acne

[Jordy Jord]

well i have a pretty bad case of bacne (acne on back) and i was looking around on the net for stuff to help get rid of it cause its really hard to go to the beach or anything when you back has acne all over it. And i've found this stuff called benzoyl peroxide, they say it works well, i was wondering if ya people here have used it before and how it worked. If you haven't used that and you had acne on your back what did you do to get rid of it, thanks for the help.

-Jordy

[Mael]

that stuff is in pretty much ever acne product out on the market. well, maybe not every. but it's in a good amount. go see a dermatologist. he'd be able to tell you what's best.

[Sparhawk]

I had the same problem, along with the self-consciousness about it. My dermatologist started me out on 2 different antibiotics that didn't really do much, then put me on accutane. Accutane has been kicking some serious ass for me, my back is acne-free at this point.

I'm now looking at scar-removing like derma-peel. We'll see how it goes.

But yes, first step is to see a dermatologist.

[JStrider]

i just started taking a really strong antibiotic... its called bactrin... ive only been on it for less then a week... and i havnt seen any results...

my dermo said she wanted to try it before acutane cuz acutane has so many vicious side effects

[Sparhawk]

The two other drugs I was on for a month a piece.

Accutane really isn't that harsh on guys. The only side effects for me have been dry skin (get some moisterizer), less resistance to the sun (spf 30), and chapped lips (chapstick, lots and lots of chapstick...).

Apparently it really screws with a woman's cycle, her hormone balance, just pretty much messes her up in general. Oh yes, and the most important thing is don't get pregnant on it.

[Sleepyjack]

i took Roaccutane (maybe the same as Accutane) and that was very effective in geting rid of acne. However the mediacation did occur over 8 months (as determined by my dermatologist), you only need to take 2 tablets a day.
The side effects are as Sparhawk pointed out, dry skin, which isn't too bad. Yuo're not allowed to use soap, but if you use moistureisers, lip balm/cream etc it is managable. It is only a little bad for about a month.

Also there have been reported cases of the drug link to depression. I think a few months after 9/11, a kid flew a plane into a building somewhere in america and they said he was depressed by using roaccutane. Although dermatologist have denied it. I have never really been "too" depressed and nothing would suggest that the drugs caused it. Ok this is probably scaring poeple so i'll stop now : )

Although the tretment really does work. I did it when i was 16 to 17 and have never had any signigant acne since (now 19) so it was very effective.

[Jordy Jord]

thanks a lot you guys, i think i will book an appointment with the dematologist

[punx1325]

I know I'm a little late, but Acutane is the answer. I tried everything and this was the only thing that worked. Just be warned...don't drink while on it. It is really really bad for the liver. I'm just glad I found out before it was too late. Oh yea...and watch the depression when you get on it. I went on a depression strech for a week.

[kbc8090]

accutane is the shit dude, i'm on it now and it gets rid of it completly.. I just hope it doesnt come back this time.. I've been on it once and it all came back. we'll see...

Good luck!

my only side effect is dry lips. I had really really oily skin to begin with so i really havent had much dry skin.

[Jordy Jord]

wicked, ya im going to see the derm in a few weeks, and im not leaving till i get my accutane, lol. And i've heard that you can hair loss from it, anyone have that problem? I hope i dont get a bad case of depression, thats kind of scary

But again, thanks for the responses

-Jordy

[niccoli]

I used accutane to clear up my acne about 4 years ago. The worst 8 months of my life but after I was done I havn't looked back....sure I get a pimple every now and again but nothing like I used to...if you can get it, go for it! Just be ready to wake up in your own skin, nose bleeds all the time and NEVER go out in the sun for more than like 10 minutes or you'll be sorry!!!

[digby]

Here is a little bit about Accutane

If you want more info, let me know and I'll see what I can dig up. This isn't to discourage you from trying the drug, just to let you know what your doctor doesn't know. Everything that doctors write for is chosen generally by the last drug rep. to visit them... but that's a rant for another thread.



from a website my pharmacy subscribes to (eFactsweb.com):

(note that Isotretinoin is the generic name for accutane)

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Warnings

Psychiatric disorders:
Isotretinoin may cause depression, psychosis, and rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, and aggressive or violent behavior. Discontinuation of isotretinoin therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary. No mechanism of action has been established for these events.


Pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension):
Isotretinoin use has been associated with a number of cases of pseudotumor cerebri, some of which involved concomitant use of tetracyclines. Therefore, avoid concomitant treatment with tetracyclines. Early signs and symptoms include papilledema, headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Screen patients with these symptoms for papilledema; if present, discontinue drug immediately and consult a neurologist.


Pancreatitis:
Acute pancreatitis has been reported in patients with elevated or normal serum triglyceride levels. In rare instances, fatal hemorrhagic pancreatitis has been reported. Stop isotretinoin if hypertriglyceridemia cannot be controlled at an acceptable level or if symptoms of pancreatitis occur.


Visual impairment:
Carefully monitor visual problems. If visual difficulties occur, discontinue the drug and have an ophthalmological examination.


Corneal opacities:
These have appeared in patients receiving isotretinoin for acne and more frequently in patients on higher dosages for keratinization disorders. Corneal opacities have either completely resolved or were resolving at follow-up 6 to 7 weeks after discontinuation.


Decreased night vision:
Decreased night vision has occurred during therapy and in some cases persisted after therapy was discontinued. Because the onset in some patients was sudden, advise patients of this potential problem and warn them to be cautious when driving or operating any vehicle at night.


Inflammatory bowel disease:
Inflammatory bowel disease, including regional ileitis, has been associated with isotretinoin in patients without a history of intestinal disorders. In some instances, symptoms have been reported to persist after isotretinoin therapy has been stopped. Discontinue treatment immediately if abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or severe diarrhea occurs.


