Accutane

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 6:24pm

Anyone use it?
I want to try it, i'm scared to... but I think the risk is worth it for me.
Any opinions on it?
Thanks
Updated On: 9/12/06 at 06:24 PM

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 6:27pm

I looked for info on it, and it said it may cause suicidal thoughts...

Posted: 9/12/06 at 6:30pm

Read as much as you can about it and talk to your PCP or dermatologist. It's a powerful drug, and people who use it are closely monitored for side effects. You also have to have labs done monthly while taking the drug. I used to work for a dermatology group, and we had many patients taking it. It can be a very effective drug for your derm problem (I'm assuming it's severe acne).

The best info is straight from your doctors. They can answer any questions you may have about the drug, and probably have literature you can read.

Good luck.

[Dabadoll]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 6:37pm

I took it. It worked rather well for me and I did have to give blood every month so a lab could make sure there weren't any side effects. The I was told that the suicidal thoughts warning was because a government official had a son who was on accutane and killed himself.

[chicolini]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 10:20pm

There was an article on this in the Wall Street Journal today (9/12) talking about the restrictions on the sale of Accutane and how some physicians have stopped prescribing it because of them. The FDA set up a really elaborate program to reduce the risk of birth defects where patients have mandatory monthly doctor's visits and controls on the prescriptions. Also, women of childbearing age have to take monthly pregnancy tests in order to receive the drug.

It's an interesting article, but too long to post. Let me know if you're interested and I'll PM you. Bottom line, it looks like Accutane works, but I don't think I'd want that kind of hassle if I could find anything else that worked.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 10:26pm

There's a thread about acne treatments from a few months back that gets bumped on occasion. Accutane heas been mentioned and discussed. You may want to look it up.

ETA: Here it is.
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=off&thread=892914

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 10:26 PM

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 5:37am

I used it when I was a teenager. It truly works wonders. I was never really told about any major side effects, however I did read all of the information that came with it. One of the most significant side effects for me was my lips were always dry. I constantly had to put chapstick on them. To this day, and this is like 10 years later, my lips are still addicted to some form of lip balm.
I was also one of the "lucky" one's according to my dermatologist. I have no scarring, a few outbreaks, but for the most part no "flare-ups." You can not even tell that I used to have acne, and I had it bad. Only on the face, none any where else.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Updated On: 9/13/06 at 05:37 AM

[DancNdaMoonlite]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 1:46pm

My sister went on Accutane a few years ago, and her lips were really dry too. It worked pretty well for her though.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 1:57pm

it really works, and for me, while the monthly shots were annying, it was well worth it to someone who fought with acne for years. I don't recall the dry lips thing, but I'm sure it happened. and I didn't have any suicidal thoughts. that argument doesn't hold water, becuase most people who take that pill are teenagers, or very young adults, and aren't we all a little suicidal at that age without the aid of pills?

yes, use it.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/13/06 at 4:27pm

Might as well get some Prozac while you're at it.