Accutane for acne treatment

Most teenagers will experience acne at one point or another in their teens. Sometimes the acne is just a few pimples here and there, other times it can be severe.

A very common medication that dermatologists prescribe for acne is Accutane. Do you know everything about Accutane?

4 Big Reasons why I won’t use Accutane for Acne

When you see the before/after photos of accutane users, it may be difficult to say no to this popular acne drug. Severe acne is virtually eliminated in several months with consistent use of the product.

There are 4 very big reasons why I won’t use Accutane.

1. Cost. A monthly treatment can run between $400-500. Regular blood tests are required to make sure you are not experiencing any of the serious side-effects.

2. Hair Loss. I have heard that while Accutane is clearing up your acne, it has been known to cause your hair to fall out. I noticed that this isn’t mentioned in the list of side-effects, but I heard it from someone who started taking it.

3. Causes Depression. Why would I want to take a medication that causes depression or thoughts of suicide. Even anti-depressents today list that as side-effects. What’s up with that. Let’ see…hmm… suicide on one hand…..acne on the other…..what to decide.

4. Organ Damage. I also heard a story of some guy in his 20’s taking the drug and having serious organ damage. he ended up having to quit his job to take care of his serious medical condition.

5. Long term tests. The warning label on this medications states ’causes severe birth defects’ What are the long term studies on this? If you take Accutane for several years and then 5 years later want to have kids, how can you be sure your child won’t have serious birth defects.

Also, most of the information out there about Accutane indicate that it should be a dermatologists last resort to treat severe acne. So, if you have been to a dermatologist and the first course of treatment they recommend is Accutane, maybe you should be a little cautious.