5 replies to this topic

[will.freeman]

When I first began having serious breakouts, I tried to treat my acne by very routine face washing, but it was hopeless. I went to see a dermatologist and he prescribed Minocycline, an oral antibiotic, as well as duac and tazorac: topical creams. For the past year and a half I have been on this antibiotic, and it's worked quite well. I now only have a mild case of acne.
Recently, the same dermatologist has been encouraging me to switch from Minocycline to Acutain. Because I still have a mild and sometimes moderate case of acne while taking antibiotics, he said I have chronic acne. Clearly, as well as they have worked for me, antibiotics aren't a long term solution, and the prospect of taking acutain and being cured forever sounds amazing.

I was wondering if anyone else has made this switch, and how bad and for how long I could expect my acne to get while initially on acutain. My dermatologist wants me to switch from minocycline to acutain directly, without a period of nothing in between. If it is worth taking into account, I am a teen. I don't know if this will figure into things. Has anyone else had this experience? Is it true that my face could be at its worsts even after two months on the drug?

I would appreciate it so much if you could respond. Thanks.

-Will

[stephie11]

first: realize that accutane isn't always a cure. Some people's acne does come back after being clear, not that yours necessarily will.

second: YES go directly from mino to tane. I was on mino for only a month before swiching directly to tane, and I had little to no initial breakout. I don't know if the mino did it, but I have heard many theories saying that antibiotics do help decrease the initial breakout that accutane commonly causes.

talk to your doc about your concerns. as long as you listen to your body, accutane shouldn't do no real harm to you. Just make sure you know the warning signs and call your doc as soon as something feels off.

good luck!

steph

[will.freeman]

Thanks so much! Your reply is very appreciated.

-Will

[Joe Zit]

When I first began having serious breakouts, I tried to treat my acne by very routine face washing, but it was hopeless. I went to see a dermatologist and he prescribed Minocycline, an oral antibiotic, as well as duac and tazorac: topical creams. For the past year and a half I have been on this antibiotic, and it's worked quite well. I now only have a mild case of acne.
Recently, the same dermatologist has been encouraging me to switch from Minocycline to Acutain. Because I still have a mild and sometimes moderate case of acne while taking antibiotics, he said I have chronic acne. Clearly, as well as they have worked for me, antibiotics aren't a long term solution, and the prospect of taking acutain and being cured forever sounds amazing.

I was wondering if anyone else has made this switch, and how bad and for how long I could expect my acne to get while initially on acutain. My dermatologist wants me to switch from minocycline to acutain directly, without a period of nothing in between. If it is worth taking into account, I am a teen. I don't know if this will figure into things. Has anyone else had this experience? Is it true that my face could be at its worsts even after two months on the drug?

I would appreciate it so much if you could respond. Thanks.

-Will

Will,

It is true that some people require several courses of treatment of accutane before they are finally cleared. What usually happens is that accutane is remarkably effective, but then after a year or two the acne will return. This however should not be construed as failure, it just means another round of this highly effective medication. Some on these boards have reported having no relief from accutane, but if that is the case, then these unfortunate people are in a definite minority.

Please don't worry about side effects. You will be monitored, and if things start to go awry, you will be taken off the medication. If your derm thinks it is a good idea, then please heed his recommenddation.

I am very grateful that I got to take accutane as it really helped me immensely with no real side-effects other than chapped lips. Please give this medication a chance. It has worked for tens of thousands of people and will most likely work for you.

Best of luck,

Joe Zit

[will.freeman]

Thanks.

[sayummmi238]

i was on minocyline then solodyn which is another form of minocycline and triaz and ziana.
i just started accutane myself sinced the solodyn failed.
im on day 6 today.
we'll see how it goes.
if u wanna talk message me im sure we hav a lot in common since it seems were goin on the same path.

good luck!