tetracyclines after accutane

I the event of a relapse from accutane how long must the patient wait before going back on tetracycline antibiotics? I ask this because accutane has a long half-life and i know accutane and tetracyclines cannot be taken at the same time. Many thanks, Eloise.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Accutane is out of the body in 2 weeks.  We recommend that women of childbearing age wait a month after completing a course of Accutane before becoming pregnant.  That should be enough time.  I must say, however, that it's awfully uncommon for an Accutane patient to need oral medicine that soon after stopping.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[loiloi]

Thanks, it's only because i have already relapsed from accutane twice. Even though the second course was 24 weeks long and the maximum dose for my weight, the oil was back within two weeks and the spots were worse than ever after four weeks. Eloise.

[Jackiy]

I took accutane for 4 months 4o mg twice a day and now I have dermatitis all over my face.  Even minocycline isn't getting ride of the dermatitis.  This is worse than having the acne I had.  Do you know what else I could do to get ride of these red dots.  Will I have this problem forever now.  Also my hair is stll falling out and my lips are stil dry.  Will I have this residual effects forever since all the accutane is out of my system and I am having these problems?  All this is making me very depressed.

[loiloi]

Hi this is Eloise. Although accutane is out of your body in 2 weeks, the side effects such as skin fragility can last up to 6 months. This is why you must not have laser surgery or waxing for six months after finishing your course. You don't say how long it's been since you finished your course but if it's longer than 6 months you must see a dermatologist. There are many good products for dermatitis. My favorites are Eucerin Redness relief cleanser and Lutsine Hydrafnia Cleanser which is especially made for skin damaged by irritating, drying acne treatments. Available from drugstores and online. Loiloi x

[loiloi]

Sorry think i had a problem with my laptop there! With regards to your depression: although no causal link has been proven, depression is listed as one of the rare side effects of accutane. As well as taking practical steps to help your skin, do consider talking to someone about how you feel. Loiloi x

[Linda158]

I am 41 and have these cyst things under my skin on my face and neck too.  I believe they are hormone/stress related b/c they seem to become more frequent 1 wk before my period too.  I read they are sacs of cells in which the protein Keratin flows into.  I am trying to find out what affects Keratin in the system and what to supplement to counteract it.  Whether that ends up being estrogen, progesterone or some mineral or vitamin. Oh, I have noticed if you break open a good quality Vit A capsule and rub it all over your face it makes them smaller atleast on my face.  I recommend doing it at night b/c it is essentially fish liver oil. You'll smell a little but, if you have cats, they'll love you!  If I had acne I would definitely try this too.  Vit A is a natural antibiotic.  I also take it orally every morning 1 capsule = 10,000iu's.  Don't take more than this a day b/c it can build up in your system and become toxic. You can get it at Whole foods or your local health food store.  Thank you all for your posts, I don't feel alone  anymore.  I don't know anyone who deals with this.  I also wonder if it isn't connected to the Herpes virus b/c I sometimes have matching bumps on either side of my face, (how lovely!!) which leads me to believe the bumps may follow a nerve path along my face.  We will find the answer and we will be free of this beast!  I agree drinking lots of water - not with food.  Why not with food is because, I wonder also if it isn't a digestion issue.  Since we are all in our late 30's or early 40's and sufficient digestion starts to lessen at this time.  I like Jordan Rubin's new digestive aide Omega Zyme.  I think getting plenty of rest and sleep may help us also.  God bless.  Thanks again for your posts too.  Linda158

[Chelsdh]

Hello everyone. I am a 22 year old female. I am currently taking 40 mg of accutane once a day, not for recurrent acne, but for recurrent cysts. I have had cysts since I can remember. They usually come up on my inner thieghs, but have also appeared on the outer thiegh, upper, mid and lower back, chest, arms, and occasionally my face. I have had several surgeries to remove the larger ones (some have gotten as large as 4 inches across) and the ones on my face- thankfully I have a very good doctor and the scaring is almost unnoticable . I have over 50 scars from the cysts that have come up and ruptured, and many come up in the same place multiple times. The accutane seems to help a little, but I don't know if it is worth it. I have 3 cysts on my legs that won't heal totally, slow healing is a known side effect. I haven't had a hard time with the medication- been very lucky. But I don't think it is doing what I had hoped it would.

[inquisitive120]

A related discussion, just Curious was started.

[inquisitive120]

A related discussion, just Curious was started.