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Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis

The acne medication Accutane has been reported to cause side effects that have the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Patients who use Accutane regularly may experience severe digestive problems that can become chronic, even when the patient stops taking the medication. The active ingredients of Accutane are designed to reduce the body's production of natural oils, which may be one of the reasons that Accutane has such a direct impact on the colon and digestive system.

What is Accutane?

Accutane is a very strong acne medication. Dermatologists usually refrain from prescribing Accutane until there are no other treatment options. The medication dries out the patient's skin, thereby reducing the number of pimples that form and clearing away acne symptoms. The medication has been proven to be extremely effective at reducing acne symptoms in people who suffer from severe cases of acne. Doctors generally warn patients to be careful with their dosage levels. Increased dosages of Accutane, even in small increments, can lead to uncomfortable or dangerous side effects. Patients who accidentally skip doses should never try to make up for the skipped dose by doubling the next dose.

Common Accutane Side Effects

As with any prescription medication, Accutane carries some uncomfortable but relatively harmless side effects. People who use Accutane may find that their skin is more sensitive to UV light because the oils that generally protect it are greatly reduced. The skin and lips may become dry and chap more easily. Patients may experience back pain or joint tenderness, as well as some lightheadedness or dizziness. Accutane patients may find that hair removal treatments, like waxing or laser hair removal, are more painful while they are on an Accutane regimen.

Dangerous and Severe Symptoms

The reason doctors tend to use Accutane as a last resort is that it can also lead to more dangerous side effects for patients who use it regularly. Accutane has been shown to have an adverse effect on the nervous system, as well as the digestive tract. It can cause severe mood swings and depression. The regular use of Accutane can lead to upper digestive problems such as a lack of appetite or an increase in vomiting. Migraine headaches, ringing ears, and insomnia are also some of the more severe side effects of Accutane. It is also possible for patients to experience blurred vision or numbness in the body.

Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is a disorder of the lower digestive tract. Doctors have not discerned the exact cause for Ulcerative Colitis, but the symptoms include bleeding ulcers on the intestinal walls. Accutane users show an increased risk for Ulcerative Colitis symptoms, including rectal bleeding, extreme diarrhea, tarry bowel movements, and jaundice. The initial symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are less extreme, and include nausea and joint pain. Many patients don't realize that Ulcerative Colitis is the cause of their discomfort until the more severe symptoms begin to present themselves when the illness is more developed.

Treating Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition and there are no permanent cures. It is possible to provide patients with a better level of comfort and fewer painful episodes through some medical treatments. Anti-inflammatory medications are the most effective way to control Ulcerative Colitis symptoms and reduce pain. In very severe cases, surgical removal of the large intestine has been shown to eliminate Ulcerative Colitis. The diet and lifestyle changes that accompany such a large-scale organ loss can be very difficult to control once the procedure is done. Most patients choose to continue treating their Ulcerative Colitis for as long as possible before resorting to surgery.

Recognizing the Link

It can be difficult to discern whether Accutane is directly responsible for outbreaks of Ulcerative Colitis. The disease is prevalent among people who are the right age to suffer from severe acne outbreaks. Doctors have not been able to create a definitive link between the medication and the occurrence of the disease. Since Accutane is given to such a small group of patients who suffer from severe bouts of acne, it has been difficult to determine whether the acne has been causing the Ulcerative Colitis or the acne treatment has been causing the condition. Research on the possible link between Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis is ongoing.