Is 13 too young for Accutane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Honestly, I would rather have a scarred face than depression. You can later treat the scar with laser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Honestly, I would rather have a scarred face than depression. You can later treat the scar with laser.

Then you've never had acne.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Honestly, I would rather have a scarred face than depression. You can later treat the scar with laser.

Then you've never had acne.

Agree with this. My DD started having acne in junior high, and we did all the OTC product thing. By high school we moved on to dermatologist topicals and antibiotics. Nothing worked. It took a huge toll. Every morning was a huge ordeal because she had to spend so much time covering it up with makeup. She would not go to sleepovers, nor to swimming invites. And it spilled over into other areas of her life.

She finally got Accutane and for nine months or so her life and outlook became so much better. I posted above--this did not last and we did it two more times. I truly wish one of the two dermatologists we saw had suggested a hormonal panel because her problem was testosterone, and Accutane, as wonderful as it can be for some, was not going to solve it. A much less toxic medication, Spironalactone, has. But she has to keep it up even now in her mid-twenties.

It is way too easy to underestimate the psychological damage acne can wreak. In retrospect, my advice to parents of kids with bad acne is to treat it as a very urgent medical matter, if not a medical emergency. The psychological fall out from acne can be devastating.

[Anonymous]

No idea if this is true, but our dermatologist told us that most of the potential serious side-effects of accutane--depression and suicidal thought--happened in cases where people drank alcohol while taking it. She was as stern and thorough in her warnings of drinking while on it as she was about the importance of birth control or abstinence.

Like others, it was amazingly effective for our DD, who took it when she was 17. Had some very chapped lips and sun sensitivity, but both were easily managed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don't use Accutane. It can have really awful long-term effects.
I had extremely bad cystic acne at 13/14 years old. It left prominent permanent scars on my face. It was difficult, but as an adult I'm glad my parents didn't make me take Accutane.
I went on to a great college, now own my own successful business, and have been married 10 years to the best partner anyone could ask for. Acne won't ruin her life.

Oh gosh- I am 46. I took accutane at sixteen. I had no lasting side effects that I'm aware of--my best friend started at the same time. No lasting side effects. What we don't have are scars from prolonged, untreated cystic acne. I'm glad things worked out and I'm not trying to be nasty, but millions of people have safely taken accutabe. You just have to monitor closely and weigh the risks.

I was going to say the same thing. Sooo glad i went on accutane as a kid. Thr only last effects is good skin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Honestly, I would rather have a scarred face than depression. You can later treat the scar with laser.

Well, when your depression starts because of your horrible acne, then Accutane is the cure, not the cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Honestly, I would rather have a scarred face than depression. You can later treat the scar with laser.

Then you've never had acne.

Agree with this. My DD started having acne in junior high, and we did all the OTC product thing. By high school we moved on to dermatologist topicals and antibiotics. Nothing worked. It took a huge toll. Every morning was a huge ordeal because she had to spend so much time covering it up with makeup. She would not go to sleepovers, nor to swimming invites. And it spilled over into other areas of her life.

She finally got Accutane and for nine months or so her life and outlook became so much better. I posted above--this did not last and we did it two more times. I truly wish one of the two dermatologists we saw had suggested a hormonal panel because her problem was testosterone, and Accutane, as wonderful as it can be for some, was not going to solve it. A much less toxic medication, Spironalactone, has. But she has to keep it up even now in her mid-twenties.

It is way too easy to underestimate the psychological damage acne can wreak. In retrospect, my advice to parents of kids with bad acne is to treat it as a very urgent medical matter, if not a medical emergency. The psychological fall out from acne can be devastating.

THIS x1000. You sound like an awesome parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea if this is true, but our dermatologist told us that most of the potential serious side-effects of accutane--depression and suicidal thought--happened in cases where people drank alcohol while taking it. She was as stern and thorough in her warnings of drinking while on it as she was about the importance of birth control or abstinence.

Like others, it was amazingly effective for our DD, who took it when she was 17. Had some very chapped lips and sun sensitivity, but both were easily managed.

