When you first start taking this acne drug, your acne may actually get worse before it starts to get better.  Accutane is also known to cause depression and other mental problems.  In some rare cases it has been known to prompt thoughts of suicide.  If you begin to feel depressed or become troubled by suicidal thinking, you should contact your doctor immediately. 

Before taking this medicine, all patients must sign a consent form noting that they are aware of the possibility of mental health side effects, the danger of birth defects and the need for other precautions. 

If you're a woman of childbearing age and you're considering taking this acne drug you will be given both written and spoken warnings about the importance of avoiding pregnancy while on this drug treatment.  You also be asked to sign a consent form that notes the following: 

• You must not take Accutane if you're pregnant or may become pregnant during treatment.

• If you get pregnant while taking this acne drug your baby may have a high risk of developing birth defects.

• If you take Accutane, it is required that you use two effective forms of birth control from one month before the start of treatment through one month after the end of treatment.

• Also, you must have two negative pregnancy tests (one just before starting Accutane therapy), and must be tested every month during therapy.

• You may participate in a program that includes an initial free pregnancy test and birth-control counseling sessions.

• If you become pregnant you must immediately stop taking this acne medicine and see your doctor.

• It will state that you must have read and understood the Accutane patient brochure and asked your doctor any questions you may have had.

• It will state the you have been invited to participate in a survey of women being treated with Accutane.