Birth Defects With Accutane
The side effects of Accutane have been a controversial topic. The most noticeable, serious, side effect is its teratogenicity. This means that Accutane causes birth defects if women take it while they are pregnant. The birth defects Accutane causes include central nervous system, facial, cardiac, and thymus gland abnormalities. After Accutane treatment has been completed for one month, a woman can get pregnant without worry about birth defects. Accutane does not affect fertility, or make it difficult to get pregnant. Women who are taking Accutane should use two forms of birth control starting a month before treatment and continuing one month after treatment.
Serious Side Effects With Accutane
Accutane therapy also has the following serious side effects.
- Headaches, if persistent and associated with nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision, may be a sign of a condition called pseudotumor cerebri.
- The incidence of depression, psychosis, and suicide attempts is increased, and returns to normal after discontinuing the drug.
- The production of tears in the eyes is decreased, which can cause, red eyes, itchy eyes, and possibly ulcerations of the cornea, especially with contact lens wearers.
- The ability to distinguish between shades of black and white can be decreased causing night blindness.
- Liver enzymes can be elevated causing jaundice, hepatitis, and abdominal pain.
Other Side Effects With Accutane
Accutane therapy can also cause the following less serious, but potentially annoying side effects.
- Dry skin requiring the frequent use of moisturizers
- Dry and cracking lips
- Nosebleeds
- Itchy skin (pruritis)
- Thinning hair
- Excessive peeling, especially of the palms and soles
- Muscle aches and pains, even worse with physical activity
- Increased sensitivity to the sun causing sunburns more easily
- Elevated triglyceride levels
