Dangers of acne medication

The first reaction of anyone who gets acne is to seek medication that can remove the ugly pimples. The medication can be taken as drops or tablets or applied as a lotion or cream in the inflamed areas. Most of the time teenagers go for excessive medication or self medication hoping to remove pimples instantly without realizing the dangers of medication.

They buy over the counter drugs advised by their friends hoping that these medicines will work for them This is not a good practice. It might lead to unnecessary complications that can occur due to cross reactions. Sometimes an ingredient in the medicine can trigger an allergic response.
That is why any medication should be taken under proper supervision only. If possible, a complete health check up must be done before starting a treatment.

The most common medication used in the treatment of acne is isotretonoin, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics and retinoids. Oral contraceptives are prescribed for women who are prone to hormonal acne.

Of these, Isotretonoin is the most common oral medicine that is currently being used for acne. The medicine that is marketed under the name of Accutane brings relief by decreasing the oil production in the body and unblocking the pores. Results have shown that a course spanning 14 to 20 weeks can rid you completely of acne. It may also reduce the chances of a relapse.

However, numerous side effects have been noticed among those using Accutane. Some of the mild side effects are dryness of the skin, nausea ad headaches. The serious side effects are the likely chances of developing night blindness or development of a corneal ulcer. Constant headaches accompanied with blurred vision can be a signal for pseudotumor cerebri. A person can also suffer bouts of intense depression and anxiety. Suicidal feelings are also very common. Birth defects are seen in case of children born to mothers who are taking Accutane.

Lately Benzoyl Peroxide is being used for treating acne. This too can lead to temporary skin dryness and abrasions. Besides this, anti-bacterial drugs can be used for reducing the skin inflammation. They reduce the spread of acne by minimizing the bacterial infections. This is, however, not a permanent solution. Excessive application of ointment too can irritate the skin and cause more breakouts.

Retinoids are available as tablets or in the form of topical creams. They reduce the spread of acne by killing damaged or injured dermal cells. This prevents further infection. It is advisable for pregnant women to avoid using retinoids since its use can lead to various birth anomalies.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is an oral contraceptive that is usually prescribed to women suffering from severe cases of hormonal acne. It can, however, lead to excessive bleeding, mood swings and breast tenderness. Unexplained weight increase or loss is also seen in few cases.