Accutane

by F. J. A. Shearer-Hann

Accutane is the brand name for a isotretinoin. It isn't for wimps. It's controversial. It's effective for some in the treatment of acne, but you pretty much have to be desperate to try it. There can be side effects. Serious side effects. If you're a parent, and your child's dermatologist is telling you that accutane is the next step in a series of treatments that haven't worked, think very carefully before you try it, and consider alternative approaches offered by non-traditional practitioners such as naturopaths. They can offer a regimen of high doses of vitamins, herbs, gentle topical treatments and changes in diets that can eliminate acne for some without harmful side effects. It's not very expensive to try, and certainly worth a try if it means sparing your child the risks associated with accutane.

What are the side effects? The biggie, the really scary one is that there is a high risk of severe birth defects if you become pregnant while taking accutane. Some teens are sexually active; some aren't. Some are responsible about birth control; some aren't. If you have a daughter who is not sexually active, she'll have to take birth control pills along with accutane. What could this medication be doing to someone who takes it if it causes birth defects? Is it worth taking the risk?

Other side effects can include dry and itchy skin, chapped lips, muscle and joint pain, irritated eyelids, decreased night vision, nosebleeds, skin rashes, intestinal discomfort, urinary symptoms, headaches, increased susceptibility to sunburn, and depression-even thoughts of suicide.

Now, some people with very bad acne have suicidal thoughts too because it is such a difficult experience for a young person to be disfigured by acne.

Another potential side effect is liver damage. This is serious enough so that if you take accutane, you have to get regular blood tests to monitor the level of fat in your blood to make sure your liver isn't failing.

Another thing. It might not work. And for some people, it'll work only while you're taking it and as soon as you stop taking it, back comes the acne. But you're only supposed to take accutane for a limited time. So, for many it's taking a serious risk for a solution that's only temporary.

There are people who have had success with accutane. Otherwise dermatologists wouldn't be subscribing it. It's just a good idea to make sure all less invasive options have been exhausted before stepping into a treatment that has potential to do so much harm.

The Complete Life Guide Home

Prosource Liquid Protein Is A Savior - So I?ve been reading a lot about this liquid protein supplement, which I want to start using immediately. It?s called Prosource Liquid Protein, and it helps people like me, who don?t get a lot of the right protein into my diet. The product is suitable for diabetics, and non-diabetics, which is great for my sister, [...]

Help For More Protein In Diet - I have just found a recent medical food that has really helped me get proteins into my diet, something that has been difficult, especially since I?m on a renal diet. When on a renal diet, it?s very important to get the right amount of high quality proteins. Luckily, with Gelatein 20, I meet all my [...]

Brand New Medical Food - I have been suggesting a new product to my patients lately, and it?s the best tasting protein supplement I?ve ever tried. The product is called Gelatein 20 and it?s completely sugar free, lactose free, and gluten free. It?s fantastic because each serving contains 20 grams of high quality protein, and can be consumed up [...]

Everyone Should Be Taking This Product - After years of giving in to my weak stomach because all of the years of poor nutrition and when the immune system boosters I was taking did not work for me at all, I was about to give up on finding a solution. My friend suggested that I take PhytoAssure, a product by Meditrition. Although [...]

My Mother Has Never Been So Happy - For years my mother has been taking immune boosting supplements that were supposed to help her with her weakness in the stomach and since taking PhytoAssure from Meditrition she is feeling much stronger and much better. This product has seven natural phytonutrients in it including Turmeric, which we are supposed to have everyday. This product [...]

Teen Missions - Cell Phones - Ross Simons Coupon Codes - Pet Supplies