Acne Medication Led To Death... - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

meera · 15-02-2006, 11:14 AM

Parents demand acne drug inquiry
The family of a north Devon student are calling for a worldwide inquiry into a drug they say caused the depression which led him to kill himself.
Medical student Jon Medland, 22, had been taking Roaccutane for mild acne for just three-and-a-half weeks.
Jon Medland, from Barnstaple, was in the final year of his medical degree at Manchester University when he hanged himself at his student lodgings on 13 January.

The inquest was told that in a short time Mr Medland changed from a "bubbly, outgoing" young man to one who was withdrawn and depressed with suicidal thoughts.

He apparently told friends and family that he feared his mental state was somehow connected to the Roaccutane.
Roche Pharmaceuticals said the drug carried a warning of possible mood changes and depression.

But it said no causal link had been established between the drug and either depression or suicide.

The company added that, over 20 years, it had successfully treated up to 13 million acne sufferers but the drug was regarded as a last resort treatment

LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/4010727.stm

Ironball · 21-02-2006, 04:18 PM

Had this drug myself. Probably should not have even been prescribed it. I had hairloss, acne did not improve and in fact led to facial scarring I am sure. I started to get red raised lumps where the acne had been which took 5 years to go down. still got scarring now. It got me depressed but probably because it was making things worse. The hair I lost never came back either as I was probably going to receed at a young age anyway. Thinning hair, spots and red scars on your face does not do much for your confidence, especially when you are only 16.

However, I have seen photos of people who had severe cystic acne who healed very well by taking Roaccutane.

Then again I saw a guy who had it and his lips became that dry that they basically peeled off. He had to drink through a straw, and could not have a girlfriend because he could not kiss her or his lips would turn to mush. That was years after he had stopped taking the drug.

I would not recommend the drug but if all else has failed and you are at your wits end then obviously you would probably take it. Chances are you will have no side effects.

The drug company won't ever admit anything anyway. Too much cash to lose.:rage:

meera · 21-03-2006, 10:17 AM

WO Ironball! That is messed up mate! Thanks for an insider's view on this. Much appreciated.

damagedgoods · 21-03-2006, 02:06 PM

I've taken Roaccutane for Acne - and have found it to be a 'wonder' drug - F**King gr8 stuff. it will dry the skin out - but it worked gr8 for me.

It is a 'last chance' drug for acne. and should not be taken by anyone who is in ill health be it mental ot physical and needs to be treated with respect. the dose is bodyweight dependant and IMHO the reccomended dosage is very high - the dermatologist who I was with cut it in half - and I then cut it in half again and within 2 months I was 100% acne free.

Lauren · 25-03-2006, 07:44 PM

The only reports of this that I found were american ones, which personally they go WAY overboard anyway!

I have used this myself and was using the maximum dosage for my size too and I had no problems what so ever, in fact it was a WONDER DRUG!!!!!!!
Would deffo use again if needs be!
Only sides I had were dry skin and burnt easily on sunbeds, apart from that was fine.
I would rather go through a few months of dry skin than a lifetime of acne!!!!!!!!!

I cannot beieve his death was down to Roaccutane there were probably many other hidden things which his family did not know about.

damagedgoods · 27-03-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren

The only reports of this that I found were american ones, which personally they go WAY overboard anyway!

I have used this myself and was using the maximum dosage for my size too and I had no problems what so ever, in fact it was a WONDER DRUG!!!!!!!
Would deffo use again if needs be!
Only sides I had were dry skin and burnt easily on sunbeds, apart from that was fine.
I would rather go through a few months of dry skin than a lifetime of acne!!!!!!!!!

I cannot beieve his death was down to Roaccutane there were probably many other hidden things which his family did not know about.

ditto.

davetherave · 19-03-2008, 03:17 PM

i'm on it at the moment

i'd previously done a course where the previous dermatologist mis-calculated the course so i was doing 1 tablet a day

when i tried a few other things i saw a different doctor who realised that i had effectively done a quarter - course
he upped it to 3 tablets a day

about 2 months ago the course ran out 3 weeks before i was due to see him and spots had come back on my face (i got them on my face and head)

so he put me back on them at 3 tablets a day again

now the side effects are the worst i have experienced so far in the treatment

here's a list (including the usual)

a) dry lips (vaseline)
b) nose bleeds in sleep
c) a rare nose bleed when awake
d) poorer smell of smell
e) rash on hands and arms
f) suspected heat induced utricia (?)

