Warning about the CAA's view of Roaccutane
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
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Warning about the CAA's view of Roaccutane
I was prescribed Roaccutane for my spots a couple of days ago and a quick search on pprune and the internet showed some suggestions about it affecting your night vision. I therefore rang the CAA to see what their advice was and was surprised to hear that they immediately suspend your medical (both classes 1 and 2) if you go on it.
They said that it has been known to reduce your night vision and in some cases has led to a loss in night vision. Because of this, they require you undergo a detailed eye examination two weeks after finishing the course of drugs, and if I remember correctly this is done by their specialist in Birmingham. I'm not certain but I think they also mentioned follow up appointments afterwards.
As well as night vision problems, some sites mention possible disturbances to colour vision as another side effect, and having struggled through the colour vision test on the initial class 1, didn't want to risk having to retake them, and was advised to not take the drug.
There is also a jounal that has been written entitled Does use of Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) rule out a career in flying? so it seems that it is being taken fairly seriously. Although the problems are no doubt quite rare, I just thought I'd post this as a warning to people who are prescribed it so they can see what to expect from the CAA and the hassle that would go with taking it.
They said that it has been known to reduce your night vision and in some cases has led to a loss in night vision. Because of this, they require you undergo a detailed eye examination two weeks after finishing the course of drugs, and if I remember correctly this is done by their specialist in Birmingham. I'm not certain but I think they also mentioned follow up appointments afterwards.
As well as night vision problems, some sites mention possible disturbances to colour vision as another side effect, and having struggled through the colour vision test on the initial class 1, didn't want to risk having to retake them, and was advised to not take the drug.
There is also a jounal that has been written entitled Does use of Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) rule out a career in flying? so it seems that it is being taken fairly seriously. Although the problems are no doubt quite rare, I just thought I'd post this as a warning to people who are prescribed it so they can see what to expect from the CAA and the hassle that would go with taking it.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Good grief, I didnt know about these restrictions when I used Roaccutane about 15 years ago. My 3 month course of the drug must have fallen between medicals so I didn't have to declare it. 95% of my flying at that time (about 50 hrs a month) was at night and I didn't notice any problems with colour or night vision. The other side effects were horrendous - skin splitting around nose and eyes IIRC and it felt like my skin was secreting glue, not sweat. It did clear the spots though and I stayed clear for about 2 years before they came back. On reflection I'd rather put up with spots than go through that particular 'cure' again.
