I remember in Chicago a doc who prescribed accutane was killed by a patient a few years back. I don't recall the case exactly but I think the suspected murderer had a hist of mental problems and the accutane made him impotent. He got upset and killed the doc. I thought you had to have the ok from a psych to get the prescription. Also some of the endorsers for proactiv, have used accutane and lied about proactiv being responaible for their clear complexion.

The major problem with Accutane is that it was given by doctors for less serious acne problems. It was approved only for severe polycystic acne.

This drug caused major derangements in lipid metabolism. Lipids hold our cells together, and insulate nerves. Some people developed Crohn's disease, toxic myopathy of the muscles, mental problems, and suicide. I used to have patients asking me why their triglycerides were over 1000 while using this drug.

I saw that case on a legal show...the young man who took one dose of Accutane and claimed it deranged him and he had to kill the doctor. That was a stretch IMO. It shows up on Discovery ID channel every once in a while. There was also a teen who flew a plane into a building while on this drug. The FDA had Accutane on a list to be reviewed again...it is not likely it would have lasted therefore.

Legally when the parent company discontinues the drug, the generics then become sole holder in any lawsuit. If the parent drug is still available, the patent holder shares the liability. So you often see companies pull their patents and withdraw the brand when there is much controversy around a product. And there have been alot of suits against Accutane over the years.

Isn't accutane used in cancer treatment, too. I heard that someone was taking it after chemotherapy. Is this a common med during cancer treatment?

It is used in some cases of childhood cancers of the retina.

I don't know its status for those uses... though.

My nephew mentioned it once as one of the medications his daughter would have to take to treat her Neuroblastoma. I hope she doesn't have to take it.

My son took accutane as a teenager. I wonder if that is why he has such anxiety.