Be very careful of using Oratane skin meds

[Spacerat]

Just a heads-up to parents that have their kids (or themselves) on Oratane to treat skin issues like acne. Although the side effects are claimed to be negligible, I feel otherwise. My daughter has always been a bubbly, social person. About 2 years ago, she started taking Oratane for her skin. It was prescribed by a dermatologist. During grade 10 and 11 she slowly slipped into a heavy depression and we went through an incredibly dark time with her. Academic performance plummeted. Maths from 80% to 35%. That severe. She was 'diagnosed' as clinically depressed and put on depression meds. I put diagnosed in quotes, because the diagnosis is by means of an interview and is actually a farce IMHO.

Then by chance I came across the Oratane side effects: https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/oratane-capsules#side-effects

I was pretty shocked as these side-effects described her state to a T. We stopped her taking it immediately at end of March this year. Over the last 3 months her mood has dramatically changed for the better and she is the happy, outgoing daughter we knew. Despite her losing out on academic participation at school for about 18 months and creating a challenge with applying to university, at least she is now in a good place mentally and emotionally.

The reason I am posting this is that depression in kids is a huge issue. You never get told about meds' side effects because they are considered 'safe'. We never made the connection between these meds and our daughter's condition. This is just a heads-up if anyone you know is maybe in a similar situation.

 

[duckgray]

i was on oratane years ago for a year. didn't have any of the emotional side effects that the doc told me about. i do remember that the light sensitivity was quite bad on some days but overall not a terrible experience with the meds.

 

[azbob]

She started two years ago and only stopped this March? The pamphlet says it should be 16 weeks and sometimes a 2nd course. How many has she had?

 

[RedViking]

Hormones.
A lot of meds messes with your hormones and messes you up.
Doctors will ignore this though...

 

[Tman*]

Just a heads-up to parents that have their kids (or themselves) on Oratane to treat skin issues like acne. Although the side effects are claimed to be negligible, I feel otherwise.

I am sorry to hear about your daughters issues, and hopes she makes a full recovery.

Who told you the side effects are negligible?

Oratane and other skin medications such as Roaccutane is not exactly Disprin. Decades ago when I took similar medication it was a big deal, with blood tests between cycles etc and the dangers and side effects where discussed with me in detail.

Its tragic that you only found out about the side effects now, but you should have been made well aware of it earlier or at least mentioned the potential ongoing effects to your doctor (if the meds was the only variable to your daughters depression why did you not think to mention it to the doc?)

 

[Ockie]

Dont know about this med, but it sounds similar to Roaccutane which I was on when I was studying. The doctor was very clear about the side effects and that I will need to go for bloods for liver to be checked etc. Girls also for example have to sign a "promise" to use contraception while they are on it because it causes birth defects. The side effects (cracking skin, dry eyes, back ache and fowl mood .... perhaps the mood was caused because I was just having such physical discomfort) that I phoned my mom the one night and told her I cant do it anymore, I am stopping the treatment. Luckily by then my skin had cleared, and even though I thought the acne would come back, it did not.

I am sorry about what happened to your girl. Terrible. Cant believe doctor did not explain these things to you, unless this drug is in fact supposed to have negligible side effects compared to Roaccutane.

 

[Spacerat]

I am sorry to hear about your daughters issues, and hopes she makes a full recovery.

Who told you the side effects are negligible?

Oratane and other skin medications such as Roaccutane is not exactly Disprin. Decades ago when I took similar medication it was a big deal, with blood tests between cycles etc and the dangers and side effects where discussed with me in detail.

Its tragic that you only found out about the side effects now, but you should have been made well aware of it earlier or at least mentioned the potential ongoing effects to your doctor (if the meds was the only variable to your daughters depression why did you not think to mention it to the doc?)

The doctor is one of the foremost and well-respected dermatologists in our area and he claimed that the side-effects are benign. Also, the web pages for the medication also state as much. I do feel that the doctor should have at least highlighted the side effects so that we could be aware.

We never made the connection between the meds and depression as the effect was too slow to notice really. Also, she was part of a friends group that was toxic as well as a ballet class where the teacher had a very toxic teaching style. We thought that these social factors were the cause for the depression. All-in-all, I am just happy to have my daughter back to normal. You cannot believe the magnitude of the change...

 

[Spacerat]

Dont know about this med, but it sounds similar to Roaccutane which I was on when I was studying. The doctor was very clear about the side effects and that I will need to go for bloods for liver to be checked etc. Girls also for example have to sign a "promise" to use contraception while they are on it because it causes birth defects. The side effects (cracking skin, dry eyes, back ache and fowl mood .... perhaps the mood was caused because I was just having such physical discomfort) that I phoned my mom the one night and told her I cant do it anymore, I am stopping the treatment. Luckily by then my skin had cleared, and even though I thought the acne would come back, it did not.

I am sorry about what happened to your girl. Terrible. Cant believe doctor did not explain these things to you, unless this drug is in fact supposed to have negligible side effects compared to Roaccutane.

That is exactly the same stuff...

 

[Spacerat]

She started two years ago and only stopped this March? The pamphlet says it should be 16 weeks and sometimes a 2nd course. How many has she had?

Not sure but about 3 a week...

 

[Tman*]

The doctor is one of the foremost and well-respected dermatologists in our area and he claimed that the side-effects are benign. Also, the web pages for the medication also state as much. I do feel that the doctor should have at least highlighted the side effects so that we could be aware.

We never made the connection between the meds and depression as the effect was too slow to notice really. Also, she was part of a friends group that was toxic as well as a ballet class where the teacher had a very toxic teaching style. We thought that these social factors were the cause for the depression. All-in-all, I am just happy to have my daughter back to normal. You cannot believe the magnitude of the change...

Sounds like bordeline malpractice, I would have bee very pissed off at the doctor.

Suppose there is nothing you can do now apart from focus on recovery

 

[Spacerat]

Sounds like bordeline malpractice, I would have bee very pissed off at the doctor.

Suppose there is nothing you can do now apart from focus on recovery

You bet I am pissed

 

[Smokey mcpot]

She started two years ago and only stopped this March? The pamphlet says it should be 16 weeks and sometimes a 2nd course. How many has she had?

Mistaken weeks for months... simple mistake.

 

[Tomtomtom]

I guess the idea is that acne itself causes emotional pain, so it's a balancing act. The cure can be pretty bad and still better than the disease, goes the thinking.

But this stuff is super nasty. Some of its potential side-effects are permanent. Meanwhile the acne it's intending to treat rarely lasts long. I'm sure these drugs are over-prescribed relative to the option of counselling through what is a difficult age regardless.

 

[mjzar]

I've taken Isotretinoin for years and its improved my skin immensely but I take a very low dose
And I've only ever taken Roaccutane.
The side effects are significant (especially for women of childbearing age), these should've been clearly explained
You need to find a doctor who you're comfortable with and who's knowledgeable, attentive, caring.

My initial experience with it aged fifteen was bad though, the doctor wasn't great, she had a very dismissive attitude, my skin worsened which is generally expected, but it went on for way too long...

I found another doctor soon afterwards and she sorted me out pretty quick.
I've been with the same dermatologist now for fifteen years and she is excellent. I'm fortunate

Just to add... there's a reason its classed as schedule 5 and the packaging is printed in red, its use needs to be strictly controlled, there are serious risk factors associated with it