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What is
Accutane?
What are the side
effects of Accutane?
If Accutane is so
dangerous, why was it approved?
My child is currently
taking Accutane; should she stop?
What is being done to
prevent the dangerous side effects of Accutane?
What should girls
know that are considering taking Accutane to improve their acne?
How do I know if I
should stop taking this medication?
Who should not take
Accutane?
What should I avoid
while taking Accutane?
What is
Accutane?
Accutane is a medication used to treat severe acne. It should be
used as a last resort when all other options have failed. Severe
acne is diagnosed when many red, swollen, tender lumps form in
the skin. If untreated this type of acne can lead to permanent
scars.
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What are the side effects of Accutane?
Accutane has side effects, which can be severe and life
threatening. They may include: serious mental health problems,
brain problems, stomach problems, hearing and vision problems,
high cholesterol, bone and muscle problems, birth defects,
premature births, and death in babies whose mothers took Accutane
while they were pregnant.
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If Accutane is so dangerous, why was it approved?
The FDA knew that this drug could cause birth defects, but because
the medication was approved as a "Category X" drug (meaning it
should not be used by pregnant women), there was not a concern for
the general public. Other side effects became apparent only after
the drug had already been approved.
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My child is currently taking Accutane; should she
stop?
Your doctor should monitor your child's behavior for signs of
depression or other psychiatric problems. You should alert your
doctor if any dramatic changes in behavior occur. Female
patients must always use contraceptives when taking this
medication.
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What is being done to prevent the dangerous side
effects of Accutane?
The FDA ordered changes to the Accutane label, which includes
stronger language about the risks associated with Accutane.
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What should girls know that are considering taking
Accutane to improve their acne?
Girls should not become pregnant while taking Accutane, or for 1
month after stopping, as this drug has been linked to causing
severe birth defects in babies of women who take it while they are
pregnant. There is also a high risk that your baby will be
deformed, or will die, if you are pregnant and continue taking
Accutane. Taking Accutane also increases the chance of miscarriage
and premature births.
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How do I know if I should stop taking this
medication?
Stop using Accutane and see your doctor immediately if you:
- Start to feel sad or have crying
spells
- Lose interest in activities you
once enjoyed
- Sleep too much
- Become more irritable than usual
- Have a change in your appetite
or body weight
- Have trouble concentrating
- Withdraw from your friends or
family
- Feel like you have no energy
- Have feelings of worthlessness
or inappropriate guilt
- Start having thoughts suicidal
thoughts
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Who should not take Accutane?
Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
Accutane treatment are not suitable candidates for this
medication. Tell your physician if you, or someone in your
family, has had any kind of mental problems, asthma, liver
disease, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, anorexia
nervosa, or any other important health problems. These problems
do not necessarily mean you cannot take Accutane, but your
physician needs this information to make a proper decision
regarding your treatment.
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What should I avoid while taking Accutane?
- Do not get pregnant while
taking Accutane.
- Do not breastfeed while taking
Accutane.
- Do not give blood while you
take Accutane.
- Do not take vitamin A
supplements while taking Accutane.
- Do not have cosmetic
procedures to smooth your skin, including waxing, dermabrasion,
or laser procedures, while you are using Accutane and for at
least 6 months after you stop. Accutane can increase your
chance of scarring from these procedures.
- Avoid sunlight and ultraviolet
lights.
- Do not use birth control pills
that do not contain estrogen ("minipills"). They may not work
while you take Accutane.
- Do not take Accutane with
antibiotics.
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