Keto and Accutane

newbies
#1

I am thinking of starting a keto diet but am worried about the possible side affects if paired with accutane. I have been on accutane for about 4 months now at 60mg dose and have seen a moderate rise in my cholesterol levels. My doctors have advised me to stay away from basically all types of food as recommended per the keto diet and I am wondering if I should wait to start keto after I have finished my accutane treatment or if it is okay to jump right in.

(Richard Morris) #2

I’m not a doctor so I really don’t know. As I understand it Accutane apparently puts a lot of stress on your liver, and on a ketogenic diet we are relying on our livers to keep our brains fed with glucose and ketones.

So it might be prudent to hold off keto until your accutane course is done.

#3

Yes very tricky. Doctors are often anti keto as knee jerk reaction but they are the ones who know what is going on with you best and they are the ones you need to work with. I would discuss it further with them and ask them to explain why the foods are not suitable right now and if it is just when taking this drug or a general thing. You really do need to listen to them and work with them on this. By all means bring what they tell you over here to thrash around but please work with them.

(Mike W.) #4

I personally would avoid Accutane at all costs. I don’t know how they continue to prescribe it, let alone make it after all the lawsuits.

(Christopher Bingel) #5

Yeah, just want to echo the other comments here. Definitely talk to your doctor, and decide together.

Something to think about is that many people have reported acne clearing up as a side effect of Keto. If you don’t get the results you want from the medicine (or even if you do, but you still want to try keto) consider talking to your doctor about weaning off the Accutane and starting keto. Just keep in mind that 6 weeks is a good baseline for your body to adjust to any new regimin, be it medicine, exercise, or diet.

Good luck!

#6

I normally say ignore everything a Doctor says regarding diet…BUT Accutane is a dangerous drug so go with them on this one. I’ve seen it mess up a lot of my friends so I’d play that one safe. I’m surprised you found a dermatologist that would even prescribe that stuff. Most won’t go near that stuff anymore. It works, but so do other things without a 200 page warning manual. Go with your gut on that stuff If you don’t HAVE to be on it, don’t be. Good Luck.