Accutane information..... If you are thinking of using it..... PLEASE READ

[Hazard]

The main issue with accutane isn't liver toxicity, but the main issue is triglyceride elevation and lipid profile skewing.

Both times I used accutane my bloodwork showed these issues after 4 months or so. Liver enzymes were never an issue.

You need to really watch your diet and and bad fat intake.

Also, you need to use accutane for at least 4 months or so. It works slowly by shrinking the subQ glands that secrete sebum, an oily substance that is used to lubricate a hair follicle. Using it for a month or two is pretty much useless and you can count on having to use it again.

The lipid profile is definately a concern - but we shouldn't be intaking a ton of fat to begin with.

Regarding using it for 4 months..... i'm not totally on board with it. I've used it for 2 months with great success. I started mine durring PCT and continued for a month past my pct and the acne never came back. That is until I cycled again.....

You can use accutane for 8 months and once you cycle again.... that acne can come right back. It's very person dependant.....

~Haz~

[spooledup]

Also, accutane is a retinoid, and there have been studies that show retinoids reduce testosterone levels in males. Using accutane during PCT can adversely affect your ability to restore your natural test levels.

I can tell you first hand that I felt totally down in the dumps when I was using it.

Here is a study on rats, I can't find the human one right now.

Retinoic acid and accutane are the same thing..

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...&therow=662476

[Hazard]

Also, accutane is a retinoid, and there have been studies that show retinoids reduce testosterone levels in males. Using accutane during PCT can adversely affect your ability to restore your natural test levels.

I can tell you first hand that I felt totally down in the dumps when I was using it.

Here is a study on rats, I can't find the human one right now.

Retinoic acid and accutane are the same thing..

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...&therow=662476

Interesting.... didn't know that. I didn't seem to be effected as my testosterone levels were normal 2 weeks past PCT while still on accutane.

Good info tho! Lets get as much info on accutane in here so more people can make smarter decisions.

~Haz~

[spooledup]

When using accutane, drop any vitamin A supplements you're using. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. Vitamin A can be toxic in large quantities.

No multi vitamin, and limit foods rich in vitamin A like broccoli.

[Swifto]

Also, accutane is a retinoid, and there have been studies that show retinoids reduce testosterone levels in males. Using accutane during PCT can adversely affect your ability to restore your natural test levels.

I can tell you first hand that I felt totally down in the dumps when I was using it.

Here is a study on rats, I can't find the human one right now.

Retinoic acid and accutane are the same thing..

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...&therow=662476

Really?

Because I posted 2 studies yesterday showing it had no effect on endogenous T.

I'd like to see the study you refer too...

[spooledup]

I'd like to see the study you refer too...

I found one but there is still another somewhere.

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...s&therow=40257

Isotretinoin, used to treat severe acne, has been shown to induce hormonal changes, especially to reduce 5α-reductase in the production of the tissue-derived dihydrotestosterone (DHT) metabolite 3α-Adiol G. However, the effects of isotretinoin on other pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones have not been thoroughly elucidated. In the present study, isotretinoin administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks caused no marked changes in the serum levels of pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones or 3a-Adiol G in patients with severe papulopustulotic acne (n=19). After 12 weeks of therapy, there was a decrease in the levels of the precursor androgens androstenedione, testosterone and 3α-Adiol G in 6/9 patients. Acne improved after 4.5 months in all but 2 male patients, who had very low serum hormone binding globulins (SHBG) and a high free androgen index (FAI). Isotretinoin did not affect the elevated LH/FSH ratio in a patient with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); nor did it change the high FAI or low SHBG in the male patients. For comparison, tetracycline had no effects on the serum hormonal levels of patients with mild acne (n=19) after 7 days of treatment. This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion.

[Roidbeginner]

Great post!

I take 10mg/day acutane for six months and my blood work came back w/o any changes in liver enzymes and cholesterol.

The key is to take accutane at low dose and for long duration. currently, the same regimen suppressed any appearance of acne during my cycle.

Another side of accutane is the proinflammatory response and slower healing effect. In other words, avoid squeezing any acne as your body tend to bruise more easily. You can take certirizine (zytrec) and/or hydrocortisone/gentamicin cream for such cases.

[Swifto]

I found one but there is still another somewhere.

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/ind...s&therow=40257

Isotretinoin, used to treat severe acne, has been shown to induce hormonal changes, especially to reduce 5α-reductase in the production of the tissue-derived dihydrotestosterone (DHT) metabolite 3α-Adiol G. However, the effects of isotretinoin on other pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones have not been thoroughly elucidated. In the present study, isotretinoin administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks caused no marked changes in the serum levels of pituitary, adrenal or gonadal hormones or 3a-Adiol G in patients with severe papulopustulotic acne (n=19). After 12 weeks of therapy, there was a decrease in the levels of the precursor androgens androstenedione, testosterone and 3α-Adiol G in 6/9 patients. Acne improved after 4.5 months in all but 2 male patients, who had very low serum hormone binding globulins (SHBG) and a high free androgen index (FAI). Isotretinoin did not affect the elevated LH/FSH ratio in a patient with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); nor did it change the high FAI or low SHBG in the male patients. For comparison, tetracycline had no effects on the serum hormonal levels of patients with mild acne (n=19) after 7 days of treatment. This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion.

Yes, but how much.

I quoted this study, highlighting the ending, "This study confirms that the effects of isotretinoin on the serum hormone levels are small and unlikely to be of relevance for the resolution of acne or the suppression of sebum excretion".

I'd like to see the full paper, as I dont think the "decrease" is significant at all.