e) is worse then ever and the hydrocortisone creme isnt helping, it is mostly on my hands
f) stopped me training the other day

but it is just worth it for the fact that i can shave my head, and do not need to have a great bushy beard (with no hair) when the spots have gone

i have not felt depression, i have had anger but am not naive enough to blame the roacc for this

15-02-2006, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
meera CEE...mmmmmm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 300	Acne Medication Led To Death... Parents demand acne drug inquiry The family of a north Devon student are calling for a worldwide inquiry into a drug they say caused the depression which led him to kill himself. Medical student Jon Medland, 22, had been taking Roaccutane for mild acne for just three-and-a-half weeks. Jon Medland, from Barnstaple, was in the final year of his medical degree at Manchester University when he hanged himself at his student lodgings on 13 January. The inquest was told that in a short time Mr Medland changed from a "bubbly, outgoing" young man to one who was withdrawn and depressed with suicidal thoughts. He apparently told friends and family that he feared his mental state was somehow connected to the Roaccutane. Roche Pharmaceuticals said the drug carried a warning of possible mood changes and depression. But it said no causal link had been established between the drug and either depression or suicide. The company added that, over 20 years, it had successfully treated up to 13 million acne sufferers but the drug was regarded as a last resort treatment LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/4010727.stm __________________ Ain't noone in this world like a Bruce....

21-03-2006, 10:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
meera CEE...mmmmmm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 300	WO Ironball! That is messed up mate! Thanks for an insider's view on this. Much appreciated. __________________ Ain't noone in this world like a Bruce....

25-03-2006, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lauren The Lady Of The Manor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bedfordshire, UK Posts: 2,291	The only reports of this that I found were american ones, which personally they go WAY overboard anyway! I have used this myself and was using the maximum dosage for my size too and I had no problems what so ever, in fact it was a WONDER DRUG!!!!!!! Would deffo use again if needs be! Only sides I had were dry skin and burnt easily on sunbeds, apart from that was fine. I would rather go through a few months of dry skin than a lifetime of acne!!!!!!!!! I cannot beieve his death was down to Roaccutane there were probably many other hidden things which his family did not know about. __________________ "Are you a Raver?" "No, Im straight!" :love:

19-03-2008, 03:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
davetherave evad Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 1,211	Re: Acne Medication Led To Death... i'm on it at the moment i'd previously done a course where the previous dermatologist mis-calculated the course so i was doing 1 tablet a day when i tried a few other things i saw a different doctor who realised that i had effectively done a quarter - course he upped it to 3 tablets a day about 2 months ago the course ran out 3 weeks before i was due to see him and spots had come back on my face (i got them on my face and head) so he put me back on them at 3 tablets a day again now the side effects are the worst i have experienced so far in the treatment here's a list (including the usual) a) dry lips (vaseline) b) nose bleeds in sleep c) a rare nose bleed when awake d) poorer smell of smell e) rash on hands and arms f) suspected heat induced utricia (?) e) is worse then ever and the hydrocortisone creme isnt helping, it is mostly on my hands f) stopped me training the other day but it is just worth it for the fact that i can shave my head, and do not need to have a great bushy beard (with no hair) when the spots have gone i have not felt depression, i have had anger but am not naive enough to blame the roacc for this

21-02-2006, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ironball Looking Freaky Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 778	Had this drug myself. Probably should not have even been prescribed it. I had hairloss, acne did not improve and in fact led to facial scarring I am sure. I started to get red raised lumps where the acne had been which took 5 years to go down. still got scarring now. It got me depressed but probably because it was making things worse. The hair I lost never came back either as I was probably going to receed at a young age anyway. Thinning hair, spots and red scars on your face does not do much for your confidence, especially when you are only 16. However, I have seen photos of people who had severe cystic acne who healed very well by taking Roaccutane. Then again I saw a guy who had it and his lips became that dry that they basically peeled off. He had to drink through a straw, and could not have a girlfriend because he could not kiss her or his lips would turn to mush. That was years after he had stopped taking the drug. I would not recommend the drug but if all else has failed and you are at your wits end then obviously you would probably take it. Chances are you will have no side effects. The drug company won't ever admit anything anyway. Too much cash to lose.:rage:

21-03-2006, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
damagedgoods Looking Freaky Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wisbech Posts: 764	I've taken Roaccutane for Acne - and have found it to be a 'wonder' drug - F**King gr8 stuff. it will dry the skin out - but it worked gr8 for me. It is a 'last chance' drug for acne. and should not be taken by anyone who is in ill health be it mental ot physical and needs to be treated with respect. the dose is bodyweight dependant and IMHO the reccomended dosage is very high - the dermatologist who I was with cut it in half - and I then cut it in half again and within 2 months I was 100% acne free.