Accutane is a strong medication that is used to treat nodular acne. It is a type of vitamin A, which reduces the amount of oil secreted by the oil glands on the skin. However, it has some side effects as well. The following article provides information about the various side effects of this medication in women.
Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne, when all other medications have failed to give the desired result. It is an effective medication, however, it is not available without a prescription, as it can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age, should not take this medicine.
This medication is used to treat acne, as the last resort. This medication is very strong and needs to be taken only after all the other medications have failed. In the US, this medicine is available to only those who have registered in the iPLEDGE program. Also, while on this medication, one should not take any other vitamin supplements, especially vitamin A. This medicine should not be mixed with alcohol. Some of the common side effects of this medication are listed below.
- Dry mouth
- Joint pain
- Drowsiness
- Pain in the bones
- Nausea
- Headache
- Muscle Cramps
- Hair Loss
- Itching
- Unhealthy weight loss
- Insomnia
- Swelling on hands and legs
- Development of various allergies
- Appetite loss
- Back pain
- Irritation
- Irregular periods
- Dryness in the eyes
It is necessary to inform your health care provider, if any of these side effects appear.
Severe Side Effects
When on this medication, there are some other severe side effects, which should not be ignored. However, unless the doctor tells you, do not stop taking this medicine on your own, and do not decrease its dosage on your own. The severe side effects of this medicine are listed below.
- Blood clots in the arteries
- Anemia
- Increase in the blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Vision problems
- Increase in heartbeats
- Liver malfunction
- Severe allergies
- Blood in urine
- Slow speech
- Skin disorders
- Depression
- Skin discoloration
- Lumps in neck and armpits
- Chest pain
These side effects are very serious, and need to be treated as soon as possible, so that there are no further complications.
Long-term Side Effects
There are certain side effects, which appear years after taking this medicine. These include:
- Bowel inflammation
- Irregular bone development and growth
- Severe skin disorders
- Hearing loss
- Pancreatitis
- Psychotic depression
- Several psychiatric disorders
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Liver problems
- Tenderness in bones
- Loss of coordination
It may have side effects in men as well. So, men also should consult a doctor before taking this medication. These side effects are the reason why this medication is the last resort to treat acne. Moreover, it should be taken only in the correct dosage as prescribed by the doctor, and one should not stop taking this medicine on his own without talking to the doctor first. Also, remember to make a note of all the side effects and inform the doctor accordingly, so that he/she can take immediate action to treat those side effects before they worsen.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
