My son just started taking accutane for acne. is it safe? will it work? tried other things nothing worked.

This : This response is coming from a psychiatrist. Why is a psychiatrist answering your question? Because you asked about the safety of Accutane and there can sometimes be psychiatric side effects. I will leave it to one of the dermatologists to address the non-behavioral health aspects of this medication. I normally don’t recommend that any of my patients who have suffered from a major depression, take accutane. If a patient with a history of depression takes Accutane they should be monitored for any worsening of symptoms. There have been some incidences of depression, suicide thoughts and attempts, aggression, mood swings, personality changes, paranoia and loss of touch of reality while on accutane. There have also been some completed suicides on accutane. For this reason, the dermatologist will usually inquire at each visit if you son has any possible symptoms of depression to include: feeling sad or angry, feeling powerless or hopeless, withdrawing from friends, problems with sleep or appetite or suicidal thoughts. What medication is the best choice is made individually with the patient, the parent and the doctor. Good luck.

Yes and yes: You do need to be monitored both for the physical side effects and possible mood changes; most people get drying of the skin and no change in their feelings. The stuff works especially when nothing else does. Your son is fortunate to have a parent who cares about him and wants him to look his best as he enters the next, difficult stage of his life.