A Review of Isotretinoin (Accutane) for Acne Treatment

Is it Worth the Risk?

Are the severe and numerous risks worth the benefits?

Isotretinoin is a prescription drug intended for severe nodular acne. Results are often short-lived and acne returns within a week or two after the end of therapy. Acne symptoms caused by environmental allergens such as ingredients in body care and cleaning products and chloracne caused by dioxins cannot be controlled with isotretinoin therapy. For detailed information about the causes of acne, please read, "What Causes Acne?" Although isotretinoin therapy can control the production of sebum associated with acne during treatment, when treatment ends the environmental antagonists remain, and the acne returns.

Isotretinoin is a prescription drug intended for severe nodular acne. However, according to many reports, such as Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) in the United States: Rapid increase from 1992 through 2000, this drug is being heavily prescribed for moderate acne. In some cases, this drug is also being prescribed for mild acne that has not responded to other methods of controls. Sold under the brand names of Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, or Sotret, there are well over 2 million prescriptions written for isotretinoin. In addition, black market internet sales cannot be calculated.^[1]

There are incredible risks associated with isotretinoin. Severe birth defects, including clef palette and severe brain damage, are the most well known side effect. Liver function tests are required during therapy to monitor damage to the liver during the course of treatment. Other side effects are known that can have a life-long impact requiring medical care for the lifetime of the patient such as the following list of Accutane's Harmful Side Effects from YourLawyer.com. I was skeptical that all these horrible conditions are potential side effects from this single drug. However, the Roche documentation on Accutane supports every single one of these conditions as a potential side effect from this drug. There is actually one side effect missing from this list; hearing loss. Imagine never being able to hear your mother tell you she loves you again.