Hypertriglyceridemia:
Hypertriglyceridemia in excess of 800mg/dL occurred in approximately 25% of patients; approximately 15% developed a decrease in high density lipoproteins(HDL) and approximately 7% showed an increase in cholesterol levels. Perform blood lipid determinations before isotretinoin is given and then at intervals until the lipid response to isotretinoin is established, which usually occurs within 4 weeks.


These effects are reversible after cessation of therapy. Patients who are at high risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia include those with diabetes, obesity, increased alcohol intake, a lipid metabolism disorder, and a familial history.


Reduction of weight, dietary fat intake, alcohol intake, and dose may reverse the effects on serum triglycerides, allowing patients to continue therapy.


Musculoskeletal effects:
In a clinical trial (N = 217) of a single course of therapy for isotretinoin, 7.9% of patients had decreases in lumbar spine bone mineral density greater than 4%, and 10.6% of patients had decreases in total hip bone mineral density greater than 5%.


Spontaneous reports of osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fractures, and delayed healing of bone fractures have been seen in the isotretinoin population. While causality to isotretinoin has not been established, an effect cannot be ruled out. Physicians should use caution when prescribing isotretinoin to patients with a genetic predisposition for age-related osteoporosis, a history of childhood osteoporosis conditions, osteomalacia, or other disorders of bone metabolism. This would include patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and those who are on chronic drug therapy that causes drug-induced osteoporosis/osteomalacia and/or affects vitamin D metabolism, such as systemic corticosteroids and any anticonvulsants.


There are spontaneous reports of premature epiphyseal closure in acne patients receiving recommended doses of isotretinoin.


In clinical trials for disorders of keratinization, a high prevalence of skeletal hyperostosis was noted with a mean dose of 2.24 mg/kg/day.


Minimal skeletal hyperostosis and calcification of ligaments and tendons has been observed by x-ray in prospective studies of nodular acne patients treated with a single course of therapy at recommended doses. The skeletal effects of multiple isotretinoin treatment courses for acne are unknown.


Hepatotoxicity:
Clinical hepatitis possibly or probably related to isotretinoin therapy has been reported. Additionally, mild to moderate elevations of liver enzymes have been seen in approximately 15% of patients, some of whom normalized with dosage reduction or continued administration of the drug. If normalization does not readily occur, or if hepatitis is suspected, stop the drug and further investigate etiology.


Hearing impairment:
Impaired hearing has been reported in patients taking isotretinoin;in some cases, the hearing impairment has been reported to persist after therapy has been discontinued. Mechanisms and causality for this event have not been established. Patients who experience tinnitus or hearing impairment should discontinue isotretinoin treatment and be referred to specialized care for further evaluation.


Hormonal contraceptives:
Microdosed progesterone preparations (minipills) may be an inadequate method of contraception during isotretinoin therapy. Although other hormonal contraceptives are highly effective, there have been reports of pregnancy from women who have used combined oral contraceptives, as well as injectable/implantable contraceptive products. These reports are more frequent for women who use only a single method of contraception. It is not known if hormonal contraceptives differ in their effectiveness when used with isotretinoin. Therefore, it is critically important that women of childbearing potential use 2 effective forms of contraception simultaneously, at least 1 of which must be a primary form, unless absolute abstinence is the chosen method, or the patient has undergone a hysterectomy (see Warning Box).


Hypersensitivity reactions:
Anaphylactic reactions and other allergic reactions have been reported. Cutaneous allergic reactions and serious cases of allergic vasculitis, often with purpura (bruises and red patches), of the extremities and extracutaneous involvement (including renal) have been reported. Severe allergic reaction necessitates discontinuation of therapy and appropriate medical management.


Carcinogenesis:
In male and female Fischer 344 rats given oral isotretinoin at dosages of 8 or 32 mg/kg/day (1.3 to 5.3 times the recommended clinical dose of 1 mg/kg/day, respectively, after normalization for total body surface area) for more than 18 months, there was a dose-related increased incidence of pheochromocytoma relative to controls. The incidence of adrenal medullary hyperplasia also was increased at the higher dosage in both sexes.


Pregnancy:
Category X (see Warning Box).


Lactation:
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects, do not give to a nursing mother.


Children:
The use of isotretinoin in pediatric patients less than 12years of age has not been studied. Carefully consider isotretinoin use in pediatric patients 12 to 17 years of age, especially for those patients in whom a known metabolic or structural bone disease exists.

[Vyk]

that is a heck of a lot of side effects. thanks for posting that.

[acidburn]

One other side effect I've heard a little about , Accutane seems to have the POTENTIAL to cause severe metobolic side effects. In the general populous of people who have used accutane, somewhere around 14% have had serious metobolic changes while on the drug. Though it doesn't effect the average person too much, highly active or athletic people can suffer losses in performance. When I had heard about this, I immediatly told my demotologist that I would not go one the drug since I am a serious cross country and track runner.

So my demmtologist put me on Doxycycline, and gave me a perscription Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser and a Clindamycin liquid solvent that had to be spread over the effect area each day. There was a noticible improvement after 4 weeks, and my acne was completely gone in about 10 weeks. After 3 months, I stopped taking the Doxycycline and the Clinamycin liquid, but I continued to use the cleanser to prevent further outbreaks. It has been 9 months now and I have had no acne in that time. During the time I took the medicine I only had the core side effects of any acne medicine (dry skin, increased sensitivity to sunlight, ect) and a short 3 day period of increased urination because of Doxycycline strage ability to cause mild diarrea when you first start in it....

So basicly, if you are involved in sports and care about your performance, or you are concerned about side effects, I would definatly reccommend that you check out the alternatives before you start on accutane.