Mike Walden
If
you suffer from severe case of acne that has failed to respond to
conventional treatments such as antibiotics, then your dermatologist may
recommend the use of the popular Accutane or Isotretinoin. Accutane is a
potent oral drug from Hoffman-LaRoche that has been proven highly
effective for reducing acne symptoms dramatically after only one course
of 15-20 weeks.
With its undoubting success at battling even the toughest cases of acne
and ever-growing popularity among teens as a miracle drug, why is
Accutane still considered the most controversial pharmaceutical on the
market? The answer: a documented list of severe and sometimes permanent
side effects.
Although some of the side effects associated with the use of
Isotretinoin are mild and tolerable (dry lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds,
extremely dry skin, increased sensitivity to the sun and thinning hair)
there is in fact a long list of serious side effects that have been
reported due to the use of Accuttane which persisted even after the drug
therapy was stopped. Among those are: Severe aches and pains in the
lower back and large joints, severe allergy reactions that include
moderate rashes and difficulty to breath, vision problems, hearing loss,
permanent liver damage, persistent migraines and headaches and skeletal
hyperostosis which is an excessive bone growth that occurs along the
sides of the spine.
But perhaps, the two most bothersome of all Accutane side effects are
its potential to cause severe birth defects if taken by pregnant women
or women that became pregnant while taking the drug and the suggested
link between the intake of Accutane and the changes in mood, severe
depression and suicidal thoughts.
Since, Isotretinoin can be harmful to the fetus, it should not be used
during pregnancy and women should avoid pregnancy for at least a month
after the use of Accutane. Additionally, because of its severe side
effects, nursing mothers must avoid the drug completely.
Although researchers still argue whether Isotretinoin causes depression
or not, Roche the manufacturer of Accutane, openly shares information
claiming that Accutane and its generic, isotretinoin, can alter mood:
"Synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, can negatively impact brain
chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin."
The FDA website warns: "All patients treated with isotretinoin should be
observed closely for symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, such
as sad mood, irritability, acting on dangerous impulses, anger, loss of
pleasure ... mood disturbance, psychosis, or aggression."
Moreover, statistics show that between 1989 and 2003, there were 216
reported drug-linked suicides among U.S. teens younger than 18. Of
these, 72 suicides were linked to Accutane (isotretinoin). The next
highest number of suicides in that time period -- 55 -- involved Prozac
(fluoxetine).
Accutane works by reducing the size and output of the sebaceous glands
and thus stops excess oil production. The problem is that Accutane
damages your skins sebum glands and liver function in the process. By
the time you stop taking the drug, your skin oil glands will return to
function but your liver will not be able to properly balance your
hormones and prevent the over production of sebum.
Isotrteinoin also normalizes your keratinization (the shedding of dead
skin cells), improves fat metabolism and reduces inflammation. But all
of these benefits can be easily achieved using all natural dietary,
supplementation and skin care alternatives and without the side effects.
For example: Foods that are rich in Vitamin A and Beta Carotene can
help reduce the secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands. Simple home
made peels made of Papaya can easily replace the peeling action of
Isotrerinoin and sleep optimization, and regular exercising including
vitamin, C, E, Zinc and Colostrum can boost the immune abilities of the
body and thus reduce inflammation.
Accutane is not the solution to acne. Not only does it treat the
symptoms of the disease and not the internal cause, stopping your skin's
natural oil production, can in most cases, result in extra dryness
combined with the acceleration of the skin's aging process (yes! your
skin will look older). Moreover, Accutane severely damages your liver
function among other side effects, which in turn destroys your delicate
inner balance and your natural healing abilities. Hence, it is doing the
opposite of curing.
A long-term acne solution should address the internal cause of acne by
tackling all acne contributing factors and neutralizing the acne
environment - the only, safe, natural and effective way you could ever
achieve lasting acne freedom.
Mike Walden is a certified nutritionist, independent medical researcher,
natural health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book,
"Acne No More- Open The Door To An Acne Free Life." Mike has written
dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and
print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide. For
information on Mike's Holistic Clear Skin program, visit: Acne No More
