Q: I have just started taking Accutane for my acne problem. I've heard that Accutane prematurely closes the growth plates. Is that true?
A:
You tell us you are a boy, and we can understand your concern about whether or not a drug could limit your future height. It is highly unlikely that Accutane will affect your growth plates when given in recommended dosages over the standard course of 15 to 20 weeks. Prospective x-ray studies of acne patients treated with Accutane have not shown any inhibition of growth, nor have there been any concerns noted in clinical practice. If you have read the detailed pharmacological literature from the manufacturer, you might have noticed that there was a case report “suggestive” of premature closure of the epiphyses (growth plates) in two children treated with high doses of Accutane for a different medical condition called hyperkeratinization. But this has not been a problem in boys treated for cystic acne. Accutane is a powerful drug with many other side effects. It can cause birth defects if a girl gets pregnant while taking it. Rarely it may damage the liver or other organs, and recently there has been concern in the media (although unproven) that it might trigger suicidal thoughts. So be sure to follow your dermatologist’s recommendations for blood tests and regular follow-up visits.
This QA is Taken From :
http://www.teengrowth.com/index.cfm?...y&subdesc=Skin