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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Accutane. Nail Started Turning Yellow. Is This Serious?

I have been taking accutane for about 2½ months now, and my nails , especially my roots, are beginning to take on a faint yellowish color. Is it connected? Is it serious? I read somewhere that yellow nails could be a symptome of liver problems, and as accutane, or isotretinoin actavis, is disposed through the liver, I m kind of concerned.
posted on Wed, 5 Dec 2012
Twitter Wed, 5 Dec 2012 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 6 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us.
The yellow color of the nails/roots of the nails that you are experiencing certainly is a side effect of accutane. This is not something serious or anything to worry about.
Yellow nails actually does not usually indicate a liver problem at all.
It is the yellowish discoloration of the eyes that indicate a liver problem.
In liver failure the nails actually turn white which is called as leukonychia.
You can have your liver enzymes checked by having a liver function test or a metabolic profile done which will make sure that your liver is fine and your drug is not affecting the liver.
I have the feeling that everything will turn out fine.
Kindest Regards
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Taking Accutane. Nail Started Turning Yellow. Is This Serious?

Hi there, Thank you for writing to us. The yellow color of the nails/roots of the nails that you are experiencing certainly is a side effect of accutane. This is not something serious or anything to worry about. Yellow nails actually does not usually indicate a liver problem at all. It is the yellowish discoloration of the eyes that indicate a liver problem. In liver failure the nails actually turn white which is called as leukonychia. You can have your liver enzymes checked by having a liver function test or a metabolic profile done which will make sure that your liver is fine and your drug is not affecting the liver. I have the feeling that everything will turn out fine. Kindest Regards