The FDA currently is considering placing this drug on a list of drugs that can only be obtained by registered doctors and patients. Side effects of the drug include birth defects so women taking it must take precautions to prevent pregnancy. In addition, other possible side effects to Accutane may include depression and suicide, hair loss, muscle aches and pains, and vision loss. However, it does work, Mandy says. In May of this year, the congressman's son, B.J., committed suicide while on Accutane.
Depression is a common problem in adolescents with or without acne.
Still, no matter what medication is chosen, acne treatment needs to begin as early as possible because when treatment begins too late, scarring can occur. The good news is that advances in dermatologic surgery are helping to make acne scars a thing of the past, Mandy says. For example, certain lasers can help resculpt scars and elevate the scars that give skin a crater-type appearance. And dermatologists can now inject scars to elevate them by pumping them up with filling agents. All rights reserved.