Hi there,
I would like to know which precription medication for acne is more effective? Accutance? or Minocin? I have taken Accutance for 5 months, but my acne still didn't go away, so I stop. My friend told me that Minocin is a good medicine for acne. What do you think? Can you tell me, please.
DA
I finished Accutane 5 months ago. I have not had any acne, but I have been taking ortho-tricyclen. Is it necessary to be on something that takes care of minor acne after taking accutane or can I stop taking the BCP? I am also using Differin, so will that be sufficient?
-Laura
Dear Dr. R. I have had acne since I was 16 years old. I am now 29 years old. I have a few acne scars and blemishes and I am afraid that i will get more. My face is very oily. I have tried almost everything on the market and visited two demotologis who prescibed a variety of gels and cleaners. I also had a chemical peel and was on birth control. Nothing really controled the oil or prevented the breakouts from reoccuring. Every week I get a couple of red pimples on face and they feel very hard, like a little ball in my face. All year around I get white heads on my face that makes my face look bumpy. People say that my face does not look as bad as I think it is. I really wish I had a clear complexion....
I am really terrified of taking Accutane. I am afraid that the side effects would be permanent. I already have dry skin on the rest of my body. I can't imagine how dry it would be during and after the accutane treatment. Will my skin continue to be dry after treatment and will accutane cause me to age quicker (wrinkle)?
Accutane is a derivative of Vitamin A. It causes birth defects only if women take it while theyb are pregnant. It has no effect on the immune system, and does not stay in the body after you're done with it.
Dr. R
I'm am worried about my son taking antibiotics or accutane for his acne. Is long-term use of antibiotics/accutane bad for the immune system? Why do they warn women not to take accutane if they are or may become pregnant? What excatly is accutane?
Martha:
The first thing to do is stop worrying!
Your son has not damaged himself. I have never seen pseudotumor from either drug. Mild headache is not a symptom of that, in any case.
At this point he doesn't need the Minocin anyway. I would discuss with his doctor stopping that, and finishing off the Accutane.
Your son will be fine.
Best wishes.
Dr. R