Acne Medications - not sure if this goes here!

Not me, but my son is on an antibiotic for his acne. I think he's actually lost weight (didn't really need to) because the medication should not be taken with milk or vitamins (the calcium/other minerals block the antibiotic or something) -- so he is drinking 2 fewer glasses of milk per day (still gets at least 3, though).

So Ive been debating going to a dermatologist because I have bad acne that I never grew out of. I've always had it and everyone said "oh its just puberty...youll grow out of it" well I didnt!
I'm willing to try medication to take care of it...but does anyone know if these create weight gain!

Is anyone on any type of acne medications and have you ever noticed them effect your weight loss?

I had the same problem. I had acne from the time I was 12 until I was 25, and I realized I was never going to "grow out of it". I had been to many dermatologists/tried several things that had varying degrees of failure. Finally I went on Accutane, which was a pain. You have to do monthly check ups and get blood drawn to make sure it's not having any adverse effects. You also have to use two forms of birth control (pill and condoms is what I did) to ensure you won't get pregnant because it can cause severe birth defects.

It all sounds bad, but it is seriously the only thing that worked for me. It's been almost three years, and I only get the occasional, mild break out now.

Neither the accutane nor the antibiotics I went on ever had any affect on my weight. I was put on Metformin for PCOS (of which acne is apparently a symptom) when I was 20 and it made me lose weight at first, but I gained it right back as soon as I was used to it.

Good luck!

Acne meds never affected my weight. I am actually currently fighting a bout of bad acne. Antibiotics always worked for my acne, but with no insurance right now it's not an option for me. Good luck!

I did antibiotics for a long, long time to try and clear up my acne. It kinda worked, but never took care of it.
Things to look out for and try:
If your skin gets oily through the day, it might actually need more moisture. Look for a skin cream without perfumes and sulfates.
Use a product with salacylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. I use Dermalogica in the morning now and it is soo much better than any clearasil I've tried. A little goes a very long way. Also, no sulfates or phosphates that can clog pores.
I also use The Body Shop products in the evening and for my moisturizer, along with a Nutrasonic brush (similar to Clairsonic, just cheaper).
Some people think that foods can play a part where your breakouts are an allergy type response. Sugar and Dairy seem to be mentioned most often.
See your doctor. Ask about causes and things to try.

For me, it turns out that I have PCOS and having been misdiagnosed for over 20 years have dealt with the acne and weight gain along with all of the other issues that come along with it. I now take spironolactone and my skin is completely clear. I still get a small zit here or there, but nothing like I had before with the ick and scarring.

Good Luck! I feel ya!

I did the hassle of Accutane and had no good results, not worth the hassle and risk... :O(

See an allergist before you see a dermatologist. No need for harsh antibiotics if you can clear up your skin by eliminating certain foods. Try reading the Acne Prescription by Dr. Perricone, if you haven't already. Meditating worked for me, as well.

Edit to add: Your skin will become resistant to benzoyl peroxide if you use it too much, so don't use it more than every other day, and only as a spot treatment. Don't rub it into the blemish free skin in between your blemishes. You will end up with red, irritated, sensitive or dry skin in places where healthy skin existed before. Only directly onto the blemish itself.

I've had good results from this regimin:

Using an acne face wash that contains salicylic acid (I like Murad's)
Following with a non comedogenic moisturizer (I use aveeno clear complexion daily moisturizer)
Taking one omega 3 supplement a day (I take dr. perricone's)

Also avoiding processed food and sugar as much as possible.

Yes ,eating lots of fruits and vegetables raw plus water with lemon will make a big different with your skin and your age plays a part in it ,the secret is what you eat ,it may take a few months but you will see a different ,my daughter had problem with her skin and she went on a healthy diet with water and lemon in it ,now her skin is nice ,its the fatty food is a no no for your skin and junk food in fast food restaurant ,stay away from it and you will have results .Hope this will help you ,remember it will not come overnight and use liver cleanser also .God bless

One more thing that i forgot to mention ,make your own juice ,raw fruit what better to fight the impurity in your skin ,all your dark fruits for your skin and your citric fruit to cleanse your body from the inside out ,great for your liver and your colon ..............so you don t need all those medication ,the best medication is home in your fridge ,with a lot of will power to do it .remember it will take a few months to clear you skin ,remember you are what you eat ,the same for your skin ,give it loving tender care .I promise you will see result .God bless

@Jennieb37 - I despise salycylic acid products and swear they did the same thing to me several years ago that you described. I hope the Cetaphil anti-bacterial bar works for you- I use that nightly now and have been for years and it really, really worked for me.

To OP - I've had several different prescriptions (antibiotics, topicals) from the derm and never had a weight gain issue. I will say though, for all the money I spent on those medications, I was never satisfied with the results.

I'm taking spironolactone and I have had minimal side effects. I think its actually caused me to lose weight quicker because its a diuretic so I don't hold on to as much water weight.

Best of luck!

I didn't have acne in my teens. I was lucky enough to get it in my late 20's (enter sarcastic sigh here). I am now 36 and I still have it. I tried EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING and nothing has really worked. About 3 months ago, by accident I washed my face with regular soap (Irish spring) I ran out of my face wash, the next morning some of my acne was visibly smaller. I've been washing my face with it ever since. Now about 35 days ago. I started working out, which made my acne come back. I have never experienced any type of weight gain or weight loss because of acne, or any with any of the medication I have used, but I have noticed that when I ate certain foods (oily). I had a pimple on my face the following day. Coincidence, I think not!