Acne Medication That Makes You Lose Weight

Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a drug used to treat severe acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments. It may be prescribed for other uses. Some serious side effects have been reported from taking it.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a vitamin A derivative known as a retinoid. Your body reacts to it similar to how it reacts to vitamin A. Because vitamin A can build up in your tissues, it can quickly become a problem. You should not take vitamin A supplements while taking this drug.

Isotretinoin is available as a variety of brand names, including Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, and Sotret. The original brand, Accutane, is no longer on the market. However, the drug is sometimes still referred to by this name.

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Since isotretinoin is designed to treat severe acne, it has a visible effect on the skin. The medication can be very effective in treating severe acne because it targets:

The dose of isotretinoin a doctor prescribes may be linked with the severity of the side effects you may experience. People prescribed lower doses may not have any common side effects, while higher doses may result in more severe side effects, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

While taking isotretinoin, your skin may be more sensitive to the sun. Be sure to use sun protection and skin moisturizers when outdoors. Avoid using any type of indoor tanning device.

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Because your skin can become fragile and may be at an increased risk of scarring, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that cosmetic procedures, such as hair removal techniques like waxing, dermabrasion, or laser treatments, should be delayed until you’ve been off isotretinoin for at least 6 months.

Found insufficient evidence to support this recommendation. It may be best to speak with a doctor about any upcoming cosmetic procedures while taking isotretinoin.

But recent studies have not been able to establish a causal relationship between isotretinoin and these gastrointestinal diseases. Tell a doctor if you notice any concerning gastrointestinal symptoms while taking isotretinoin.

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An allergic reaction to medication can be life threatening. If you experience these symptoms after taking medication, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or have someone take you to the nearest hospital. It is possible to develop an allergy after repeated exposure to a medication.

People in their childbearing years should take a pregnancy test before starting this medication. An effective form of birth control, plus a backup method, should be used.

People should not get pregnant for 4 weeks after this medication is stopped. If you do get pregnant, stop taking the medication and talk with a doctor right away.

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Taking isotretinoin during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, death of the fetus, or premature birth. It can also lead to severe birth defects such as:

It can also cause a buildup of fluid and pressure on the brain called hydrocephalus. Babies may be born with an underdeveloped brain and small head, which is called microcephaly. This can lead to intellectual and developmental disabilities.

It’s unclear whether the drug passes to babies through breast milk. People should not breastfeed while taking isotretinoin or for at least 8 days after their last dose.

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Anyone who plans on taking isotretinoin must register with iPLEDGE. It is an FDA-approved restricted distribution program designed to tell people about the risks of birth defects and to prevent pregnancy while taking the drug.

A doctor may also need to monitor your liver function, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels while you’re taking this medication, especially for longer periods of time.

Of sexual dysfunction linked to long-term isotretinoin use have been reported, but more detailed studies are needed to better explain these results.

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Stop taking isotretinoin immediately and talk with a doctor if you experience any of the side effects or symptoms below. They may potentially lead to longer-term problems, such as organ damage, if not addressed promptly. These symptoms can include:

The potential for serious mental health problems, including depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts, has been reported with isotretinoin. Warning signs may include:

Most side effects from taking isotretinoin go away within a few days to a few weeks after treatment stops. But side effects may persist longer even after treatment ends. If left untreated, these side effects could result in permanent problems. In some cases, these may include conditions such as scarring or vision loss.

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Because of the danger to pregnant people, it is not recommended to donate blood while taking this medication or for a full month after you have stopped taking it.

Contact a doctor as soon as possible if your side effects continue for more than a few weeks after you stop taking isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin can do a good job of clearing up your skin, but there is the potential for side effects while taking the medication. Most side effects fade within a few weeks after you stop taking the medication. Some side effects are more serious and need immediate treatment.

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Have a detailed conversation with a doctor to explore the risks and benefits of taking isotretinoin. A healthcare team can also work with you to manage any side effects.

Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.More than two-thirds of adult Americans have overweight or obesity, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, so it's no wonder weight loss is a major health concern. There are medications that are specifically intended to aid weight loss and some that cause weight loss as a side effect of regular use. Accutane is used as a last resort medication to treat acne but does not appear to cause significant weight loss in users.

Accutane is a prescription medication used to treat severe nodular acne that has not been helped by other medications and/or treatments. Dosage depends on many factors including body size, health and other medications you may be taking. It is recommended that you see your physician regularly to monitor your health while on Accutane because side effects can be severe.

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Weight loss is not listed as a side effect of Accutane nor is weight gain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it is sometimes used to treat other skin conditions or even some forms of cancer but is not used as a weight-loss drug. Changes in body weight while on Accutane are not attributed to the medication itself and if it does occur, the incidence is not known.

Accutane has numerous side effects, which is why you must be under supervision by your doctor throughout your treatment. A few of the more common side effects include depression, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Loss of appetite can sometimes accompany depression and if you lose weight while taking the medication this may be the cause. Water loss and intestinal bulk decrease from diarrhea can also produce modest weight loss. However these are not desirable and do not produce any long-term or significant weight loss.

To lose weight you need to achieve a caloric deficit between the amount of calories you consume and the calories you burn on a regular basis. ACSM recommends that you decrease your caloric intake by 500 to 1, 000 calories per day and increase your physical activity. The council advises starting with 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week to produce modest weight loss and increasing that to 200 to 300 minutes each week to produce significant results.

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Because of the drug's severe side effects, your physician will not put you on Accutane for reasons other than to treat your acne condition. The medication has not been approved for weight loss so if that is your hope you need to consider other options. If you are on Accutane and losing weight, discuss this with your doctor to evaluate if lifestyle changes or the medication are the cause. Something else may be going on inside your body that needs to be addressed.Isotretinoin (Accutane) can improve severe acne, but it can also have adverse effects, such as headaches, eye inflammation, and joint problems. It may also increase the risk of depression and sexual problems.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, about 90% of people taking a course of Accutane find that their acne improves significantly, though it may worsen in the short term.

This article will examine some of the side effects of Accutane. It will also look at the medication’s long-term side effects and provide guidance on when to seek advice from a doctor.

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Before taking Accutane, and at regular intervals afterward, people will undergo blood tests to check their liver and kidney function, as well as their levels of fats and cholesterol.

People taking Accutane may also have increased sensitivity to UV light, so they should use sun protection and avoid direct sunlight as much as possible.

Current advice says that people taking Accutane should also avoid waxing or other carrying out cosmetic skin procedures while taking the drug and for 6 months afterward. This is to prevent scarring.

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Found no evidence to support delaying cosmetic procedures after using Accutane or products containing isotretinoin. That said, people should