Accutane & Running

Just some additional info... I am not training competetively anymore, right now I'm just trail running 4-5 times a week for 30-60 minutes. I am OK with scaling this back for awhile as I have no current racing goals. I have a light gait and do not believe this current plan puts me at any risk for a stress fracture.

Hell, I was on it years ago and played rugby--with no issues. But, I don't remember risk of bone fracture being one of the many side-effects....

I took Accutane in high school many years ago, during my junior year and it effected my running. At the end of easy paced long runs, I'd fall over in pain due to joint swelling. I also ran horribly all year and was 6 seconds off my PR in the mile and 800.

Not trying to scare you away from the drug, because it worked wonders for my skin and was worth taking because my appearance improved significantly, but my running surely suffered. The following year, I ran well again and had clear skin, so taking the pill was worth it but I'd be very careful.

Again, I took this pill about 10 years ago so maybe the pill (dosages, etc) is different now and obviously side effects vary for each individual.

I took it in 2005 during my senior year of HS. It f'd up my appetite of all things, and that was what hurt my running the most. I had zero bone/joint pains and didn't back off running at all. Take it if your acne is bad, totally gets rid of it (really).

I think you need to be careful about sun exposure.

I took a low dose for a few months at age 35. While on it I took a funny step off a curb and felt something like a disk compressing in my lower back. My back has never been the same since. I could run a 4:40 mile on 35 miles/week at the time, but never raced again. I always wondered if it might have been related to the drug.

Last I knew, accutane was no longer on the market.

I was on a generic version of accutane. It terribly hurt my running. My muscles tighten up completely. But, that's just my experience. If it works for you - great.

Darwinian wrote:

Last I knew, accutane was no longer on the market.

It's patent expired so it's availabe as a variety of generics now. But everyone still refers to it as accutane.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I was on it last year for 5 months if I remember correctly. Doctor told me to cut back on my training but I decided not to. Never had any major problems other than some extra fatigue, still managed to PB in both my 800 and 1500 running 1.55 and 3.59. It really must vary from person to person.

Read this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/xmmg9/in_response_to_the_accutane_pic_on_the_front_page/

yeah, but I'd think that a large intestine would look pretty nasty in general.

I played rugby during two separate courses of accutane, drank heavily, etc. The first time, my skin would end up rubbing off, crazy stuff.

During the second course, my knee hurt for a period early on. If your acne is bad, you pretty much have to take it.

social or actual death?

kpack wrote:

yeah, but I'd think that a large intestine would look pretty nasty in general.

I played rugby during two separate courses of accutane, drank heavily, etc. The first time, my skin would end up rubbing off, crazy stuff.

During the second course, my knee hurt for a period early on. If your acne is bad, you pretty much have to take it.

social or actual death?

Yeah I pretty much need it at this point... 22 years old and I've had acne consistently for 8 or 9 years despite topicals, antibiotics, facial cleansers, growing out of puberty, etc. Very odd going to professional job interviews with acne, not to mention how much it hurts on the dating scene. I also scar very easily, so any pimple that pops or breaks leaves a mark.

Do NOT take accutane. It's an extremely dangerous drug that I believe will eventually be banned. I had a good college friend that took the drug when it first came out in the early 80s. Really severe side effects, his oil glands completely dried up, skin was like parched sandpaper, chronic nosebleeds. Other nasty side effects as well. Forward about 10+ yrs later, he's diagnosed with leukemia in his mid 30s and all the complications associated with that diesease. Yea, I know there could be a million other reasons for a leukemic condition, but I've always wondered if accutane wasn't a primary cause.

Find another alternative - preferably a natural one. Clean up your diet. Start consuming a whole food balanced diet each and every day. Drop the soda pop, pastries, chips, Big Macs, all the denatured food that eventually results in premature aging. There is plenty of good information on the web now about treating acne with alternative modalities. At the very worst, acne is not going to kill you. You'll most likely be done with it by your early 20s. Your young, give yourself a chance and don't louse it up.

I took in 3 years ago for 6 months in my senior year of high school. I hated taking it but didn't have any serious long term side effects. It cleared up my skin but not til the last month that I was on it. 3 years later my acne still exists just not as bad...

As for running though, I did hear some stories about people having bad seasons while on accutane but I wonder if some are a bit by chance. I still PB'ed at a normal rate in my senior year compared to previous years so it didn't seem to affect me...

My 17 year old niece died from a brain hemorrhage while on the drug...can't say it was caused by the drug, but there have been more than a few unexpected deaths of young people on Accutane.

Also, a buddy of mine used it years ago and he ended up with chronic fatigue syndrome...lost all competitive drive, etc.

These may be simple coincidences, but I'm just sayin...

I wouldn't. Personally I am super oily, and in the past broke out on my temples, cheekbones, chest, back and shoulders. The dermatologist I went to rarely prescribed accutane. He said that he would never suggested it.

Well into my 20s, I was still breaking out on my face and the other places. Decided to cut out milk in my diet since I heard others doing it. My daily consumption of milk was usually two bowls in the morning and some at night. About 4-6 months later my face cleared up. I still on occasion break out of my back, but it is only one or two pimples. It has been 3 years since I drank milk, and still clear. Even though I don't drink milk, I still eat cheese and other dairy products.

I agree with NB & I'm not an all natural nutbar type. I've been a pharmacist for 25 years and haven't seen another drug like accutane for adverse effects. When it came out most of the adverse reactions were not appreciated. Had a friend develop ulcerative colitis on it. The birth defects it has caused rival thalidomide. My wife developed hip problems & couldn't run & developed depression while on it. & the thing is it stays in your tissues for months & months after you stop it.

There are quite a few TV commercials discussing class action lawsuits against Accutane -- Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Proctitis, IBD-Inflammatory bowel disease, Ileitis.

http://accutane.poweradvocates.com/

I was on it back in the 80s, pretty high dose. My doctor forgot to tell me all the things I wasn't supposed to do so I did what I always did. (And who reads those little packaging slips that come with drugs?) Played soccer at competitive level and partied hard with lots of drinking.

Soccer became harder. I would tire quicker than normal. However, I became a much better drinker. I could literally drink a whole case (24 bottles) of beer in an evening and not be completely sh\itfaced. I didn't even have bad hangovers.

When I discussed these side effects with the doctor she was horrified that she hadn't warned me about drinking. Apparently Accutane is really rough on the liver so that explained why (a) the alcohol didn't get into my bloodstream as much, and (b) my fatigue from soccer because of lactic acid build-up.

I'm sure the drug has changed a bit in 25 years but those are things to watch out for.