Accutane / Roaccutane: is it worth it?

The most common acne pill treatment is isotretinoin, which is marketed under many different brands, the most famous being Accutane and Roaccutane. This medication was initially used as a contraceptive, so isotretinoin products are commonly known to people as acne birth control pills. Of course if you are wanting to get pregnant, you should immediately disregard these types of acne treatments pills. However, if you are happy with the benefit of birth control in your acne medication, you should consider other the potential health risks associated with these types of pills for acne treatment.

There are many known adverse reactions to taking isoterinoin. These include nose bleeds, dry skin, itchy skin, headaches, eye irritation, fatigue and hair loss. These acne pills, whilst improving acne in some patients, are also known to worsen acne in some instances. Other very serious adverse affects that have been linked to the use of the ‘acne birth control pill’ are depression, birth defects and Chron’s Disease. People have filed lawsuits (and won) alleging isotretinoin was responsible for causing their clinical depression. There have also been lawsuits claiming these pills were responsible for giving them Chron’s Disease, with some manufacturers forced to pay out many millions of dollars in compensation. Whilst women who get pregnant while on the medication (even though it is supposed to be a birth control pill) have had miscarriages, or worse, have given birth to deformed babies.

Antibiotics Acne Treatment

Another pill for acne treatment is oral antibiotics. Antibiotic acne treatments have been criticized for not being effective enough. The body builds up resistance to the antibiotics, rendering them ineffective, and acne usually returns a few weeks after the sufferer stops taking the pills. Acne antibiotic treatment also has the side affects of yellowing teeth, and interference with the healthy bacterias in the gut.

Hormonal Acne Treatment

Hormonal acne treatments used when it is believed hormones are the cause of the acne. Many people object to this treatment, as it messes around with the hormones in the body in an unnatural way. There is a common belief that you should only use hormonal treatment if you are producing hormones in an unbalanced and unhealthy manner; they should not be manipulated as a means of acne treatment, as this unnatural hormonal manipulation could have adverse affects on the body.

Alternatives Treatments to Acne Pills

The alternative to acne pills is to treat the acne in a natural way, or to use topical treatments that have a lesser impact on the body, and therefore cause less harm through side affects. To cure acne the most natural way you should eat a healthy diet. This means no junk food, and limited to no animal products. Your diet should be high in vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts, for healthy functionality and skin.

If you feel you need to use a product to treat acne, opt for acne cream or gel over pills. The only way the medication can affect the body directly is through the skin, rather than pills which are digested and can cause a multitude of problems internally.

Conclusions

In conclusion, you should always try alternative treatments first before using pills for acne treatment. Even then, you should consider whether the health risks are worth the possible (there are no guarantees) improvement in your acne.  Work your way up from the most healthy and natural remedies for acne, slowly progressing onto topical treatments, like acne creams and gels, before even considering taking pills as an acne remedy.

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