How to convince doctor to prescribe Accutane?

Question

I've heard a lot of doctors won't prescribe it, so what kinds of things should I say? I've tried every product out there for acne.

I am very aware of the side effects and have done lots of research on it.

Answer 1

You have to have serious cystic acne - it really doesn't do much for the occasional pimple. Accutane is a serious drug that really isn't anything to screw around with. You need to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. You have to find a doctor that is able to prescribe Accutane, first of all. Not every doctor can prescribe - they have to go through a special training course and be specially approved to prescribe it. Then, you go to the doctor, and they examine you, and if they think you're a good candidate for Accutane, then you have to make an appointment with a lab to get blood drawn for a fasting cholesterol and liver function tests, a pregnancy test, as well as a complete blood count and complete metabolic panel.

If all of those tests check out okay, then you can go back and get a prescription. There's a whole raft of paperwork to read and sign, the least of which notifies you that Accutane causes serious birth defects and you have to agree to use two reliable forms of birth control (my husband had a vasectomy, but I still had to be on the pill). You have to repeat the blood tests every month, and they also want you to understand you have to take the whole six month course. Also, because Accutane can cause liver damage, you won't be able to drink alcohol.

If you're still hanging in there, then you will probably get a prescription. After a couple of weeks of taking it, your skin will dry out. I mean dryer than a desert. Your eyes, your nose, your lips, everything. Visine tears worked well for the eyes, vaseline on a cotton swab applied to the inside of each nostril helped prevent most of the nosebleeds from the dried out cracked membranes in there, and I went through a metric buttload of chapstick. Aquaphor worked best for me (and it also works well for the inside of the nose).

After six months of this, then the doctor will re-evaluate and see if you need an additional six months, or if your skin had cleared sufficiently to try something else.

As I said before, it's a serious drug with some serious side effects. I would recommend some serious soul-searching before committing to trying for it.

Answer 2

Firstly, it's a good idea to be male. Accutane may have some side effects in women, especially if they are pregnant. It also causes birth defects.

In women, it is more of a drug of last resort for severe acne, and even then it is cautiously given. There is a pregnancy prevention program that goes with the drug if women take it.

So, to convince your doctor that you need accutane, you must have a serious case of acne which is bordering on disfiguring. They suggest "severe, incalcitrant, nodular acne" as the only use. You must be ready to forgo gettting pregnant until you are off the drug for a while, and may be required to use two forms of birth control. Babies don't do well without ears.

Lets back up a tad, and look at other options. Firstly, get a referral to a dermatologist. While accutane is indeed a great acne drug, there are others that might be more suitable for you. The dermatologist should be able to decide which of them (includig accutane) is right for you.

I'm sorry I can't give you any magic words of wisdom that will get you the accutane. I'm hoping that the dermatologist can help.

I also realize that acne may be a big worry for you now, but it is a self limiting condition, though it can take a few years to end.

Good luck.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Emmy--
If you experience acne bad enough, you'd understand what it feels like to be willing to do anything for nice skin.

Frances--
Accutane supposedly causes depression; I don't think telling a doctor you're depressed would encourage him to prescribe it. I didn't have to "beg" or cry to get a prescription but we did have to try multiple other medications first, which did not work, and I had to get bloodwork done every month and take pregnancy tests, and be on two forms of birth control. Accutane is incredibly expensive without insurance coverage and quite a pain to deal with considering all the doctor's visits, etc., and caused my skin to become incredibly dry and made my acne worse before it actually got better, but after the entire cycle (5 months for me) my skin was perfect and has been ever since (10 months and I've had maybe 3 zits since then). I had a history of depression but did not find that Accutane made a difference to my mood either way. I suggest just talking to your doctor and being honest about how your acne is affecting your life. Don't lie--and definitely don't say you're depressed.

Answer 5

Accutane, a chemical cousin of vitamin A, is prescribed for the treatment of severe, disfiguring cystic acne that has not cleared up in response to milder medications such as antibiotics. It works on the oil glands within the skin, shrinking them and diminishing their output. You take Accutane by mouth every day for several months, then stop. The antiacne effect can last even after you have finished your course of medication.

Answer 6

I was on Accutane. My doctor tried everything before he prescribed it for me. I pretty much had to have a dramatic breakdown, that is the only thing that worked. Tell him that you are getting depressed, staying in the house, etc. I hated to cry on purpose, but I had to do what I had to do. Accutane did wonders for me, but be aware of the side effects.

Answer 7

Accutane has a lot of side affects (link below) and is considered the medication of Last Resort. Meaning your acne would have to be the worse kind to get the prescription.

My dermatologist has come up with an "all natural" pill for acne. (link below) I have not used it but I have used some of his other unique products that worked miracles for me.

Answer 8

Doctors cannot prescribe Accutane unless they have take courses regarding that medication. It can have some serious side effects.

When you find one that has been schooled regarding Accutane, buy the med. in Canada and save a bundle. Try a dermatologist.

Answer 9

Geez, I'm glad I had the chance to take it before they freaked out over all the "possible" side effects. I was not sexually active (I was 18) so I didn't have to worry about birth defects, though I don't think they knew about it yet. I took it when it first came out, and it was the best thing I ever did. As for depression and suicide risks, think about it... most patients are teenagers, who are at risk for that anyway, so what makes them think the drug caused it, rather than the natural teenage temperament? And as for "growing out of your zits..."... not necessarily....I got them when I was 8, and still have them to some degree, and I'm 42. It never went away, just greatly reduced from the Accutane.

Answer 10

When I was younger I thought accutane might be nice. Just to one and for all get rid of pimples. HOWEVER, now that I'm older and thinking about having children.... I am so thankful I never decided to go that route. It isn't worth it and you'll grow out of your zits. Go see a dermatologist, not just a family doctor. That might help.