Another type of poison. A lot of people had chronic side effects even after quitting accutane fyi.
Side Effects Of Accutane Use: Depression, Autoimmune Disease, Liver Damage, And Pancreatitis
Properly diving into the dangers of Accutane would turn this 4,000 word article into a book. But the bottom line is this: Accutane is a synthetic derivative of retinol, and high dosages, retinol is extremely toxic.
Problem #1: Retinol Toxicity
In fact, retinol toxicity — or hypervitaminosis A — is why you should
never eat polar bear liver. It’s
extremely high in retinol, and our bodies can’t metabolize surging amounts of retinol all at once. If we try, our livers and pancreas will likely shut down.
Problem #2: Accutane Decreases Brain Activity In The Frontal Cortex
Accutane is
synthetic — meaning it is a chemical derivative that mimics the look of natural-occurring retinoids. Our bodies don’t always read synthetic chemicals the same way they do their naturally-occurring molecular counterparts. And this “difference” tends to play out in Accutane’s effects on brain activity.
In fact, one study suggests that
Accutane users experienced a 21% decrease in brain metabolism in the orbito-frontal cortex. This partly explains why Accutane users have to be monitored closely for depression and suicidal thoughts.
Problem #3: Accutane May Be A Trigger To Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Accutane is also linked to increased incidences of irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. With that said, the scientific consensus on association versus causation is
still up for debate — and without a clear mechanism action, we can’t make any major claims.
However, Isotretinoin drugs (like Accutane) may also play a role in the development of autoimmune-based thyroid disease — at least according to
this case study. But evidence here is still being explored.
Problem #4: Accutane Has Already Been Discontinued (But Not Really)
Since 2009, the brandname Accutane is no longer available as an acne treatment. This is the result of a series of class action lawsuits and litigation troubles for the drug maker, Roche USA.
But that doesn’t mean you still can’t get Accutane. In fact, Accutane is just one brand name for the drug isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is still available as a generic drug — and now comes packages as several other brand names.
So if you’re suffering from a
p. acnes overgrowth and have acne (and maybe even hair loss), what should you do?
