›› Accutane
Accutane is the
brand name for a isotretinoin. It isn't for wimps. It's controversial.
It's effective for some in the treatment of acne, but you pretty much
have to be desperate to try it. There can be side effects. Serious side
effects. If you're a parent, and your child's dermatologist is telling
you that accutane is the next step in a series of treatments that
haven't worked, think very carefully before you try it, and consider
alternative approaches offered by non-traditional practitioners such as
naturopaths. They can offer a regimen of high doses of vitamins, herbs,
gentle topical treatments and changes in diets that can eliminate acne
for some without harmful side effects. It's not very expensive to try,
and certainly worth a try if it means sparing your child the risks
associated with accutane.
What are the side effects? The biggie, the really scary one is that
there is a high risk of severe birth defects if you become pregnant
while taking accutane. Some teens are sexually active; some aren't.
Some are responsible about birth control; some aren't. If you have a
daughter who is not sexually active, she'll have to take birth control
pills along with accutane. What could this medication be doing to
someone who takes it if it causes birth defects? Is it worth taking the
risk?
Other side effects can include dry and itchy skin, chapped lips, muscle
and joint pain, irritated eyelids, decreased night vision, nosebleeds,
skin rashes, intestinal discomfort, urinary symptoms, headaches,
increased susceptibility to sunburn, and depression-even thoughts of
suicide.
Now, some people with very bad acne have suicidal thoughts too because
it is such a difficult experience for a young person to be disfigured
by acne.
Another potential side effect is liver damage. This is serious enough
so that if you take accutane, you have to get regular blood tests to
monitor the level of fat in your blood to make sure your liver isn't
failing.
Another thing. It might not work. And for some people, it'll work only
while you're taking it and as soon as you stop taking it, back comes
the acne. But you're only supposed to take accutane for a limited time.
So, for many it's taking a serious risk for a solution that's only
temporary.
There are people who have had success with accutane. Otherwise
dermatologists wouldn't be subscribing it. It's just a good idea to
make sure all less invasive options have been exhausted before stepping
into a treatment that has potential to do so much harm.
››
A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
