A study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology reports that users of the acne drug isotretinoin, commonly known by the brand name Accutane, appear to run an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Doctors from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, reviewed reported isotretinoin-associated IBD cases between 1997 and 2002, then graded each case as to the likelihood the acne drug was the cause of the disease. Out of a total of 85 cases filed with the US Food and Drug Administration, four cases were graded as a “highly probable” cause of the IBD, 58 cases were graded as “probable” cause, and 23 cases labeled as a “possible” cause.
Researchers recommend that physicians and patients be made aware of the possible risk of developing IBD, especially for patients with a prior history or family history of IBD disease or symptoms. Already, physicians are required to make patients aware of the high risk of birth defects for any woman who should become pregnant while taking the acne drug and female patients must sign a consent form stating that they understand the risks.
SOURCE: American Journal of Gastroenterology, July 2006
Dermatologists are up in arms about this study and other information that is less than complimentary about this medication. There may be times it is a drug that must be used, but I implore you to make sure you have tried all conservative treatments for at least 6 months before moving to antibiotics and Accutane use. Some of the recommendations are:
- Clean up your diet: mostly fresh fruits and vegetables with lean meats would be a good start.
- Nutrients are essential and some of the most important are:
a. Acidophilus
b. Chromium
c. Colloidal silver
d. Essential fatty acids (flax or primrose oil)
e. Potassium
f. Vitamin A in carotenoid form
g. B-complex
h. Vitamin C with bioflavonoid
i. Vitamin D-3
j. Vitamin E
k. Zinc
Once all the conservative routes have been tried then a more aggressive route must be considered. All too many bypass the easy way and go to the more aggressive route and side effects are much more likely. Be wise!
God Bless,
Dr. Benzinger
