Accutane Side Effects - the Acne Miracle Drug Exposed
If you suffer from severe case of acne that has
failed to respond to conventional treatments such as antibiotics,
then your dermatologist may recommend the use of the popular Accutane
or Isotretinoin. Accutane is a potent oral drug from Hoffman-LaRoche
that has been proven highly effective for reducing acne symptoms
dramatically after only one course of 15-20 weeks.
With its undoubting success at battling even the
toughest cases of acne and ever-growing popularity among teens as
a miracle drug, why is Accutane still considered the most controversial
pharmaceutical on the market? The answer: a documented list of severe
and sometimes permanent side effects.
Although some of the side effects associated with
the use of Isotretinoin are mild and tolerable (dry lips, dry eyes,
nosebleeds, extremely dry skin, increased sensitivity to the sun
and thinning hair) there is in fact a long list of serious side
effects that have been reported due to the use of Accuttane which
persisted even after the drug therapy was stopped. Among those are:
Severe aches and pains in the lower back and large joints, severe
allergy reactions that include moderate rashes and difficulty to
breath, vision problems, hearing loss, permanent liver damage, persistent
migraines and headaches and skeletal hyperostosis which is an excessive
bone growth that occurs along the sides of the spine.
But perhaps, the two most bothersome of all Accutane
side effects are its potential to cause severe birth defects if
taken by pregnant women or women that became pregnant while taking
the drug and the suggested link between the intake of Accutane and
the changes in mood, severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Since, Isotretinoin can be harmful to the fetus,
it should not be used during pregnancy and women should avoid pregnancy
for at least a month after the use of Accutane. Additionally, because
of its severe side effects, nursing mothers must avoid the drug
completely.
Although researchers still argue whether Isotretinoin
causes depression or not, Roche the manufacturer of Accutane, openly
shares information claiming that Accutane and its generic, isotretinoin,
can alter mood: "Synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, can negatively
impact brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin."
The FDA website warns: "All patients treated
with isotretinoin should be observed closely for symptoms of depression
or suicidal thoughts, such as sad mood, irritability, acting on
dangerous impulses, anger, loss of pleasure ... mood disturbance,
psychosis, or aggression."
Moreover, statistics show that between 1989 and
2003, there were 216 reported drug-linked suicides among U.S. teens
younger than 18. Of these, 72 suicides were linked to Accutane (isotretinoin).
The next highest number of suicides in that time period -- 55 --
involved Prozac (fluoxetine).
Accutane works by reducing the size and output
of the sebaceous glands and thus stops excess oil production. The
problem is that Accutane damages your skins sebum glands and liver
function in the process. By the time you stop taking the drug, your
skin oil glands will return to function but your liver will not
be able to properly balance your hormones and prevent the over production
of sebum.
Isotrteinoin also normalizes your keratinization
(the shedding of dead skin cells), improves fat metabolism and reduces
inflammation. But all of these benefits can be easily achieved using
all natural dietary, supplementation and skin care alternatives
and without the side effects. For example: Foods that are rich in
Vitamin A and Beta Carotene can help reduce the secretion of oil
by the sebaceous glands. Simple home made peels made of Papaya can
easily replace the peeling action of Isotrerinoin and sleep optimization,
and regular exercising including vitamin, C, E, Zinc and Colostrum
can boost the immune abilities of the body and thus reduce inflammation.
Accutane is not the solution to acne. Not only
does it treat the symptoms of the disease and not the internal cause,
stopping your skin's natural oil production, can in most cases,
result in extra dryness combined with the acceleration of the skin's
aging process (yes! your skin will look older). Moreover, Accutane
severely damages your liver function among other side effects, which
in turn destroys your delicate inner balance and your natural healing
abilities. Hence, it is doing the opposite of curing.
A long-term acne solution should address the internal
cause of acne by tackling all acne contributing factors and neutralizing
the acne environment - the only, safe, natural and effective way
you could ever achieve lasting acne freedom.
* * *
Mike Walden is a certified
nutritionist, independent medical researcher, natural health consultant
and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne
No More - Open The Door To An Acne Free Life." Mike has
written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured
in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites
worldwide. Click
here for information on Mike's
Holistic Clear Skin program
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