Accutane is the strongest prescription medication available for acne treatment. It has been referred to as the “wonder drug” for acne treatment. Even though there is still no cure for acne, Accutane really is the closest that anything can come. Specifically, it is used to treat cystic acne. A typical treatment session will last 15-20 weeks, and the majority of people never experience cystic acne again.
So yes, accutane is for many people the cure all for acne.
However, accutane is not without some strong side effects. This is a list of the most common side effects:
- chapped Lips
- Dry Skin
- Dry nose, little to no moist nasal discharge
- Nose bleeds
- Severe Headaches
- Sensitive skin around body openings (mouth, nose, anus, etc)
- Dry Eyes
- Hairloss
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
How does it work?
Accutane is chemically related to vitamin A. Accutane works to stop skin pores from producing sebum. When sebum production slows or stops, there is no longer any way for the acne causing bacteria to grow, because acne causing bacteria grow in the sebum produced in the skin pores. No more sebum = no more acne.
Who shouldn’t use it:
Pregnant women or anyone who is trying to become pregnant. Accutane has been known to cause serious birth defects. Furthermore, anyone who has a family history or personal history of a heart condition, asthma, anorexia, high cholestoral, liver disease, or ostheoperosis. Always tell your doctor if any of these warning signs or symptoms occur in your family.
What should be avoided while taking accutane?
Avoid taking any vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A and accutane when mixed can cause a toxic reaction. Also, pregnancy should be avoided, as the fetus has an incredibly high chance of birth defects. Males should warn any potential partner if they use accutane, because both men and women can contribute to accutane triggered birth defects. Always consult a doctor before taking accutane
This is only a partial list of side effects, and everything should all be carefully considered before using accutane. Although it can be the miracle drug for acne, it is still not 100% effective for all people, and for many, the side effects are not be worth the benefit.