Ilena Rose
August 22nd 06, 07:29 PM
PigPills Polevoy hawks Accutane on his internet pimple site ... while
trying to shut down studies on natural healing modalities.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=50228
Doctors had always thought that Accutane (isotretinoin), an anti-acne
drug, carried with it a slight risk of raised cholesterol and/or
triglyceride levels. However, a recent study carried out by scientists
from the University of California, San Francisco, has shown that the
risk is much higher than had previously been thought. The study found
that 31% of patients taking Accutane ended up with high cholesterol
levels, 44% developed high triglycerides while 11% had high liver
transaminase levels (liver enzymes).
You can read about this study in the journal Archives of Dermatology,
August issue.
Lead author, Dr. Lee T. Zane, said "Having abnormal tests results does
not necessarily signal a bad medical outcome. It's just lab tests, not
heart attacks. Isotretinoin is undeniably the most effective
medication we have for treating severe acne. It can truly be
life-changing. We can't lose sight of the fact that isotretinoin is
the most important revolution in medical dermatology in the last 30
years."
Accutane should never be taken by pregnant women as there is a risk of
severe birth defects.
The team looked at 13 772 patents, aged 13-50. They had taken Accutane
between 1995-2002. Although the high figures for raised cholesterol,
trigliceryde and liver enzyme levels were surprising, the scientists
also noted that not long after most patients stopped taking the
medication their levels returned to what they were before treatment
began. 92% of those with high liver enzymes, 80% of high triglycerides
and 79% of those with high cholesterol returned to pre-treatment
levels soon after treatment was stopped.
There is a risk patients could be at risk of metabolic syndrome, say
the scientists. Doctors should do blood tests on patients taking
Accutane. There are ways of continuing Accutane treatment for patients
with abnormal test results - they could be treated by managing their
diet and exercise. Statins can also be used to keep cholesterol levels
down.
The researchers don't know whether children who are taking Accutane
have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular problems when they
become adults.
A Population-Based Analysis of Laboratory Abnormalities During
Isotretinoin Therapy for Acne Vulgaris
Lee T. Zane, MD, MAS; Wendy A. Leyden, MPH; Ann L. Marqueling, BA; M.
Michele Manos, PhD, MPH, DVM
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:1016-1022.
Click Here To View Abstract
trying to shut down studies on natural healing modalities.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=50228
Doctors had always thought that Accutane (isotretinoin), an anti-acne
drug, carried with it a slight risk of raised cholesterol and/or
triglyceride levels. However, a recent study carried out by scientists
from the University of California, San Francisco, has shown that the
risk is much higher than had previously been thought. The study found
that 31% of patients taking Accutane ended up with high cholesterol
levels, 44% developed high triglycerides while 11% had high liver
transaminase levels (liver enzymes).
You can read about this study in the journal Archives of Dermatology,
August issue.
Lead author, Dr. Lee T. Zane, said "Having abnormal tests results does
not necessarily signal a bad medical outcome. It's just lab tests, not
heart attacks. Isotretinoin is undeniably the most effective
medication we have for treating severe acne. It can truly be
life-changing. We can't lose sight of the fact that isotretinoin is
the most important revolution in medical dermatology in the last 30
years."
Accutane should never be taken by pregnant women as there is a risk of
severe birth defects.
The team looked at 13 772 patents, aged 13-50. They had taken Accutane
between 1995-2002. Although the high figures for raised cholesterol,
trigliceryde and liver enzyme levels were surprising, the scientists
also noted that not long after most patients stopped taking the
medication their levels returned to what they were before treatment
began. 92% of those with high liver enzymes, 80% of high triglycerides
and 79% of those with high cholesterol returned to pre-treatment
levels soon after treatment was stopped.
There is a risk patients could be at risk of metabolic syndrome, say
the scientists. Doctors should do blood tests on patients taking
Accutane. There are ways of continuing Accutane treatment for patients
with abnormal test results - they could be treated by managing their
diet and exercise. Statins can also be used to keep cholesterol levels
down.
The researchers don't know whether children who are taking Accutane
have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular problems when they
become adults.
A Population-Based Analysis of Laboratory Abnormalities During
Isotretinoin Therapy for Acne Vulgaris
Lee T. Zane, MD, MAS; Wendy A. Leyden, MPH; Ann L. Marqueling, BA; M.
Michele Manos, PhD, MPH, DVM
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:1016-1022.
Click Here To View Abstract