Accutane Cures Acne (with Side Effects) [DermTV.com Epi #46]
Via www.dermtv.com – Accutane is to many people a miracle drug; it cures their acne. But there are side effects to consider. Dr. Schultz will walk you through the pros and cons of Accutane.
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Comments
@rasharkein1: The red marks that are left after the treatment with Accutane will usually fade over a period of several months. If they do not, then they can be removed by laser treatments (see DermTV episode 50, How to Treat Facial Redness and Red Blotches).
@rasharkein1: Organized valid studies that have been done about food causing acne have conclude that, in most cases, food does not cause acne but there are always exceptions to every study (see DermTV episode 10, Does Food Really Cause Acne Breakouts). Bear in mind that iodine, which is in higher concentrations in shellfish (lobster, shrimp, etc.) and certain green vegetables (spinach, seaweed and kelp) on an accumulated basis can, in fact, cause acne.
Hi, i started my accutane treatment the 14 december 2009.I am 170lb and my dosage is 80/80/40 mg (3days) i still have a few pimples on my face. Around 3.
i really dont know what to do should i stick with the dosage i have right now or climb to 80mg per day.test.. my treatment will end in 1month and 1 week . is it normal that i still have few pimples after 3month of accutane? some one can help me plz! (Sry for my english)
I’m SO GLAD I’ve started Accutane. As long as you get regular blood tests, I don’t think it’s too big of a deal. Yes, I suppose it is different for everyone though…
hi doctor . iam in roaccutane now my face look little better bat i have somme scars can roaccutane help to stop scars to? thanks
Is acne caused by the food we eat? And any suggestions about the red marks that we’re left with after the accutane treatment? Thanks:)
@jhy8r: The most current info on accutane and IBD is from a very good and accepted research paper published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology in October 2009 which concludes no link.
@ekubalusabyan In my opinion, in general, in circumstances when Accutane either isn’t appropriate or the patient doesn’t want to take Accutane, the best treatment for acne is the one I describe in the DermTV episode entitled, “Acne Treatment in Three Easy Steps”. Unfortunately I can’t put links in comments but if you search it should be the first result.
Dr. Schultz… i’ve been diagnosed with cystic ance almost year and a half ago and my dermatologist started me with minocycline50mg, then increasing it to 100mg and i took those for a year. it slowed my acne but never completely gotten rid of it. Then he switched me to doxycycline 100mg and same result. i’m tired of takin all these oral antibiotics. my doc told me i eventually would have to go on accutane,but i’m very skeptical about it. i wanna change my doc to try something new but am confused
right now doc, im taking zinc tabs. 50mg per day…would this help? aside from this, i take centrum vitamins…
@ekubalusabyan Beta-carotene supplements are not known to be helpful for the treatment of acne. Adults and teenagers need 16-15 mg of beta-carotene daily which is the equivalent of 10,000-25,000 units of vitamin A activity.
@pinkiefille: When hair removal laser treatments are done correctly on Accutane, there should be no problems. However, if too much energy is used and the overlying skin is injured, then you can get scarring.
dr…pls answer my question: i am planning to buy the beta carotene supplement with 25000 iu, is it safe to use to fight my acne?
Acne sure does call depression, i’ve had it for 3 n a half years now..starting roaccutane in a couple of weeks, i really can’t wait so i can finally live my life. This vid really gave me hopes of a new life, thanks 
While taking Accutane, I had these side effects:
- Regular nose bleeds, surprisingly only from my left nostril for 6 months.
- Dry skin/lips, Not even a stick of lip balm could stop it from hurting. I couldn’t smile without my lip splitting open and bleeding.
-Spite of rage, my behavior changed noticably, I became very hostile and aggressive and I had a bad attitude problem.
But the good news is, after those 6 long, agonizing months, I am acne-free and I’m enjoying my clean skin a whole lot!
@phoenixGaRa: Unfortunately, that is a question best answered not by a dermatologist but instead by a pediatric orthopedic doc. I want to make sure that you get the right answer so I suggest you reach out to one.
Doctor, can i ask you the very last question? I have heard that when you had knee cap paints,it means you are starting a growth spurt.And i am experiencing right now. If your growth plates has fused,will the pain still occur and grow or will it occur and not grow??By the way i had stopusing accutane and wants to thank you for your useful opinions.
I’m on my 3rd month of accutane right now and at first my acne did get a bit worse but thats normal and now it is clearing up, the only side effects that I’ve had is some dry skin and chapped lips but nothing painful at all. I just read the comment from the derm doctor about the growth plates and well, I’m only 5 foot 1 so, I really hope that I grow a bit more…
@phoenixGaRa: In my opinion, Accutane has not been shown to be free of the potential side effect of premature closure of growth plates and I therefore strongly recommend not taking Accutane if your growth plates are not closed and you desire additional height. Again, this doesn’t affect everyone, but you should be aware.
but my doc says it will not cause premature growth plates… will low dosage like 20mg/day evade the side effects of premature growth plates??? Please reply ASAP!!! cause i had been taking it for 4 months now already and i had taken it once during 12, and i did grow alot during that period of time.
@captainj84 i have to disagree w/u as well. while i’ve never taken accutane, ibd is genetic. i myself suffer from crohn’s while no one (except a distant relative) in my family has it and no, i’m not adopted. ibd often shows up in teens and 20′s (when most people take acutane) so if you’re in that range group, or even if you’re not, it’s just a coincidence. accutane could have just exacerbated your symptoms which made them like, full blown… if that makes sense. that’s why i can’t take it.
Hi Doctor,
I have cycstic acne on my cheeks I have taken 200mg of trimpethoprim under the instruaction of my dermotologist. It has improved alot. However my dermotologist said that as my acne could come back when I stop taking oral antibiotics that I should consider accutane if my cystic acne reoccurs.
I am willing to consider going on accutane if I need to but my parents are totally against it becuase of the risk of depression. What would you suggest? Thanks