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Help! i am concerned about my skin medication
My dermatologist has prescribed me Isotretinoin (Accutane) around 20 mg. However i feel uneasy and very worried because i had read the following medical research papers where it tells the harmful side effects Isotretinoin has such as teratogenic and more importantly the cause of eye disorders, like impaired night vision, cataracts, optic neuritis, corneal opacities and dry eye.
I had check in PubMed about this and i encountered the following
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10746459. (Persistent corneal opacity after oral isotretinoin therapy for acne). and, http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/3/1/58 (retinal vein occlusion).
Ocular side effects of accutane therapy, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1301795,
Irreversible cataract as a possible side effect of isotretinoin http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8051901
After reading all of this, makes me feel very afraid of taking accutane. What should i do?.
My medical record includes, photocoagulation and Lasik surgery in both eyes in 2005 as i had high myopia 7.75 diopter. I really dont want to get affected by taking this medication or screw up the surgery done on my eyes.
At the moment i am taking Relestat/ epilastine for my allergic conjunctivitis.
I had check in PubMed about this and i encountered the following
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10746459. (Persistent corneal opacity after oral isotretinoin therapy for acne). and, http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/3/1/58 (retinal vein occlusion).
Ocular side effects of accutane therapy, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1301795,
Irreversible cataract as a possible side effect of isotretinoin http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8051901
After reading all of this, makes me feel very afraid of taking accutane. What should i do?.
My medical record includes, photocoagulation and Lasik surgery in both eyes in 2005 as i had high myopia 7.75 diopter. I really dont want to get affected by taking this medication or screw up the surgery done on my eyes.
At the moment i am taking Relestat/ epilastine for my allergic conjunctivitis.
This is a link to the package prescribing information:
http://www.rxlist.com/accutane-side-effects-drug-center.htm
http://www.rxlist.com/accutane-side-effects-drug-center.htm
That annoying mark means I have read the posting and don't need to comment. It shouldn't bother anyone, how I keep track of reviews.
We regularly are referred patients by dermatologists for baseline eye exams that are going on Accutane. Ocular side effects are discussed by dermatolists and ophthalmologists AND are listed in the prescribing information.
JCHMD
We regularly are referred patients by dermatologists for baseline eye exams that are going on Accutane. Ocular side effects are discussed by dermatolists and ophthalmologists AND are listed in the prescribing information.
JCHMD
I am very sorry to know about your experience with Accutane. As i mentioned back in 2011 i refrained from taking that medication. I stopped from going yo see dermatologist as it was little he could do to my problem. And to be honest i see them working little or almost none with ophthalmologists. at least looks this way where i live. i also notice that its been 4 years since this message was posted and doctor Hagan keeps with that annoying habit of using those equal signs after each message. i also voice my opinion as the guys (lost_in_despair) said about doing research first. it is very unfortunate this was not possible to do at the time you began taking Accutane. Anyway thank you for sharing to us your experience, although i dont visit this pace very often i find it interesting to read what other patients have to say. Best regards.
I took Accutane back in 1982 ( I was 19) when it was first approved by the FDA.
I took it for a year, had regular blood tests done at the hospital to monitor my red and white blood cells. While the Accutane rid me of the embarrassing and painful cystic acne I suffered from I had no idea what it may or might do to me later on in life, I was just glad my brother could not tell me any longer that it looked like I got shot in the face with buck shot.
