Miriam's story: 2 courses of isotretinoin

Two courses of isotretinoin

Miriam describes severe dry eyes, hair loss and other symptoms after taking isotretinoin (Accutane) for mild acne. She is president of an association in Spain for people affected by the drug.

She describes her life before it as vibrant and active, and full of energy. She says everything changed after two courses of isotretinoin.

Moral Medicine files her story under Post-Accutane Syndrome (PAS).

What Miriam describes

• Severe dry eye disease.
• Joint and back pain.
• Osteopenia, which means lower bone density than normal.
• A loss of ovarian reserve, the supply of eggs in the ovaries.
• Hair loss.
• Digestive problems, and dryness of the mucous membranes.

She also talks about what she sees as a lack of true informed consent, and says patients are not warned that side effects may be permanent. She describes the stigma, disbelief and emotional toll that people face when doctors do not take their symptoms seriously.

The interview also covers advocacy, working with people in other countries, and speaking up for Post-Accutane Syndrome (PAS) to be recognised.

Thank you to Miriam for telling this story. This interview was recorded by Moral Medicine, who have filmed more than ninety of these conversations.

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