<p>Three years ago dermatologist pushed hard for Accutane for my son’s cystic acne, but we opted to start with Solodyn and topical treatments. It took a few weeks to make any difference, but only a year before all pretty much cleared. He’s been off the Solodyn for a year and only uses the topical treatments occasionally for very slight flare-ups. We were all happy that he didn’t jump right to the nuclear treatment.</p>
<p>My son tried pretty much every cream/ointment/gel on the market and oral Doxycycline and had side effects with all of them without results. The creams would burn and cause redness. He usually handles the sun well, but he would get burned in just a few minutes on Doxycycline. We were resistant about trying Accutane (and Roche’s Accutane is not on the market anymore we used Claravis). But when he came home from college for Thanksgiving his skin was awful. He started on Accutane in January. The monthly blood tests were a pain. His cholesterol did rise so he had to really watch what he ate, but other than that and dry lips (which are still dry) he didn’t have any side effects. He was on for I think 5 or 6 months and has been off for about 5 months and his skin is beautiful. He has not had one single zit since finishing his treatment. I would say it took a couple months before we really saw results though. No problems with behavior or mood and he is a much happier guy now without the acne.</p>
<p>My 16-year-old son had tried just about everything. He got VERY ill on Doxycycline. He couldn’t stand to eat anything. He lost 15 pounds. Before we figured out what was going on, he was to the point that we were giving him Gatorade out of a dropper! It was really scary.</p>
<p>He started on isotretinoin (generic of Accutane) at the beginning of September. A couple of days BEFORE he started on the medication, he came to me to say he thought he needed to see a psychiatrist. I put down on the initial info sheet that S was taking isotretinoin, but the doctor didn’t mention it. I also mentioned to the deramatologist that my son was seeing a psychiatrist, but he didn’t say anything, either.</p>
<p>It took a couple of months, but my son’s skin is MUCH better. From a mental health standpoint, he’s gone downhill somewhat, though, so I brought up the med issue to the doctor, and he and the dermatologist both told S he had to stop taking it IMMEDIATELY. S is very upset and says he will just get more depressed if the acne comes back. He’ll see the dermatologist tomorrow morning, so we’ll see what he says. Sigh.</p>
<p>Kids of friends have used Accutane with very positive results overall with 2 cases that of severe side effects (that I am aware of). One girl has been hospitalized half a dozen times over the past 18 mos. because of kidney stones - she is 15/16 and one boy is now 18 suffered severe lethargy and digestion issues. After 6 mos. of extensive tests his doctors determined it was the Accutane. He took a gap year to make sure his health was taken care of. I think both of these are the extremes and I agree you have to measure for your family the pros and the cons.</p>
<p>If your kid is living at home and he’s tried everything else, then have him start and monitor him very closely for mood swings. If he’s away at school, wait until he’s home in the summer. This is nothing to fool around with, the mood changes can cause permanent damage (suicide) or require hospitalization (depression and/or mania). Some dermatologists start with very low doses, maybe that’s the best way to begin. Good luck, and stay close to your son especially during treatment.</p>
<p>My son tried everything, and he ended up on Accutane. My family has a genetic predisposition to HORRIBLE cystic acne. My older brother has always had depression issues, and he suffered through the worst acne imaginable when he was a teen (he had to be hospitalized several times to lance and drain multiple cysts). Two of my brothers also had very bad acne, and they both took Accutane as adults; one had to do two cycles. When my S finally decided to go on Accutane, he had an initial issue with headaches and blurred vision. His dermatologist took him off the Accutane, sent him to an opthamologist, then waited a couple months before putting him back on at a reduced dosage & ramping up slowly. S had issues with dry skin/lips, and he had to arrange for blood testing at his college clinic, but he definitely believes it was worthwhile. We did not move to Accutane without much thought, discussion with pediatrician and dermatologist, and discussion with the uncles. The first couple months were rough, because the acne does get much worse before it gets better. We knew the risks, but let me tell you about the benefits …</p>
<p>While S has to use Benzaclin even now, his face and back are smooth and clear. He has cut off his white-boy afro, which I believe he grew to “hide” himself. He is slowly becoming more outgoing (although he is not especially outgoing by nature, but he is feeling more comfortable socially). He is really glad he did it.</p>
<p>By the way, dosage makes a difference as far as cost is concerned, and there are several generic equivalents. Some cost less than others. S’s first month, we hadn’t yet met our deductible, and it was over $800. We did find that a nearby drug store carried a different generic, which cost quite a bit less (by a couple hundred, if I recall correctly).</p>
<p>Forgot to say we have an HMO, Claravis (a generic) was $5 a month, blood tests were free, monthly derm appointments were $15. So for us cost was not a huge issue. I would have not done it in the Fall when he was starting school, but since he had already adjusted to school, and we were picking up to bring him home once a month for blood tests and doctor’s visits, AND I tried to communicate with him often, and we discussed the possible mental health side effects at length, I felt comfortable with him taking it while away at school.</p>
