Latest Acne Rx, what worked for your tween?

[Anonymous]

13yo DS is not responding to otc options and I want to get ahead of it before it becomes too serious. He has an appointment with the doc next week but was wondering what is out there that works. I took accutane in my late teens and I’m not sure if it still had those awful side effects and don’t feel comfortable with this just yet.

[Anonymous]

After topicals, my son did a 3-month course of antibiotics which worked well until he finished the course. He just got approved for Accutane this week. If I could go back and do it again, I would have asked if they could wean him off the antibiotics instead of stopping cold turkey. His skin looks worse than ever now two years after seeing the doctor for the first time. I took Accutane and except for very dry skin and lips, I didn't have any other side effects. It was a miracle drug for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After topicals, my son did a 3-month course of antibiotics which worked well until he finished the course. He just got approved for Accutane this week. If I could go back and do it again, I would have asked if they could wean him off the antibiotics instead of stopping cold turkey. His skin looks worse than ever now two years after seeing the doctor for the first time. I took Accutane and except for very dry skin and lips, I didn't have any other side effects. It was a miracle drug for me.

How old is your DS?

[Anonymous]

Epiduo is a good prescription that balances the two main acne meds. Do not put your child on oral antibiotics. They do not work long term and cause greater harm with antibiotic resistance.

Given that you needed Accutane to treat your acne, don’t be quick to dismiss it for your child if they have cystic acne. The doctor can put your child on a lower dose for a longer time to help with side effects.

Many people also swear by eliminating dairy. It's an easy thing to try for a month to see if there is any difference.

[Anonymous]

Accutane was the only thing that worked after a few years of trying everything else. She spent about nine months on it and has been off it for six months and she's a different kid. So much more self-confidence. And yet there is still some scarring from the horrible acne before she started Accutane. I wish we'd tried it sooner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After topicals, my son did a 3-month course of antibiotics which worked well until he finished the course. He just got approved for Accutane this week. If I could go back and do it again, I would have asked if they could wean him off the antibiotics instead of stopping cold turkey. His skin looks worse than ever now two years after seeing the doctor for the first time. I took Accutane and except for very dry skin and lips, I didn't have any other side effects. It was a miracle drug for me.

How old is your DS?

He will be 16 in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Epiduo is a good prescription that balances the two main acne meds. Do not put your child on oral antibiotics. They do not work long term and cause greater harm with antibiotic resistance.

Given that you needed Accutane to treat your acne, don’t be quick to dismiss it for your child if they have cystic acne. The doctor can put your child on a lower dose for a longer time to help with side effects.

Many people also swear by eliminating dairy. It's an easy thing to try for a month to see if there is any difference.

+1 Epiduo has been working for my DS who had fairly serious acne, although it was not cystic. If cystic, I would have put him on Accutane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Epiduo is a good prescription that balances the two main acne meds. Do not put your child on oral antibiotics. They do not work long term and cause greater harm with antibiotic resistance.

Given that you needed Accutane to treat your acne, don’t be quick to dismiss it for your child if they have cystic acne. The doctor can put your child on a lower dose for a longer time to help with side effects.

Many people also swear by eliminating dairy. It's an easy thing to try for a month to see if there is any difference.

+1 Epiduo has been working for my DS who had fairly serious acne, although it was not cystic. If cystic, I would have put him on Accutane.

It’s over $500 on my insurance plan. Not going to happen. Any alternatives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Epiduo is a good prescription that balances the two main acne meds. Do not put your child on oral antibiotics. They do not work long term and cause greater harm with antibiotic resistance.

Given that you needed Accutane to treat your acne, don’t be quick to dismiss it for your child if they have cystic acne. The doctor can put your child on a lower dose for a longer time to help with side effects.

Many people also swear by eliminating dairy. It's an easy thing to try for a month to see if there is any difference.

+1 Epiduo has been working for my DS who had fairly serious acne, although it was not cystic. If cystic, I would have put him on Accutane.

It’s over $500 on my insurance plan. Not going to happen. Any alternatives?

Use GoodRx. It’s $40 in Fairfax Va pharmacies.

[Anonymous]

Clindomyacin pads and acne peroxide based washed over the counter

Clindomyacin needs prescription

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13yo DS is not responding to otc options and I want to get ahead of it before it becomes too serious. He has an appointment with the doc next week but was wondering what is out there that works. I took accutane in my late teens and I’m not sure if it still had those awful side effects and don’t feel comfortable with this just yet.

That's how my 15yr. old started 2 years ago. Terrible acne and nothing worked. 4 months ago he was finally put on Accutane, no side effects except dry lips. He drinks lots of water.

He has cystic acne and some scaring but he's not hiding his face with his hoddies anymore!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13yo DS is not responding to otc options and I want to get ahead of it before it becomes too serious. He has an appointment with the doc next week but was wondering what is out there that works. I took accutane in my late teens and I’m not sure if it still had those awful side effects and don’t feel comfortable with this just yet.

That's how my 15yr. old started 2 years ago. Terrible acne and nothing worked. 4 months ago he was finally put on Accutane, no side effects except dry lips. He drinks lots of water.

He has cystic acne and some scaring but he's not hiding his face with his hoddies anymore!

Exact same story here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13yo DS is not responding to otc options and I want to get ahead of it before it becomes too serious. He has an appointment with the doc next week but was wondering what is out there that works. I took accutane in my late teens and I’m not sure if it still had those awful side effects and don’t feel comfortable with this just yet.

That's how my 15yr. old started 2 years ago. Terrible acne and nothing worked. 4 months ago he was finally put on Accutane, no side effects except dry lips. He drinks lots of water.

He has cystic acne and some scaring but he's not hiding his face with his hoddies anymore!

Exact same story here.

How long does it take? My DD is 7 weeks in and frankly it looks worse now. And she still picks her skin...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13yo DS is not responding to otc options and I want to get ahead of it before it becomes too serious. He has an appointment with the doc next week but was wondering what is out there that works. I took accutane in my late teens and I’m not sure if it still had those awful side effects and don’t feel comfortable with this just yet.

That's how my 15yr. old started 2 years ago. Terrible acne and nothing worked. 4 months ago he was finally put on Accutane, no side effects except dry lips. He drinks lots of water.

He has cystic acne and some scaring but he's not hiding his face with his hoddies anymore!

Exact same story here.

How long does it take? My DD is 7 weeks in and frankly it looks worse now. And she still picks her skin...

NP here, my son is half way through month 3 and finally seeing really good results. His dr upped him to 60 mg last month and I think that’s what really helped jump start the clearing.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for responses. Can You all share your child’s age. I’m wondering if DS is going to be too young for some of these options. A silver lining for all this at home schooling is he hasn’t had to worry about his skin but I’d like to take this opportunity to get it all cleared up before he heads back.