Accutane pulled off the market

[sunshinelady]

Generics are still available, but it is linked to inflammatory bowel disease, birth defects, and depression.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aRyzfbTsj3h8

[mrsjones1]

Wow:nono::nono: I've heard of it but never had any, my sister may though, I'll have to check to see. Thanks for posting this.

[EbonyF]

Basically they pulled it because of declining sales. Why pay 200+ bucks for a month supply when you can get the generic for under $15.00.

Btw, I have no ill effects from the drug.

[LoveLiLi]

Nooooo! :computer::swearing::burning:

Okay, this is the part where I panic and someone has to slap me to bring me back to my senses.

Accutane was the only thing that worked for me when hormonal acne completely took over my face. I can't go back to antibiotics if my hormones get out of whack again (well, they already are). Topicals do nothing but make the problem worse :ohwell:.

My derm said generics are not as effective, but I guess that will be my only answer if my skin takes a turn for the worse.

[Bachelorette]

Good, sick of hearing about stupid women getting pregnant on the drug despite the MANY warnings that they shouldnt.

[SimplyBlessed]

I took Accutane and I will say that it was a very stressful time period...well mainly in the beginning b/c it brings EVERYTHING out and my face looked a mess...after my face did clear up, but I still have occ. break outs...

I think that now my face is better, but thats b/c i'm beginning to understand what my skin likes and what it doesn't

accutane is expensive and it IS TOLD TO EVERY PATIENT NOT TO GET PREGNANT seriously....

when I was on it u HAD TO BE ON BIRTH CONTROL and they made me take pregnancy tests at each apt....why some ppl thought that this warning could be taken lightly...idk

[nysister]

I'm glad to hear it only because as a nation, and as a globe we need to decrease our reliance on prescription medicine. It's doing more harm than good in the long run. There are always cases where it's helpful, but so many times there are alternatives. To each their own but you might find the following helpful.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 4th edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" it list to following in helping to combat acne.


Acidophilus (Probiata from Wakunaga) - As directed on label
Chromium Picolinate - As directed on label
Collodial Silver - As directed on label
Essential Fatty Acids - As directed on label
Potassium - 99 mg daily
Vitamin A (what Accutane was based on) 25,000 IU daily. Than reduced to 5,000. If pregnant do not exceed 10,000 IU daily
Vitmain B Complex - 100 mg of each major B 3 times daily
Vitamin B3 - 100 mg 3 times daily (do not exceed)
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 1,000 - 1,600 mg 3 times daily
Vitamin D3 - 400 IU daily
Vitamin E - 400 IU daily

[LoveLiLi]

I'm glad to hear it only because as a nation, and as a globe we need to decrease our reliance on prescription medicine. It's doing more harm than good in the long run. There are always cases where it's helpful, but so many times there are alternatives. To each their own but you might find the following helpful.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 4th edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" it list to following in helping to combat acne.


Acidophilus (Probiata from Wakunaga) - As directed on label
Chromium Picolinate - As directed on label
Collodial Silver - As directed on label
Essential Fatty Acids - As directed on label
Potassium - 99 mg daily
Vitamin A (what Accutane was based on) 25,000 IU daily. Than reduced to 5,000. If pregnant do not exceed 10,000 IU daily
Vitmain B Complex - 100 mg of each major B 3 times daily
Vitamin B3 - 100 mg 3 times daily (do not exceed)
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 1,000 - 1,600 mg 3 times daily
Vitamin D3 - 400 IU daily
Vitamin E - 400 IU daily

I battled acne throughout most of my twenties (~6 or seven yrs) and I tried all the natural alternatives. Most actually made my skin worse because my hormones were so out of control my body seemed hyper-sensitive. I tried all natural diets, being a vegetarian for a little over a year and countless natural alternatives and supplements - my skin was still a wreck because of hormones.

The only way to clear my skin is bcp, antibiotics or Accutane. Nothing else worked. I'm all for natural alternatives, I don't even like to take Tylenol and I will never take antibiotics for my skin again. But sometimes, natural alternatives are not enough.

