Accutane is quite
safeSafe driving for teens
Safe sex when properly used. It can cause birth defects if a woman takes it while she actually pregnant, but because it doesn't stay in the body, there is no risk whatsoever of reproductive problems if it's taken and then the patient gets pregnant later on (the usual recommendation is a month.)
As to whether Accutane is appropriate at this point, that's a matter of judgment. Acne which becomes "much improved" with topical therapy doesn't sound severe enough to warrant this drug, at least not without trying other topicals, or perhaps oral antibiotics likes the
tetracyclinesTetracycline
Tetracycline topical. Patients with relatively mild acne ("the occasional eruption") often clear up, only to relapse a few months or years later.
Again, I haven't seen her, but jumping to Accutane at this seems a bit premature. Perhaps you should get another opinion.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I cant begin to tell you how it changed my life. It killed my cystic acne and my face has never broken out again.
Please let your daughter take accutane. When she is done with the therapy, she will be so happy with her new skin and glad that you did something about it early in her life. She will never have to feel like she has to hide her face again!