I don't know if this helps you much because it was 30 years ago, but I took Accutane when I was 18. I seriously remember almost nothing about it, but my skin has been clear except for the occasional pimple for many years now. My husband remembers that it gave my skin a scaly look while I was on it. I do have large pores, but I think that is mostly heredity. I'm now considering it for my 13-year-old daughter, so I've read all the scary stuff and I'm concerned because she is so young, but in my case it was really no big deal. It was the first time I had been to a dermatologist and it was the only thing he considered giving me. I don't think they knew about all the potential side effects back then. I do remember the warnings about not getting pregnant though.

Thank you so much for responding, and yes it seems like the only medical option left but as Ihave read more personally I don't think it's for me, I hope that everything goes well with your daughter, it's definitely a big decision and worth trying everything in shops first

15 hours ago, BlueSorghum said:

I don't know if this helps you much because it was 30 years ago, but I took Accutane when I was 18. I seriously remember almost nothing about it, but my skin has been clear except for the occasional pimple for many years now. My husband remembers that it gave my skin a scaly look while I was on it. I do have large pores, but I think that is mostly heredity. I'm now considering it for my 13-year-old daughter, so I've read all the scary stuff and I'm concerned because she is so young, but in my case it was really no big deal. It was the first time I had been to a dermatologist and it was the only thing he considered giving me. I don't think they knew about all the potential side effects back then. I do remember the warnings about not getting pregnant though.

You need to do serious research before putting your child on accutane no matter what your experience was.
13 by the way is much too young - accutane would mess with her hormones permanently.
I can only hope that a dermatologist would not prescribe for you at this stage anyway.
Do your research!!

14 hours ago, hatetane said:

You need to do serious research before putting your child on accutane no matter what your experience was.
13 by the way is much too young - accutane would mess with her hormones permanently.
I can only hope that a dermatologist would not prescribe for you at this stage anyway.
Do your research!!

Thank you. If you can point me in the direction of some research, I would be happy to read it. I've mostly been doing my research at http://www.acneeinstein.com because he is good about reviewing the scientific studies and summarizing the results in a way that is easy to understand. If my daughter does eventually take Accutane it will be based on the advice of 2 dermatologists and her asthma doctor, so it is not something we are jumping into lightly.

My now 18 yo daughter started her course of Roaccutane when she was 15. I was sick with worry at the time - after seeing the derm I also went and spoke to our family doctor (General Practitioner here in Australia). Anyway - I decided to allow her to commence treatment. The things that settled my mind were 1) if the side effects were unbearable - we would stop and 2) the dermatologist advised me that I could call at any time with a question and she or the nurse would respond immediately.

3 years later - my daughter still has beautiful skin. I actually asked her today about it as my younger daughter (now 14) has a derm appointment tomorrow and I suspect she will be prescribed Roaccutane. Her response "she should absolutely do it. I would do it again if I needed to. The side effects were annoying but manageable and the treatment time goes so fast". My older daughter played a lot of sport and one of her main problems was muscle/joint pain - but again a combination of careful stretching before/after exercise and occasional ibruprofen helped get her through. All side effects disappeared a few weeks after she stopped her course.

Talk to your dr and stop googling is my advice. I popped in here today not because I have any concerns about my younger daughter's treatment but because I wanted to take a look at products others were using to support dry skin/lips etc.

Best of luck

On 4/12/2017 at 4:26 AM, BlueSorghum said:

Thank you. If you can point me in the direction of some research, I would be happy to read it. I've mostly been doing my research at http://www.acneeinstein.com because he is good about reviewing the scientific studies and summarizing the results in a way that is easy to understand. If my daughter does eventually take Accutane it will be based on the advice of 2 dermatologists and her asthma doctor, so it is not something we are jumping into lightly.

I am just not prepared to get into this with anyone because most people just don't get it.
I have put a lot of work into this and these are the facts.
When someone reports side effects to their National Health institutions, they sit on this info and if necessary at some point there will be a review
butthese reviews like many are a joke.
These national health institutions do not forward the information on to dermatologists - I have a report from them stating that this is the case.

There is an accutane review being held at the European meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee in june this year and part of this review will discuss long-lasting/permanent sexual dysfunction.
I am not saying everyone is going to suffer every side effect but most people will suffer some side effects and we have no way on knowing what will make some people more susceptible than others.
Why don't you apply for freedom of information as to all reported side effects of accutane.
I have done this and the list is devastating. I am prevented by Data Protection from posting this but I can say it includes infertility
in both males and females. So just because the AussiMum says her daughter is in good health, this may not be the case and only time will tell.
I was told by our dermatologist that accutane is a miracle drug but it is NOT.
Google hypervitaminosisA
Google Dr Healy
Google Doug Bremner and his book 'The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg'
Google Olly's friendship foundation page
Google youtube post accutane depression.

Yes, we are conditioned to think that doctors know everything but common sense tell you this can't be true.
Why would you not listen to the people who took the drug or the parents of those who have lost their kids to accutane?
I am not fighting to get accutaned banned. I just want everyone to know the very real s side effects that are possible and also in many cases
irreversible.

You do know that accutane is a chemotherapy drug don't you?
Many people say that their personality is forever changed because of accutane, blunted emotions.

My only point really is that 13 is way to young and that you should be completely informed and your dermatologist will not warn you about
all these potential side effects.
I am a parent and devastated that I allowed my son to take accutane.
I wish that I did not trust my doctors and that someone/anyone would have warned me of all the potential side effects.

Pharmaceuticals kill thousands every year and cause all sorts of damage, unfortunately this is the facts!!