[LittleGoldenLamb]

I have to say that's terrible.

I JUST FINISHED Accutance and it GAVE ME BACK MY LIFE.

I did not have any horrific side effects.

Just a sense of being human again.

To say it is "good" because of "stupid women getting pregnant" or because "it contributes to our dependence on prescriptions" is easy....

Easy when you've never known what it is to wake up every morning with TWENTY new cysts on your face that you cannot hide THAT DO NOT RESPOND TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND LEAVE PURPLE SCARS ALL OVER YOUR FACE and will cause others TO JUDGE YOU NEGATIVELY for something you did not ask for and cannot control.

I used the generic version, I might add with absolute success.

My skin looks better than people I know with naturally "good skin". They're asking ME what I'm doing after twelve years of pitying me.

ETA: I'm not "calling out" any of the above posters, nor am trying to attack anyone as the use of CAPS may lead some to think. However, after 12 years of suffering and trying every alternate, antibiotic, etc, Accutance gave me what genetics didn't. Knowing this option is going to be taken from those who are living in the social and physical HELL of what I went through, sorrows me.

[Jazzmommy]

I have to say that's terrible.

I JUST FINISHED Accutance and it GAVE ME BACK MY LIFE.

I did not have any horrific side effects.

Just a sense of being human again.

To say it is "good" because of "stupid women getting pregnant" or because "it contributes to our dependence on prescriptions" is easy....

Easy when you've never known what it is to wake up every morning with TWENTY new cysts on your face that you cannot hide THAT DO NOT RESPOND TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND LEAVE PURPLE SCARS ALL OVER YOUR FACE and will cause others TO JUDGE YOU NEGATIVELY for something you did not ask for and cannot control.

I used the generic version, I might add with absolute success.

My skin looks better than people I know with naturally "good skin". They're asking ME what I'm doing after twelve years of pitying me.

ETA: I'm not "calling out" any of the above posters, nor am trying to attack anyone as the use of CAPS may lead some to think. However, after 12 years of suffering and trying every alternate, antibiotic, etc, Accutance gave me what genetics didn't. Knowing this option is going to be taken from those who are living in the social and physical HELL of what I went through, sorrows me.

I hear ya...I've been dealing with acne since about 13 (mild then).. now I'm 39, so do the math.:nono: I only control my acne with antibiotics -- topicals no longer work -- they did when I was much younger. I tried the natural route last year (saw two different Naturopathic drs) with zero success because it's hormonal plus I get migraines so my hormones are totally out of sorts. Accutane has always been my last resort, but I am back on a Antibiotic that I used several years ago that's working for me again. It's good to hear that some of you have had success though.:yep:

[LittleGoldenLamb]

I hear ya...I've been dealing with acne since about 13 (mild then).. now I'm 39, so do the math.:nono: I only control my acne with antibiotics -- topicals no longer work -- they did when I was much younger. I tried the natural route last year (saw two different Naturopathic drs) with zero success because it's hormonal plus I get migraines so my hormones are totally out of sorts. Accutane has always been my last resort, but I am back on a Antibiotic that I used several years ago that's working for me again. It's good to hear that some of you have had success though.:yep:

Interesting...I used to have chronic migranes.

They stopped when I totally gave up processed food and white-everything. My acne didn't cease though....

I wonder it there's a connection between hormone-linked migranes and hormonal cystic acne?

[Honi]

Basically they pulled it because of declining sales. Why pay 200+ bucks for a month supply when you can get the generic for under $15.00.

Btw, I have no ill effects from the drug.

Exactly! When a drug goes off patent, profit is eroded by the generics market. No brainer there.

All those side effects and more are already known documented events. Again...nothing new. It's the law suits that keep coming that probably makes them feel it's not worth keeping it.

[Angelicus]

I was on the generic Amesteem and it worked great! It's all about the money as one poster stated. I was pleased getting my Amesteem for $15 a month.

