What does ghk-cu even do at this point

[BeMyValentines]

Sorry may be a dumb question but the internet is slandering Its meaning like I think I stops irritation but others says it stops acne and others says I doesn’t do anything what does it do

I am so sorry for the stupidity of the question.

 

[Cranium/]

it doesn't stop acne it boosts collagen production

nw

 

[moliuny]

J u s t u s e T r e t i n o i n ( T o p i c a l )

 

[killuacel]

J u s t u s e T r e t i n o i n ( oral )

 

[6”LTN]

little shit, like repearing injurys faster, more and better collagen prodution, better and faster hair growth and fights off oxidative damage.

it is naturally produced when you are younger (around 200 ng/mL) but gradually drops when you get older (80 ng/mL) whihc is about a 60% decrease over time.

(mark as solution)

 

[moliuny]

@killuacel
I'll just drop u the side effect from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2835909/#sec7
Oral is a good option too as it is faster but for skin? if you dont have acne it doesnt make any sense to take it.

Side Effects​

Isotretinoin has many side effects but most are predictable and rarely interfere with the patient management. The common mucocutaneous side effects are dose dependent and rendered tolerable by modification of the dose and/or additional symptomatic therapy.


Teratogenicity is well recognized and regarded as one of the most serious potential adverse effects.52 Fifty percent of pregnancies spontaneously abort, and of the remainder about half of the infants are born with cardiovascular or skeletal deformities. The European Directive and iPLEGDE in the USA have addressed the importance of pregnancy prevention as discussed previously. Discussion about the teratogenicity and recognized side effects should be recorded in the notes at each visit, and patients should be given appropriate written information.


Mood changes including depression are common among adolescents and have been reported in acne patients treated with isotretinoin. Two studies that looked at spontaneous reports of side effects for the FDA in the USA53,54 found little or no increase in psychiatric disease including depression and suicide over the background prevalence in the adolescent population. A further study of general practice databases in Canada and the UK showed similar findings as have subsequent studies.55 A more recent controlled case cross-over study demonstrated a relative risk for depression of 2.68 (95% CI = 1.03 to 3.89) for acne patients exposed to oral isotretinoin.56 This is the first controlled study to find a statistically significant association between isotretinoin and depression. Despite contradictory reports clinicians have been advised of a potential rare idiosyncratic reaction in some young vulnerable patients which could lead to mood changes and clinical depression during treatment with isotretinoin. It is therefore advisable to specifically enquire about related symptoms at each clinic visit.


If significant depression is identified, then a psychiatric referral may be indicated. Increased aggression has been identified in some male patients and the FDA in the USA has advised clinicians to warn potential patients about this side effect. If there is any doubt, the drug must be stopped.


The mucocutaneous side effects are dose dependent and can usually be controlled with regular use of moisturizers and lip salves. Occasionally retinoid dermatitis, a severe retinoid cheilitis or conjunctivitis occur, often complicated by secondary infection with S. aureus. These patients may need treatment with an intermediate-strength steroid ointment combined with an antiseptic. If there is impetiginization, oral anti-staphylococcal therapy such as flucloxacillin and/or topical mupirocin 2% ointment may be required.57 A nasal preparation of mupirocin can be used to eradicate nasal carriage of staphylococci. Table 4 summarizes the most common mucocutaneous problems that may arise from isotretinoin use.

Table 4.​

Most common mucocutaneous problems that may arise from isotretinoin use

Adverse effect​	Incidence up to​
Cheilitis​	98%​
Conjunctivitis/blepharitis​	35%​
Dermatitis​	65%​
Desquamation​	20%​
Facial erythema​	65%​
Epistaxis​	35%​
Epidermal atrophy​	25%​
Fragility of skin​	20%​
Hair loss​	5%​
Itching​	25%​
Mucositis​	40%​
Vestibulitis​	50%​
Xerosis​	50%​

Open in a new tab
Significant systemic effects are uncommon (Table 5); headaches may uncommonly be an early feature of benign intracranial hyper-tension and arthralgia is seen most frequently in those patients participating in regular and heavy excercise. Tetracyclines, including doxycycline and minocycline, must not be prescribed with isotretinoin, as both drugs may produce benign intracranial hypertension.51,58 Systemic side effects are usually well controlled by dose reduction and concomitant the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin. There is a long list of very uncommon systemic side effects a detailed review of these is beyond the scope of this chapter.

