Low Accutane Dosage Q's....

[just_imagine]

My acne isn't "severe", but it has been persistent for 10 years and I'm just plain fed up. Nothing has ever worked for more than a couple months at a time. I go through phases thinking I'm clear and life is great, just to break out again the next month. I've just had it with this acne crap.

The last time I was at my derm he told me I'm not bad enough for Accutane and gave me antibiotics, which worked for the standard 4-6 months, sort of, and of course it all came back. I WANT ACCUTANE, but I have some questions...

Has anyone here been on a low dose, say 1/2 of what you would usually take? I'm a 21 year old, 120lb girl, so what about say 20mgs? What are the side effects with that low a dose, how long did you take it for and did it work? If this derm won't give it to me, I swear I will find one who will. Please help! Is it worth it??

[Ruthy]

My 16 year old son was just taken off of Accutane by his dermatologist. After 2-l/2 yrs. with one derm, we changed just because the old one was obnoxious, it was hard to get in, and I had taken my mom to a new one in our city that I really liked. My son was really doing fine when we changed dermatolgists, but the new one thought she could have my son's face looking even better. He had been on minocycline, and a topical cream. After trying a couple of other antiobiotics, he worsened and she suggested Accutane. We withheld for a while, but he continued to get severely worse, and in mid-November he started Accutance, 40 mg. every other day, and then every day. It just got worse and worse, the deep cystic kind. She decreased his dosage to l0 mg. every other day, and he continued to get worse. She is reputable and stated she had never had a patient that did not respond by 9-l0 weeks of Accutane. Now we are waiting for the Accutane to get out of his system before he can go back on minocyline. We are just hoping he doesn't scar from this mistake.
We are also going to try some phototherapy to help him. You might read the phototherapy thread on this forum - it is very educational. Take care.

[lisa24]

I never had severe acne either, and took mino for a yr. It worked fine, only some minimal breakouts the last 6 months. My dr still gave me accutane with an almost clear skin. I actually am only taking it because my skin was extremely oily.
I took the 1st 2 months at 20mg. Now in my 3rd I'm on 40, only because I asked her to up it, she was gonna keep me on 20. But even though the oil is lessened I sometimes feel it's not completely gone, so I thought a higher dose would help.

I have no side effects other than chapped lips, which I always had anyway. My skin gets a little dry sometimes, but nothing major, and it is winter, too. I also haven't had one pimple since being on it.

My dr mentioned many ways do keep on a low dosage like taking only twice a week and so on. So my opinion is its worth it.

[Ruthy]

I know it has worked for alot of people, and glad that you are one of them. My son just happened to be in the small percentage that it did not work for. You are soo lucky!!

[coloradogirl1]

That's ridiculous that your son's derm said that she hasn't seen any patient not respond after 9-10 weeks on Accutane! I broke out the most severely I ever had in my life for 6 months and then cleared up for a year. It was the only thing that ever cleared me up completely. I would like to know if anyone has been able to remain clear on Accutane by maybe continuing to take a low dose of it?