Acne problem... how safe would you consider accutane?

Alright, So iv got freaking acne iv had for years and then sometimes it clears up for like a day and then it always comes back. Iv been to the dermatologist and gone on all the antibiotics that help until I needed the strongest one, which got me so sick it almost literally killed me with a rare condition (c. difficle). Although the antibiotics worked liike magic, im not allowed to take anymore unless im sick because the condition i had could come back. So the next step was to try birth control because it regulates hormones and sometimes help clear up skin...hasnt worked. My cousins on accutane, and it works really well on her but she says it makes her tired. Anyone else have experience on acutane? I would appreciate if people would not tell me to wait for my acne to clear...that wont happen until well after college and im not going to wait. Im not a very self concious person but wouldnt everyone enjoy having their skin clear? haha thank you for your answers!

I've been on it for a month, and the only issues I've had are dry lips (keep that chapstick handy at all times) and in the past week or so the inside of my nose has been dry.

People will tell you not to take it because of 0235230 extremely rare serious side effects. I'm not discounting serious side effects since you've experienced one, but the fact is that they are very rare and most people just experience dry skin and some tiredness and that's about it.

I'm anticipating my skin getting drier over the next month, but after that it's supposed to not be as bad after your body is really more used to it. It really hasn't been that bad at all. Dry skin for a few months v. acne for years and scarring? I'll take the dry skin.

It's a very difficult decision that holds a lot of responsibility. Good luck in your research.

It's safe for *most* patients; over two million people have taken Accutane, and most only suffer the usual side effects (dry skin, some tiredness, maybe headaches, chapped lips, itching, peeling, etc.) Some people experience more serious complications, but those are rare. As long as you are monitored carefully and watch for any unusual changes in mood or behavior, you should be fine. It's the only treatment that provides long-term, lasting results, even after you finish taking the medication. Good luck!

One of the most common ways of treating acne is the use of retinoids. Retinoids are substances derived from Vitamin A, which attempt to cure acne by normalizing the lifecycle of follicle cells. There are two types of such substances, based on application: external (topical) and oral. The best known external retinoids are Retin-A, Differin and Tazorac, while the oral retinoids list is headed by the popular Accutane.

However, about one quarter of the patients who used Accutane or other drugs based on isotretinoin may relapse and require additional treatment.

But the biggest drawback of retinoids is the long list of side effects, which sometimes makes retinoids look like a disease rather than a cure.

The most common side effects are dry skin and nosebleeds. Many patients have also reported liver problems, while a few complained of depression. However, the scientific community is still split on the issue of depression. More seriously, isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects, which is why female patients have to use two separate forms of birth control or vow abstinence during the treatment. Pregnant women are not allowed to use anything but the mildest treatments.

The bottom line is that retinoids are a good idea if one can cope with the side effects. This begs the question: why not use something just as effective, but without the side effects. Acne treatment systems, such as ClearPores: http://www.clearpores.com/clicks/clickth... are also popular because of their success in dealing with the condition, but lack the extreme side that makes retinoids a pain to use. The choice between these treatments is yours.

There are many different types of acne treatment that people can use. Just about everyone you know has some kind of magical remedy. Log on to http://tipsfromruby-acne.blogspot.com/ for a few home made tips to heal acne .