- Stay Connected
Connect With Us
Accutane and the FDA still don’t include US
Photo by: DISTURBDeLeGANCe @ Deviantart.com
My recent experience with the health care system has been nothing short of frustrating. I have been struggling with adult acne for several years. I went on meds this last March and my skin did clear up! Over the summer I was having maybe ONE pimple here or there…it was a miracle! Then out of no where at the beginning of September I broke out, then it got worse…and then even worse this last week. So at the beginning of October I got an appointment to see dermatology to get prescribed the strongest shit out there. Accutane.
Now for those of you who don’t know Accutane it is a crazy strong medication based on Vitamin A. It is meant to help make the oil your skin is secreting thinner and to help it produce less oil (this will greatly reduce the amount of clogged pores, which lead to pimples). Accutane is the top rung of the acne medication ladder. The most prevalent and scariest side effect of this medication is the horrible birth defects it causes. So naturally the FDA created a strict regime to getting the product.
Women of a sexually active age must use 2 forms of contraception during the time of taking Accutane. So there is a month of taking birth control so it kicks in. An initial pregnancy test. Another month to take ANOTHER pregnancy test (during the first 2 days of your period), a series of blood tests, then you can get the meds. After obtaining your meds you are required to get a pregnancy test and take a comprehension test every month before refilling your prescription.
So…what happens if you are a lesbian? On my first visit I expressed my homosexuality to my dermatologist. I didn’t want to wait the month for my “birth control” to take effect when I CLEARLY do not need it. Her response is that I must be “supported” by another doctor. This doctor needs to state that I am “abstinent”. So I guess just saying I’m a lesbian isn’t enough. Well I don’t have to take birth control, but I do have to keep taking pregnancy tests? Honestly, I am NOT going to get pregnant, it is about as likely as a guy getting pregnant. COME ON!
So instead of just being able to take the medication I still must wait a month to make sure I’m not freaking pregnant. Then go through getting to the doctor every month to keep making sure I’m not freaking pregnant. Now if you are a sufferer of severe nodular acne (like I am) you can sympathize in not wanting to wait for it to go away. It effects everything in my life, I don’t want to date, I don’t want to go out, go to class, or work. It makes it hard to feel attractive or sexy when all you can think about is what part of your face is going to flare up next.
I couldn’t help but feel like my being a lesbian wasn’t valid. My orientation didn’t matter to the FDA. Sexual orientation is not taken into consideration when forming these rules and regimes. Maybe its time we finally include the FDA as an organization that needs to rewrite their terms of acceptance?
Brittany Marie lives in Southern California and works with the City of Santa Clarita. She is considered a plus size fashionista and loves styling outfits for her friends and family. She runs two fashion blogs including Lez Be Fashionable and I’m Feeling Fat and Sassy.
8 Responses to Accutane and the FDA still don’t include US
Leave a Reply
Socialize
For A Gay Friendly Get Away
blog advertising is good for you
Now Trending
Is Vanessa Marcil Jillan Michaels' New Love?
Nuclear Sub Catches Fire In Portsmouth, Maine
Actor Parsons Latest to Come Out
SLDN, Freedom To Marry, Launch Petition To End DOMA
Christian School Pulls Ohio Man's Alum Page After They Find Out He's Gay
Prosecutors Appeal Dharun Ravi's 30 Day Jail Sentence
Anonymous Briefly Shuts Down Stock Exchange’s Public Website
House Republicans Form Women's Policy Committee
Catholic Bishops Show Division In Birth Control Debate
Romney’s Women
Brittany Marie
October 23, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I AM doing what the FDA requires, but this doesn’t mean I have to like it or approve of the way its done. And this is no common break out, don’t you think the dermatologist would know this? And its severe nodular acne, which IS one of the forms that Accutane claims to cure.
Anonymous
October 23, 2008 at 3:54 am
I used to work for a dermatologist back in the 80′s. Accutane is supposed to be reserved for acute cystic acne that has not responded to any other treatments. It’s not for bad breakouts of common acne. The most common side effects are really nasty – sun sensitivity, seriously dry skin, cracked lips. If you insist on having the med for your breakouts then you should be willing to do what the FDA requires. I’m a lesbian and I have no need for contraception either. Hey, the pill might just clear your skin.
Brittany Marie
October 22, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Its always about money.
And there is no way im taking a generic accutane! whoever wrote that is messed up in the head…if you knew HALF of the scary ass side effects you would never risk yourself for generic shit….EEP!
Tort deform
October 22, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Isn’t this obvious? I’m sure that the manufacturer of Accutane would still require a pregnancy test as well as a statement from the lesbian patient that she is using two forms of contraception. I’ve known patients who have had a hysterectomy, yet they are still required to have a pregnancy test and two forms of contraception. Go figure! Gotta have the documentation to protect the drug companies from suit – LAME!
Anonymous
October 22, 2008 at 5:35 pm
All it takes is one idiot who gets pregnant, pops a deformed kid and sues the crap out of a doctor to spoil it for the rest. Litigeous America, ya gotta love it.
Anonymous
October 22, 2008 at 5:28 pm
generic accutane is available without a script here
http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/skin-care/isotrex.html
Jenime
October 22, 2008 at 11:24 am
Jeezy Creezy, is there anything in this country running on logic? It’s like nobody cares if the job they do makes no sense. Thanks again doc, I know you won’t forget to send the bill.
p.Johanna
October 22, 2008 at 11:20 am
Brittany, I’m concerned, there aren’t any holes in that bag, can you breathe? ok, I agree, my ex went through the same thing and wanted to drag me into it so she had proof that i wasn’t going to get her pregnant.