Sharing Your Prescription Meds? You're Not Alone.
It seems many people are sharing their prescription medications with friends and family members. In a paper published in the June 2008 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, about one quarter of study participants reported having borrowed someone else's prescription medications. Nearly as many say they had shared their own medications with others. This included oral antibiotics, birth control pills, and the acne treatment drug Accutane.
In fact, more than 6% said they had given some of their Accutane pills to someone else. This is more than a little scary, considering the laundry list of side effects that comes with the drug. Those prescribed Accutane must use two forms of birth control and women must submit to regular pregnancy tests, because this medication causes severe birth defects. All Accutane users are also carefully monitored for liver damage and an increased level of triglycerides in the blood. Which means those borrowing this medication aren't getting the carefully monitoring they need to stay safe and healthy.
It's hard to watch your friends and family members struggle with acne, and maybe more so when you personally understand the anguish that acne can cause. It's tempting to give them some of your Accutane pills in an effort to help them out. But instead of handing over your prescription medications, it's much safer to encourage them to see their own doctor for treatment.
And if you're the one using your best pal's Accutane, understand that it's never okay to use someone else's prescription. Accutane is a powerful drug, and you're putting yourself at risk if you're taking it without a doctor's approval.
Please keep yourself safe. Never use someone else's prescription medications, and never share yours with others. (And I'll get off my soapbox now.)
Related Topics:
- Accutane
- The Link Between Depression and Accutane
- Should I Buy Accutane in Mexico?
- Prescription Drug Basics
- Accutane and Birth Defects
Source: Goldsworthy RC, Schwartz NC, Mayhorn CB. " Beyond Abuse and Exposure: Framing the Impact of Prescription-Medication Sharing." American Journal of Public Health, 2008; 98(6): 1115-1121. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.123257
Using Light to Treat Acne
Have you heard about photodynamic therapy? It has been getting a lot of press lately regarding its success as an acne treatment. Although it's not a brand new procedure, there have been great advances in the past few years making it a viable treatment option for acne.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) isn't a laser treatment, but rather uses ultraviolet light to help clear acne blemishes. It's thought to shrink oil glands, reduce acne-causing bacteria, and can also improve the texture of the skin.
While the procedure isn't cheap, and unfortunately isn't often picked up by insurance, more adults are turning to photodynamic therapy especially after getting lackluster results with topical treatments. As an added bonus, PDT may also diminish surface acne scars and age spots.
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Accutane in the News Again
Many people who have found relief from their acne consider Accutane a miracle drug. Meant to be a last resort for those with severe or cystic acne, Accutane is a potent oral medication that often will clear skin when all other treatments have failed.
But Accutane has been linked to a host of serious side effects, including severe birth defects and depression. Now, a Utah woman has been awarded $10.5 million dollars after a New Jersey court ruled Accutane caused her inflammatory bowel disease. The woman had taken Accutane on and off for many years, and eventually had to have part of her colon removed. She is the third person who to win a judgment against Accutane maker Roche.
With all the scary side effects listed on the package and the bad publicity Accutane has received in recent years, you may wonder why anyone in their right mind would take the drug?
A friend of mine went through two courses of the drug several years ago, back when the depression and Accutane link was getting a lot of publicity. When I asked her if she was worried, she gave me a look that I can only describe as shock. "No," she said. "I was depressed because of my acne. Taking Accutane was the best thing I've ever done because I feel good about myself again."
So, for some people, Accutane can be a viable treatment option. First and foremost, talk with your dermatologist. Learn how Accutane works, and make sure you fully understand the possible side effects. Exhaust all other treatment options before trying Accutane. Being informed and educated about this acne drug will ultimately help you make the right decision.
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Is Acne Contagious?
Teens especially seem to ask this question. And this worry may keep them from getting too close to a friend with acne. Is it possible to catch acne from a friend?
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Acne-Fighting Water?
So, have you heard about the new bottled water being sold in the UK? It's called Beauty water, and it's manufacturer is claiming it helps clear acne.
This "designer" water contains Praventin™, a protein which they claim inhibits the development of the acne-inducing Propionibacterium acnes. Manufacturers also say this protein reduces inflammation.
