Accutane Side Effects: Should Depression Be A Concern?
Medical professionals and acne-pestered adolescents have no doubts about the effectiveness of the severe acne drug isotretinoin. It's the looming possibility of side effects such as depression and fetal damage that makes people uneasy when considering using this medication.
Accutane (isotretinoin) is one of Hoffman-LaRoche's most popular and controversial pharmaceuticals. This week, a study published in the Archives of Dermatology vindicated isotretinoin from causing depression. In this report, Christina Y. Chia, MD, from Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, St. Louis, and colleagues examined whether patients with moderate to severe acne treated with isotretinoin experienced an increase in depressive symptoms compared with patients treated with a topical antibiotic, topical retinoid, and an oral antibiotic.
Dr. Chia found that "The use of isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate-severe acne in adolescents did not increase depressive symptoms. On the contrary, our study shows that treatment of acne improves depressive symptoms".
Five years earlier, in 2000, the isotretinoin-depression link still appeared misleading. That time, the Archives of Dermatology posted study, headed by Dr. Susan S. Jick, from the Boston University School of Medicine, which found no evidence that isotretinoin increases the risk for depression, suicide, or other psychiatric disorders.
Even though isotretinoin finds ample support among dermatologists and psychiatrists, a host of parents, politicians and medical professionals hail isotretinoin as a medical misfortune. For instance, Dr. David J. Graham, the Associate Director for Science and Medicine in FDA's Office of Drug Safety, recently warned that Accutane should be taken off the market.
And while there are few studies with any negative observations about isotretinoin, Dr. Douglas Bremner's research at of the Emory University School of Medicine has linked isotretinoin treatment with changes in brain function. At the conclusion of this study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Bremner concurred with Dr. Graham's view that isotretinoin proves too dangerous for human use.
Dr. Bremner explains that to invoke depression, isotretinoin must influence the brain. During the investigation, brain function of the subjects was measured using positron emission tomography (PET) before and after four months of treatment with isotretinoin. Isotretinoin treatment was associated with decreased brain metabolism in the orbitofrontal cortex- the area of the brain known to mediate symptoms of depression. Yet, there were no differences in severity of depressive symptoms between the isotretinoin and antibiotic treatment groups before or after treatment.
The pessimistic effects of isotretinoin also caught the attention of Diane K. Wysowski PhD. Dr. Wysowski noted that in June 2000, isotretinoin ranked among the top 10 drugs linked to depression and suicide attempts in the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System database. In 2001, Dr. Wysowski examined isotretinoin's depression inducing potential and posted her findings in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Wysowski concluded that more studies of isotretinoin are needed. She also advised patients and their parents to immediately report mood swings and symptoms that are suggestive of depression such as sadness, crying, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, withdrawal, and inability to concentrate to their prescribing physician. These protective measures can avoid more serious side effects and permit appropriate treatment, including consideration of drug discontinuation and referral for psychiatric care.
While dissension among researchers still exists about whether or not isotretinoin causes depression, one idea most of them can agree on is that more research on the side effects of isotretinoin are desirable. If you are not in the mood for being an isotretinoin guinea pig, Geoffrey Redmond MD, author of The Good News about Women's Hormones, suggests using hormone therapy and/or using Retin-A if isotretinoin seems too chancy for you.
Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com.
Tips on Preventing Acne Scars
Any blemish on your skin is just unacceptable and obscurity is that this additional applicable than acne scars. due to fashionable science tho', you are doing not got to suffer from this condition for good. On the opposite hand, preventing new skin disorder scars remains higher then treating them. take into account the subsequent tips to avoid scarring from skin disorder.
Best Acne Treatments On The Market
When you decide to read this article, you are probably one in millions people who are seeking appropriate knowledge as well as efficacious medication relating to the most common skin disease in the world. That is acne - if uncontrolled, the said can destroy your confidence, which can lead to many other unwanted outcomes.
