<p>Given the possible issues with this medication, the risk benefit analysis is critical.
If I had concerns about a family history of mood disorder or the presence of any possible symptoms in the person to take Accutane, I would be extremely cautious and want to exhaust all options before considering it. We all have meds we could be more sensitive to and it is logical to me to minimize such risks when possible. Yes, the age of onset for acne and these conditions can be similar, but I am aware of several situations that seem more than coincidental. I have also seen great results, so we all do the best we can with what we know at the time.</p>
<p>^^ It’s a Vitamin A so higher doses affect eyesight while on the meds.</p>
<p>I can’t believe I just stumbled on this thread. We’re living what we believe is an Accutane nightmare right now. In the middle of the 5th month on the drug, our DS came to us very recently and told us that he has been having suicidal thoughts. He said the feelings of despair and hopelessness (I’m paraphrasing) began after he had been on the drug for ~4-6wks. We had been through every other acne treatment and his derm insisted that it was safe, and that the warning was “just because some Senator’s kid happened to commit suicide” while taking the drug. I thought that the benefit of clear skin outweighed the slight risk of depression. It may be the biggest regret I ever have.</p>
<p>I take what collegefor twins says seriously.</p>
<p>However, our senior in HS had moderate acne including on his back seven years ago and we decided on one round of accutane. I wanted to do it while he was at home where I could monitor issues with mood etc rather than have him seek this out when he was in college.<br>
He never had a break out again. The side effects…(again seven or eight years ago) were easily sensitive to dryness skin…(he was fair with sensitive skin)…and some chapping unless he used a gentle soap and used a light moisturizer. I think his face was also “pink” looking for a few weeks…more than usual. However his tendency to have oily breakouts ended permanently. He had no dryness or redness after the treatment was finished. </p>
<p>I recommend using meds like this if at all…in high school when you are still very well connected to your son or daughter…and when they are not suffering from sleep deprivation, and social pressures that come with adapting to a new place.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about your son’s experience, collegefortwins. I hope that your dermatologist is taking this seriously and you are able to get additional appropriate help. In our area there seems to be a lot of caution around prescribing this drug; the potential side effects are not minimized. These kinds of cost benefit analyses are so hard to calculate as a parent. No crystal balls to be had. </p>
<p>So glad your son spoke up and you are there to support his recovery. Best with this.</p>
<p>Collegefortwins, in all honesty, I would switch dermatologists. My S’s dermatologist was extremely careful, and he took complaints very seriously. When S had headaches after a short time on Accutane, he sent him to an ophthalmologist friend for a thorough exam, took him off the drug for several months, and put him on a lower dose to start when S resumed the treatment. He warned S and us about suicidal thoughts. He did not downplay anything.</p>
<p>Your son’s issues need to be taken very seriously. The good news is - I think - that once your S is off the drug I would imagine he will be back to normal in a relatively short amount of time.</p>
<p>DD is starting 3rd month on Accutane. Maaaayyybe 
some irritability? or moodiness? (she is 19 next month :rolleyes: ) otherwise, just trending towards a much improved complexion.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s right - VITAMIN A, not C, because Vit A is structurally similar/undergoes similar metabolic fate as Vit A. Vit C belongs to a totally different group.</p>
<p>D has used antibiotics and several different creams. Her problem is that they all work well for a while, but the effectiveness wears off. Over Chrismas break, the doctor put her on a couple of new creams.</p>
<p>She always goes to see the dermo alone, so after her recent appointment, I said, “Some people use Accutane…” and had meant to finish with “…but it has some heavy-duty side effects and I would prefer you not take it.” But she interrupted with, “No, the doctor has talked to me about it, and I won’t take it no matter what.” So her skin probably won’t be completely clear until she outgrows the acne, which makes me sad. But for both of us, it’s better than the risks of this drug.</p>
<p>I was thinking of this thread today. DD 15 has also struggled with acne and we have seriously considered accutane. She recently took a short course of prednisone for bronchitis and asthma and her face cleared tremendously. Of course, about a week later everything came back.</p>
<p>Since prednisone is anti-inflammatory, I started reading up on foods/supplements/etc. that are highly anti-inflammatory. About ten days ago I started giving her turmeric supplements and we are thrilled about how great her skin looks. Many people also use turmeric as a topical but we have not tried that yet.</p>