I do believe a good diet, with plenty of fresh water daily, helps to keep both your skin and body healthy. But an acne-fighting water? As much as I'd love to believe it (I'd guzzle gallons a day!) I'm reminded of the old adage: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But what do you think? Would you try it? Let us know in the acne forum.
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Cleansing Basics
Cleansing the face seems like a simple thing, doesn't it? You'd think so… but at one of my latest classes we ended up discussing this topic for nearly an hour.
What types of cleansers should you use on your skin? Are bar soaps okay? What about washcloths and scrubbing pads? And then there's the question of water temperature. Should you follow the "steaming hot water to open pores, icy cold to close them up" routine or not?
The questions didn't surprise me. What did were the misconceptions many of the women had regarding cleansing and acne development. Since this was a general skin care class, not one specifically geared toward acne, we had a pretty fair mix of acne sufferers and those blessed with clear skin.
Those with rarely a pimple swore by their cleansing routine because they, well, rarely had a pimple. Their advice ran the gamut from helpful (never go to bed without cleansing your face) to truly unpleasant (swab your face with rubbing alcohol after every cleansing. Ouch!)
As well-meaning the advice was, it's hurtful for someone with acne to hear "You have acne because you're not washing your face." It's just not true.
So, with all the misconceptions out there, do you know how to properly cleanse your face?
Photo © Photodisc / Getty Images
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New Procedure Cleared by FDA to Treat Acne Scars
There used to be a time when little could be done for acne scars. Thank goodness times have changed! There are now many options when it comes to acne scar treatment beyond the old-time dermabrasion.
And now there is a new treatment. It's called Portrait® Plasma, and it has already been in use to treat lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and more. It has now been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acne scarring.
Portrait® Plasma is an in-office procedure that works similarly to a laser treatment. But it's being promoted as being less invasive, and having less downtime, than many laser treatments.
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Hating Your Adult Acne?
Yeah, me too. My acne is pretty much under control, and nowhere near as bad as it used to be. But those rogue pimples still pop up at the worst times. How can you sit through a lecture about the skin and its proper care when the lecturer (that would be me) has a zit the size of Texas on her cheek? You can't help but stare at something like that.
Living with acne can be tough, something those always blessed with clear skin can't always appreciate. Acne does affect our confidence level, and the way we feel about ourselves. But I've had to learn that acne doesn't define who I am, and it doesn't diminish me either. It's a tough lesson, but well worth it.
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No More Blood Monitoring for Those Using Aczone
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will no longer require blood screening for those who are using the acne-fighting drug Aczone (dapsone). Up until now, patients using this topical acne treatment were required to be monitored for blood conditions, specifically a type of anemia. Although oral dapsone has been linked to anemia, especially in those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a recent clinical trial found no clinical evidence of anemia in those using the topical form of this drug.
Aczone is applied twice daily to acne-affected areas. The most common side effects were redness and flaking.
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My Obsession with My Child's Skin
I'll admit, I'm a little obsessed with my child's skin. I scrutinize his face through a magnifying lamp, monitor any and all breakout activity, hound him about the virtues of good cleansing. Because I had acne, I know that my children are more likely to suffer the same fate. And I don't want them to. That's why I’ve decided my eleven-year-old son needs to start on an acne treatment.
He’s had blackheads on the nose and the occasional small papule since he was nine. We had managed to keep those under control with good daily cleansing. But now that he’s nearing the teenage years, soap and water just isn’t cutting it anymore. For the past month or so I’ve noticed more inflamed breakouts. Nothing major, but I’d like to keep it that way. With luck, a salicylic acid cleanser will be enough to keep acne in check. But if not, you can bet I’m going to get him in to see a dermatologist right away.
Some of the parents at his school think I’m just a little extreme. After all, he’s in fifth grade, not high school. But, I’m a firm believer in treating acne early. By starting treatment now, I hope to keep his mild breakouts from progressing into anything more serious. Acne responds better to treatments when you catch it during the early stages.
So I’ll continue to obsess over my child’s skin, supervise while he cleanses his face every night, and definitely adjust his skin care routine as needed through the teenage years. And while he runs when he sees me approaching with the magnifying lamp and comedo extractor, I’m hoping he’ll be thankful one day, because he didn’t have to suffer through acne like his mom.
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