The most damaging side effect of Accutane is serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It is critically important for women not to take Accutane while pregnant, and not to become pregnant while taking it. Women who are, or might be, sexually active while taking Accutane must use an effective method of birth control, of which the birth control pill is the most effective. Birth control pills do rarely fail, so an additional method of birth control such as a condom for the male partner or a spermicidal foam or sponge is also needed. Because the birth defects caused by Accutane are so serious, it's important not to share the pills with others.
Some people develop headaches while on Accutane. If a persistent headache develops while on Accutane, the medication should be stopped and the physician notified. Accutane has been reported to cause depression and thoughts of suicide, though a recent study has not shown any correlation. Extremely vigorous exercise should be avoided, as muscle aches can develop.
More common
- Bone or joint pain
- burning, redness, itching, or other signs of eye inflammation
- difficulty with moving
- nosebleeds
- scaling, redness, burning, pain, or other signs of inflammation of the lips
- skin infection or rash
Accutane may increase the level of blood fats, sometimes to risky levels. This reverts back to normal when the drug is stopped. Occasionally it may affect the liver. That's why regular blood tests are necessary during Accutane treatment. There is little risk of any damage if these precautions are followed.
Rare
- Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
- attempts at suicide or thoughts of suicide (usually stops after medicine is stopped)
- back pain
- bleeding or inflammation of the gums
- blurred vision or other changes in vision
- changes in behavior
- decreased vision after sunset or before sunrise (sudden or may continue after medicine is stopped)
- diarrhea (severe)
- headache (severe or continuing)
- mental depression
- nausea and vomiting
- pain or tenderness of the eyes
- pain, tenderness, or stiffness in the muscles (long-term treatment)
- rectal bleeding
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Black, tarry stools
- bloating
- bloody cough
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bone pain, tenderness, or aching
- burning or stinging of the skin
- chest pain
- confusion
- constipation
- convulsions
- cough or hoarseness
- dark-colored urine
- decrease in height
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty speaking
- difficulty swallowing
- discharge from the eyes
- dizziness
- double vision
- ear pain
- excessive tearing
- fainting
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- fever with or without chills
- fractures and/or delayed healing
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- hives or skin rash
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- indigestion
- inflamed tissue from infection
- irregular yellow patch or lump on the skin
- irritation
- joint pain, redness, stiffness, or swelling
- lack or slowing of normal growth in children
- loosening of the fingernails
- loss of appetite
- loss of bladder control
- loss or change in hearing
- muscle cramps, spasms, or weakness
- pain in the ribs, arms, or legs
- pain or burning in the throat
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
- painful or difficult urination
- pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- redness or soreness around the fingernails
- redness, soreness, or itching skin
- sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
- sneezing
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
- stuffy or runny nose
- sudden loss of consciousness
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden onset of severe acne on the chest and trunk
- sudden onset of slurred speech
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, lower legs, or feet
- swollen, painful or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- tightness in the chest
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual weight gain or loss
- use of extreme physical or emotional force
- watery or bloody diarrhea
Accutane is a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A and is detectable in the bloodstream of all people. Vitamin A in large doses has the same effects as Accutane, both good and bad, but quickly becomes harmful since it builds up in the tissue. Accutane is formed naturally in the body from the Vitamin A present in the bloodstream. This is why large amounts of Vitamin A taken during pregnancy cause the same birth defects that Accutane does. Fortunately, because it is a naturally occurring product, the body is able to quickly remove Accutane from the bloodstream. It is gone from the blood within nine days and has no lasting effect on future pregnancies.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
- Crusting of the skin
- difficulty in wearing contact lenses (may continue after medicine is stopped)
- dryness of the eyes (may continue after treatment is stopped)
- dryness of the mouth or nose
- dryness or itching of the skin
- headache (mild)
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- peeling of the skin on palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- stomach upset
- thinning of the hair (may continue after treatment is stopped)
Taking Accutane with food increases the absorption of the medicine. The more Accutane one takes, the greater the chance of cure. Unfortunately, side effects depend on the dose as well. At the lowest doses, there are almost no side effects at all. At the highest, everyone get rather nasty side effects, which are related on the drying effects on the oil glands. The dose needs to be adjusted to strike a balance between effectiveness and side effects.
- Abnormal menstruation
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, pins and needles, or tingling feeling
- changes in fingernails or toenails
- continuing ringing or buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
- dandruff
- darkening of the skin
- flushing
- hair abnormalities
- hair loss
- increased hair growth, especially on the face
- lightening of normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of dark skin
- nervousness
- oily skin
- redness of the face
- severe sunburn
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
- stomach burning
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
- unusually warm skin of the face
- voice changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.