Accutane
Accutane is a form of vitamin A that helps your skin regenerate quickly. Accutane can cause severe birth defects if taken while pregnant.
Accutane has also been known to cause changes in behavior, including depression. It is very important to follow all of the instructions while taking Accutane, including using two forms of birth control. Just one dose of Accutane can cause serious injury to a baby, including brain damage and major defects to the baby’s eyes, ears, face, skull and heart.
Accutane is most commonly prescribed to people who have severe acne, and usually shows results within months. However, Accutane must be used with extreme caution. People taking Accutane should not take a vitamin A supplement. Side effects include changes in behavior such as depression, and there is extreme likelihood of injury to babies if the mother takes Accutane while pregnant. Just one dose of Accutane while pregnant can cause serious injury.
Other side effects include:
- chapped lips
- dry, itchy skin
- nosebleeds
- joint and muscle pains
- hair thinning
- headache
- intestinal symptoms
- sensitivity to sun
Accutane can cause severe birth defects if taken while pregnant. Accutane has also been known to cause changes in behavior, including depression. It is very important to follow all of the instructions while taking Accutane, including using two forms of birth control. Just one dose of Accutane can cause serious injury to a baby, including brain damage and major defects to babies’ eyes, ears, face, skull and heart.
You should not take Accutane if you have:
- depression or mental illness, or if you have a family history of depression or mental illness,
- heart disease or high cholesterol,
- bone disorders such as osteoporosis,
- diabetes,
- asthma,
- eating disorders,
- liver disease.
You should always take Accutane with two forms of birth control (a primary and secondary together) if you are able to bear children. All women are considered able to bear children unless they have had a complete hysterectomy or have had menopause for at least 12 consecutive months. Even women who have had their tubes tied are considered to be able to bear children.
Primary birth control includes having your tubes tied, vasectomy of the male partner, and IUD, estrogen-containing birth control pills and hormonal birth control methods. Secondary birth control methods include latex condoms including spermicide or gel, a diaphragm including spermicide or gel, a cervical cap including spermicide or gel, and/or a vaginal sponge including spermicide or gel. Again, both a primary and a secondary method of birth control MUST be used while taking Accutane.
If you experience serious side effects or complications, or if you give birth to a baby with injuries while taking Accutane, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.