Around 1990 I developed Scleritis in my eyes. It can be painful at times but usually my eyes would look llike red tomato's where it was flaring up. I have spent the past 25 years putting Prednisolone Acetate in my eyes (Steroid) to calm the scleritis down and keep it under controll when it flares up. Steroids can cause cataracts and so can Accutane. To keep this simple and not go into anymore detail, (I knew I had the cataracs forming over the years) I was told I was legally blind in the fall of 2010. If an eye doctor knows this they have to report it to DMV. I told the eye doctor that I would not drive and had my first cataract surgery Dec. 2010. Once you can see good out of one eye then you are O.K. to drive. I had the second cataract surgery 2012. Plus had to deal with a torn retina on the first eye that was done in 2010. I was 47 at the time of my first cataract surgery. Was any of this related to Accutane? Maybe. Just wanted others to know about possible risks. Accutane is produced now under different companies after the Parent patent expired. Plus they were getting to many lawsuits against them. Research before you take. Thanks
I took it for a year, had regular blood tests done at the hospital to monitor my red and white blood cells. While the Accutane rid me of the embarrassing and painful cystic acne I suffered from I had no idea what it may or might do to me later on in life, I was just glad my brother could not tell me any longer that it looked like I got shot in the face with buck shot.
Around 1990 I developed Scleritis in my eyes. It can be painful at times but usually my eyes would look llike red tomato's where it was flaring up. I have spent the past 25 years putting Prednisolone Acetate in my eyes (Steroid) to calm the scleritis down and keep it under controll when it flares up. Steroids can cause cataracts and so can Accutane. To keep this simple and not go into anymore detail, (I knew I had the cataracs forming over the years) I was told I was legally blind in the fall of 2010. If an eye doctor knows this they have to report it to DMV. I told the eye doctor that I would not drive and had my first cataract surgery Dec. 2010. Once you can see good out of one eye then you are O.K. to drive. I had the second cataract surgery 2012. Plus had to deal with a torn retina on the first eye that was done in 2010. I was 47 at the time of my first cataract surgery. Was any of this related to Accutane? Maybe. Just wanted others to know about possible risks. Accutane is produced now under different companies after the Parent patent expired. Plus they were getting to many lawsuits against them. Research before you take. Thanks
And of course consult with your doctor before using any topical antibiotic. I am not a medical doctor and cannot give you definite prescriptions. I can only share my experience.
Maple, I was a science student in college so I knew drugs can have deleterious effect, but my mind was still not broadened as to evaluating how bad my visual side effects could be.
My dermatologist told me that my liver enzymes could go up and I'd have extreme dryness Those are the two side effects I was explained. She said she'd keep track of my liver enzymes by blood tests, and as for dryness, I could try to keep myself hydrated and use creams for my dry lips etc. She never told me that I would get decreased night vision, or flashing lights when I'd turn off my room's lights, which would continue for 10ish minutes. I was told nothing about these things.
But I did read up on net and was aware that since accutane is vit A derivative, and it might cause effects on my vision. But I did not take this possibility seriously, and thought it would be reversible anyways!
Needless to say I was taken off accutane after 2 months because of severe head aches. I actually got CT scan done. Most tormenting days of my life. I believed that I had brain tumor till I waited for results. This delusional belief was precipitated by the fact that accutane causes depression. Thankfully I did not have brain tumor.
Today when I should be loving medical school, I am hating my life. I see floaters in my vision everywhere I go. Hospitals have white walls and white floors and my floaters are most obvious in such situations. All in all my life is hell right now.
Please treat your acne, if you have it, by topical antibiotics. It will be temporary relief but much more safer than taking accutane. And 2 weeks after stopping accutane, my acne was back.
Regarding floaters, Dr. Hagan III, as much as I respect him, is strictly against vitrectomies for floaters. But the paradigm is changing and more progressive eye specialists are agreeing to help patients whose life has been robbed by floaters.
Best of luck.
My dermatologist told me that my liver enzymes could go up and I'd have extreme dryness Those are the two side effects I was explained. She said she'd keep track of my liver enzymes by blood tests, and as for dryness, I could try to keep myself hydrated and use creams for my dry lips etc. She never told me that I would get decreased night vision, or flashing lights when I'd turn off my room's lights, which would continue for 10ish minutes. I was told nothing about these things.
But I did read up on net and was aware that since accutane is vit A derivative, and it might cause effects on my vision. But I did not take this possibility seriously, and thought it would be reversible anyways!
