Accutane for mild but stubborn acne?

[LexusG]

Hi, I'm a 27 year old female and have been recently prescribed accutane but am pondering whether I am a right candidate.  I only get blemishes about 1-2 times per month and when I do, it is a single pimple, however; it is a very large, nodular, deep pimple that takes many days sometimes  a week or more to go away.  Although I do not have a lot of acne and at times during the month my complexion is clear as day, when I do have it, nothing seems to make it go away.  The only topical ointment that has helped is tazorac although after about a year, that stopped working.  I know accutane has been a life changing drug for many, but I also know there are some serious and dangerous possible side effects.  I'm wondering if anyone knows how often it is prescribed for people like me and is it worth it or should I just live with my occassional acne?

[loiloi]

Hi. When considering whether to take Accutane the question is "Will the potential side effects be outweighed by the expected benefit?" Accutane has many potential side effects but that must be balanced against the fact that it is your best hope of a long term remission from acne.
It can be prescribed when standard treatments (oral antibiotics/topical retinoids) have resulted in failure or relapse and the patient is at risk of physical or psychological scarring.
Have you tried anti-androgens (such as Spironolactone) and/or a special combined oral contraceptive pill for acne called Diane35? If not, these would be alternatives for a female acne patient.
Eloise.