Common Acne Medicine Has Many Side Effects
Posted August 23, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Accutane is a popular medication used to treat acne, but recent studies have suggested that it also has some serious side effects, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The drug is already under scrutiny because it’s been found to cause severe birth defects. Women who are pregnant, or trying to conceive, should not take Accutane.
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco found that Accutane and its generic, isotretinoin, raised the levels of triglyceride fats in the blood of about 44 percent of patients who previously had normal levels.
The drug also raised cholesterol levels, which were higher in 33 percent of Accutane users.
Researchers studied the medical records of 13,772 acne patients in California who’d been treated with isotretinoin between 1995 and 2002 for an average of 21 weeks.
Once a patient stopped using the drug, the fat levels in the blood decreased.
Having too much fat in your blood can contribute to serious health problems, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Other studies have also suggested the drug causes an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel syndrome, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
But in some cases, the benefits can outweigh the risks.
“Having acne can be fairly heartbreaking. It’s really hard to have if it gives you low self-esteem, which it tends to,” actor Alexis Hancey said. Accutane has helped her manage her skin condition.
“They put me on Accutane. It seemed to work like overnight almost. My skin was really dry the next day after taking it once.”
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Acne?
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pimples
- Cysts
What Causes Acne?
There are three main causes:
- Over production of oil
- Irregular shedding of dead skin cells which causes irritation of hair follicles
- Bacteria buildup
Risk Factors
- Acne is most common in teenagers, both boys and girls
- Women and girls two to seven days before their period
- Pregnant women
- People using certain medications, including cortisone
Other risk factors include:
- Exposing your skin to greasy and oily substances, or to certain cosmetics
- Family history of acne
- Friction or pressure on the skin, including telephones and cell phones, tight collars and backpacks
How Is It Treated?
There are a number of ways you can treat acne. Here’s a list of what you can do:
Topical Treatments: Over the counter acne lotions are generally quite mild and will help dry up oil, kill bacteria and stop the shedding of skin. Most over-the-counter products contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient and are good for mild acne. If it doesn’t improve you may want to see your doctor or dermatologist to get a prescription for a stronger lotion like Tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova) and adapalene (Differin).
Antibiotics: prescription oral antibiotics can be used to treat moderate to severe acne. Antibiotics may have to be used in combination with topical lotions.
Isotretinoin: This is used for deep cysts when antibiotics may not be enough. This medication is used only for the most severe cases of acne and can have severe side effects for pregnant women.
Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives, including a combination of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), have been shown to improve acne in women.
Cosmetic Surgery: Surgery can be used to diminish acne scars.
Skin Care Measures You Can Do At Home:
- Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Products such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks generally aren’t recommended because they tend to irritate skin, which can aggravate acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair frequently.
- Try over-the-counter acne lotion to dry excess oil and promote peeling. Look for products containing benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol or salicylic acid as the active ingredient.
- Avoid irritants. You may want to avoid oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hair-styling products or acne concealers. Use products labeled “water-based” or “noncomedogenic.” For some people, the sun worsens acne. Additionally, some acne medications can make you more susceptible to the sun’s rays. Check with your doctor to see if your medication is one of these, and if so, stay out of the sun as much as possible and any time you have to be in the sun, use sunscreen that doesn’t clog your pores.
- Watch what touches your face. Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects such as telephone receivers on your face. Tight clothing or hats also can pose a problem, especially if you’ll be sweating. Sweat, dirt and oils can contribute to acne.
- Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes. Picking or squeezing can cause infection or scarring. Most acne will clear up without this kind of intervention. If you need aggressive treatment, see your doctor or dermatologist.
Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.