Table 5.​

Less common but recognized side effects of isotretinoin

• Achilles tendonitis​

• Acne fulminans​

• Depression​

• Diarrhoea/colitis​

• Headaches/benign intracranial hypertension​

• High-tone deafness​

• Mood changes​

• Night blindness​

• Paronychia​

• Pyogenic granulomas​

• Sticky palms​

• Urticaria​

• Vasculitis​

Open in a new tab
An acute flare of acne early in a course of isotretinoin is a recognized problem in about 6% cases and is clinically significant in half of these.50 The physician should inform patients accordingly and provide a fast track follow up should this problem occur as these flares can be very aggressive producing physical and psychological difficulties. Predisposing risk factors for a flare include the presence of macrocomedones and nodules.50 If a severe flare occurs oral prednisolone should be given in a dose of 0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day over a period of 2–3 weeks, and the dose slowly decreased over the next 6 weeks. The isotretinoin should either be stopped or reduced to a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg/day depending on the severity of the problem. If stopped, the drug can be slowly reintroduced at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day, and then increased or decreased as response dictates.


There has been much debate as to whether liver function tests and lipids should be monitored while on therapy. Elevations in these tests occur in almost all patients and rapidly return to pretreatment levels after therapy has been stopped. It is, however, essential to carry out these tests before starting therapy. Published evidence suggests that the laboratory tests need not be repeated except in groups at risk, such as diabetics and patients with known familial hypertriglyceridaemia.59 However, the EU directive is prescriptive in suggesting these investigations should be preformed at baseline, 1 month into therapy and 3 monthly throughout treatment. Amichai et al.60 have published an excellent overview on the many side effects of oral isotretinoin.

Cost-effectiveness.​

Oral isotretinoin is clearly more effective than oral antibiotics in acne of all grades of severity. However, its relative expense and side effects have deterred some physicians from prescribing it. Cost-effectiveness comparisons prior to the EU directive and iPLEDGE in the UK,61,62 France,63 New Zealand64 and Australia65 have shown that a 4–6-month course of isotretinoin is significantly cheaper than a 3-year therapeutic regimen of rotational courses of antibiotics and topical treatment. In fact, only patients treated with isotretinoin achieved complete clearance of acne when assessed 3–5 years post-treatment. Generic isotretinoin has made the cost effectiveness more apparent. However, the extra investigations, monitoring and prescription control introduced with the European Directive and iPLEDGE have negatively impacted on this cost effectiveness.

Drug interactions.​

Reduced efficacy has been noted when isotretinoin is taken with heavy alcohol intake.66 Isotretinoin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, these are inducible by ethanol and inhibited by some drugs e.g. ketoconazole. Hence, increased drug levels of isotretinoin may occur if combined with imidazole fungistatics. Salicylic acid and indomethacin represent acidic drugs with a high affinity for albumin. If present in the blood in high therapeutic concentrations they may displace isotretinoin from protein binding sites so resulting in an increase in the unbound concentration of the drug.67 Carbamazepine plasma levels decrease when concurrent isotretinoin is taken, hence careful monitoring should be considered in epileptics on carbamazepine if requiring isotretinoin.68 Oral tetracyclines and isotretinoin should be avoided as both can lead to benign intracranial hypertension. These are likely to be rare idiosyncratic reactions attributable to each drug in its own right but there are reports in the literature suggesting there could theoretically be an additive effect by combining the two.51 Vitamins supplements containing vitamin A should be avoided alongside isotretinoin as additive toxic effects could ensue.

