Acne drug with dangerous side effects

Acne – it’s a teenage problem right? This commonly held assumption is incorrect. Adult acne affects many people, and is a frequent problem to many first years living away from home for the first time.

Lucy, a student, talks to Leeds Student about her experiences of acne and the controversial drug Roaccutane.

At 21, Lucy is surely well past her acne risk age, right? Wrong. Adult acne affects 50 per cent of all women and 25 per cent of men at some point in their adult lives, according to…

One third of these will experience acne on their bodies as well as their faces.

Bad skin taboo

Lucy told Leeds Student: “I finally realised that other people were noticing it when I overheard a boy at TigerTiger say to his mate ‘Eugh maybe not her.’ My confidence was already low and this was the final straw.”

“I’d never had acne in my teens – I thought I’d had a lucky escape, I never even had outbreaks as I saw so many of my friends had growing up,” she continued.

Adult acne isn’t always a reoccurrence from teenage acne – the condition can strike any adult. In some rare cases this can even be when they are in their 40s.

The move to University is often stressful, with students a long way from home for a prolonged period of time. Alongside this there are the increasingly dark days of semester one, which means that acne can occur rapidly.

“I started getting bad skin as soon as I started Uni in my first year. I was suddenly a lot more stressed being away from home and going out a lot more – I would always wear drying facemasks to try and prevent any more spots – my flatmates used to laugh at me and we’ve got loads of photos of those facemasks! I thought it was just going to be a few spots.” She explained.

Myths

The problem with acne is deeper than the skins’ surface. Although the causes of adult acne are, in the main, unknown, the myths surrounding the condition are endless.

‘Eating too much chocolate!’ and ‘Just wash your face!’ are two commonly perceived responses. Adult acne is a condition which has nothing to do with cleanliness – over washing can actually provoke more irritation. Girls may be familiar with the odd breakout or annoying monthly spot around the time of their period which relates to fluctuating hormones as acne is often caused by hormonal changes.

Common cures

Many students often recommend creams to their friends, but is there the right cream that can make the condition magically disappear? Well, in less severe cases there are lotions that can work. Topical solutions are often prescribed, such as Zineryt.

However for Lucy and many other acne sufferers there was little improvement with these creams. After consulting her doctor, Lucy was then put on Erythromycin antibiotics and Dianette – a pill often used to combat acne in teenagers.Whilst this treatment wasn’t successful, it did have one positive side effect.

She explained: “The one thing I would say about Dianette is that you don’t have to shave your legs as much!” commented Lucy.

She was then referred to a specialist dermatologist after beginning to feel depressed by her acne:

“I’d just been on holiday and spent the whole time trying to cover up my acne. I wouldn’t swim in the sea as this would remove my makeup – I got completely sunburnt, I’d read somewhere that the sun could dry out the spots. I was what I thought to be depressed. My mum was worried so suggested the GP book me in with a dermatologist.”

The dermatologist suggested treatments that had previously failed and saw only one option left that might cure what has been formally diagnosed as ‘severe acne.’ The drug in question was the controversial Roaccutane.

Roaccutane

Lucy had to privately pay for her treatment as the NHS refused to fund the treatment that she was prescribed. She told LS:

“The doctor explained to me the possible side effects and they sounded pretty extreme – but I was desperate. Plus I was of the mind that side effects never normally happen.”

Lucy was told she would have to use two forms of contraception and visit the doctor once a month for a pregnancy test. If a user falls pregnant whilst taking the drug it can cause foetal deformity and a termination is normally required. A blood test is also required to keep a check on fat levels in the blood as Roaccutane can increase these.

Some people might think that this seems fairly extreme action for just a few spots. But acne is more than a ‘few spots’ for many sufferers, and it certainly was for Lucy.

She told LS that she felt so self conscious she would wear concealer to bed in case her boyfriend found her ‘disgusting.

“Roaccutane was a god send at first! The doctor suggested that it might get worse to get better – but mine just started to clear. For the first time in six months I could see improvement, I felt happy.”

Side effects

However, Roaccutane has many possible side effects including muscle aches and headache, but the drug has also been linked to clinical depression. Whilst on the drug Lucy’s skin improved beyond recognition, but her mood was also gradually changing.

She went from being an outgoing confident woman to an introvert after just one month of treatment. She explained: “I’ve always felt comfortable in social situations – suddenly the idea of going out in large groups scared me and I felt low a lot of the time.”

“I would cry for no reason at all – sometimes for over an hour. I didn’t know why – I just knew I felt sad. I never once linked it to Roaccutane – I think that’s what’s so dangerous about it all. I thought it was me not the drugs.”

When Lucy visited her dermatologist for her monthly review he noticed she had been picking the skin round her nails until they bled.

“I didn’t realise I was doing it – I just know I didn’t do it before the treatment and I don’t do it now. I felt anxious and picking my fingers was a reaction to this.” She explained.

Alongside this and her reports of uncontrollable crying, the doctor decided to stop the treatment. The drug stayed in Lucy’s system for two months and her skin cleared.

Lucky escape

Lucy was fortunate and had correct supervision so was able to escape her depression before it was too late. However, not everyone is so fortunate.

In 2008, Angela Lee, 28, from East London threw herself under a train after the drug allegedly triggered depression. She had been prescribed it six months before her
death.

Although drug makers Roche deny any connection Angela’s family stated: “In her suicide note Angela spoke about how Roaccutane had aged her body, how she would never get better, how there was no way out.”

Roaccutane therapy is a last resort treatment for severe cases of acne only but with correct supervision it can be hugely successful. Acne can affect self confidence and trigger depression. Some cases of suicide have been linked to acne in itself.

Lucy added: “Although I know now what Roaccutane is capable of, I was taken off it at the right time. I don’t regret taking Roaccutane – acne is out of my life now for good.”

It is said that the danger from Roaccutane comes when it is taken irresponsibly or prescribed irresponsibly. Many models are alleged to have taken the drug for the glow that users report. This strong drug requires strong supervision.

Lucy is just thankful that her dermatologist was alerted to the symptoms’ she had:

“Without my dermatologist I dread to think what I could have done to myself – he took me off it as soon as he was concerned.”

Lucy’s story serves as a warning to others. A common problem to students at every university across the country, acne can for some be too much to bear for some. It’s important that people understand the risks when they take a drug such as roaccutane, as whilst its clear up rate is undeniable, its side effects can range from the minor to the major.

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