Prescription acne meds that are safe?

[Disneyglobegirl]

After trying multiple different prescription creams, antibiotics, BCP, and other products for 2-3 years, my DD finally took Accutane. The best money we ever spent. The only side effect she had was the dry lips which everyone gets. She used it when she was 16 and even went to summer camp and was in her cousin's wedding while taking it. She is 23 now and has had clear skin since. The other side effect was that she was more sensitive to the sun. She is a red head and had to b e extra cautious.

I was worried about the depression but it was not a problem for her.

We did the same here...my son had terrible acne and after trying many OTC products and different prescriptions his derm finally put him on Accutane. He had fantastic results and the only side effect he had was the dry lips. His skin looks great now. For all the bad stories there are out there about Accutane there are also thousands of success stories. You just need to be aware of everything and know what to watch for.

 

[antsss]

I took Accutane when I was in my early 20's. It worked incredibly well on my really bad cystic acne! Only side effects were the dry lips and sensitivity to the sun.

 

[erincon23]

My son did the Minocycline and Benzaclin for over a year. It worked well for a while, but then stopped working. The dr. (actually physician's assistant) said that some medicines lose their effectiveness over time, so he's now on Bactrim, which is much better (Minocin can't be taken with dairy, so couldn't have cereal in the morning), and Epiduo (ask your doctor for the discount card -- gives you a big reduction in your copay). In the three weeks he's been on this, his skin is the clearest I've seen in years! (It took the Minocin more than 4 months to be effective) Thanks for the info on Accutane drying out the lips -- that's good to know since he plays sax, and that would be a definite problem.

Erin

 

[LisaR]

Thanks again, everyone. It is good to know that there are some relatively safe options out there. I doubt they will prescribe accutane just because she hasn't seen this dermatologist before. If it becomes necessary, she will have to wait until August when she will be home permanently and I can keep a close eye on her.

Many of you have mentioned antibiotics. Are those just topical ointments? They aren't taking antibiotics for months are they?

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks again, everyone. It is good to know that there are some relatively safe options out there. I doubt they will prescribe accutane just because she hasn't seen this dermatologist before. If it becomes necessary, she will have to wait until August when she will be home permanently and I can keep a close eye on her.

Many of you have mentioned antibiotics. Are those just topical ointments? They aren't taking antibiotics for months are they?

Yes, I took many oral antibiotics before accutane. I think it's a lower dose though. They never worked for me longer than a month. Accutane worked for a few months but it was the Spironolactone (with other testosterone reducers) that finally worked for good. I'm almost 43 and if I go off the Spironolactone for more than a week I'll get cysts again! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that will never outgrow acne!

(I gave the scary story of Accutane and it's true it doesn't have to be like that. I took 2 or 3 rounds of it as a teen and had no problems with it.)

 

[bananda]

try zinc pills. i take them and i dont have very much redness anymore. also, aloe vera juice helps.