9 replies to this topic

[B552299G]

Hey everyone,

So I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I would like some good scientific advice about what drinking actually does to your body while on accutane. I've been drinking a pretty good amount, and have had no bad side efefcts, and my blood tests have not only been okay, but they've been great. My liver functioning is actually better after 2 months lol? Is this all I have to be worried about or could other parts of my body be getting wrecked from my drinking whilst on accutane. My derm said no alcohol, but an ocassional drink wont kill me. I've heard a million people say you can drink with no problems, while others are dead against it.

I know some of you smart people out there could give me some good insight on whats goin on with all this.

Finally, why doesn't it say you can't drink on any of the packaging?

[Binga]

Alcohol is a trigger for acne. So watch out

[B552299G]

Yeah I hear ya. I was actually able to mantain clear skin while drinking a ton in college at certain points with antibiotics and topicals, but it certainly doesn't do your skin any favors thats for sure. I always drank smart though with lots of clear liquors and light beer. I always treid to avoid sugary drinks and heavy beer as I found these to be sure fire acne triggers,

[===]

I can't really answer majority of your questions, but

Finally, why doesn't it say you can't drink on any of the packaging?

it does for me. I'm on Claravis, and the pharmacist's label on the box says to not take alcohol. Strangely, the info page on the inside doesn't mention alcohol... but it was also made over two years ago, so that might have something to do with it.

Anyway, alcohol usage should be accompanied by an increase in liver enzymes, so it's curious that the opposite was true for you (while on Accutane, at that). Accutane can cause increased liver enzyme function, and alcohol can too... which obviously doesn't bode well. I'd guess that's the main concern. If you start drinking alcohol chronically, your enzyme levels will probably rise... they may not (only like 40% of chronic drinkers have elevated GGT, which is one of the particular enzymes docs look at), but it's not like alcohol is going to serve your liver well, anyway. I'd say it's probably fine for you in moderation, but best avoided.

Basically, the risks are
1. Even if your liver is reacting fine to Accutane, alcohol may increase enzymes and delay treatment (seriously, I had to schedule a month ahead of time to see the gastroenterologist)
2. Increased liver enzymes are associated with some liver diseases that have been weakly associated with Accutane, so there's that as well
3. Even if the enzymes are normal, as stated, there is thought to be some correlation between Accutane and liver problems, and alcohol certainly isn't doing your liver any good

[xjones]

I got drunk waaay too much (maybe 0,5L of vodka each party) like 2-3 times during the last month and my liver levels were raised last time I had my blood checked. I was also trying to gain weight so I didn't eat very healthy and my cholesterol levels were also raised so I kind of panicked cause the doctor said I'd have to stop my treatment if the levels would be still high. Btw I'm clear since week 2 and I'm enjoying it as you can see

[B552299G]

So pretty much as long as my numbers are good I shouldn't be too concerned about doing any crazy damage to my body? I'm going back to school in a month and I'm worried that I'm going to hurt myself with drinking too much at school. I oviously know alcohol isn't good by any means on accutane, I just want to make sure I;m not doing anything that will do long term irreversible damage.....

[B552299G]

Is there anyone who has or is currently drinking on accutane want to weigh in on the issue? There's lots of different types of thinking on this and I wuld love to hear what ya'll think...

[deathcabforacne]

I'll be completely honest, I drank quite a bit my first course of accutane, and all my tests came back normal. I'm sure I wasn't doing myself any favors, but I haven't experienced any issues as of yet. *knock on wood*

[lilbee]

I have been on it for 2 1/2 weeks and although I haven't been going out and getting blind drunk I have been having around 3 or 4 glasses of wine twice a week with no side affects what so ever. I wanted to test what the alcohol does by starting off slowly but now feel confident to have a decent night out...... will let you know if it does anything different!

[B552299G]

I have been on it for 2 1/2 weeks and although I haven't been going out and getting blind drunk I have been having around 3 or 4 glasses of wine twice a week with no side affects what so ever. I wanted to test what the alcohol does by starting off slowly but now feel confident to have a decent night out...... will let you know if it does anything different!

Yep I hear ya I was the same way with starting out dirnking with acutane. Definitely tested the waters first and found I was fine. I might get drunk a little faster, but toerh than that drinking has been fine. No horribe hangovers, no crazy blackouts, etc. All and all drinking on accutane has caused me no problems thus far....