[LivingDol1]

wow. well i'm glad it's off the market and i'm glad i never took it. i had moderate acne when i was growing up and i was sort of wanting to try it at some point but after reading about all of the side effects and the depression and the news reports connecting tragedies to it, i thought it was just too risky.

i grew out of it for the most part but now i only use retin-A.

[LHCF2009]

I'm glad to hear it only because as a nation, and as a globe we need to decrease our reliance on prescription medicine. It's doing more harm than good in the long run. There are always cases where it's helpful, but so many times there are alternatives. To each their own but you might find the following helpful.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 4th edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" it list to following in helping to combat acne.


Acidophilus (Probiata from Wakunaga) - As directed on label
Chromium Picolinate - As directed on label
Collodial Silver - As directed on label
Essential Fatty Acids - As directed on label
Potassium - 99 mg daily
Vitamin A (what Accutane was based on) 25,000 IU daily. Than reduced to 5,000. If pregnant do not exceed 10,000 IU daily
Vitmain B Complex - 100 mg of each major B 3 times daily
Vitamin B3 - 100 mg 3 times daily (do not exceed)
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 1,000 - 1,600 mg 3 times daily
Vitamin D3 - 400 IU daily
Vitamin E - 400 IU daily

Yep we've turned into a pill popping nation. If something is wrong, people think a pill will cure it.

[ThePerfectScore]

:look: oh my...

[MsKdBee]

Hello All,

I am mostly a lurker but I saw this and felt the need to post. I was on the original accutane back in 2002 when I was 22. My face was horrendous and covered with scars and bumps and had been that way for years. After trying everything on the market over the counter, to herbal, to complete vegan diet, to proactive, to antibiotics, to retin A. NOTHING WORKED:wallbash: Accutane was my last resort. It is easy for people who do not have to or have never had to walk in those shoes to comment on alternatives.......but to some there are no alternatives and everyday is a struggle to deal with the stares, the comments, the hits to your self esteem. Accutane did have side effects, I was really moody and just felt DRY everywhere all the time, but by month 4 1/2 I was completely CLEAR and flawless! Looking back it was worth it to me then. My only issue with Accutane/Generics is that the results are not permanent for everyone and they were not for me. They lasted a year and a half after I stopped taking it. My doctor suggested another round but I made the decision for me that I did not want to have to keep taking this medicine every two years to stay clear. As I got older and got my hormones in order it has been a lot easier to control occ. breakouts, but they still come. So to the ladies who are on the medicine, stay strong and do what is best for you.:grin:

[sunshinelady]

I think that everyone with acne has considered going on Accutane despite it being one of the worst drugs on the market. I can't imagine that Inflammatory bowel disease would be worth it. And, I am praying for everyone who takes it because it hasn't be used long enough to show the long-term side effects.

But, you'll have beautiful skin, no doubt about that.

[chellero]

The list of side effects on this drug are scary anyway. It seems like they could solve people's problem without them risking messed up kids and explosive diarrhea.

[Lady Speedstick]

Nooooo! :computer::swearing::burning:

Okay, this is the part where I panic and someone has to slap me to bring me back to my senses.

Accutane was the only thing that worked for me when hormonal acne completely took over my face. I can't go back to antibiotics if my hormones get out of whack again (well, they already are). Topicals do nothing but make the problem worse :ohwell:.

My derm said generics are not as effective, but I guess that will be my only answer if my skin takes a turn for the worse.

:hardslap:

Breathe!!

You calm? Good. Try the generics and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised. Or you may have to combine it with other treatmeants like that light therapy that's out. And the way pharmacy companies work, I wouldn't be surprised if a pill comes out that is like accutane but with less side effects.

I don't have severe acne, but I have a coworker that has. I know it was very painful, not just emotional, but physically. They were those deep cystic pimples. I know she was taking accutane and it was very helpful to her.

What works for some isn't going to work for others. Vitamins and supplements are great, but sometimes just not effective as prescription medicine.

*no smilies or posters were harmed during the making of this post.