Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

If so, what do you use? I'm going to my dermotologist next week to see if he can prescribe something for my acne. It's been out of control since I went off BCPs!

Before I went on the pill 5 years ago, I used to use Retin-A and Diferen (sp?). Just wondering if there is new on the market...

TIA!

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

Not anymore but I used to

I tried the differin gel and a few other things but the only thing was working was when they put the shots in my face. All I did was waste my money...

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

ive used it all, but i've found luck with only benzoyl peroxide, at 10%, which is highest available over the counter.

i swear by panoxyl after my face was breaking out HORRIBLY when I was overseas, and found it in a market...you can buy it here, too. Or on amazon.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I have for quite some time now.

I use Differen and Duac Gels. Both work great


Eta: If he prescribes you the Duac make sure to keep it in the fridge. It works much better when it's refrigerated for some reason! My derm gave me this little tip and no major break outs since I started doing that.

Message edited 1/28/2010 11:13:59 PM.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I go to dr. Greenspan in Manhattan and he prescribed Clyndamicin (spl) gel few months ago.
Out of nowhere my skin just started breaking out (too much stress last summer) and nothing helped , not drugstore brand acne treatments, not proactiv solution, nothing.
This gel works great for me. It cleared up my "mild acne" within 3 days and now if I get that one pimple here and there I put it on at night and it's gone in the morning

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I am currently on erythromycin, it is a clear liquid that you put on after cleansing the skin. I currently use Neutrogena Acne Wash and then the erythromycin and it has helped keep my acne under control. I still have breakouts here and there but not as bad as it was.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

Before I got PG I was using a sulfur face wash called Ovace. Clindamycin gel in the morning and Retin-A in the evening. My skin was perfect!

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I used to LOVE Differin.
I cleared up my cystic acne with a round of anti-biotics and the Differin finished the job and kept the acne at bay.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I do. The kind of meds you need depend on the kind of acne you have! Mine is cystic and has responded best to Finacea and Azelex (same medication, just different strengths).

I've tried EVERYTHING out there and this was the best, and least drying for my combo/sensitive skin.

I also like sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur lotion (not sure what the brand name is) for daytime, it's very light and got rid of small spots in only a few hours, but I can't use it while pregnant.

ETA: keep in mine that most meds will start working right away but you might not notice a big difference for 8-12 weeks, because these prescription meds work on the source of the problem, not the resulting acne. That's why if it's really bad you can ask for an oral antibiotic to clear up the acne you already have.

Message edited 1/29/2010 8:50:10 AM.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I took accutane while I was in college -
(about 10 years ago) for about 6 months -

My skin was pretty bad - I had cystic acne. Just my face, but it was not pleasant.

The accutane was the BEST thing I ever did,

I laugh when people tell me I have such amazing skin - b/c now it's awesome, then .............not so much !!

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I just went on acne Rx after a loooooong run of clear skin...sigh...

Anyway, i am doing a 30 day cycle of Adoxa, Retin A and a couple of other---I'll edit later with the names.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

I used to use Finacea and clindagel and it really helped with my cystic acne.

Re: Does anyone use prescription acne meds?

Ever since I went off BCP I have been breaking out like crazy! Am currently on clindamycin in the morning (it's some sort of roller ball that you put on your face) and erythromycin gel at night, but nothing seems to help. I chalk it up to hormones, but since we're TTC there's not much I can do about it right now

Years ago I used differin and otc benzoyl peroxide, which worked great. Now they have a new differin/bp combo called Epiduo which is supposed to be good too.