Oratane Side Effects

As with all medicines, there are side effects with Oratane. The side effects include dryness in several parts of the body, possible tiredness, and sometimes aching of the muscles and bones. More information on side effects can be found in this monograph.
All medicines have side effects. With Oratane the side effects are closely linked to Oratane actually working. If the patient is experiencing the side effects, then Oratane is working and it won't be long before the acne starts improving. The side effects of Oratane can range from mild to severe. Most of the side effects can be kept under control.
Everyone gets side effects. With Oratane everyone taking it will get some side effects. On the bright side, these side effects are a really good way to tell that Oratane is actually working and they can be kept under control with good skin care. Some advice on how to control the side effects that happen while using Oratane can be found in Skin Care under Precautions.
The intensity of the side effects will vary from patient to patient. Most of the common side effects are not very bad. It is important to be aware of the side effects that may occur while taking Oratane. It is also important to remember that the patient will not get all of the side effects mentioned in this section; the patient may only get one or two mild side effects. If the patient gets side effects while taking Oratane the patient may find that they wear off with time.
Common side effects: The patient may start to get some side effects with Oratane before the acne starts to clear. This will tell the patient that Oratane is working and it is just a matter of time before the acne starts to improve.
When the patient first starts taking Oratane, one of the first side effects the patient may notice is that the acne starts to get worse. This does not mean that Oratane is not working. Advise the patient to keep taking Oratane as prescribed by the doctor. Within seven to ten days the acne should stop getting worse and should then start to clear.
Dryness of the skin is the most common side effect with Oratane. Since Oratane works by drying up the oily glands in the skin the patient will find that the skin will become drier and more fragile. The patient may find that the lips become dry and cracked. The patient's face may look redder than usual and the skin may start to peel. It is important to look after the skin, the instructions in the Skin Care under Precautions will help the patient keep the side effects under control.
A less common side effect of Oratane treatment is drying of the inside of the nose and dry eyes. Drying of the nose can be uncomfortable and can lead to nose bleeds. There are ways to prevent and manage this. These are explained in the Skin Care under Precautions. Dry eyes can be a problem for people who wear contact lenses or people who work in air conditioned areas. The patient may find the need to use eyedrops to keep the eyes moist. The patient may also find the need to not wear contact lenses for as long as the patient did before starting on Oratane.
While taking Oratane the patient will find that the skin is more sensitive to the sun. The patient will need to take extra care to avoid sunburn. The patient should wear a sunscreen daily and try to avoid spending a long time in the sun.
Other side effects: Most patients will not experience the side effects listed in this section, these side effects are not very common.
There have been reports of people taking Oratane finding that their joints and muscles feel tender and stiff. This can be a problem if the patient is intending to do a lot of heavy exercise while taking Oratane. Advise the patient that it is a good idea to discuss this with a doctor.
Other serious but rarely experienced side effects of Oratane include skin infections especially around fingernails and toenails, peeling of the palms and soles of the feet, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, weight loss, diarrhoea and an abnormal menstrual cycle. Thinning of the hair may also occur; this is more common in men. Advise the patient to immediately inform the doctor if the patient feels that the medication is making the patient unhappy or depressed.
It is important to remember that the side effects seen with Oratane treatment are reversible. They should disappear soon after the patient have stopped taking Oratane.
The only side effects that is not reversible are the birth defects that can be caused if the patient become pregnant while taking Oratane. There is detailed information about how and why the patient must prevent pregnancy while taking Oratane in Use in Pregnancy & Lactation.
Important information: Advise the patient that it is important to make sure to inform the doctor if any of the things listed as follows happen.
If the patient can't tolerate the side effects the patient is getting while taking Oratane, advise the patient to inform the doctor. The dose of Oratane may need to be changed.
If the patient gets any of the serious less common side effects previously mentioned.
If the patient feels unhappy or depressed.
When will the side effects go away: When the patient has finished the course of Oratane. Because Oratane is causing the side effects, when the patient has finished taking Oratane the side effects should go away.
More information: If the patient has any questions about the side effects, or will get while on Oratane, advise the patient to talk to a doctor.
Further information about acne can be found in Actions.
For even more information visit the website at www.oratane.co.nz or www.oratane.com.hk