Medications

[Matt McFarland]

Hey Doctor, it's me again! uuggh

Still on the clindamycin, differin and monocycline.  The area tha t I had the biggest problem with, forehead, has been clearing up nicely.

The point that worries me is that I am breaking out in places I have never had a breakout before.  Like in the places I shave, along the chin bone, up to the sideburn area.

Why is this?  What should I be expecting?  Will I ever be totally clear?  

I have been on the medication for around give or take 9 weeks, but was off for 1 1/2 in the middle refilling a prescription.

Thanks So Much, it has been quite a challenging and difficult time for me since I went to the Dermotologist in August.  It is hard to believe that something this ridiculous needs to happen to people.  It is truly absurd,

Much thanks,
Matthew McFarland

[nancyford]

A related discussion, rosacea was started.

[Lynda Mellows]

Dear Dr. Rockoff,

I am unsure whether or not you received my question to you on November 11 regarding the differences between Cleocin T gel and Benzamyacin?  My son is taking doxycycline and using differin at night.  He was using Cleocin T gel and has now gone to Benzamyacin and it is making his face and neck look really red.  Do you think that we should switch back to the Cleocin T gel?
Please advise.  
Thanks

[lynda]

Dr. R,
I would like to know your opinion on topical acne medication.  My son is now using Cleocin T gel and I have recently read via the internet that Benzamycin is a much faster acting medication than Cleocin T gel and am wondering why our dermatologist put him on Cleocin if this is so.  What is the difference?

Also, after researching about Cleocin T gel, it was said that one of the rare symptoms from it is thirst of which my son is very thirsty and wakes with a sore throat.  He is drinking lots of water these days.  Should I contact the dermatologist regarding this or is this normal?  He is taking doxycycline twice a day 100 mg. each time, differin at night, and cleocin T gel in the a.m.

Please advise.
Thanks,
Lynda

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Lynda:

Doxycycline and Minocycline are different members of the same family of drugs.  Sometimes one works and the other doesn't.

I don't know why it takes acne so long to respond; some conditions respond fast, others less so.

Physical activity doesn't aggravate acne.

Your question about Accutane really can never be answered.  How do we know that any drug or procedure won't have some unimaginable effects 20 or 50 years down the road?  What about doxyxycline, for that matter?

All we can do is study the effects, determine whether the medication stays on the body or not, and observe people over periods of time.  That's the best anyone can do.  You have to weigh the remianing uncertainlty, and there always is some, against the unhappiness which comes from inadequately treating the condition.

The choice will always be yours, and your son's . . . .

Best.

Dr. R

[Lynda Mellows]

What is the difference between Minocycline and Doxycycline? My son was switched from Minocycline to Doxycycline as his acne has gotten worse.  Does physical activity aggravate acne more?  How come it takes acne medication 8-10 weeks to work?  Please adivse...we are now into our 4th week and it seems to be somewhat better in some areas and worse in others.  We are praying that this works as we are afraid of the reprocussions of taking Accutane even though is has been tested since 1982.  How do we really know what the long term side effects are concerning joints, bones, organs etc.
Please respond...my E-mail address is
***@****

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Matt:

It's not absurd, Matt; it's Life.  Everybody gets some acne, and many get quite a lot.

Although many patients ask questions like yours, it's really not possible to explain week-to-week fluctuations in acne flares: why it's on the cheeks when it used to be on the forehead, and so on.  There are oil glands all over, and at any time, one or another area may be more active.

But if you persevere, you will be clear.  You should, however, be seeing your doctor with some regularity, every couple of months or so, to fine-tune the treamtment and make necessary modifications.

Waiting several months to clear up does seem like an eternity, when you can see your face in the mirror every day.  But it's not an eternity: it's a phase.  Give yourself a chance to get past it.

Best.

Dr. R