MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Teenagers and acne medicine

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Teenagers and acne medicine

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Information

Illustrations

Acne - close-up of pustular lesions

Blackheads (comedones)

Blackheads (comedones) close-up

Acne, cystic on the chest

Acne, cystic on the face

Acne, vulgaris on the back

Acne, close-up of cysts on the back

Acne, cystic on the back

Acne

Alternative Names Return to top

Acne and teenagers

Information Return to top

For the full article, see acne.

Only severe cases of acne should be treated with drugs such as Accutane. People taking Accutane and similar drugs need to be closely monitored. There are serious potential side effects, such as headaches, joint pains, and muscle pains. In particular, birth defects are possible in the infants of pregnant teenagers taking the medication.

Antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline are not as risky, but may produce side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or vaginal yeast infections.

Update Date: 12/18/2006

Updated by: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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