<p>Both our children (S & D) have had rounds of generic equivs of Accutane and are now acne free. But, during their treatment we learned about one side effect the hard way. Each of them experienced painful, swollen and infected ingrown toenails during treatment. Neither had any history of ingrown nails before the acne medication. </p>
<p>The reason: healing of extremities slows while on the med. S was forced to discontinue the Accutane so he could have his nail trimmed. Then once the toe healed, he resumed. D just toughed it out, but it slowed her down during xc season.</p>
<p>Wow! Didn’t realize that this would generate such a response. Thank you all so much for your input. But quite honestly I’m kind of scared now to make this move because I can only be around to monitor him at break and maybe next summer if he doesn’t do an internship he’s thinking about. I’m also worried about what will happen if he drinks alcohol while he’s on this. Does anyone know? I don’t think he’s a huge partier but I know he does some. I’ve heard it really taxes the liver anyway.</p>
<p>cbug, here is the latest package insert for Roche’s Accutane:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018662s060lbl.pdf[/url]”>http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018662s060lbl.pdf</a></p>
<p>For alcohol effects, take a look at p. 7 of the document.</p>
<p>cbug, alcohol was one of reasons dermatologist made my S wait until summer. By that time, S REALLY wanted to make acne go away. We hammered on him that he had a choice: clear skin that he would remember forever–or a few beers with the boys that he wouldn’t remember the next day. Dermatologist also scared the crap out of him with respect to what alcohol & accutane could do to liver. I believe she also told him that the blood test would show her if he’d consumed or not–which I’m not sure is accurate, but I didn’t care.</p>
<p>Two words: Pediatric Dermatologist. </p>
<p>We finally got into see a pediatric dermatologist, she took one look at my son and said, “Oh, he needs X, Y and Z.” After years of trying everything, including several different dermatologists and those laser treatments, he finally got good results. I only wish I had pushed to see her much, much earlier.</p>
<p>I am always worried about drugs that can have such serious side effects (liver damage, depression so serious it can cause suicide?? yikes…)…I don’t know if anyone has tried the new lasers (some work at the level of the actual oil gland and some kill the bacteria that causes acne) but I have seen kids with dramatic results and it was covered by their insurance. It is only offered after oral and topical antibiotics as well as numerous types of topical treatments such as retin-a based products have failed …I would sure give it a try since it has no real side effects other than some redness and swelling before I tried one of the accutane like products…if it didn’t help you would still have that option to try when your S is home and you can monitor his moods as he goes on the med…</p>
<p>S had horrible cystic acne on his back and neck when he was only 12-13. After nothing else worked, we finally tried Accutane. Yes, it was expensive, but it worked great with minimal side effects (cracked lips). He never needed another treatment–that was 10 years ago. Nephew also used it at age 19 with excellent results. A real boost to self confidence for both boys. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again. (Thankfully my two younger sons have only the usual type of teenage acne–nothing serious.)</p>
<p>Please, before you try accutane, try using a thin coat of zinc oxide ointment (diaper rash ointment) just before bed, every day for two weeks. Yes, it will leave the face white. Wash it off in the morning with a clean washcloth. Total cost: around $3. I know several people who have benefited greatly from using it.</p>
<p>^^^I read this and son tried it. Didn’t do a thing (zinc oxide treatment).</p>
<p>I wonder if it maybe is for ‘regular’ acne and not cystic acne. Just speculating because I was very unimpressed with the results and I had read glowing reports about this idea.</p>
<p>Son did accutane in 9th grade and we felt terrible that we dragged our feet and wouldn’t let him take it sooner. Wonderful drug. Thank goodness it is available.</p>
<p>I agree with sewhappy. After trying everything else, I was still reluctant to let my D try Accutane because of the side effects. The dermatologist told me that she would put her D on Accutane if she needed it. My D also had acne on her back and shoulders.</p>
<p>She started Accutane and was on it for about 5 months. She was thrilled and felt so much better about her appearance. I still feel guilty about waiting so long. I didn’t realize how badly she felt about her appearance. In addition to the chapped lips, she also had some nosebleeds (due to dryness). It also contributes to some hair loss which is noticeable more when the new growth comes in. She has not had to have any more treatments and that was about 8 years ago.</p>
<p>Nothing like being a full blown pizza face in the 4th grade. My acne was very severe and was going to scare. After going through all available treatments I ended with with two runs of accutane. First run in 6th grade and another in middle school. My mom was on it in her early 20s. I hope accutane is still around for my kids. If they take after me and my mom (rather than my sister and dad who had nary a pimple in comparison) they are going to need it!!</p>
<p>I know a boy and a girl who used accutane (not related to each other). Both had incredible results with no side effects that I am aware of.</p>