If your DC were prescribed Lymecycline for acne...

[MouseMiceLouseLice]

... did they have their liver function monitored?

DC2 has been on lymecycline for over 6 months. It has just been suggested their liver function be tested before the next prescription. Obviously, I'm arranging for this.

However, DC1 was on lymecycline for 18 months, and no one ever even suggested this. Now I'm worried. DC1 has been off it for a couple of months now, and is fine, but could their liver have been damaged and us not know it. Why did the GP never suggest we monitor?

TIA

I took it and never had a test.

i've taken it for the best part of three years and never had a test.

Thanks @ChiefWiggumsBoy and @FormerlyPathologicallyHappy - this is very reassuring!

My ds has just started it, no one has even mentioned liver function tests.

DD took it for 6 months and liver function testing was never mentioned.

What is it please, I have a child that keeps being fobbed off with face wash

Sorry should have said that testing was not suggested or mentioned by the dermatologist but DD has regular blood testing including liver function test because of other long term medication that she is on.

It's an antibiotic regularly prescribed for skin conditions. There's another one - doxycycline - that I tried but it gave me terrible stomach upsets. Lymecycline is gentler.

Hi My Dc had face wash then lymecycline then another anti biotic not Doxycycline, she also had adapalene which is a topical retinol this was fab. After 1 year of minimal reduction she was started on roaccutaine which lasted for 7 months and, was literally life changing. My dc qualified as she had acne that causes scarring.
She had regular bloods on roaccutaine but never whilst on the antibiotics.
Speak to the GP and tell them you want a different treatment acne is horrible.

@MossGrowsFat it's an antibiotic for treating severe acne. We were fobbed off too but saw a private dermatologist ( NHS wait list was 18 months )

A combination of Lymecycline and treclin gel cured DD's acne and got rid of scarring in 6 months

My DD acne went after 3 months on it

If it hasn't worked after 6 months it's not going to work and they need to be prescribed something else

My DD continues to take it along with the pill

Roaccutane would be the next logical step

I was prescribed it as a teen and it worked wonders for me. I took one course of Roaccutane and my persistent acne went forever. I was so grateful as was my DM because my acne caused me so many MH issues as a teen

I took antibiotics for years before taking roacutane. It really was life changing. Previously when I stopped taking antibiotics my skin just exploded with really deep sore pustules that took forever to come to a head and just as one was healing up another giant pustule would arrive. I was known at school as the girl with the giant spots. I suppose it was character building but it carried on right through to my late twenties before I took roacutane. I can say that face washes did nothing for the acne and nothing over the counter worked either as I tried plenty of things over the years.

My sons inherited my bad skin genes. They were in the car on the way to the dermatologist as soon as I could get an appointment. They both have beautiful clear skin now. They took roacutane as well.

Is the lymecycline actually working? my son had 3 different types of antibiotics from the GP over a long period. I was concerned because all you hear about is NOT using antibiotics to safeguard the human race bla bla bla. And he was on them for 10% of his life!!!!!!

Eventually he went on to isotretinoin- his nodular-cystic acne would NEVER have responded to antibiotics. And now, because of the delay, he has scarring- which the NHS dont treat!

Yes DS's liver function was monitored- it's a sensible precaution- but it's not sensible keeping a child on a medicine if it isn't actually working.

DS took it for about 18 months and a liver function test was never mentioned.

I took it for years and never had a test. To be honest I wish someone had told me the damage long term antibiotics to do the digestive system at the time, which wasn't mentioned either.

Antibiotics worked almost immediately for acne every time I took them and it came back every single time I stopped them so a bit of a double edged sword and in the end I just stopped and tried other things - the pill, prescription topicals, diet changes etc - things which granted did not work as well but were more sustainable longer term.

It might be to see if they are suitable for isotretinoin?

Wow - thank you all so much for the responses.

I'm feeling less anxious about the liver function with Lymecycline, but lots of food for thought about medication choices.

I think for both DC, the lymecycline has helped to calm it down a bit, but they still have quite bad acne.

TBH I'm really scared of Roaccutane, because of family history of some bad stuff. However, I also know that the acne is having a really negative effect on their quality of life. So I feel between a rock and a hard place with this.
DC1 has changed their diet (basically reducing sugar and increasing protein and veg) and started taking strong probiotics and certain vitamins associated with acne reduction - and this really seems to have helped, but not eliminated it.

Thanks again all - very helpful to hear your experiences.

I read around A LOT before DS took isotretinoin. The consultant was also super-cautious as DS (16) was already on sertraline and propranolol..... for anxiety and depression .....

I had to undertake to monitor his mood very closely.
I was 'happy' to do this, as my reading (quality academic articles / reputable sources etc) said that the link between isotretinoin and suicidal ideation is in fact not particularly robust. and statistically consistent with the number of teenagers who suffer similar mental health declines and do NOT take isotretinoin.

He's now in adult dermatology system. Is very closely monitored. Slow increase of dosage. F2F appointments with consultant and phone appointment in between prescriptions. Frequent blood tests at GP surgery.

I'll be pleased when he comes off isotretinoin , but the acne was contributing to making his life a misery.

Took it for years (10+) and never had any tests

If they haven't tried Epiduo that was successful with both DC. It strips the colour from towels, bedding & pj's and first few applications need to be done very carefully to avoid a massive reaction to it but it's good stuff.

There is a lot of misinformation out there re Roaccutane

It's your DC choice and well-being ultimately so very unfair to stand in the way of that esp knowing how swift and effective Roaccutane is

Can I ask what age your DC started on this? DD 13- spots in forehead. Still early days but wondering how long I should wait before taking her to the doctors?

I was on it for 6 months. No mention of a liver test.
it did give me severe thrush tho. If not already I would advise a daily probiotic

They tried DS on antibiotics and I finally convinced them to put him on Roccutane. That did require monthly liver function tests. He had quite a stubborn case--normally it was a 3-4 month course, but his took 7 months. DH has quite severe scars from acne pitting on his face, chest and back and we were anxious that DS avoid that outcome. It worked incredibly well.

I took isotretonoin at 40, was offered at 30 but was scared.

The suicide link isn’t strong at all and it’s not like researchers haven’t tried to find a link.