Table 2.​

Prognostic factors which should influence the early use of isotretinoin

• Family History​

• Early onset​

• Hyperseborrhoea​

• Truncal acne​

• Scarring​

• Psychosocial difficulties​

• Persistent or late onset acne​

 

[killuacel]

@killuacel
I'll just drop u the side effect from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2835909/#sec7
Oral is a good option too as it is faster but for skin? if you dont have acne it doesnt make any sense to take it.

Side Effects​

Isotretinoin has many side effects but most are predictable and rarely interfere with the patient management. The common mucocutaneous side effects are dose dependent and rendered tolerable by modification of the dose and/or additional symptomatic therapy.


Teratogenicity is well recognized and regarded as one of the most serious potential adverse effects.52 Fifty percent of pregnancies spontaneously abort, and of the remainder about half of the infants are born with cardiovascular or skeletal deformities. The European Directive and iPLEGDE in the USA have addressed the importance of pregnancy prevention as discussed previously. Discussion about the teratogenicity and recognized side effects should be recorded in the notes at each visit, and patients should be given appropriate written information.


Mood changes including depression are common among adolescents and have been reported in acne patients treated with isotretinoin. Two studies that looked at spontaneous reports of side effects for the FDA in the USA53,54 found little or no increase in psychiatric disease including depression and suicide over the background prevalence in the adolescent population. A further study of general practice databases in Canada and the UK showed similar findings as have subsequent studies.55 A more recent controlled case cross-over study demonstrated a relative risk for depression of 2.68 (95% CI = 1.03 to 3.89) for acne patients exposed to oral isotretinoin.56 This is the first controlled study to find a statistically significant association between isotretinoin and depression. Despite contradictory reports clinicians have been advised of a potential rare idiosyncratic reaction in some young vulnerable patients which could lead to mood changes and clinical depression during treatment with isotretinoin. It is therefore advisable to specifically enquire about related symptoms at each clinic visit.


If significant depression is identified, then a psychiatric referral may be indicated. Increased aggression has been identified in some male patients and the FDA in the USA has advised clinicians to warn potential patients about this side effect. If there is any doubt, the drug must be stopped.


The mucocutaneous side effects are dose dependent and can usually be controlled with regular use of moisturizers and lip salves. Occasionally retinoid dermatitis, a severe retinoid cheilitis or conjunctivitis occur, often complicated by secondary infection with S. aureus. These patients may need treatment with an intermediate-strength steroid ointment combined with an antiseptic. If there is impetiginization, oral anti-staphylococcal therapy such as flucloxacillin and/or topical mupirocin 2% ointment may be required.57 A nasal preparation of mupirocin can be used to eradicate nasal carriage of staphylococci. Table 4 summarizes the most common mucocutaneous problems that may arise from isotretinoin use.

Table 4.​

Most common mucocutaneous problems that may arise from isotretinoin use

Adverse effect​	Incidence up to​
Cheilitis​	98%​
Conjunctivitis/blepharitis​	35%​
Dermatitis​	65%​
Desquamation​	20%​
Facial erythema​	65%​
Epistaxis​	35%​
Epidermal atrophy​	25%​
Fragility of skin​	20%​
Hair loss​	5%​
Itching​	25%​
Mucositis​	40%​
Vestibulitis​	50%​
Xerosis​	50%​

Open in a new tab
Significant systemic effects are uncommon (Table 5); headaches may uncommonly be an early feature of benign intracranial hyper-tension and arthralgia is seen most frequently in those patients participating in regular and heavy excercise. Tetracyclines, including doxycycline and minocycline, must not be prescribed with isotretinoin, as both drugs may produce benign intracranial hypertension.51,58 Systemic side effects are usually well controlled by dose reduction and concomitant the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin. There is a long list of very uncommon systemic side effects a detailed review of these is beyond the scope of this chapter.

