Medical Questions & Answers

Question: I have glaucoma, and as well as eye drops I have been prescribed Diamox tablets. I have had pins and needles in my fingers since they started. What are the side effects of Diamox?
Glaucoma is an increase in the pressure of the jelly-like fluid inside the eyeball. If left untreated, it will result in blindness, but most patients can be successfully treated by a combination of eye drops and tablets.
Diamox is a medication that can be used to treat an extraordinarily wide range of diseases including glaucoma, epilepsy and heart failure. It is not a new drug, and a great deal is known about its actions and effects.
Most patients have minimal side effects, but some patients do experience the pins and needles in their fingers that you describe. Other side effects may include frequent passing of urine, loss of appetite, thirst, flushing and fatigue. Many of these side effects will wear off as treatment is continued, or are minor nuisances rather than a significant problem. If your pins and needles are worrying you, discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.

Question: Could you tell me about Roaccutane? What effect does it have on the body and how safe is it?
Roaccutane is the most potent medication available for very severe cases of acne that do not respond to any other medication.
The prescription of Roaccutane is restricted to dermatologists only, and cannot be prescribed by your family doctor. The main reason for this restriction is that this drug will severely damage a foetus if it is given to a pregnant woman. It is therefore essential for any woman using the drug to totally abstain from sex while on treatment, and for some time afterwards, or be well established on a very reliable contraceptive.
The most common side effects of the drug are dry eyes, lips, nose and mouth. Others include muscle pains, thinning of the hair and changes in some liver enzymes and fat levels in the blood stream. On the other hand, Roaccutane can result in dramatic improvements to the skin, and almost complete resolution of disfiguring acne.
No dermatologist will start this medication without trying every other form of treatment first, but if started, it will be for very good reasons.

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