If not Accutane than what???

[along4theride]

Hi:

I was previously on Accutane, it cleared up my acne however it is now back. It's not as bad as it used to be but NOT CLEAR like it was while on it. My Derm. gave me another Script for Accutane starting dose 40 mg... However I have been giving it SERIOUS consideration on whether to go back on it. Before I went on the TANE I had no problems. A few months after treatment I was diagnosed with GAD and now I am on Anti-depressant. I have to wonder if this Accutane caused some of my Anxietry and Depression as I NEVER had it before treatment. Really don't want to RISK getting any more symptoms or my aniexty/dep. getting any worse. I tried in the past before the TANE Topicals w/Antibiotics and had no luck but wondering where I was on 1 Course of TANE if now maybe topicals/antibiotics might work... I was researching Azelec (Topical) Finecia (Topical) these seem to help w/ redness also, which I have some redness on face now, after using the TANE...
My Question is can anyone tell me whether or not they tried an Antibiotic with either Azelec (Acaelic Acid) or Finecia or any other Topicals w/antibiotics that WORKED for them/// Is there anyone that did 1 course of accutane didn't go for another Course cause just had some breakouts and then went with Topicals/antibiotics can you let me know what you tried and if it WORKED.....?????????? How long before RESULTS using these????  Please anyone with any HELP/COMMENTS, ANY INFO , I would really appreciate it....  Just want to see if there is an ALTERNATIVE before taking this ACCUTANE again.

Thanks

[loiloi]

Hi. You're right in thinking that standard treatments which didn't work before may work after Accutane. It is not ideal to take different oral and topical antibiotics together, so try an oral antibiotic in conjunction with a topical synthetic retinoid. Erythromycin is not particularly effective so try a tetracycline antibiotic.
We've discussed the potential link between Accutane and depression before, but just to clarify for other readers: 1% of Accutane patients report depression or worsening depression whilst on Accutane or shortly afterwards. No causal link has been established and recent research suggests fears of a link are unfounded. Acne patients may be at higher risk of depression because of the upsetting nature of their condition. Accutane patients are often adolescent males, a group with higher than average rates of suicide/attempted suicide. Your dermatologist should take a full medical history before prescribing Accutane. He may decide not to treat you with Accutane if you have a history of mental illness. If you experience distressing thoughts or think about hurting yourself whilst on Accutane, take no further tablets and seek medical help immediately.
Eloise.