ACUTANE SIDE EFFECTS EXPOSED
Side Effects of the Miracle Drug And the Alternative to Acutane
Mike Walden
If you have a severe case of acne that has faled to respond to conventional treatments such as antibiotics, then your dermatologist may recommend the use of the popular Acutane, or Isotretinoin. Acutane is a potent oral drug from Hoffman-LaRoche that has proven highly effective for reducing acne symptoms dramatically after only one course of 15-20 weeks.
With its unqualified success at battling even the toughest cases of acne, and with its ever growing popularity among teens as a "miracle drug," why is it then that Acutane is ranked among the most controversial pharmaceuticals on the market? We don't need to look far for an answer to that question. Acutane has a long, documented list of severe and sometimes fatal, side effects.
Some of the side effects associated with the use of Isotretinoin are mild and tolerable (dry lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, extremely dry skin, increased sensitivity to the sun, thinning hair). The serious side effects, vigorously downplayed, comprise a respectably long list and need to be considered by anyone thinking of using this drug. Some of these side effects, established as lingering on long after the use of Accutane has been discontinued, are: Severe aches and pains in the lower back and large joints, severe allergic reactions accompanied by rashes and difficulty breathing, vision problems, hearing loss, persistent migraines, and headaches. Also, longer term and permanent health issues have developed, like permanent liver damage, and skeletal hyperostosis, which is excessive bone growth that occurs along the sides of the spine.
And that's not all. Perhaps the most bothersome af all the Accutane side effects is its potential to cause severe birth defects if taken by pregnant women or women that become pregnant while taking the drug. There is also a strongly suggestive link that indicates the propensity for Accutane to trigger wide mood swings, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts.
It has been shown that Isotretinoin can be harmful to the fetus and it should not be used during pregnancy, and women should avoid pregnancy for at least a full month after using Accutane. Because of its severe side effects, it is absolutely mandatory for nursing mothers to avoid the drug completely.
Although researchers are in disagreement about the depression causing aspects of Accutane, Hoffman La-Roche, the manufacturer, concedes that Accutane, and its generic, isotretinoin can alter mood, admitting that "synthetic derivatives of vitamin A can negatively impact brain chemicals such as dopamine and seratonin."
Not to left out of the mix, the FDA warns that "all patients treated with isotretinoin should be observed closely for symptoms of depression r suicidal thoughts such as sad mood, irritability, acting on dangerous impulses, anger, loss of pleasure, mood disturbance, psychosis, or aggression."
Between 1989 and 2003, there were 216 reported drug-linked suicides among U.S. teenagers. Of these, 72 were linked directly to Accutane. This is a higher incidence than its closest rival Prozac, (fluoxetine), which could only boast of fifty-five.
Accutane works by reducing the size and output of the sebacious glands, stopping excess oil production. The problem here is that Acutane damages the skin's sebum glands and interferes with liver function in the process. When the drug is discontinued, the skin oil glands return to function, but the liver will be unable to properly balance the hormones thst prevent the over production of sebum.
Isotretinoin also normalizes keratinization, which is the shedding of dead skin cells. It also improves fat metabolism and reduces inflammation. But all these benefits can be easily achieved without the drug, simply by using all natural dietary supplementation and skin care alternatives that carry no side effects at all. For example, foods that are rich in vitamin A and Beta Carotine can help reduce the secretion of oil by te sebacious glands. Simple home made peels mad of Papayacan easily replace the peeling action of isotretinoin. Sleep optimization, regular exercise, the intake of vitamins C, E; zinc and Colostrum; all will work to boost the immune system and thus reduce inflammation.
Accutane is not the solution to acne. It simply treats the symptoms, and no disorder has ever been cured by treating the symptoms. Accutane does nothing to address the root cause of acne. In stopping the skin's natural oil production by artificial means, the drug induces extra dryness and accelerates the skin's aging process. It makes the skin look older! To top it all off, Accutane severely damages the liver function and destroys the delicate balance of the body's natural healing abilities So what it is actually doing is the exact opposite of what it should be doing; that is, curing the disorder.
Any long term acne solution should address its internal causes by engaging all of the contributing factors and aggressively neutralizing the acne environment.. This is the only safe, natural, and effective way of achieving lasting freedom from acne.
The best selling e-book ACNE NO MORE - OPEN THE DOOR TO AN ACNE FREE LIFE by Mike Walden, has the answers you need to conquer acne. Mike is a certified nutritionist and independent medical researcher. He has helped countless people with their acne issues and is ready to help you Click this link for more information on Mike's Holistic Clear Skin Program.
