High Cholesterol/ Lipids/ Fat in the Blood/ Triglycerides/ (Hypertriglyceridemia/ Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of fat, known as lipids. Both are necessary for health, but in excess, they contribute to unhealthy cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and coronary artery disease.
From the Accutane Medication Guide:
Lipid (fats and cholesterol in blood) problems.Many people taking Accutane develop high levels of cholesterol and other fats in their blood. This can be a serious problem. Return to your prescriber for blood tests to check your lipids and to get any needed treatment. These problems generally go away when Accutane treatment is finished.
Accutane's label information includes the following information about Accutane and lipids:
Marked elevations of serum triglycerides were reported in approximately 25% of patientsreceiving Accutane in clinical trials. In addition, approximately 15% developed a decrease in high density lipoproteins and about 7% showed an increase in cholesterol levels. In clinical trials, the effects on triglycerides, HDL, and cholesterol were reversible upon cessation of Accutane therapy. . .
Blood lipid determinations should be performed before Accutane is given and then at intervals until the lipid response to Accutane is established, which usually occurs within 4 weeks. Especially careful consideration must be given to risk/benefit for patients who may be at high risk during Accutane therapy (patients with diabetes, obesity, increased alcohol intake, lipid metabolism disorder or familial history of lipid metabolism disorder). If Accutane therapy is instituted, more frequent checks of serum values for lipids and/or blood sugar are recommended (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests).
Americanheart.org is an excellent resource for explaining the role of fats in the body and how high levels of fat in the blood cause cardiovascular health problems.
The Accutane Label also includes the following listed under Adverse Reactions:
Cardiovascular: palpitation, tachycardia, vascular thrombotic disease, stroke
Because cardiovascular disease can result in heart attack, stroke and death, the cardiovascular risk of Accutane should be carefully evaluated by any patient considering taking Accutane for acne relief.
If you or a loved one has suffered cardiovascular complications from taking Accutane, please call or e-mail today and we will evaluate your Accutane claim for free.