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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Accutane in the over 50 crowd
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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Accutane in the over 50 crowd
by AZNellie, Jul 15, 2006 12:00AM
Hello, and I'm sure hoping you can help me. I'm over 50, started breaking out this year with small recurring facial cysts; have had them injected-they usually go away; then I had one totally erupt so dermatologist decided to put me back on accutane which I had taken 7 years ago and been on maintenance dosages of either bactrim or adoxa pretty much since (minus one year in the middle somewhere) and my skin has been pretty clear until this year. Well, now after being on Accutane (20mg) for 3 weeks my skin is a total mess on my face--cysts on the forehead, cyst on far right check, cyst on left side of nose and below and more coming up on chin and other side of my nose---and I have the dry lips, dry inner nose, dry eyes and itch terribly-all of these I can handle. I can't handle my face more "things" come but nothing goes away--where my face is clear it's clear but all this other stuff happening on it I just don't get when I didn't have wild raging acne-- I'm also now on Keflex twice a day and vitamin E--and I ask myself what have I done? Maybe I'm allergic to it? I have to be back in the classroom in a month...my vacation is canceled for next week because I'm not going out in public looking like this...me, a 50 year old successful professional is hiding out...and so then I ask myself if this is how I feel, I can't imagine how my children felt as teens--but I have digressed...what is your opinion on me taking this stuff and on upping the doseage if I'm experiencing this type of reaction at 20mg? I'm beside myself...bet you don't hear from my age group too much :) Thanks Sir.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 16, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 16, 2006 12:00AM
To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but I am sure that it isn't a "reaction" to Accutane. Perhaps you're just experiencing the temporary worsening which sometimes happens early in the course of this drug. If so, perhaps a higher dose--and perseverance--will be all that you need. Your doctor might want to consider giving you a short course or oral steroids to quiet things down. You should be OK for school....
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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