So, I’ve been battling acne for a few years now. However, recently my acne went from mild-moderate, to moderate-severe. I moved into my dorm at ECU, and everything was going great the first few days. I was loving it. But I began to notice something; my face began creating more and more bumps.
Mid-Spring I was prescribed Menocycline. Menocycline is an antibiotic designed to treat serious cases of acne. After my body seemed to get used to the drug (just like everything else that I’ve tried for my acne) I visited a dermatologist, and he prescribed Tazorac, and a refill of the antibiotic. Tazorac (In my opinion) is a waste of time. It is a gel form that you spread on your face every night before going to bed. After only three nights of use, I noticed my face burning; and when I say burning, I mean BURNING.My face also began to peel heavily.It eventually got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore. The gel was making my acne three times worse, and on top of that, burning my skin, making it red, and peel. I googled the drug, and read people’s experiences with it. I decided that I would wear the gel for 10 minutes, then wash it off. This worked for around two weeks, however, it began to burn again.
Frustrated, and defeated, I returned to the dermatologist, almost demanding a different treatment. I kind of knew he wanted to prescribe me Accutane, but just like every 90s-00s kid, I’ve seen the MTV: True Life stories of people going on Accutane, and becoming depressed, and suicidal. However, after weighing my options, and risks, I decided to take the drug. I started a generic form of Accutane two weeks ao today, and I could not have made a better decision. With my insurance, I pay ten dollars for a month’s supply.
After only five days of treatment, I saw a considerable difference in my acne’s condition. All of the annoying small bumps, and blackheads are now gone. My face isn’t nearly as oily, and even the acne scarring is disappearing. I can’t wait until it begins removing the postules.
The most shocking part of this treatment-to me-is the process I had to go through to get the medication. In order to recieve a prescription for Accutane, a female must first have a blood test taken, and be put on two forms of birth control. TWO. After thirty days of birth control, the patient recieves another blood test to make sure she is taking it. After the dermatologist clears her, she then registers with an online federal program called, “iPledge” who’s motto is, “Commited to Birth Control” That should tell youi something. Men however, only require one blood test a month. The reason for such dire measures, is the fact that Accutane is one of the most dangerous and volatile medications in pharmacies today.
The drug is Vitamin-A derivitive, and causes your oil glands to stop secreting oil. Needless to say, a pocket-sized moistorizer is essential. However, when Roche Pharmaceuticals first introduced it’s new acne “miracle drug” in the early 80s, it recieved a patent for the drug, and the rights to soley make the pills.
The company used that to their advantage as they monopolized the drug’s market. They new that higher prescriptions meant more pills, which means more money. They influenced doctors, and dermatologists heavily for big doses. These large doses of Vitamin-A can cause serious mental health issues, and is likely common with doses that are too large. So, if you ever are on the fence about this medication due to the fear of your mental health, no worries. Late in the 90s, Roche lost it’s patent, and generic methods of the drug were then allowed to be produced. Doses were shrank, and success rates went higher, while depression rates plummeted.
However, the birth control aspect is very justified. While Roche held it’s patent, it had very loose watch over preganancies while on the drug. Many women became pregnant while on the drug, and 85% of those women aborted the baby, and among the 15% that had their babies, 100% of the newborns, either died before birth, right after birth, or were barely alive due to severe, grousome birth defects. That is the reason for the big deal over pregnancies.
I’m excited about my prescribed 4-5 month process of Accutane, and cannot wait to see the final results. According to my dermatologist, the drug has a 95% success rate, and most of those patients never have a breakout for the rest of their lives.
God Bless.
Caleb
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