLY