Accutane for mild acne

[bear1127]

I have had mild acne for 10 years.  I am now 24 and am really sick of it.  I get it on my chest, back and face  I have went to a derm since I was 18 but it never seemed to really help and I felt like since my acne was mild they never really cared.  When I get acne it lasts for multiple weeks or months which is why its so agonizing especially cause afterwards I am left with post acne marks that can last up to a year.  It has totally messed up my self confidence and has made me totally insecure.I have tried several acne therapies including OTC Proactiv, Murad and benzoyl peroxide, as well as perscription benzacline (probably mispelled), minocycline, tetracycline and am now currently on Ziana.  Nothing really seems to help and its not easy to apply meds to back acne.  I want to try accutane since nothing else really helps, because it works on the whole body and finally because its the only medication that could possibly put my acne into complete remission.  I get the feeling that my derm won't prescribe it to me, although I'm gonna ask him this week, and wanted to know if I began self medicating myself how much should I take, when, and with what kind of meal.  I really hope my derm lets me cause I understand all the potential side effects and would really like to do it in the safest means possible but if he doesn't and I do self medicate I would like to know what extra precautions I should take to stay as safe as possible.  Please don't try and dissuade me and just help me to know the safest way I could go about this treatment.  I really hope my doctor allows me to take it so that I can have the monthly blood tests and such but either way I've made up my mind that I'm going to start.  Thanks, and I appologize because I know as a doctor this is exactly what you don't want to hear but I've just had enough and am willing to gamble with the side effects.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I don't know how someone "self-medicates" with Accutane?  Do you expect to buy it on-line illegally?  

By all means discuss this with your dermatologist and share your frustration.  There are other options besides Accutane.  If you do take Accutane, you will need regular blood tests to check your liver and your cholesterol and triglycerides.  You will also need to register with the Federal iPledge program, or else no pharmacy can dispense the medication.

When Accutane is given for the kind of acne you say you have, it may clear things up, only to have the acne return several months later.  That is a possibility you need to know about up front and be prepared to deal with, because you can't keep taking Accutane over and over.  In other words, you may need to live with less than perfect skin, even if you do take Accutane.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[loiloi]

Hi. Dermatologists have to follow guidelines when prescribing accutane. The criteria is that the patient has severe acne which has not responded to an adequate course of anti-biotics and which is at risk of causing physical scarring or psychological problems. Your dermatologist will decide if you warrant accutane based on the presentation of your acne and how much it affects you psychologically.
Never buy prescription medicine online. A flashy website does not guarantee a safe or genuine product. At best it will be a placebo and you will have wasted a lot of money. At worst it could seriously harm you. You could be taking anything!
As Dr. Rockoff says, if accutane is used for mild acne the condition often returns within months of stopping treatment. Many people (including me) have to take oral antibiotics long term and use topical acne gels every day. Email me in the Acne forum, letting me know if you're male or female and I will help you further. Eloise x