Accutane, bloodtests and sidaffects?

Im 15 and i have been on minocin for a few months its been working but my acne deffinatly hasnt been cured and my dermotologist gave me the choice to go on accutane after my next minocin treatment, but i was told that i would have to get regular blood tests to make sure its not harming my liver. is this absolutly neccessary or does it just depend on whos taking it. also im still only 15 and have only tryed minocin as an oral antibiotic and iv been reading about the side effects of this drug and was wondering if it is worth trying now or if i should try other antibiotics first. i have tried many thing in the past such as proactive(crap) and other creams prescribed to me by my dermotologist but nothing seems to work and i have heard that accutane is pretty much the strongest thing to take and has cured almost all of its users (with some ecceptions) of acne, my mom being one of those people and she hasnt had a pimple in 10 years.

I have tried everything too like Proactive (yes, crap), Retin A, antibiotics, over the counter medications, injections in my face (ouch!), and finally Accutane. It worked wonders! I stayed on Accutane for about a year when I was 16 years old and it was the best thing I ever used for my acne.

The liver tests are just standard precautions; everyone has to do them if they are getting on Accutane. And, if you are a female you have to take a pregnancy test EVERY month before you can even get it refilled from the pharmacy! Even though I insisted I wasn't even having sex yet and couldn't possibly become pregnant they still MADE me take a pregnancy test every month. The guidelines are just really strict for Accutane because it can cause liver damage and SEVERE birth defects if a woman gets pregnant while taking it.

I would HIGHLY recommend Accutane, but make sure you are fully aware of all the side effects. I became very depressed with I was on the medication, so you'll definitely want to be careful while taking it! Good luck to you! I know how bad it can get!

I am on accutane and it cleared mine up wonderfully! It is a hassle to do the blood tests but worth it. I live in two countries so I have to have my blood tests faxed back and forth between my USA and AU doctors!

Just watch for signs of depression, and let your doctor know right away if you have any. Good luck and enjoy you gorgeous skin once it starts working. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.

Women have to stop taking it a full month before trying to get pregnant. If you were a woman you would also have to have a pregnancy test every month (I do.)

if you use antibiotics just take some acidiphilus and bifidus to make sure your 'good' intestinal bacteria isnt comprimesed. you need both and in your gut for proper immune function. Acutane will cause serious birth defects and you need to stop taking it (a couple years?) before getting pregnant. hopefully at your age your not having sex anyway or thinking of becoming pregnant.

you doctor knows best