Needless to say I was taken off accutane after 2 months because of severe head aches. I actually got CT scan done. Most tormenting days of my life. I believed that I had brain tumor till I waited for results. This delusional belief was precipitated by the fact that accutane causes depression. Thankfully I did not have brain tumor.
Today when I should be loving medical school, I am hating my life. I see floaters in my vision everywhere I go. Hospitals have white walls and white floors and my floaters are most obvious in such situations. All in all my life is hell right now.
Please treat your acne, if you have it, by topical antibiotics. It will be temporary relief but much more safer than taking accutane. And 2 weeks after stopping accutane, my acne was back.
Regarding floaters, Dr. Hagan III, as much as I respect him, is strictly against vitrectomies for floaters. But the paradigm is changing and more progressive eye specialists are agreeing to help patients whose life has been robbed by floaters.
Best of luck.
Well at least somebody understood the point, more helpful than just writing an equal sign.
I have taken the decision to do not take this medicine. However people should be warned more about the issues with isotretinoin. I do not trust my dermatologist. Many doctors these days aren't so reliable when you point at their pockets and the $$$ are in exchange from endorsing specific brands.
But beyond than that, it is more important to read what others encountered.
It is very unfortunate what happened to the fellow above, but even doctors will tell floaters aren't a big issue.
By the way, did anybody told you about the side effects from Accutane?
I have taken the decision to do not take this medicine. However people should be warned more about the issues with isotretinoin. I do not trust my dermatologist. Many doctors these days aren't so reliable when you point at their pockets and the $$$ are in exchange from endorsing specific brands.
But beyond than that, it is more important to read what others encountered.
It is very unfortunate what happened to the fellow above, but even doctors will tell floaters aren't a big issue.
By the way, did anybody told you about the side effects from Accutane?
Listen, dont take this pill.
I took accutane for my acne. 5 years later, I am in worse pain of my life. I am a medical school now, back then I was a college students when I took accutane. Is my life any better as a med student? No. You want to know why?
Because I have severe floaters in my eyes. I have lattice degeneration which I attribute to accutane, but no doctor or medical journal will accept that. Yet to this day I am suffering due to floaters.
Please save your eyes, and dont take accutane unless you are dying from your dermatological condition.
I took accutane for my acne. 5 years later, I am in worse pain of my life. I am a medical school now, back then I was a college students when I took accutane. Is my life any better as a med student? No. You want to know why?
Because I have severe floaters in my eyes. I have lattice degeneration which I attribute to accutane, but no doctor or medical journal will accept that. Yet to this day I am suffering due to floaters.
Please save your eyes, and dont take accutane unless you are dying from your dermatological condition.
I dont want to be disrespectful, but what kind of reply is that?. I mean, it seems pretty obvious i can refrain to take the medication thus all the fears will be gone.
But there is more than that. Which side should i believe?, The clinical cases stated above from people in Switzerland and other places reported having issues with the isotretinoin or the words from my dermatologist?. I think that's my concern, and sorry, but i dont think passing the ball to trial lawyers will repair any damage caused by the medication afterall.
Optical neuritis and corneal opacity, seems pretty irreversible to me.
But there is more than that. Which side should i believe?, The clinical cases stated above from people in Switzerland and other places reported having issues with the isotretinoin or the words from my dermatologist?. I think that's my concern, and sorry, but i dont think passing the ball to trial lawyers will repair any damage caused by the medication afterall.
Optical neuritis and corneal opacity, seems pretty irreversible to me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Discuss with your dermatologist. If you don't want to accept the possiblity of those side effects then don't take the medications. All medications have side effects. Each year several thousand people bleed to death from aspirin. One person's cure is another person's side effect.
The only people that would have you believe that if a side effect occurs the doctor or the pharmaceutical company did something wrong are trial lawyers.
JCH MD
The only people that would have you believe that if a side effect occurs the doctor or the pharmaceutical company did something wrong are trial lawyers.
JCH MD
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