Roaccutane for a spotty teen
Discussion
My son is 16 and has fairly bad acne on face, worse is his back and often his bed/tshirts are covered in blood.
Nearly a year from referral he's finally seen a dermatologist - they have prescribed roaccutane. Side effects seem to mainly be dry lips but depression in up to 5% of patients is a worry - the lockdowns havent helped, his always been quite shy and insular, hes also a moody teenager! My ex took him and apparently the Dr made quite an issue of keeping an eye on him and his behaviour while taking the drug..... Any one or their family have experience? TIA
Nearly a year from referral he's finally seen a dermatologist - they have prescribed roaccutane. Side effects seem to mainly be dry lips but depression in up to 5% of patients is a worry - the lockdowns havent helped, his always been quite shy and insular, hes also a moody teenager! My ex took him and apparently the Dr made quite an issue of keeping an eye on him and his behaviour while taking the drug..... Any one or their family have experience? TIA
I took it back in my early 20's. The dry skin thing cannot underestimated - It's like that old joke "How do you get a leper out of the bath?... With a sieve." So get him a jumbo sized bottle of moisturiser, as he'll be needing it. My lips split really badly, even the acid in the juice of an apple or orange when biting into one could be painful on them. I'd be absolutely tired out by 4pm. I never got the suicidal thoughts / depression side of it though as the clearly visible improvements to my skin was a real mood booster. Good luck whatever route you choose to take.
Jefferson Steelflex said:
My eldest used it and same as others, was a wonder drug.
I would argue the depression from being a spotty teenager are far greater than the effect of the drug, especially once it starts working.
This ^^^^I would argue the depression from being a spotty teenager are far greater than the effect of the drug, especially once it starts working.
There's always been a lot of debate about this drug and I'm sure if you go looking for them there are loads of website dedicated to horror stories -
But there are many well balanced experienced health professionals who say that there's no evidence of this drug making anyone more depressed than what they were in the first place.
However I totally suggest the sun / sun lamp thing first.
Was on it for a few months when I was 20 after trying all topical treatments and tablets prescribed by the GP, none of which worked. It really helped to clear me up but I still get the occasional outbreak 10 years on, although only very minor. I remember my lips being extremely dry as the only side effect!
dundarach said:
mcelliott said:
A total wonder drug for me, had the worse possible acne going into my 20s, had various side effects, some of which you have mentioned but no depression, the sight of clear skin was amazing, I was spot free after 4 months and they never came back.
As aboveAbsolute life changer. Unless you've suffered chronic acne it's difficult to understand how debilitating it can be, and lot of your boys shyness could very well be due to being embarrased about his condition. I know mine was.
Keep an eye on him, but honestly, a life changer for me and never had any bad side effects
Went through this when I was 17. Didn't have anything severe but my Dad had just been on it basically because he was sick of still getting spots in his late 40s at the time and my Mum had contacts to get me on this stuff.
Both of us only had dry skin side effects. Have been basically clear since then 14 years on, as has my old man.
Both of us only had dry skin side effects. Have been basically clear since then 14 years on, as has my old man.
Took it for a few months back in 1997 (I was 26). Never had any depression and it worked a treat. Lips and nostrils cracked badly - every morning I would pull these huge blood clots out of each nostril, perfect red moulds of the inside of my nasal cavity. Nice. Was worth it though - I've been clear ever since.
I had quite bad cystic acne from my teens well into my twenties. I was prescribed it as well and I think it certainly helped. Even now I still get the occasional spot but it's no big deal now. I didn't have any issues with it apart from the dry lips and I think my nasal passage was a bit dry as well and prone to nose bleeds.
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