Accutane Side Effects - General
Roche's Accutane information includes the following additional side effects for Accutane not covered elsewhere on this site. The red text indicates Roche's own words from the Accutane Medication Guide and the Accutane Label, though some sections are quoted only in part.
Additional Accutane side effects include:
- Hearing problems - Some people taking Accutane have developed hearing problems. It is possible that hearing loss can be permanent. Stop using Accutane and call your prescriber if your hearing gets worse or if you have ringing in your ears.Hearing Impairment: Impaired hearing has been reported in patients taking Accutane; in some cases, the hearing impairment has been reported to persist after therapy has been discontinued. Mechanisms(s) and causality for this event has not been established. Patients who experience tinnitus or hearing impairment should discontinue Accutane treatment and be referred for specialized care for further evaluation.
- Allergic reactions - In some people, Accutane can cause serious allergic reactions. Stop taking Accutane and get emergency care right away if you develop hives, a swollen face or mouth, or have trouble breathing. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you develop a fever, rash, or red patches or bruises on your legs. Anaphylactic reactions and other allergic reactions have been reported. Cutaneous allergic reactionsand serious cases of allergic vasculitis, often with purpura (bruises and red patches) of the extremitiesand extracutaneous involvement (including renal) have been reported. Severe allergic reactionnecessitates discontinuation of therapy and appropriate medical management.
- Respiratory - bronchospasms (with or without a history of asthma), respiratory infection, voice alteration
- Neurological - dizziness, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, lethargy, malaise, nervousness, paresthesias, seizures, stroke, syncope, weakness
- Reproductive System - abnormal menses.
- Bleeding and inflammation of the gums, esophagitis/ esophageal ulceration.
- Hematologic - allergic reactions (see PRECAUTIONS: Hypersensitivity), anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia,rare reports of agranulocytosis (see PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and Prescribers). See PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests for other hematological parameters.
- Musculoskeletal - musculoskeletal symptoms (sometimes severe), including back pain and arthralgia (see PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and Prescribers),transient pain in the chest (see PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and Prescribers), arthritis,tendonitis, other types of bone abnormalities, elevations of CPK/rare reports of rhabdomyolysis (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests).
- Body as a Whole - allergic reactions, including vasculitis, systemic hypersensitivity, edema, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, weight loss, Endocrine/Metabolic ,Hypertriglyceridemia (see WARNINGS: Lipids), Alterations in blood sugar levels.
- Accutane has less serious possible side effects;
The common less serious side effects of Accutane are dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, and dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds. People who wear contact lenses may have trouble wearing them while taking Accutane and after therapy. Sometimes, people's acne may get worse for a while. They should continue taking Accutane unless told to stop by their prescriber.
These are not all of Accutane's possible side effects. Your prescriber or pharmacist can give you more detailed information that is written for health care professionals.
This Medication Guide is only a summary of some important information about Accutane. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. If you have any concerns or questions about Accutane, ask your prescriber. Do not use Accutane for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
- Signs of other possibly serious problems - Accutane may cause other problems. Tell your prescriber if you have trouble breathing (shortness of breath), are fainting, are very thirsty or urinate a lot, feel weak, have leg swelling, convulsions, slurred speech, problems moving, or any other serious or unusual problems. Frequent urination and thirst can be signs of blood sugar problems.
- Serious permanent problems do not happen often. However, because the symptoms listed above may be signs of serious problems, if you get these symptoms, stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber. If not treated, they could lead to serious health problems. Even if these problems are treated, they may not clear up after you stop taking Accutane.
The Accutane Label is a 34-page document. The Accutane Medication Guide is a patient information guide distributed in addition to the label. Clearly, Accutane is a powerful and dangerous drug with many and significant serious consequences, which consumers should be aware of before taking Accutane.
If you or a loved one has suffered from serious side effects or complications from taking Accutane, please call or e-mail our Accutane side effects lawyers today and we will evaluate your Accutane claim for free.