Accutane / Roaccutane - Isotretinoin

Accutane side effects

While the results from Accutane can be impressive, the side effects are numerous and widespread. Accutane is a systemic medication which affects most parts of the body. Side effects range from mild & reversible to life-threatening in rare cases. When data exists, incidence information is listed. Hover your mouse over each potential side effect for more information.

Birth defects on Accutane

The birth defects caused by Accutane are devastating and life threatening. Birth defects include skull, ear, eye, facial, central nervous system, cardiovascular, thymus, and parathyroid abnormalities, and also death. Clinical research shows extremely high risk for birth defects in pregnant women. The effects and risks of Accutane on unborn children are so severe that female patients of childbearing age are required to use two (2) forms of birth control while on Accutane.

The iPLEDGE program was started in March 2006 to prevent women from becoming pregnant while on Accutane.

iPLEDGE program telephone: 1-866-495-0654
iPLEDGE program website: ipledgeprogram.com

Accutane is the #1 prescribed teratogenic (causes birth defects) medication in the United States.

Hair loss
A small percentage of people are affected.
Pressure within the skull
AKA intracranial hypertension. Clinical research found this to occur very rarely.
Neurological symptoms
including dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, lethargy, malaise, nervousness, tingling/pricking/numbness (AKA paresthesias), seizures, stroke, fainting (AKA syncope), weakness
Vision problems

Certain: abnormal oil secretion in the eye AKA abnormal meibomian gland secretion, inflamed mucus membrane that lines the eye AKA blepharoconjunctivitis, cornea becomes less transparent, AKA corneal opacities, loss of night vision AKA decreased dark adaptation, decreased tolerance to contact lenses, decreased vision, increased salt concentration in tears AKA increased tear osmolarity, inflamed cornea AKA keratitis, oil gland atrophy in the eye AKA meibomian gland atrophy, near- or shortsightedness AKA myopia, eye discomfort AKA ocular discomfort, dry eye AKA ocular sicca, excessive sensitivity to light AKA photophobia, birth defects regarding the eyes AKA teratogenic ocular abnormalities.

Probable/likely: decreased color vision (reversible), permanent loss of night vision AKA loss of dark adaptation.

Possible: permanent dry eyes AKA keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

As a side note, the FAA {United States Federal Aviation Administration} is considering more stringent rules regarding pilots who have been exposed to Accutane.

Nosebleed
AKA epistaxis. Clinical research found this to occur in 30% of cases.
Hair overgrowth in women
AKA hirsutism
Severe allergy
AKA anaphylactic reactions have been reported in clinical research.
Inflammation of the lips
AKA cheilitis
Bleeding & inflammation
 of the gums
Rash(including eczema)
Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding.
Hives
AKA uticaria
Nail abnormalities
Rapid breakdown of
 muscle tissue
AKA rhabdomyolysis. Clinical research found this to occur in rare cases.
Overgrowth of bone
AKA hyperostosis. Clinical research found this to be possible.
Bone, tendon, and ligament calcification
Calcification is hardening of the bone, tendon, or ligament caused by the deposition of or conversion into calcium carbonate or some other insoluble calcium compounds; calcified cartilage
Joint pain
AKA arthralgia. Clinical research found this to occur in 15% to 35% of cases.
Acute, long lasting arthritis
Clinical research found this to rarely occur.
Muscle pain
AKA myalgia. Clinical research found this to occur in 15% to 50% of cases.
Tendonitis
Inflammation of a tendon.
Elevated liver enzymes
AKA hepatotoxicity. Clinical research found this to occur in 15% of cases.
Low back pain
Clinical research found this to occur in 30% of cases.
Alopecia
Alopecia is a condition that results in loss of hair from the scalp and sometimes other areas of the body. Since it causes bald spots on the scalp it is sometimes referred to as spot baldness. In one to two percent of cases, alopecia may spread to the entire scalp or epidermis.
Headaches
Clinical research found this occurred in 10% to 28% of cases.
Depression
Depression and suicide have been linked to Accutane in clinical research but the data are not entirely conclusive. More research on the connection between suicide, depression and Accutane is needed. See the mental health tab for more detailed information on the topic.
Reduced blood flow to
 the brain
AKA cerebral ischemia. Clinical research found this to be extremely rare.
Hearing impairment
"has been reported" and "may persist after therapy has been discontinued"
Yellowish deposits on
 eyelids
AKA xanthomas. Clinical research found this to rarely occur.
Dry skin
AKA xerosis. Clinical research found this to occur in 57% of cases.
Dry lips
Clinical research found this to occur in 92% of cases.
Dry mouth
Increased sunburn
 susceptibility
Oozing, bleeding skin
 bumps
Abnormal blood tests
AKA elevated triglycerides, cholesterol, transaminase. Clinical research found this to occur in 44%, 31%, and 11% of cases respectively.
Low blood platelet count
AKA thrombocytopenia
Blood disease
AKA agranulocytosis. Clinical research found this to be rare but life-threatening.
Low iron content in blood
AKA anemia
Arthritis
Painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints
Respiratory symptoms
including difficulty breathing AKA bronchospasms, respiratory infection, and voice alteration.
Low white blood cell count
AKA neutropenia
Inflamed pancreas
AKA pancreatitis. Clinical research found this to rarely occur.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Clinical research found this to rarely occur.
Abnormal menses (women)

References

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