accutane failure- help
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Anonymous
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DS went on 6 months of accutane when he was 16 years old (after years of trying various prescription acne creams, antibiotics) and it cleared his acne but then the acne returned full force within several months. Cue another year of prescription creams and the derm finally put him on another course of accutane at age 17.5, this time the absorica LD kind that is coated to be less susceptible to efficacy issues due to not ingesting enough fats when taking the accutane. He did another 6 month course and this time within weeks of finishing his acne returned.
I’m at my wit’s end. Has anyone had this failed result with accutane? I’d appreciate any suggestions or help. The derm is just suggesting starting prescription trentinoin and benzoil peroxode face wash again, neither which has helped in the past. |
Anonymous
| You need a new dermatologist. |
Anonymous
| Six months can be too short. My daughter had to take it longer. Or he needs a higher dosage. I would also ask another dermatologist. |
Anonymous
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I would try to get an appointment with a different dermatologist.
I did a ton of research on accutane and some people definitely take it longer than 6 months. also what was his dosage? My daughters first dermatologist had her on a 10mg dose (which was way too low) and while it did start to clear up I don’t think it would have solved the problem. We switched dermatologist for a variety of reasons and the new one said for her weight/ she needed to be on 30mg twice a day. She ended up being on it 9 months but skin is super clear. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Don’t some teens just…have acne? |
Anonymous
Teens with a few pimples are not the ones using Accutane. |
Anonymous
| I would not be doing this to his body. 2 rounds already? It’s pretty toxic stuff. And males tend to have more mental health issues with it. |
Anonymous
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Thanks all from OP. I’ll book a second opinion stat (any recommendations? we are in Chevy Chase).
But I do think the dose was high enough, as (1) I read the literature myself and did the dosing calculator and if anything DS was on the high end of the recommended range cummulatively, which is how accutane dosing is calculated vs the daily amount (meaning some patients take a higher dose for shorter time and some take a lower dose for a longer time), and (2) DS had a lot of side effects and was fully clear for the last 2 months of treatment, which are indicators that one has ingested enough and that it is being absorbed. I’d appreciate hearing any other stories of accutane failure and what if anything worked for your/DC’s acne. |
Anonymous
| That really sucks. Definitely try a different Derm for stubborn acne. You might have to travel for a specialist. |
Anonymous
| I would ditch the accurate if at all possible, two rounds already and it’s so harsh. Look into laser and other acne protocols. I go to a cosmetic derm clinic in Friendship Heights for Botox and laser hair removal for my lip and chin. I also have peri menopause-induced acne and am considering talking to them about their acne services, they have a lot of different approaches. You’d have to check if you can get insurance reimbursement, however. |
Anonymous
| Try AviClear! |
Anonymous
The way you describe dosing isn't accurate. You calculate the cumulative dose by their chart. A lower dose will mean they are on it longer, but can minimize side effects like dryness. It cleared up because she'd been on it a while. My kids started to really clear up around month 3-4. |
Anonymous
That is how his dose was calculated. There is still a range for optimal cummulative dosage. And you can reach the optimal dosage by taking accutane at a lower dosage for longer, or higher dosage and finishing quicker. Doctors tend to start lower and move uo the dosage depending on how the patient is experiencing side effects. My DC achieved optimal dose both by doctor’s calculations and mine, if anything was on the higher end of his range of optimal cummulative dose. (this is OP) |
Anonymous
OP again. Also, DS was totally clear after month 4 (so was clear for 2 months before finishing treatment), which is another recommendation for accutane. However, a week after stopping accutane his pimples have started coming back. That isn’t what is supposed to happen! I am beginning to wonder if he is resistant to the medication (he must metabolize it because he has a lot of intense dryness and other side effects from it). |
Anonymous
Please tell me more! |