I had long known about the drug «Accutane». I knew that he had a serious, even dangerous side effects and dermatologists prescribe it rarely and only in extreme cases. I seriously their acne and oily skin, although aware that they do not look scary, like cystic acne, which I saw in the photographs. It is this type of acne is particularly well cured with medication «Accutane». Then in 1990 a woman with whom I worked, and two of her friends began to take «Accutane». They not only survived, but their skin was perfect look. More than perfect - it just shone, at least compared to how it looked before.
«Accutane» is a real breakthrough in the development of drugs for treatment of skin from acne for the past 20 years. He is the only drug that can relieve the patient of acne once and for one course of treatment.
I realized that I needed to study this issue for its newsletter "New Cosmetics» (Cosmetics Counter Update). Such a decision can be very important. Dermatologist, which I learned in my wellness Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, pcs. Washington, told me that it is possible, but in fact it is very likely that I will live up to the end of the day with clean skin, if I start to take «Accutane». I told him I had heard mixed reviews about this drug and not sure if I should take another drug that is sold only on prescription.
«Accutane» seemed to me even more serious drugs than antibiotics. In response, the doctor told me an amazing story.
«Accutane» (the technical name - isotretinoin) is an oral drug derived from vitamin A. In fact, he stops the sebum of sebaceous glands and literally reduces the size of these glands to the size of sebaceous glands in children. This does not preclude the secretion of sebaceous glands (sebum) the possibility of clogging the hair follicles, mixed with dead skin cells, break the wall of hair follicles and form pimples or cysts. At the end of treatment was resumed normal education sebum. The sebaceous glands are beginning to grow, but never (or at least very rarely) does not become as big as before treatment.
"Due to its relatively rapid action and high efficiency, reduces by more than 90% of the number of strong pockets of inflammation,« Accutane »is considered one of the most effective means for treating patients suffering from severe forms of acne, which are difficult to other treatments," 184.
The majority of patients receiving four to six month course of treatment with «Accutane», acne is no longer considered to be clinically significant. In other words, these patients get rid of acne! Does this mean that if you take «Accutane», you will never be acne? Maybe sometimes they will appear, but the random jumping a pimple can hardly be called acne. He who every day suffer from a dense rash, acne and black heads and oily skin, certainly agree with that.
However, 10% of patients receiving «Accutane», observed repeated formation of acne. But even among this group of patients suffering from recurrent manifestations of acne, occurring usually in three to six months after the end of treatment, rashes are not very severe illness and easily treatable. Typically, after the second or third year of treatment with «Accutane», acne disappear forever. Of course, there is a small percentage of patients on which «Accutane» does not work regardless of the number of courses of treatment.
Dosage and duration of treatment depends on the severity of acne, the usual course of treatment is 16 weeks. If you need a refresher course, after the first course of treatment should take a break in 8 weeks. Interestingly, the eels continue to receive their own even after receiving «Accutane», although doctors do not know exactly why this happens.
«Accutane» - a drug that is recommended for patients suffering from severe nodulocystica eels. He is the only drug that effectively influences the pathophysiologic factors of acne formation.
So what is the "Achilles heel" of this "miracle" drugs and why doctors do not prescribe it to all patients? «Accutane» - a controversial tool for many reasons, but mainly because of its most insidious side effect. It was proved that he is a serious pathology in almost 90% of infants born to women who took the drug during pregnancy. «Accutane» first began to prescribe the 70-ies of XX century in France. That was before, as a result of numerous studies doctors have learned about this danger, so 800 children in 1000 were born with severe abnormalities. The only way to avoid this risk - this is to abstain from sex during treatment. Or, as recommended in the accompanying information to the drug, use at least two types of contraceptives. If you are taking birth control pills, you should still use condoms or a diaphragm. Consult your doctor about how long you will need to protect themselves after you finish taking «Accutane». Typically, a side effect of this drug quickly terminated after the end of treatment.
Is there a risk for non-pregnant women? Absolutely! It is well known for such short-term side effects such as dry skin and lips, mild nosebleeds (drying of the nasal mucosa in the early days), hair loss (I've lost a little hair, but after a four-month course of treatment they are again the industry), pain, itching, rash, "fragility" of the skin and its sensitivity to the sun, headaches (from moderate to strong, but I have been very moderate), peeling skin on the palms and hands.
During the test described in the journal «Journal of Cutaneous Medical Surgery» for April 2000, pages 66-70, were studied 124 patients who underwent a course of treatment by «Accutane». "Most of the patients experienced permanent dryness of the lips, 40% of patients felt the dryness of the eyes, which is 25% of patients persisted during the entire course of treatment. Those who wear contact lenses have become more prone to conjunctivitis. Initially, the pain in his lower back were observed in 30% of patients and less than 10% of patients, they appeared in the later stages of treatment. Joint pain was observed after the first visit by 16,5% of patients and lasted without much change throughout the course. Alopecia was observed in a small percentage of patients and, in general, was of a single character. Headaches, sometimes strong, experienced less than 10% of patients. In most cases, the pain was not constant and recorded during the same visit. 4% of patients suffered from depression for practically the entire period of treatment. All these patients completed the full course of treatment. The study concluded that "patients treated with« Accutane », experienced the expected side effects. Some of these effects were observed transiently, while others remained during the entire course of treatment.
For more serious, though much less common side effects include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, mood change, depression (of which will be discussed below), severe stomach pain, diarrhea, deterioration of the scotopic vision, bowel problems, long-term dry eyes, calcium deposits in tendons (doctors do not yet know how serious it is), the increase in cholesterol and yellowing of the skin.
It is understandable that many people, including doctors, are scared of these side effects, not to mention the risks to pregnant women. Therefore, dermatologists recommend «Accutane» only to patients suffering from chronic forms of acne, that is. Refers to the large recurrent cysts or pimples, which can permanently damage the shape and appearance of the skin. Sometimes «Accutane» prescribed for people suffering from less severe forms of acne and had not helped other drugs. Many doctors do not prescribe «Accutane».
Even despite the high risk of fetal pathology, and other side effects, which must be treated seriously, sorry that «Accutane» unreachable / many patients who suffer from acne. Today it is the most effective and quick preparation, remedial this disease. All other tools require lengthy methodical treatment, but do not guarantee complete freedom from disease. The public has a very distorted view both of the potential dangers associated with this drug, and its benefits. Many doctors believe that if it had not confirmed the risk of fetal pathology, «Accutane» prescribed would be almost as often as antibiotics. Not surprisingly, it more often prescribed for men.
Given what I learned, it would be nice if someone had told me about the drug «Accutane» 1920 years ago! It would have saved me a lot of time, money and moral strength. Oral antibiotics and exterior, exfoliating, soft cosmetic cleansers, the rejection of drugs that cause skin rashes, and the use of a suspension of magnesium oxide to remove excess sebum to provide meaningful assistance, however, people often ask themselves: "When I" grow "my acne and how long do I still suffer from acne? ". Unfortunately, no one can say if you will ever get rid of this disease. People who can not get rid of acne (and many of them women), should be aware of the fact that they will have years to use external preparations and to take oral antibiotics. Sometimes this is successful, sometimes not.
