Millions of Americans turn to acne-fighting medications when it comes to clearing up their acne. And while many acne-treating medications are available to consumers, some acne-treating medications can cause devastating harms.
Autoimmune syndromes, including drug-induced lupus-like syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, vasculitis and serum sickness have been observed with tetracycline-class antibiotics, including minocycline. See http://www.drugs.com/pro/solodyn.html
One anti-acne medication which has minocycline is Solodyn. This acne-fighting drug is manufactured for the drug company Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. Solodyn is prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe acne in patients 12 years of age and older. Safety studies of Solodyn have only been conducted in 12 week periods meaning adverse reactions that may manifest themselves after 12 weeks have not been able to be studied. Tablets for oral administration contain minocycline hydrochloride USP equivalent to 45 mg, 65 mg, 90 mg, 115 mg or 135 mg of minocycline. And while Solodyn has helped millions of people clear up their skin, reports indicate that it has in some cases been linked with causing drug-induced Lupus.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the human body's immune system becomes hyperactive and begins to attack normal, healthy tissue. There are different types of Lupus. Drug-induced lupus is caused by medications. Drug-induced lupus is caused by a reaction with certain prescription drugs and causes harms to the heart, joints, skin, blood, lungs, liver, kidneys and nervous system.
Under normal function, our immune systems make proteins which are called antibodies. The antibodies are used by our bodies to protect and fight against antigens like viruses and bacteria. Lupus causes our immune systems to be unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue which in turn leads the immune system directing antibodies against the healthy tissue – not just antigens – causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage.
Since no two cases of lupus are exactly alike, there is a wide range of symptoms that are known to affect many parts of the body. Sometimes symptoms develop slowly or appear suddenly; they can be mild, severe, temporary, or permanent.
When Lupus does manifest itself, the following body parts can be affected:
Kidneys – serious kidney damage; Central nervous system – headaches, dizziness, memory problems, seizures, and behavioral changes;Blood and vessels – increased risk of anemia, bleeding, blood clotting, and vessel inflammation;Lungs – noninfectious pneumonia and difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the chest cavity;Heart – heart muscle and artery inflammation, and heart attack; Cancer – lupus increases the risk of cancer; Bone tissue death – a lower blood supply to bone tissue leads to breaks and eventual death of bone and is most common in the hip bone; Pregnancy – lupus increases the risk of miscarriage, hypertension during pregnancy, and preterm birth.
Symptoms may be manifested by arthralgia, fever, rash and malaise. Patients who experience such symptoms should be cautioned to stop the drug immediately and seek medical help.
If you or a loved one has experienced problems from Solodyn or other acne-fighting medications and have questions, please feel free to consult with our pharmaceutical attorneys who are well-versed with Food and Drug Administration regulations, as well as product liability law. We are experienced pharmaceutical lawyers who seek to protect the rights of patients. Contact our attorneys for more information, or call (800) 641-0098.
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