Accutane

Anonymous
I’m starting a new thread specifically to hear about experiences with Accutane. My dd was just prescribed accutane since the minocyline did not work.

My questions are, did everyone have to register with iPledge, need blood work for liver function? How fast did you see results from using accutane?

I would like to hear about your teen’s experiences.
Anonymous
My teen had very few side effects from Accutane -- basically dry lips was the biggest problem. However, the acne did get worse for the first two months before it got better. But then it got SO much better!
Anonymous
Yes…you have to register with IPledge and get blood work for the first like 3 months…seems like blood work is isn’t needed (on month 4) now until like month 6 when should be done with treatment.

Same comment as above. Dry lips but nothing else. Works much better than any other acne treatment.
Anonymous
Did you find that the acne got worse before it got better even if you were on other meds before?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My teen had very few side effects from Accutane -- basically dry lips was the biggest problem. However, the acne did get worse for the first two months before it got better. But then it got SO much better!



Same.
Anonymous
I had cystic acne as a teen and into my early 20’s. Tried all of the topicals and antibiotics. Nothing worked. Accutane was a game changer. Here’s what I remember:

Within a few weeks, skin was MEASURABLY improved. Blood tests were required. There will be birth defects if you become pregnant. I became addicted to lip balm; Aquaphor worked the best.

Also, since then I’ve seen reports about Accutane possibly causing depression and contributing to suicide. My experience was the exact opposite. My acne was large, painful, and severe. My confidence improved substantially once it went away. It was addressed with one course of Accutane. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the drug was life changing for me.

My husband also had acne and did two courses of Accutane. I didn’t know him then and can’t speak to the severity. I’m afraid our 14 yr old is doomed given the gene pool.
Anonymous
PP here — I also forgot that Accutane causes extreme photo sensitivity. I took it in the winter and very early spring, so wasn’t as much of an issue. But the derm really emphasized this.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My teen had very few side effects from Accutane -- basically dry lips was the biggest problem. However, the acne did get worse for the first two months before it got better. But then it got SO much better!


+1
My son just finished with Accutane and it is literally the only thing that has worked for him and he has been on/tried EVERYTHING. Believe me, he has tried it all. I have the credit card statements and insurance paperwork to prove it. Nothing worked for him and to say that before starting Accutane, he was dejected is an understatement.

It is said that Accutane is the closest thing to a cure for acne and that is so true. My son had terrible cystic acne prior and his face was a mess. He was that kid you see and your heart just breaks for them (and you may even wonder what the parents are thinking and why won't they help their kid? Again, he tried everything. But now with just finishing with the course of Accutane my son's face and skin (as he had bad acne on his back as well) is amazing and incredibly clear. I just can not stop looking at his clear face as it feels like such a gift. My son says himself he is grateful for Accutane and as a teen boy he isn't always the most expressive. He is like a different person now, happier and with more confidence.

We did have to register with ipledge which seemed to me to be a bigger deal at first but then it became a non-issue. I do have a son and I know due to Accutane's side effects the experience with ipledge may be different for those with girls.
Anonymous
Yes, and for girls you have to do a pregnancy test every month as well.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I had cystic acne as a teen and into my early 20’s. Tried all of the topicals and antibiotics. Nothing worked. Accutane was a game changer. Here’s what I remember:

Within a few weeks, skin was MEASURABLY improved. Blood tests were required. There will be birth defects if you become pregnant. I became addicted to lip balm; Aquaphor worked the best.

Also, since then I’ve seen reports about Accutane possibly causing depression and contributing to suicide. My experience was the exact opposite. My acne was large, painful, and severe. My confidence improved substantially once it went away. It was addressed with one course of Accutane. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the drug was life changing for me.

My husband also had acne and did two courses of Accutane. I didn’t know him then and can’t speak to the severity. I’m afraid our 14 yr old is doomed given the gene pool.


This made me laugh as my son is on Accutane now and there are tubes of lip balm and Aquaphor all over our house. He has had extreme drying side effects with badly chapped and cracking lips and nose bleeds. The best lip balm I can recommend as it works like none other Dr. Dan's Cortibalm. Well worth the money.
All this said, the side effects are such a low price to pay for an answer to really bad cystic acne.
Anonymous
Everyone has to register with iPledge. My girls did it over covid and we were allowed to do home pregnancy tests. It's such a pain to get the meds but it worked great for my children.
Huge improvement was seen around month 3-4.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Did you find that the acne got worse before it got better even if you were on other meds before?


Yes, I understand that the standard course is that when starting Accutane the acne does get worse for a few months but then clears up.
Anonymous
My son has been on it for 4 months. Even though dermatologist was reluctant I wanted my son on a low dose for longer time than a higher dose for shorter time. That is the way it is done in Europe. The first month he was on 10 and then second month until now he is only on 20 mg. That dose has really improved his skin with minimal side effects. He does have chapped lips and sunburns easier so I nag him relentlessly about sunscreen.
Anonymous
I took it when I was 20. I had horrible acne before and nothing worked. Accutane completely cleared my skin - forever. My skin has stayed clear for 25 years. I didn't even have a period where my skin first got worse.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My son has been on it for 4 months. Even though dermatologist was reluctant I wanted my son on a low dose for longer time than a higher dose for shorter time. That is the way it is done in Europe. The first month he was on 10 and then second month until now he is only on 20 mg. That dose has really improved his skin with minimal side effects. He does have chapped lips and sunburns easier so I nag him relentlessly about sunscreen.


My child is on a lower does as well (30 mg) and will soon be finished after 10 months.
Why is a lower dose more common in Europe? I'd appreciate learning more about this if you could comment further.
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