Accutane is a powerful drug prescribed primarily to treat disfiguring, severe nodular acne. The generic form of the drug is isotretinoin. Accutane is the brand name of Hoffmann-La Roche, the original developer of the drug. Since the company’s patent expired, the drug has also been marketed under a number of other names. Accutane is normally reserved for only the most severe cases and only after all other options have been proven unsuccessful, due to the potential side effects associated to the use of Accutane.
Common Side Effects
Patients may experience any or all of the following while taking Accutane:
• Pain in the joints or deep pain that feels as if it is in the bones
• Stiffness or difficult movements
• Inflammation of the eyes, such as itching, redness, or burning
• Skin rashes, itching, dryness or crusty patches on the skin
• Nosebleeds, usually mild but occasionally severe
• Pain, scaling or peeling, burning, or redness of the lips
• Dry eyes (which may continue even after medication is discontinued) or dry mouth
• Sensitivity to sunlight, which can result in sunburn
• Peeling skin on the palms or feet
• Hair loss
Rare Side Effects
Certain side effects are rare, but have been documented among patients taking the drug. These include:
• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
• Suicidal thoughts or actions, which normally disappear after discontinuing the drug
• Vision problems, including blurry vision, pain in the eyes, or decreased night vision, which has been reported as continuing, even after the drug is discontinued
• Back pain
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Severe gastrointestinal upsets, including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Depression, mood swings, or changes in behavior
• Severe headaches or headaches that seem continuous
• Yellow tinge to the eyes or skin
• Muscle pain, stiffness, or tenderness
Reported by Patients
Other side effects have been reported by patients, but specific studies have not been able to conclusively link them to the use of Accutane within assigning this to a definite frequency rate. These may include:
• Blood in the urine or mucous expelled while coughing
• Chills or hot flushes
• Constipation
• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing
• Mental agitation or confusion
• Dizziness or fainting
• Pain in the ears, changes in hearing, or buzzing and ringing in the ears
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Hives
• Reduced appetite
• Bladder problems, including control problems or painful urination
• Soreness or loosening of the nails
• Acne that spreads to the trunk or chest
• Insomnia
• Facial hair growth
• Lethargy or unusual fatigue or weakness
Potentially Severe Side Effects
Some potential side effects are quite severe. Women who take Accutane while pregnant, risk giving birth to a child who has severe defects. There is also some evidence of a link between Accutane and gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.