Table 5.​

Less common but recognized side effects of isotretinoin

• Achilles tendonitis​

• Acne fulminans​

• Depression​

• Diarrhoea/colitis​

• Headaches/benign intracranial hypertension​

• High-tone deafness​

• Mood changes​

• Night blindness​

• Paronychia​

• Pyogenic granulomas​

• Sticky palms​

• Urticaria​

• Vasculitis​

Open in a new tab
An acute flare of acne early in a course of isotretinoin is a recognized problem in about 6% cases and is clinically significant in half of these.50 The physician should inform patients accordingly and provide a fast track follow up should this problem occur as these flares can be very aggressive producing physical and psychological difficulties. Predisposing risk factors for a flare include the presence of macrocomedones and nodules.50 If a severe flare occurs oral prednisolone should be given in a dose of 0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day over a period of 2–3 weeks, and the dose slowly decreased over the next 6 weeks. The isotretinoin should either be stopped or reduced to a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg/day depending on the severity of the problem. If stopped, the drug can be slowly reintroduced at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day, and then increased or decreased as response dictates.


There has been much debate as to whether liver function tests and lipids should be monitored while on therapy. Elevations in these tests occur in almost all patients and rapidly return to pretreatment levels after therapy has been stopped. It is, however, essential to carry out these tests before starting therapy. Published evidence suggests that the laboratory tests need not be repeated except in groups at risk, such as diabetics and patients with known familial hypertriglyceridaemia.59 However, the EU directive is prescriptive in suggesting these investigations should be preformed at baseline, 1 month into therapy and 3 monthly throughout treatment. Amichai et al.60 have published an excellent overview on the many side effects of oral isotretinoin.

Cost-effectiveness.​

Oral isotretinoin is clearly more effective than oral antibiotics in acne of all grades of severity. However, its relative expense and side effects have deterred some physicians from prescribing it. Cost-effectiveness comparisons prior to the EU directive and iPLEDGE in the UK,61,62 France,63 New Zealand64 and Australia65 have shown that a 4–6-month course of isotretinoin is significantly cheaper than a 3-year therapeutic regimen of rotational courses of antibiotics and topical treatment. In fact, only patients treated with isotretinoin achieved complete clearance of acne when assessed 3–5 years post-treatment. Generic isotretinoin has made the cost effectiveness more apparent. However, the extra investigations, monitoring and prescription control introduced with the European Directive and iPLEDGE have negatively impacted on this cost effectiveness.

Drug interactions.​

Reduced efficacy has been noted when isotretinoin is taken with heavy alcohol intake.66 Isotretinoin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, these are inducible by ethanol and inhibited by some drugs e.g. ketoconazole. Hence, increased drug levels of isotretinoin may occur if combined with imidazole fungistatics. Salicylic acid and indomethacin represent acidic drugs with a high affinity for albumin. If present in the blood in high therapeutic concentrations they may displace isotretinoin from protein binding sites so resulting in an increase in the unbound concentration of the drug.67 Carbamazepine plasma levels decrease when concurrent isotretinoin is taken, hence careful monitoring should be considered in epileptics on carbamazepine if requiring isotretinoin.68 Oral tetracyclines and isotretinoin should be avoided as both can lead to benign intracranial hypertension. These are likely to be rare idiosyncratic reactions attributable to each drug in its own right but there are reports in the literature suggesting there could theoretically be an additive effect by combining the two.51 Vitamins supplements containing vitamin A should be avoided alongside isotretinoin as additive toxic effects could ensue.

Table 2.​

Prognostic factors which should influence the early use of isotretinoin

• Family History​

• Early onset​

• Hyperseborrhoea​

• Truncal acne​

• Scarring​

• Psychosocial difficulties​

• Persistent or late onset acne​

Did not read sorry pal

 

[bluebandz]

Sorry may be a dumb question but the internet is slandering Its meaning like I think I stops irritation but others says it stops acne and others says I doesn’t do anything what does it do

I am so sorry for the stupidity of the question.

doesn’t do shit
topical can help with acne scars
if pinned it helps u be healthier ig