Accutane May Cause High Cholesterol, New Study Shows

By Elizabeth Rhein

Published on August 23, 2006

The current Accutane package insert cautions doctors and patients that up to 25 percent of users may develop higher cholesterol while using the drug and that 15 percent may experience elevated liver enzymes.

The most recent study measured the cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver enzyme levels of patients who were within the normal range of numbers before taking Accutane. The researchers found that 31 percent of patients developed high cholesterol and 44 percent developed high triglycerides. These numbers are far higher than those published in the drug insert.

Researchers noted that most patients’ cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver enzyme levels returned to normal after Accutane use was discontinued.

Experts believe that the difference between the numbers on the drug's packaging and those in the new study may be due to the fact that far fewer people were initially studied.

To reduce the risks posed by Accutane, doctors are encouraged to complete blood tests to check for abnormalities both before prescribing the drug and while a patient is taking it.

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