Accutane for Depression?Even though this drug is classified with reinoids, which may cause psychiatric disturbances in the brain leading to suicidal ideation and other devastating adverse side effects, still many bipolars as well as other people choose to use isotretinoin to clear up severe acne. Are you plagued with bipolar disorder and acne? Is your acne causing you to feel even more terribly frustrated, embarrassed and depressed? Do you depend on makeup and style your hair down over your face to hide the disfiguring scars? Acne plagues many high school and college age students. Many try medicine after medicine, from over-the counter-creams to oral antibiotics (which rarely work) to rid themselves of acne. To date, no other acne medicine works as well for severe acne; nothing compares to the effectiveness of Accutane according to the medical field. But there is that nasty side effect of possible disturbance to your brain.
Experiencing severe forms of acne, such as cystic or nodular acne adds to a person's lack of self esteem and sense of worth. As a result negative chemical changes can take place in your brain which leads many people down the road to severe depression or diagnosis with bipolar disorder. Why? Because most try everything and still feel very frustrated, because nothing seems to work at removing the disparaging pimples.
To relieve this type of psychosocial depression, dermatologists will sometimes prescribe isotretinoin. Generally, patients prefer Accutane because it is highly effective. With other medications you have to keep using it because they only suppress acne temporarily. Many taking this drug will see their skin improve in just a couple of months. Many patients say they feel better about themselves after receiving successful treatment for acne. A clear face alone may lift one from depression. Evelyn Germanakos, of Los Angeles, CA, struggled with acne as an adult, and says she felt like her old self after her skin cleared up from the lumpy blemishes in 1997. "I had gotten to the point where I didn't even want to go outside or be with people, let alone look in the mirror," she says.
To date, no other acne medicine works as well for severe acne. Reportedly, it is the only drug that has the potential to clear severe acne permanently after one course of treatment. After the second course, patients often report continued remission of acne with just a bit of topical treatment cream applied to the face. By the end of three months most cases of acne have disappeared and as a result most feel more confidence and self esteem. But this avenue of confidence and self esteem comes with a hefty price: not only financially, but physically and psychologically as well. Even though isotretinoin is considered the biggest breakthrough in acne drug treatment over the last 20 years, it doesn't work for everyone. One course of treatment is typically five months, and results in prolonged remission of acne in only 85 percent of the patients. Some patients even need more than one course of treatment, though eventually get the much desired results of a clear face. As powerful as isotretinoin is in improving many people's lives it has been recorded it can be just a devastating in other people's lives (maybe your life). Adverse effects include miscarriage and severe birth defects. Do not take while pregnant!!!!! If that isn't enough warning, some patients have experienced dry mouth, dry skin, chapped lips and unexplainable nosebleeds. The use of Accutane may also result in significantly more harmful side effects including:
Due to these possibly significant negative side effects, the drug is considered a very very high-risk drug by the FDA. If used at all, it therefore should be reserved for cases of "severe recalcitrant nodular acne," according to the product labeling. This type of acne is resistant to standard acne treatment, including oral antibiotics, and is characterized by many swollen red bumps on the skin called nodules or cysts-inflammatory lesions filled with pus and lodged deep within the skin. People with this type of acne problems suffer great pain, permanent scarring and often times very negative psychological effects. Possible Psychiatric Link Some of these serious effects include depression so severe that some patients develop suicidal behavior and ideation and have killed themselves. But while Accutane may help lift psychosocial distress such as embarrassment, evidence suggests that it may actually cause serious psychiatric disorders in some people. Though the drug's label previously listed depression as a possible reaction, FDA strengthened the label warning in 1998 after reviewing cases with serious outcomes reported in the years after the drug was approved. The new labeling states that isotretinoin may cause depression and psychosis, and that in rare cases it may cause suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide), suicide attempts, and suicide. The label also advises providers that simply discontinuing the drug may not remedy any psychiatric problems and that further evaluation may be necessary. "In some cases, stopping Accutane alone may not be enough to relieve the mood changes," says Jonathan Wilkin, MD, director of CDER's division of dermatological and dental drug products. "Psychiatric treatment may also be needed." And some who have reported problems with depression while taking Accutane had no previous psychiatric history. FDA considers the number of reports of serious depression associated with Accutane high compared to other drugs in its database. From 1982 to May 2000, FDA received reports of 37 U.S. Accutane patients who committed suicide, 24 while on the drug and 13 after stopping the drug. In addition to suicides, FDA received reports of 110 U.S. isotretinoin users hospitalized for depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt during the same time period. As of May 2000, FDA had received reports of 284 Accutane users with non-hospitalized depression. Several factors make it hard to definitively link depression with Accutane. Depression is a common problem, and some patients may be suffering from it before starting Accutane therapy. Additionally, some patients who reported depression with Accutane had previous courses of the drug without depression. Even so, it is recommended that doctors act as if Accutane could have psychiatric effects until there is more information, says FDA's Wilkin. For years acne symptoms have been treated with powerful drugs as their only alternative. The problems with drug treatment, however, are the frequent and dangerous side effects that affect your mind, body and soul. Standard medical treatment has focused on suppressing symptoms, with three tiers of successively more risky drug therapies. The effect of this treatment is a net-negative. The symptoms may be so suppressed so the individual notices results for a period of time. But in the long run, these drugs actually make the condition worse. Why take a chance like that? You body is already telling you that you have an imbalance in your "food supply." Why make it harder on your mind, body and soul by taking in a drug which by its very side effects tells you it is poisonous to your system? Testimonies Why not take a proven safe way to optimum health evidenced by satin clear skin?
More info here. Bon Voyage, Catherine Sinclair, PhD. uses the trade name Dr. Cares™. She is a licensed pastoral counselor, a Naturopath, and a Nikken Independent Wellness Consultant . The information contained in this website is not to be taken as a substitute for professional advice from your qualified medical "practitioner." The author of this website is not an M.D. and therefore must post this required FDA disclaimer. None of the statements, self testing, nor recommended alternatives to overcoming bipolar symptoms have been evaluated by the FDA. Therefore, the tested and proven experiences, testimonies, supplements and alternative and natural therapies are for informational purposes only and does not purport to prescribe, diagnose or cure any mental or physical condition. Though as a licensed counselor she does advise her clients to be informed and involved in the recovery of their physical, spiritual and mental health. The above information has transformed many lives and the same can happen for you, but you alone are responsible for the decisions you make concerning all aspects of your health. Return from Accutane to Bipolar Medications
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