This is interesting - I was a teen on accutane (and I drank) and didn't develop depression but I can see how alcohol or drugs might add risk. My son will likely need accutane- so it's another good reason to double down on "no drinking" rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My brother took it starting at 15. It triggered depression for him, once off the meds, the depression improved but never went away.

He may have developed depression anyways but the accutane certainly played a key role in bringing the depression on. He has always wondered if he would have had depression or if it would have been as severe if he hadn't taken accutane

Same thing happened to my nephew.

[Anonymous]

Our dermatologist (who was on call for our regular dermatologist who was on maternity leave) recommended accutane a year and a half ago for our then 15 year old. We had tried all the prescription topical medicines. She also said we could try antibiotics, but said they are not as effective and sometimes only worked for a short time. I was spooked when I learned about the side effects, etc., so told her I wanted time to think about it.

We returned when our dermatologist came back from maternity leave, and she did not recommend accutane until we tried the antibiotics first. I am so glad we waited. The antibiotics made a huge difference and we were on them only for about 6 months. He has to continue with his topical regimen (with the strongest meds out there), and he is keeping the zits at bay. If you can avoid accutane, you should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dermatologist (who was on call for our regular dermatologist who was on maternity leave) recommended accutane a year and a half ago for our then 15 year old. We had tried all the prescription topical medicines. She also said we could try antibiotics, but said they are not as effective and sometimes only worked for a short time. I was spooked when I learned about the side effects, etc., so told her I wanted time to think about it.

We returned when our dermatologist came back from maternity leave, and she did not recommend accutane until we tried the antibiotics first. I am so glad we waited. The antibiotics made a huge difference and we were on them only for about 6 months. He has to continue with his topical regimen (with the strongest meds out there), and he is keeping the zits at bay. If you can avoid accutane, you should.

What are "the strongest mess out there" that he takes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our dermatologist (who was on call for our regular dermatologist who was on maternity leave) recommended accutane a year and a half ago for our then 15 year old. We had tried all the prescription topical medicines. She also said we could try antibiotics, but said they are not as effective and sometimes only worked for a short time. I was spooked when I learned about the side effects, etc., so told her I wanted time to think about it.

We returned when our dermatologist came back from maternity leave, and she did not recommend accutane until we tried the antibiotics first. I am so glad we waited. The antibiotics made a huge difference and we were on them only for about 6 months. He has to continue with his topical regimen (with the strongest meds out there), and he is keeping the zits at bay. If you can avoid accutane, you should.

What are "the strongest mess out there" that he takes?

Tazorac, Acanya, Aczone, Benzefoam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would wait. The side effects of Accutane are excruciating, and there are other options now that weren't available when we were kids.

I used it when I was 19. Had literally zero side effects. Wish I'd used it earlier because although the acne went away my face is scarred.

[Anonymous]

Acne is horrible and kids are so mean. I had acne on my face, but worse, I had it on my back. I had to be careful of the shirts I wore, and bathing suits and dresses were a nightmare of trying to cover it up. I was self conscious *all the time* which was just added to the load of being an already self conscious teen. Fortunately, I went on accutane before I had scarring and it helped for a long time. I also went on the pill which helped.
*However* after reading these posts, it's obvious that I had higher testosterone levels and a different medication may have been the solution because the ultimate cure for my acne was pregnancy. As my estrogen levels climbed all residual acne went away and it never came back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would wait. The side effects of Accutane are excruciating, and there are other options now that weren't available when we were kids.

I used it when I was 19. Had literally zero side effects. Wish I'd used it earlier because although the acne went away my face is scarred.

My DH used it in his 20s. It was a game-changer for his life. His terrible cystic acne went away with one round. But he still has scars all over his face from the acne. I just asked him -- he said his only side effects were dry lips and face.

He was terrified our son would have the same issue, but luckily DS only has regular teen acne. Still, DH took him to the dermatologist last year and got him on antibiotics, wash, moisturizer and prescription acne cream. My son's face is clear now.

Those posters claiming that we are somehow on Accutane's payroll are nuts.