Isotretinoin, formerly sold as Accutane, is a form of vitamin A that is used in the treatment of acne. This is a medication for very serious cases only. More and more now, it’s being over used and offered to people that don’t really need it. Many people that have been clients of mine have been on some form of vitamin A and it’s completely unnecessary.
Isotretinoin is also sold under the names Soret, Amnesteem, and Claravis. This drug works by reducing the amount of oil produced in the sebaceous (oil) glands. This is why you stop breaking out.
Before going on this medication, it is important to know what you are getting yourself into. This medication has a giant list of side effects that include bad headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and stroke, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Additionally, other side effects include serious mental health problems such as suicide and depression. All patients on this medication need to be clearly monitored for symptoms of suicidal thoughts such as irritability, sad mood, anger, loss of pleasure/ interest in social activities, acting on dangerous impulses, sleeping too much or not enough, changes in appetite/weight, trouble concentrating, aggression, school/ work performance declining, psychosis, or mood disturbance. Personally, the risks are just way too high for me.
As if it wasn't scary enough, it is also guaranteed to cause birth defects during pregnancy. For this reason, users must be on two forms of birth control along with having monthly pregnancy tests while on it.
This medication can also cause serious health problems including pancreatitis, heart attack, and stroke, seizures, hearing impairment, disturbances to central nervous system, blood disorders, and many more.
If you are thinking about going on this medication, I would highly recommend that you rethink why you really want to be put on this medication. All medications come with risks but the risks and side effects of this one are very serious and downright scary. Most cases of acne can be controlled by an esthetician. Many people don’t know that an esthetician will sit down with you and will work with you and try to get to the root cause of your acne so that you can get it under control. If you can, I would strongly advise visiting a local esthetician before running to a dermatologist for your acne.
I personally don’t think anyone should be on this medication and I wouldn't professionally tell anyone to go on it either. I would suggest the opposite. The risks are too great. Visit an esthetician and see what they have to say before you go running to the dermatologist. The cause of your acne could be something as simple as your tooth paste, which would just require switching to a different one. You never know until you sit down with a professional and talk.