<p>For some people, prednisone makes acne worse so my theory might not work for all. But from all that I have read, turmeric has no side effects so it could be worth a try.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> New Chapter Turmericforce, 30 Softgels: Health & Personal Care](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/New-Chapter-Turmericforce-30-Softgels/dp/B00008MO0B]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/New-Chapter-Turmericforce-30-Softgels/dp/B00008MO0B)</p>
<p>collegefortwins - Thank you for posting. I hope your son recovers soon.</p>
<p>LasMa: Has your daughter tried birth control pills for her acne? That is what worked for my daughter.</p>
<p>LasMa, does your D have acne related to hormones? If so, Accutane is not actually recommended … D has a fabulous dermatologist (Chicago) who explained this to her. D finally has found a combination that works for her: Birth control (tri-phase), Spironolactone (medium dosage - this drug is an anti-androgen & binds the free testosterone ), Retin A, and Panoxyl. This link explains a bit about hormonal acne: [Spironolactone</a> for Hormonal Acne](<a href=“http://acne.about.com/od/acnetreatments/a/spironolactone.htm]Spironolactone”>http://acne.about.com/od/acnetreatments/a/spironolactone.htm).</p>
<p>D’s acne had been under control with Benzaclin, but it suddenly got worse awhile back … guess the hormones were going nuts in her early 20’s. She also finds that nutrition and exercise are helpful from the standpoint of stress - her earlier acne issues were stress-related, so she has to watch that aspect in addition to the hormonal aspect.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, she’s been on birth control for over a year. Like everything else she’s tried, it worked like a charm at first and then stopped working (on the acne).</p>
<p>kelsmom, I’ve been observing since she was sixteen that her worst outbreaks come at her most stressed-out times. This semester, she’s taking some major steps to reduce that, successfully what I can tell. And she’s making some dietary changes as well, especially trying to reduce dairy. Hopefully those things plus the new creams will help.</p>
<p>I’m in my first year of college and my acne has really taken over my life. Actually acne scars I should say. I moved back home for this semester because of it. I can’t form relationships or look people in the eye anymore. I don’t have too much active acne but I have indented red marks and scars on my cheeks. Some are old some are new and it’s like I don’t even know where some came from. I do still get a bit of active acne which I don’t know why. I can’t take it anymore. I thought college would be a fresh start but nope. Same old crap and I feel even worse than in high school because I have to start becoming an adult but I look like a high school freshman and I can’t speak close up with anyone because its so painful for me emotionally. My deem recommended accutane but from what I’ve read it doesn’t do anything for scars AT ALL? is this correct. I’m not going to take it if that’s true. My face is mostly smooth but there’s disgusting indents. What is the worst is my indents are dark or bright red in color. It would help a LITTLE if they were just the color of my skin. This is almost worse than acne. It’s stuck on me and destroying me. I have been on retin a topical but have not seen any improvement. Maybe it’s controlled new breakouts. I can’t function anymore with these dots and big marks all over both sides of my face and jaw. Ill never enjoy life until I can reduce these ugly marks. Does anyone have experience with scarring? Please help me I’m at wits end.</p>
<p>You have my sympathies. I come from a family history of bad acne, and I know how it can make you feel self-conscious. You need a new dermatologist, one who will listen to you, explain things to you, respect your feelings, and work with to you find a solution to your problems. There are things that can be done to help you. Maybe if you post the name of the metropolitan area in which you live, someone can give you tips to find a good dermatologist.</p>
<p>Talk to your parents now and see a dermatologist to ask about treatments (laser treatment? plastic surgery?) for scarring. Accutane might help if you still have active acne. Make sure you let the doctor know exactly what your goal is and what a negative impact the scarrring and acne have on your life.</p>
<p>Accutane carries with it a serious risk of depression. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if anyone else mentioned it. I would try everything else first. It was the most powerful drug for acne about 20-25 years ago, but there are new medicines and topical treatments these days.</p>
<p>collegekang: I am sorry about what you are going through. Please try a new dermatologist and also some counseling to help you through this period of your life. That’s really hard.</p>
<p>Research on Accutane’s side effects have not proven that it causes depression or an increased risk for suicide.</p>
<p>Just “google” it if you’re concerned.</p>
<p>[Accutane</a> and Depression](<a href=“http://depression.about.com/od/causes/a/accutane-and-depression.htm]Accutane”>Accutane for Acne: What Are the Effects?)</p>
<p>My dermatologist told me that the inflammatory and mental health side effects are often correlation, not causation. People with inflamed skin are more likely to have bowel inflammation, and people with cystic acne are more likely to have anxiety, self esteem, etc. issue.</p>