Is 13 too young for Accutane?

[Anonymous]

I was too embarrassed to go to my prom because of acne on my chest and back. Then I took Accutane over the summer and first month of college and was able to enjoy school and living with roommates without being mortified someone would see my skin. Many drugs have side effects and I feel terrible for the kids who had severe emotional reactions before this possibility was well documented but if my DD ends up with cystic acne I'd 100% let her take this if the topical and antibiotic options failed like they did with me. The results outweigh the risks.

[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.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yep. And they've obviously never experienced truly horrific cystic acne - the kind no topical "washes" or creams are going to touch. Antibiotics are only effective as long as you're on them; once you stop (and you eventually have to stop), the acne comes right back. Accutane saved both my older children and I'm fully prepared to start my youngest on it if he winds up with the same kind of acne. I'm very grateful for the option.

[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.

Your phrasing horrifies me. YOU are not on antibiotics. Your son is. He is his own separate person from you.

[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.

Your phrasing horrifies me. YOU are not on antibiotics. Your son is. He is his own separate person from you.

"Horrifies" is a bit strong here. When kids are on medication, it is usually the parent who keeps track and administers. So yes often it does feel as if "we" are doing the medication.

The "we" also implies the parent was not just leaving it to the teen to take or not as he remembered, so it underlines that inconsistent dosing was not a factor in the failure of a particular treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Your phrasing horrifies me. YOU are not on antibiotics. Your son is. He is his own separate person from you.

"Horrifies" is a bit strong here. When kids are on medication, it is usually the parent who keeps track and administers. So yes often it does feel as if "we" are doing the medication.

The "we" also implies the parent was not just leaving it to the teen to take or not as he remembered, so it underlines that inconsistent dosing was not a factor in the failure of a particular treatment.

Totally agree. My oldest (14 yo) has ADHD and has to take 2 medications daily at different times (one AM, one PM) the same time every day and sometimes a 3rd four hours after the 3rd. It's definitely a 'we' thing because he couldn't comply sufficiently on his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Your phrasing horrifies me. YOU are not on antibiotics. Your son is. He is his own separate person from you.

"Horrifies" is a bit strong here. When kids are on medication, it is usually the parent who keeps track and administers. So yes often it does feel as if "we" are doing the medication.

The "we" also implies the parent was not just leaving it to the teen to take or not as he remembered, so it underlines that inconsistent dosing was not a factor in the failure of a particular treatment.

Totally agree. My oldest (14 yo) has ADHD and has to take 2 medications daily at different times (one AM, one PM) the same time every day and sometimes a 3rd four hours after the 3rd. It's definitely a 'we' thing because he couldn't comply sufficiently on his own.

Thanks for chiming in. I am the "we" poster. And coincidentally my DS has ADHD.

Regardless, this is not a decision making process for the teen alone, hence the wording is "we" and not "he." If the PP thinks it is horrifying that a parent wants to guide their teen in medication decisions, then I do worry about any kids PP has.

[Anonymous]

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.

I'm 51. I was on Accutane when it was still experimental. I took it for two stretches. I'm fine.

married, two kids, working, yada yada

My daughter is 13, and we visited the dermatologist for the first time today. She was prescribed a topical antibiotic in the morning and a retinol cream in the evening. We'll see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

My son is 14 and has had acne for a year and it is really affecting his confidence. We have used anitibiotics, epiduo etc. and it doesn't seem to be helping... this is interesting re: accutane. What derms are you using? There only seems to be like 1 pediatric derm in the moco area who I hear about.....any suggestions? Thx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is 14 and has had acne for a year and it is really affecting his confidence. We have used anitibiotics, epiduo etc. and it doesn't seem to be helping... this is interesting re: accutane. What derms are you using? There only seems to be like 1 pediatric derm in the moco area who I hear about.....any suggestions? Thx

You don't need to go to a pediatric dermatologist - just a regular one. Any good dermatologist should be able to prescribe Accutane for your son. My son was also that age when we finally decided to go for it - after also using antibiotics (for over a year - not good) and epiduo. The antibiotics only worked as long as he was on them. Once he stopped, the acne came back with a vengeance. The epiduo is topical and doesn't do anything. Like your son, mine was losing confidence. He became quite withdrawn and depressed; we were extremely worried. Accutane was truly a lifesaver for him. We regretted that we had waited so long to get him the prescription, but didn't make that mistake again when our younger son developed cystic acne around the same age. This time, we knew what to do and acted fast. Again - Accutane worked like a miracle.

Both boys developed very chapped lips and nosebleeds while taking it, but those were the only side effects and were manageable. We made sure they had constant supplies of lip balm.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input. Also, for reminding me that a 14 year old can see an adult derm. Worried...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eliminate ALL dairy. Be strict, and see where that gets her.

That worked for one of my DD friends. Why the eye roll? Do me a favor and don't answer.

It worked for me too when two rounds of accutane didn't.

Well if you can’t eat what you like what’s the point?

[Anonymous]

I’ve never had bad acne, but:

I don’t know anyone with lasting effects from accutane. I know many people with pitted, scarred skin from untreated acne.

[Anonymous]

NP. Has anyone had pushback from the dermatologist over prescribing Accutane? Or do insurance companies expect you to try everything before they will pay for Accutane? My son has tried everything- BP, Clindamycin, Epiduo, antibiotics. Antibiotics cleared him up pretty well but his acne just came back after stopping it. I asked about Accutane at the last appointment and the PA mentioned something about insurance companies wanting to see at least 2 rounds of antibiotics first. Sigh. His skin looks awful and I don't want him to develop scars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Has anyone had pushback from the dermatologist over prescribing Accutane? Or do insurance companies expect you to try everything before they will pay for Accutane? My son has tried everything- BP, Clindamycin, Epiduo, antibiotics. Antibiotics cleared him up pretty well but his acne just came back after stopping it. I asked about Accutane at the last appointment and the PA mentioned something about insurance companies wanting to see at least 2 rounds of antibiotics first. Sigh. His skin looks awful and I don't want him to develop scars.

My DD went on accutane at 14 after trying everything. It was a life changer.