Question:
Does anyone know if I can take Accutane (acne med) Post RNY?

I know Accutane is concentrated vitamin A but I think it is also fat soluable (sp). So I would think that would cause a problem post RNY absorbing the med. Does anyone know for sure?    — Allison T. (posted on March 24, 2002)

March 24, 2002
I really dont know much about acutane, except that it is used to treat severe acne.. I would ask the surgeon if it is ok to take that particular medication.. If it is a form of concentrated vitamin A, then you probably wont absorb the vitamin A unless it is in a dry form, as all RNY patients malabsorb Vitamins A, D, and E. Hugs,
   — Gina Landers

March 24, 2002
I have used Acutane in the past for my acne along with just about everything else on the market since I was a teenager and not much helps. A friend of mine tried "Proactiv" and told me that she swore by the stuff so I ordered some thinking that it wouldnt hurt..and OH MY GOSH it works so well, better then anything I have used before. If your worried about taking a oral medication I suggest that you try the Proactiv..its really great stuff!!!
   — mastrnservnt

March 25, 2002
I just wanted to chime in on the Proactiv and say that YES it works wonders!!! Definitely worth it. I took Accutane for one day many years ago and ended up with hives all over my body. A few years later my aunt told me about Proactiv and I couldn't believe how great my skin felt when I tried it. It smells good, doesn't dry your skin, and clears you up really fast!
   — PT LawMom

March 26, 2002
Yes, Accutane is wonderful and safe as long as you use birth control, I just finished 6 months worth of accutane therapy and I am so very happy. I talked to my RNY doctor before I started taking it, he said accutane is perfectley safe as long as you protect yourself from pregnancy while on medication. I asked him about malaborbtion of the medicine and he said yes there would be a small amount of malabsorbtion so my Dermatologist upped the dosage just a little to compensate for that. I am thrilled to have smooth pimple free skin after so many years of agony!!!
   — Dana D.

March 26, 2002
I heard recently that they may be (or already have) takin Accutane off the market. It is believed to be linked to suicides and depression. I took for a while, it made me feel really wierd and I went off of it - although it did help dramatically with the acne. But there are so many warnings that go with it, it just wasn't worth it to me. Just wanted you to be careful with it. I will say the weight loss has greatly improved my complextion.
   — [Deactivated Member]