Accutane for curing acne – what are the benefits and the risks?

Accutane is a drug that many doctors consider very effective for treating acne. Accutane is derived from Vitamin A and is produced by the liver in small quantities. Accutane is actually a brand name; similar drug is sold under other names such as s Accure, Oratane, Isohexal, Amnesteem and Claravis.

Accutane is the brand name for an isotretinoin and it is very 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 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.

Side effects of Accutane

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.

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.

And most important thing – it is not magic, it doesn’t work for everybody. And for some people, it'll work only while you're taking it and as soon as you stop taking it acne are back. But you're only supposed to take Accutane for a limited time. So many teenagers take a serious risk for a temporary solution.

Many doctors would agree that you should try less dangerous treatments, before you turn to Accutane. Trying some alternative acne medication is one way, proactive solution is another.