One of my friends from a Florida rehab was telling me about this problem you have here. Some drugs are on the market, but they shouldn't be there, even if the FDA approved it. People should understand that the FDA is understaffed institution at the moment and their decisions are not to be taken seriously.

I think that it would be really interesting to create such discussion with other this website visitors. Anyway thanks a lot one more time for the great and informative publication.
Joney

It was very hard to make this decision in putting my daughter on Accutane. We tried everything, prescription medication to natural herbs, to over the counter lotions and potions. When we finally made the decision to go ahead and take it I went over everything very carefully with my daughter. She was aware of the dangers and promised to tell me if she experienced any symptoms. Once she was on it I kept an eye open to all symptoms but more importantly the symptom of depression but did not notice anything, as matter of fact she seemed much more upbeat. I asked her if she felt any depression coming on and she laughed and said "Mom, I was depressed when I had my acne, not now that it is clearing up! I feel like I have my life back!" As the weeks went by that horrible cystic acne that plagued her went away and now, 6 years later she still has gorgeous skin. And, no, no negative symptons have crept up. She did however, develop Lupus from one of the other acne medications she took, Mynocylene which she was on for only a short time. It is frustrating and it just kills me to know that people with cystic acne have to subject themselves to medications with sometimes serious side effects. It is almost like they have to pick their poison to break free of the hold it has on them.

I went to the dermatologist office with my son last year to place my son on Accutane,after placing my initials next to about 20 side effects - my heart was pounding.
What the hell, Why would I want my son to be placed on this drug?
I even picked up the drug at the drug store and read the side effects again.
I started to cry & went to my son and asked him to read the side effects and then tell me if he would want me to take Accutane.
He read the side effects and his comment was "HOLY CRAP" "NO!"
I threw the Accutane away.
Even if it had one only side effect I would think twice about placing my son on any drug.
My son is taking a good multivitamin,along with a few other supplements like Vitamin D, Fish Oil, Milk Thistle and a Pro-biotic.
His skin looks wonderful now - it took a year, but it was worth not worrying over all those side effects. A few of his friends actually have told him his skin looks really clean.
Think twice Parents

My son and two nephews, especially my nephews suffered horribly from acne. There was hardly a place on their faces that did not have a pimple. Accutane cured all three of them within the alloted time of 4 months. Their skin did not scar at all. They all have beautiful complexsions now. I myself took it 25 years ago and have not had a single side effect. I feel sorry for all of the people that will not have the benefit of this miraculous drug.

I am glad to hear that Accutane will be off the market. I've suffered from moderate-severe acne for most of my adult life. After taking various antibiotics for over 15 years, my derm. recommended Accutane. My experience was horrible. The side effects were skin so dry that I could only wash it with water, intense hip/joint pain when getting out of bed in the morning, embarassing sweat dripping from my face during important business meetings....It really isn't worth it. I tried to end the treatment early but the doctor did everything but tell me I couldn't. Also, because it can severely harm the liver, I was constantly having to have my blood drawn. Because it also can cause horrible birth defects, women on Accutane must submit to regular pregnancy tests as well. (It was not enough that I was on the pill and could show receipts of purchase.) Once I got off of the drug and was able to use mild soap on my face again, the acne did seem to lessen for about a year. Since that time I have had bouts with depression, which may or may not be linked to the Accutane use. It really is not worth it. Expensive, dangerous.....The crazy thing is, I was at my Dermatologist's office yesterday and she recommended Accutane. I told her that I heard it was pulled off the market, and she hadn't heard anything about it being pulled and told me it was safe. Trust me, if a major pharmaceutical company pulls a product that brings in billions of dollars, it is not because it is safe.

First of all I am a Dermatologist with no relationship to the pharmaceutical industry. I would ask anyone with interest in this article to Google image ‘acne conglobata’ or ‘acne fulmanans.’ For these suffering people accutane has been a life-saver. The very mild acne that may respond to better nutrition/ hygiene that you reference is in a different treatment sphere than those that need accutane. It is a terrible thing that one of the main pharmaceutical companies is withdrawing this medication not to mention why.