The Daily Mail has another of its semi-regular stories on Rosacea today. This time the article highlights the use of low dose accutane to treat hyper keratinisation, slow down sebum production, and also serve as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.
Why the misery of ‘adult acne’ could be caused by blushing
Last updated at 12:35 AM on 9th August 2011
… I asked to be referred to a dermatologist at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. He advised me that it was bad for my general health to remain on antibiotics long-term, and that I should first finish the course and then come back.
When I returned, I was treated by a different dermatologist, who prescribed another course of antibiotics, plus a topical treatment containing zinc, Dalacin T.
Two months on, with my skin no better, I returned to Dr Williams, who told me about another treatment option — a low dose of Roaccutane, or isotretinoin, a medication originally developed to treat brain and pancreatic cancer.
It has a three-fold effect, preventing hyper keratinisation, slowing down sebum production, and also serving as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
It is commonly prescribed for rosacea in Europe — but not here. She agreed that I was a suitable candidate.
The effects last for many years and in some cases are permanent.
While the drug itself costs under £25 for a month’s supply, patients must also commit to monthly consultations to undergo blood tests (to check liver function) and a urine test (for pregnancy, since roaccutane is strongly contra-indicated for pregnancy). For me, the total cost is likely to be about £1,500.
Of course, the cost was a factor I had to consider, but life, I decided, was simply too short to go on suffering for a minute longer.
The change in me has been immediate and noticeable to all around me.
After a month of treatment, I’m fresh-faced, flawless and ready to answer the door to the postman without a layer of foundation.
Because Roaccutane has been associated with depression and even suicide, I’ve been alert to changes of mood. But rosacea responds well to such a low dose of the drug that its rare side-effects become even less likely.
2 Comments ↓
Wait until she comes off it and fairly quickly reverts to how she was before.
I was clear after a month and back to where I had been a month after stopping – having been on a reduced dosage for a while.
The only thing that has worked for me is Finacea
I had tried so many things I put them in a briefcase to show a dermatologist – he photographed them to include it in his presentations!!
Comment via email from Nadia:
“Me also, I use of low dose Accutane from 3 years and my rosacea disappeared. this drug did’nt me cause depression, and I’m happy because my face is clear. In Italy the dermatologists don’t prescribe accutane for rosacea treatment and I must buy this drug via Web.
In Italy 30 capsule cost 5 Euro if they are prescribed by a dermatologist, but if you must buy them via Web, you will spend 68 Euro.”