Even more disturbing are the health problems that isotretinoin can
cause. Like Retin A, isotretinoin dries out the skin. However, because
of its potency, its drying effect can cause the skin on the lips,
fingers, toes, feet, and palms of the hands to swell, peel off, and
bleed. Isotretinoin can also cause frequent nosebleeds, dry tear
ducts, and muscular pain. In most cases, these problems disappear
when treatment with isotretinoin ends, but in a few cases these
problems persist indefinitely.
An article in the January 18, 2003, edition of the Australian, an
Australian newspaper, describes one young man’s experience:
Ryan Burrows stood in the shower wearing pink dishwashing
gloves to prevent his hands from bleeding, and all he could think
was that his life had become “a living hell.” For Burrows . . . the
swollen hands, “which would bleed and ooze pus” if he shook
anyone’s hand or if they became wet were just one of the horrorific
side effects he attributed to the acne treatment Roaccutane
[the common name for isotretinoin in Australia]. . . . The
dermatologist told Burrows any side effects would disappear as
soon as he stopped taking the drug. Two-and-a-half years later,
specialists cannot explain the shooting pains in his legs and feet.
His lips still bleed unless he uses lip balm constantly.
In addition, isotretinoin can permanently damage the liver,
which filters drugs out of the body. Isotretinoin can also cause the texture of a person’s hair to change temporarily and lead to
temporary hair loss. A patient who was being treated with Accutane
describes her experience: “Accutane produced the worst breakout
I had ever experienced, along with scalp dryness. With hair
down to the middle of my back, I was sure the talk of possible hair
loss would happen to me. I quit.”
