Accutane's Adverse Secondary Effects on the Skin
The FDA has instructed Hoffmann-La Roche to remake its label for Accutane many times. The most recent label states: "Many of the side effects and negative reactions observed in people receiving Accutane are similar to those described in people taking very strong doses of vitamin A (dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, of the lips, nasal passage, and eyes".
Hoffmann-La Roche down-plays the secondary effects of Accutane by talking about its effect on the skin. They readily admit that it causes skin diseases and/or damage. Following are just a few of these skin and appendages secondary effects.
acne Fulminans
Acne fulminans is a rare and very severe form of acne conglobata associated with systemic symptoms. It nearly always afflicts men. It is characterized by abrupt onset inflammatory and ulcerated nodular acne on chest and back, strong acne scarring, fluctuating fever, painful joints, malaise (i.e. the patient feels unwell), loss of appetite and weight loss, and raised while blood cell count.
Eruptive Xanthomas
Eruptive xanthomas are yellow-orange-to-red-brown papules that are often involved by an erythematous halo. They appear in crops on the buttocks, extensor areas of the extremities, and flexural creases. Acutely, variable amounts of pruritus and pain occur. A Koebner reaction may be present. Lesions commonly resolve spontaneously over weeks and may end in hypertrophic scars. Histologically, foamy macrophages are observed in the skin with an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and neutrophils.
Eruptive xanthomas may appear in the setting of chylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia. (Hypertriglyceridemia is a frequent secondary effect of Accutane). This may be due to a primary hyperlipoproteinemia resulting from an inherited deficiency of lipoprotein lipase (Type I hyperlipoproteinemia) or familial hyperlipoproteinemia (Type V). Eruptive xanthomas often also appear secondarily in patients unresponsive to insulin. Insulin is needed for the normal triglyceride clearing function of lipoprotein lipase. Whenever insulin deficiency is present, an acquired lipoprotein lipase deficiency exists, which produces an inadequate clearance of chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins causing the resultant hypertriglyceridemia. Rarely, eruptive xanthomas have been reported with hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, and von Gierke's glycogen storage disease. They have been observed also after administration of alcohol, glucocorticoids, estrogens, and retinoids.
Other signs of hyperlipidemia often observed in people with eruptive xanthomas include lipemia retinalis, hepatosplenomegaly, and abdominal pain. The abdominal pain may be associated to intestinal ischemia from increased blood viscosity.
Vasculitis: Wegener's Granulomatosis
Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) is a rare form of vasculitis; that is, a condition characterized by inflammation of the walls of the blood vessels. This inflammation can result in damage to vital organs of the body by restricting blood flow to these organs. WG normally starts as a localized granulomatous inflammation of the nasal structure (lining) and lung tissue, and usually advances into generalized necrotizing ( slow degeneration) granulomatous (tumor-like) inflammation of the blood vessels. WG is an autoimmune condition, meaning the body's defensive system attacks its own body structures.
A natural skin care product is the latest solution to erase scars, imperfections and skin discolorations, while at the same time takes care of your skin.
Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Beauty Articles Via RSS!
