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Side Effects of Accutane

Used as a form of chemotherapy for some types of cancer, as well as a treatment for severe forms of acne, Accutane has been reported as having very serious side effects. The subject of thousands of lawsuits and multi-million dollar settlements, Accutane is both highly effective and highly controversial. While changes have been made in regards to the conditions under which it can be prescribed, the following are some of the possible serious side effects of Accutane:

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is one form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Not to be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, a similar sounding but far less serious disease, IBD can have very severe effects. Typified by constant diarrhea that contains blood, ulcerative colitis is a disease that typically is in the large intestine and has characteristic open sores or ulcers in the colon. Severe cases can cause intestinal bleeding, colon rupture or death. It is intermittent with periods that are mostly without symptoms combined with increased occurrences of symptoms. While it can go into remission, the only known cure is removal of part or the entire colon. This requires the use of a colostomy bag for the remainder of a patient’s life. Early symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

  • abdominal pain in varying degrees

  • need to have a bowel movement yet unable to do so

  • pain and bleeding in the rectum

  • fever

  • constant diarrhea mixed with blood

  • vomiting

Crohn’s Disease

Another form of IBD, Crohn’s Disease will usually occur in the small intestine, yet can actually occur in any segment of the digestive tract. The primary symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, abdominal pain and diarrhea, are similar to ulcerative colitis. However Crohn’s Disease can cause symptoms and problems outside of the body, such as skin rash and tiredness. Treatment focuses on reduction of symptoms. Some of the symptoms of the disease are:

  • abdominal pain, focusing on the lower right side of the abdominal cavity

  • diarrhea, with or without blood, occasionally sever resulting in20 bowel movements a day or more

  • loss of appetite

  • fever

  • tiredness

  • inflammation of the eye

  • inflammation of the liver

  • constipation

  • fever

  • vomiting

  • skin rash

  • arthritis

  • lack of concentration

  • seizures

  • stroke

  • headaches

  • depression

  • fistulas and abscesses

  • gangrene

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Typified by Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, there are several other forms of the disease. The onset of IBD usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 30, although it can happen at any age. More than 1 million people are victims of IBD in the US. If a person is suffering from several of the following symptoms they should consult with a doctor:

  • abdominal pain

  • blood in the stool

  • recurring diarrhea

  • fever

  • skin rash

  • unexplained loss of weight

  • arthritis or pain in the joints

Liver Damage or Liver Failure

In several cases patients who underwent treatments with Accutane experienced liver damage. Some even suffered complete liver failure. If this happen, a liver transplant may be required – a costly and life threatening procedure. Some early symptoms of liver damage may be:

  • unexplained loss of appetite

  • unexplained weight loss or even weight gain

  • tiredness

  • diarrhea

  • nausea

As liver damage advances, the symptoms become more severe. They include:

  • abdominal swelling

  • jaundice

  • confusion

  • sudden or unexplained changes in personality

  • retention of fluid

  • coma

Severe Accutane Side Effects

Patients undergoing Accutane treatments have exhibited or reported some of the following sever side effects:

  • depression, often severe

  • suicidal thoughts, with some fulfilling these urges

  • birth defects in babies born to mothers who took Accutane

  • allergic reaction