Accutane Skin Diseases
Although Accutane was created to cure acne - which it does -- Accutane is also known to cause a variety of skin diseases, some of which do not go away with the discontinuance of the drug.
Some skin diseases known to be associated with Accutane include:
- Worsening acne - in some cases, patients' acne gets significantly worse before it starts to improve
- Acne fulminas - a form of acne that suddenly appears (mostly in males) in the form of inflamed and ulcerated nodular acne on the chest and back, and can be accompanied by fever, joint pain, and general feelings of illness.
- Eruptive xanthoma - which is a severe skin rash that appears as large groups of small yellowish, orange or brownish papules (raised bumps) on large areas of the buttocks, the backs of the thighs, and around the knees and elbows other body creases. Eruptive xanthoma may be a sign that blood fat levels (lipids) are too high. This skin condition often leaves permanent scarring and is accompanied by itching, discomfort and/or pain.
- Excessive dryness of the skin - which may persist long after Accutane therapy has ceased
- Peeling of skin - on the palms and soles of the feet
- Excessive dryness of the mucous membranes - including the eyes (also causing conjunctivitis or pink eye as well as contact lens intolerance), the nose (which may cause frequent nosebleeds), the lips (including excessive chapping and cracking), and excessive dry mouth.
- Alopecia - hair loss
- Hirsuitism - hair growth in inappropriate places, especially in women
- Hypersensitvity to sun and suburn> - including ultraviolet rays from artificial sources
- Allergic skin reactions - such as rashes, vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels), bruises and red patches.
Listed in the Accutane Label Information under ADVERSE REACTIONS is the following:
"Skin and Appendages: acne fulminans, alopecia (which in some cases persists), bruising, cheilitis (dry lips), dry mouth, dry nose, dry skin, epistaxis, eruptive xanthomas, flushing, fragility of skin, hair abnormalities, hirsutism, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, infections (including disseminated herpes simplex), nail dystrophy, paronychia, peeling of palms and soles, photoallergic/photosensitizing reactions, pruritus, pyogenic granuloma, rash (including facial erythema, seborrhea, and eczema), sunburn susceptibility increased, sweating, urticaria, vasculitis (including Wegener's granulomatosis: see PRECAUTIONS: Hypersensitivity), abnormal wound healing (delayed healing or exuberant granulation tissue with crusting; see PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients and Prescribers)"
Some of these side effects are minor and temporary, and others are more serious and have lasting effects. Make sure you understand the skin-related risks of Accutane before taking this powerful drug.
Some good sources of information on the skin-related Accutane side effects mentioned are: www.Skinsite.com and www.NSC.gov
If you or a loved one has suffered from skin diseases or other complications from taking Accutane, please call or e-mail today and we will evaluate your Accutane claim for free.