The controversial acne medication Accutane appears to raise the risk for potential heart and liver problems more than doctors had previously thought, according to a new study published in the Archives of Dermatology. Accutane, which had already been linked with birth defects and other serious side effects, is also known as isotretinoin.
The study analyzed lab tests on 13,772 patients taking the drug. While some doctors argue that further studies are needed to determine the long-term health effects of the drug, the researchers were clearly surprised by the abnormal results. The results illustrate the need to closely monitor people taking Accutane or one of the three generic versions sold as isotretinoin.
The debate about Accutane’s safety is nothing new. For years the drug has been associated with serious side effects. Just this year, the FDA implemented a monitoring program for all female patients taking Accutane, because of the high rate of birth defects associated with pregnant women taking the drug. Accutane has also been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, growth problems, bone & muscle loss and kidney failure. Patients usually take it for less than a year at a cost of $10 to $15 per daily pill.
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