Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a drug that is used for the treatment of severe acne. This drug is usually prescribed when other treatment remedies do not yield fruitful results in treating stubborn acne. Accutane comes under a type of medicine called Retinoid, which is a vitamin A derivative. This is a generic medicine, which is sold under a variety of brand names.
Individuals who continue to experience severe acne despite trying many medications and treatments might benefit from Accutane, as the effects of this medication run deep. It does not produce effects on the surface levels, instead, it targets inflammation, clogged pores, sebum (oil) production, and infectious bacteria. The medicine shrinks the oil glands or sebaceous glands to begin with.
The medicine works by reducing sebum (oil) production in the acne spot, as excess oil is responsible for supporting bacterial growth, thereby worsening acne. Severe acne can leave stubborn marks and permanent scarring on the skin. It dries out the skin, decreases the inflammation, opens the clogged pores, and suppresses the growth of infectious bacteria that cause acne.
For treatment, your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate dose as per the severity of acne. Those having mild to moderate forms of acne will be prescribed with a low dose of Accutane, whereas those with severe acne problems will be prescribed with a high dose of these medicines. A low dose of Accutane will produce some mild side effects, while a high dose may increase the susceptibility of a person to serious side effects.
Accutane side effects
Some common side effects of using Accutane are listed below:
- Dry mouth
- Dry skin
- Chapped lips
- Dry nasal passages, which can lead to nosebleeds
Apart from these, some people might also experience other side effects, which include:
- Skin irritation
- Skin itching
- Skin infections
- Dry eyes
- Headache
- Digestive disorders
- Bone and joint pain
- Rash
- Hair thinning
- Muscle ache
Besides, the medicine can increase the pressure on the brain and trigger some side effects too. These are as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe headache
- Blurred vision
- Seizures
- Stroke
In addition, some serious side effects can be related to the gastrointestinal tract, which may include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Allergic reactions to the medicine might also occur in some individuals, which is indicated by symptoms like swelling of the face or mouth, hives, and difficulty with breathing.
Accutane and erectile dysfunction
According to some scientific research, long-term use of Accutane might trigger sexual side effects such as loss of sex drive or libido, genital numbness, erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence issues in males. It can also affect the mental function of some individuals, which can lead to psychogenic erectile dysfunction. These suspected side effects can happen after a prolonged use of these medicines. However, there is still inadequate research about the sexual side effects of Accutane. More comprehensive research and studies need to be done in order to make any conclusion regarding the effects of Accutane on erection function.
