Millions of Americans suffer from severe acne throughout their lives. Because of this a worldwide research-oriented healthcare organization known as the Roche Group created a prescription drug division - Hoffman-La Roche Inc., which markets a drug known as Accutane. Accutane is used to treat severe forms of acne.

For individuals who have unsuccessfully tried several methods including antibiotics to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne, Accutane is usually then considered, as it is a highly effective oral medication treatment. Nodules are inflammatory lesions with a diameter of 5 mm or greater. The nodules may become suppurative or hemorrhagic. "Severe" by definition means "many" as opposed to "few or several" nodules.

Accutane, and its generics, contain Isotretinoin. People who suffer from the embarrassments associated with acne need to be aware that Accutane carries a significant risk of adverse side effects in certain patients.

Health complications and the legal issues surrounding those caused by Accutane involve the use by pregnant women and associated birth defects and the use by teenagers and associated depression and suicidal behavior. It is imperative that pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding abstain from taking Accutane, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Since Accutane's release, it has been associated with numerous sever side effects such as:

* Birth Injuries and Birth Defects

* Depression and Suicidal Tendencies

* Psychiatric Diseases

* Central Nervous System Ailments

* Liver Disease

* Inflammatory Bowel Disease

* Hearing and Vision Problems

* Bone and Muscle Damage

* Pancreatic Damage

As with most prescription drugs, the side effects and severity of complications associated with Accutane vary from patient to patient and from case to case. Not every fetus exposed to Accutane has resulted in a deformed child, however, there is an extremely high risk that a deformed infant may result if pregnancy occurs and the woman has/had been taking Accutane even for very short periods. In addition, there is an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, and there have been reports of premature births associated with the use of Accutane. There have also been reported cases of IQs lower than 85 in some infants.

Similarly, not every teenager or young adult who takes Accutane will experience depression or suicidal thoughts. Because of the severity of these side effects, patients planning to take Accutane should become fully aware of the potential risks.

Steps have been taken to help prevent Accutane's potentially dangerous and undesirable side effects. Since the introduction of Accutane, education has played a large part in reducing and preventing the drugs' fetal risks by reinforcing the importance of pregnancy prevention by women using the drug.

Prevention has not stopped at educating patients. Because Accutane is linked to such serious side effects, many health professionals continually receive updates on the drug and new potential side effects. This includes notification to doctors that Accutane may cause depression and/or psychosis, as well as suicide, in some cases. This is to help ensure that health care providers make educated and ethical decisions based on the patients' history and personal needs. Doctors have also been advised to monitor patients very closely for symptoms of depression.

All prescription drugs come with educational material included in the packaging. Accutane's packaging advises patients to watch for signs of depression, such as feelings of sadness, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, trouble concentrating, thoughts of hurting oneself or suicidal thoughts. However, it seems the idea of regaining confidence with clearer skin often shields the severity of Accutane side effects.

Due to the number of potential complications associated with Accutane and the severity of the side effects, the FDA now requires any potential user to sign a consent form. Additionally, pharmacists must give users a detailed warning brochure from the FDA called a Medguide (Medication Guide). Only three drugs in United States history have been required the use of a Medguide: Accutane, Thalidomide and Mifeprex.