Isotretinoin belongs to the first generation of tretinoin drugs, which has the functions of contracting sebaceous gland tissue, inhibiting sebaceous gland activity, reducing sebaceous gland secretion, reducing epithelial cell keratinization and reducing the number of Propionibacterium acne. It is effective in treating acne conglomerates, nodular cystic acne and fulminant acne, and is well received by patients. Although isotretinoin is effective in the treatment of severe acne, there are many adverse reactions that deserve attention. The clinical adverse reactions of isotretinoin mainly include the following six aspects.
1, skin and mucous membrane adverse reaction. This is the most common adverse reaction of oral isotretinoin. The higher the oral dose, the higher the incidence of adverse reactions. Panniculitis is the most common, with the incidence of 100%. It is characterized by dryness, chapping, peeling and bleeding of oral and lip mucosa, similar to exfoliative dermatitis. People who wear contact lenses or during the use of isotretinoin should not wear contact lenses.
2, teratogenic effect. Animal experiments have proved that oral isotretinoin can lead to developmental malformation, abortion and stillbirth.
3. Effects on bones. Long-term application of isotretinoin can cause bone hypertrophy, calcification of tendons and ligaments, osteoporosis and epiphyseal atresia, thus affecting the growth and development of children and adolescents. The course of isotretinoin should not be too long. When the condition is obviously improved, use maintenance dose or switch to other drugs with less adverse reactions. Patients who use isotretinoin for a long time can have regular X-ray examination. Usually eat foods rich in calcium, such as milk, sparerib soup, seafood and so on. And osteoporosis patients can be treated by calcium supplementation.
4. Influence on mental activities. The effect of oral isotretinoin on mental activity is related to the time of medication; Symptoms can be alleviated after drug withdrawal or psychotherapy, and symptoms can appear or worsen after the second medication. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of depression caused by isotretinoin. For patients with mental depression, the drug should be avoided.
5, neuromuscular adverse reactions. According to foreign literature, oral isotretinoin can cause headache, dizziness, lethargy, myalgia and serum creatine kinase (CK) elevation. It is suggested that patients with muscle weakness or elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) should avoid or reduce their use, and patients with muscle symptoms should avoid strenuous exercise.
6. Abnormal laboratory examination. Oral isotretinoin can increase the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, and patients with hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes should try to avoid using isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin in the treatment of severe cystic acne. That is to say, I used a very serious kind, almost all over my face, with pustules or red acne. Moreover, while using this medicine, we have to do one thing, monitoring liver function. In addition, at a certain age, the phenomenon of acne will naturally decrease. In other words, unless there is really no way (too many acne), it should be treated as a disease.
This article refers to some knowledge of Baidu Encyclopedia.