What are the effects of accutane and how serious is the link to suicide and unborn babies?
1) What is accutane used for and are there alternatives?
isotretinoin (generic name) is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics
decreases the amount of sebum (oil) that is released by the sebaceous glands and increases the rate at which the skin renews itself
acne is a chronic inflammatory diseaseof the sebaceous glands and hair follicles
acne lesions usually distributed to the face, neck, shoulders, back, and upper arms
some alternatives include topicals: benzoyl peroxide, benzamyacin, sulfacet R, topical antibiotics (Tetracycline, clindamycin and eythromycin ), Retin-A,
Differin, salicylic acid 2%, azelaic acid 20%, systemics: oral antibiotics(Tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
(Bactrim) ), birth contol pills, and different types of surgeries
2) What are the effects of accutane and are they negative or positive?
negatives
accutane, product of Hoffman-La Roche shown to cause birth defects in women who took the drug while pregnant
rigorous warning regarding fetuses ( according to a study by Federal Centers for Disease an estimated 160,000 child bearing women used the drug since 1982
20-25% risk of suffering severe deformities in vital orgarns including the brain and the heart for children born to mothers taking accutane
depression or psychosis possibly leading to suicide attempts (between 1982 and 2000, 147 people taking Accutane either committed suicide or were hospitalized for suicidal attempts
feelings of sadness, irritability, unusual tiredness, trouble concentrating, & loss of appetite
birth defects such as mental retardation and misplaced facial features
miscarriage, premature birth, or death of a baby
blood cannot be donated for at least 1 month following treatment because it may effect a pregnant woman
vitamin A can increase any side effects
cannot use wax hair removal systems or have any skin resurfacing procedures because scarring may occur
may increase sensitivity of skin to sunlight and severe sunburn can occur
can cause decreased night vision
peeling skin, dryness of eyes, high blood-fat levels, headaches nausea, vomiting, blurred vision (increased brain pressure), severe stomach pain, chest pain,
diarrhea, rectal bleeding,trouble swallowing, yellowing of skin or eyes and/or dark urine, changes in hearing, allergic reactions( difficulty breathing, closing of
the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face), bone or muscle pain, vision changes, persistent fever, chills, or sore throat, new or worsening heartburn,seizures,fainting,increased thirst or urination, slurred speech or problems moving, leg swelling, bleeding nose
if not taken properly(with full glass water) may cause irritating of lining of esophagus
positives
makes skin blemish free
high doses of the derivative of Vitamin(Accutane) found to prevent lung cancer, & throat and mouth cancers in high risk patients
Suicide cases and Info
"Student Pilot Crashes Into Skyscraper"
-January 5, 2002-15 year old student pilot ( Charles Bishop of Palm Harbor) crashes single engine airplane into skyscraper (42 story Bank of America building) in Tampa, Florida (28th floor)
-kills himself and damages the building
-mirrored Sept 11/sparked fears of terrorism
-took off without permission of instructor ignoring messages from Coast Guard helicopter and air traffic controllers
-January 6 suicide not found -he acted alone
-January 8 investigators discovered he had a prescription for Accutane
-Federal Aviation Administration January 9 suggested that flight schools make sure students pass mental and physical health stanards before being enrolled
"Drugmaker Sued over suicide of P.
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