Accutane - Absolutely nuts side effects

Accutane is an anti-acne medication given to people suffering from major skin disorders.  There is a common perception, often held by anxious teenagers and uttered online, that it is a cure-all for mild, common teenage acne.  I can't harp enough on how risky this is; the side effects, including drowsiness and hair loss, and in extreme cases bloody stools or psychosis, usually outweigh its benefits for most people.  For those who suffer from severe skin disorders, doctors will prescribe it when nothing else has been effective.  Often, Accutane will work as advertised.  Most people don't experience the harsh side effects at all, and it is usually effective.

I have heard stories of people somehow acquiring it and using it when they were not told to, and they had anxiety attacks.  I think, as with any drug, you should be fully aware of the consequences of its use before taking it.  A full list of Accutane side effects is here; I would read over it before considering its use.

I find Accutane to be one of the most fascinating drugs out there.  It made major headlines a while ago after a Congressman in the United States House of Representatives alleged it was a contributor to over 50,000 suicides over the history of its use.  It is highly advised to not use it if you are pregnant, because it can lead to congenital defects.  A lot of the concern about the drug is based in part on its unclear effects on the body; Accutane is the chemical Isotretinoin, which exists naturally (albeit sparsely) in the body, but how it effects the mind and body is as of yet unknown.