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Can an increase in acne medication make acne worse?

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(@jessicalynne96)

Posted : 06/17/2018 1:58 pm

So I had really severe acne (shown below) and was prescribed 50mg spironolactone along with clindamycin lotion and tretinoin cream (0.5%). My acne cleared up a ton and then the dermatologist doubled both the spironolactone (up to 100mg) and the tretinoin cream (1.0%). Is it possible that increasing the medications could make me break out more? My skin seems to be reverting back to how it was in the beginning and I can't figure out why. All I want is clear skin and it's really upsetting. I've attached photos of my skin at one of its worst points and one of its clearer points more recently before I started breaking out again. My current skin is about halfway between the bad and good photos. Any and all advice is much appreciated!!!
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(@leelowe1)

Posted : 06/17/2018 7:32 pm

I'm not sure why your derm would increase your dosage if you were having steady progress. Does your skin feel really irritated? If so, it may be time to discuss going back the previous dosage that was working for you. Sometimes a treatment can take a long time to completely clear acne . I'm sorry that you're dealing with this. Just hang on.

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(@acnevm)

Posted : 06/19/2018 2:30 am

Wow you look amazing Jessica!
So if the dosage is working fine as it is, then I would say that you can try to just have the same dosage as before.
I am so happy for you, sprionolactone doesn't work on everyone but when it works then the results are amazing, and you are a very good witness of this.
Cheers

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62
(@thebean)

Posted : 06/19/2018 4:59 am

Yes, increasing dosage could make you go through a purging phase. It could be because the derm intends to take you off the clindamycin lotion. You shouldn't stay on that indefinitely...just not safe. But I'm only guessing. You should talk to your doctor and ask for clarification, so you understand their reasoning.

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