teens and accutane

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2005
teens and accutane
6
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 9:16am
Anyone out there have any experience with putting their teen on accutane? 17 yr old dd just started the drug a few days ago. You hear such scary things about the side effects, but our dermatologist didn't seem to be very worried. Said the majority of kids do fine on the drug with only dry lips being a nuisence. He's never had a patient have any real problems with taking the drug. We've obviously tried everything else..... all spectrums of antibiotics, birth control pills, retin A, tazarac...etc. Hoping this works with no ill effects ..... Just a little worried...
Avatar for ivillage_sista
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 9:22am

Unfortunately I suffer from adult acne and I belonged to a community online that talked about accutane a lot.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 9:32am
Our dermatologist has said the same thing that yours has regarding the use of Accutane and its benefits. Sometimes I feel that it's the rare, unusual cases that are always reported in the media. I think Accutane is a lifesaver! I myself had two rounds of Accutane in my 20's and it helped tremendously when no other product would. I also never had (and still don't) any side effects except the occasional dry lips and dry fingertips that were easily rectified with cream and chapstick. I would have your son continue his course of treatment. He'll see a world of difference! It will affect not only his physical appearance but his emotional state as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 9:40am
Sorry...I referred to your daughter as your son in my last post. I meant to say your daughter, and again, I was in the same boat as your daughter and tried everything, including Retin A, birth control pills, etc. Accutane was the only thing that seemed to help and had a lasting effect (although I will add that I had two courses of treatment, two years apart).
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2005
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 3:11pm
Not sure about teens, but I myself used it about 5 years ago and it was a lifesaver. I suffered from severe acne my entire life, and was teased as a teen. I can't imagine anything more depressing than being a social outcast because of acne. Check with your doctor and monitor your son constantly. I had to go in once every 2 weeks for a check up and blood test. Just be sure you note any mood changes, appetite changes, etc and let your Dr know immediately.
Good luck, and it was a blessing for me!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Mon, 09-18-2006 - 3:40pm
I'm sure there are always that small percentage who have adverse reactions but I have a good friend who's 15 yo son used it quite successfully. He tried everything before hand as well and when you compare the kid's school pics last year at this time with his current condition -- wow -- what a difference. He had that severe cystic type of acne and its all cleared up now. And from what I know he had little to no serious side effects.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2007
Sun, 07-29-2007 - 1:50am
Thanks for this post. My 14 year old has acne and it has been a trial. Many kids dropped her when it came on her. Yet she doesn't really seem completely motivated to get rid of it. I am trying to convince her to take accutane--as we've been the antibiotic route. But she is afraid of blood tests and I am afraid of the side effects such as depression and thoughts of suicide. Ugh--that is the worst risk to take. I guess you didn't experience this though. Thanks.