Best Blackheads Treatment
Understanding blackheads treatment is crucial therefore you'll simply manage this skin condition. they typically occur on the shoulders. they're completely different from those red bumps with pus that you just see on your face. however no matter kind of skin disease you have got, you'll management this skin condition by maintaining correct skin hygiene.
8 Myths and Facts about Acne
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Advices For Beautiful, Healthy And Acne-Free Skin
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Get Rid Of Acne Fast At Home
Many of us dread having to go to the dentist and very rarely do we ever consider a medical check up. The good news is that one does not always have to rush to the doctor for the slightest problem.
Home Acne Remedy
There are various remedies that have been discussed before that can be help one in fighting acne comfortably from your home garden or living room while enjoying other things. The list on home remedies is rather long and along the way we are going to go through that list.
Multiple natural treatments to use for at home acne treatment
In this article I want to over suggestions about what natural acne treatments you can try to deal with adult related acne and ways to treat acne at home.
Causes of Acne and Herbal Remedies Treatment
It is a huge drop of self-esteem when you have acne all over your face. Acne is one of the skin problems among men and women. It usually occurs during the puberty period of a person. It is said that about 60 million people are suffering from this. You will feel too self-conscious and embarrassed about going any where public; you will be shy, irritated or even afraid what our friends and might think if they see you.
Causes of Acne and Herbal Remedies Treatment
It is a huge drop of self-esteem when you have acne all over your face. Acne is one of the skin problems among men and women. It usually occurs during the puberty period of a person. It is said that about 60 million people are suffering from this. You will feel too self-conscious and embarrassed about going any where public; you will be shy, irritated or even afraid what our friends and might think if they see you.
Do Adults Really Get Acne?
Most people are aware that teenagers are prone to acne. We have heard a great deal about the hormonal changes that contribute to acne in adolescents. Take a look at any given group of youngsters and you can be sure that at least a few, if not all of them, will be suffering from acne of one kind or another.
Acne - Not Just For Your Face
When people think of acne, they typically think of a person with an outbreak of red, inflamed pores on his or her face. While this is the most common form, it is not the only type of acne people may experience.
The Truth About Acne And Stress
There has been some confusion about the relationship between acne and stress. You could say the jury is still out on the issue of whether acne can be caused by the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Going, Going, Gone - Getting Back to the Basics for Acne Sufferers
Anyone that suffers with acne (Zits) may feel as if they spend most of their time searching for remedies; fortunately, the problems it causes are being investigated. Research into the causes, and possible treatments, for the condition is ongoing; gradually more effective topical treatments are being discovered and made available.
Myths About Acne You Need to Be Aware Of
Acne is a frustrating problem to deal with and today there are literally millions of people who are dealing with this skin problem. Sadly, too many people who suffer from acne believe in many myths surrounding acne, which can actually keep them from treating their acne the right way and finally get rid of the problem. So, its important that you know what is false and what is actually true. Here are a few of the most common myths about acne so you can learn the truth.
Beware Of Acne Cyst! Take The Precautions Necessary
People are exposed in many elements outside and inside
their homes. In a world today wherein pollution is
abundant, many things arises specially the skin problems.
Does Everybody Suffer From Acne?
Acne does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age or race but it is interesting to learn just who gets acne and why.
Treating Acne With Home Remedies Can Save You Money
If you do not like using conventional medicine or if cost is of particular concern to you then there are various home remedies for acne which, with patience and perseverance, can be effective.
Qualities of a Perfect Facial Cleanse
Many of us waiver between the extremes of simply rinsing our face with water to avoid drying out our skin or the use of harsh alkaline based cleansing products that strip the skin of its natural protective oils.
The Way To Apply Acne Products!
There are some of the things that need to be done in order to get best results by using acne products. Hence here are these things mentioned to help you out.
What Have You Tried To Get Rid Of Your Acne?
There are many things that people have tried with the aim of getting rid of their acne. These include using the juice from lemons, facial care kits, applying alcohol to the affected areas and even using baking soda also. But with modern medicine there are some good alternatives that are less dramatic and also have some pretty good results.