Popularity of Isotretinoin in the Media
Talk about the use of Accutane has heightened in the last few years. A
story about the use of isotretinoin was published in the popular magazine, ELLE,
in the September/October 2002 issue. Unfortunately, information regarding
the teratogenicity of this agent with use during human pregnancy was left out
until the second page of the article. The ELLE article gave more coverage
to possible benefits of Accutane than its proven risks.
Another spotlight on Accutane occurred during the competition
on the American Idol television show. Competitor, Carmen Rasmusen, 18, was
noted in the Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City, Utah, about the miracle drug,
Accutane. She was quoted as saying, "...image is important to me on
that show." She contacted her mother who then contacted her
dermatologist who prescribed the contestant Accutane to help rid of her
blemishes. Rasmusen "wants every teen with acne to know there's an
end to the suffering." However, what Rasmusen did not mention in her
article in the newspaper is how teratogenic Accutane is if one is sexually
active. She may want every teen to know this is a miracle drug, but once
prescribed Accutane, one must be educated about the high risks involved if one
is to be sexually active. Accutane is a serious drug and a drug to take
seriously. If uneducated, the wrong material may be printed about
Accutane. Before taking this drug, be sure to become educated by a
physician about the risks involved.