Teen Acne Affects Moms, Too

If you're a parent with an adolescent over 12 years of age, that is a teenager, who is facing acne, you know how challenging it can be to watch as your teenager deals with red, pus-filled pimples and blemishes that never seem to go away. While you do your best to answer questions and help your teen understand it may only be a temporary phase, you want to help manage the acne.

There are many myths about what actually causes acne, such as eating chocolate or fried foods or not cleansing properly, but the main cause is actually clogged pores. While it's certainly important to maintain good skin hygiene and eat a balanced diet, neither dirt nor diet bring on acne.1 Many factors are involved in its development, but one of the main causes is the over-production of sebum, an oil found in our skin. Sebum is produced by glands all over the body, but are mainly found on the face, upper back, and chest. Normally, this oil passes through our pores to the skin's surface. However, when dead skin cells, bacteria or excessive oil block the pore, acne can begin to form by causing oil to pool within the pore and allowing acne-causing bacteria to grow. This causes inflammation, making pimples red, sore, and occasionally full of pus.1

Unfortunately, sebum production is sensitive to hormones, going into overdrive in the teen years.1 Your teen may have tried one or more over-the-counter scrubs and topical acne products to treat moderate to severe red, pus-filled pimples. But, if he or she has not seen improvement, it may be time to see a dermatologist who can determine whether a prescription treatment might be right for your teen's condition.

One popular antibiotic treatment option is specifically approved by the FDA to treat only the red, pus-filled pimples and red bumps of moderate to severe acne in patients 12 years of age and older.2 It is dosed according to how much your teen weighs (between 99-300 lbs.). It is called SOLODYN(R) (minocycline HCl, USP) Extended Release Tablets and is the most prescribed branded medication in dermatology today.2 SOLODYN is an extended-release minocycline which slowly releases medication over time. Your teen takes it only once a day, with or without food.3

Remember all prescription acne treatments have side effects. The most common side effects in clinical studies of SOLODYN were headache, tiredness, dizziness, and itching.3 In rare cases, patients can develop an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to find out if SOLODYN Tablets are the right treatment option for your teen.

Please see below for Important Safety Information and link to Full Prescribing Information for SOLODYN Tablets.

Indication and Usage

SOLODYN is an oral antibiotic approved to treat only the red, pus-filled pimples of moderate to severe acne in patients 12 years of age and older. SOLODYN won't improve infected acne cysts (nodules) under the skin. In clinical studies, SOLODYN did not work on blackheads or whiteheads. The safety of using SOLODYN longer than 12 weeks has not been studied and is not known. It is not known whether this kind of minocycline will be effective in treating infections. You should use SOLODYN only as directed by your doctor to reduce the chance that bacteria will become resistant to this antibacterial drug and similar drugs.

Important Safety Information for SOLODYN (minocycline HCl, USP) Extended Release Tablets

* The most common side effects were headache, tiredness, dizziness, and itching.

* SOLODYN contains minocycline. Like other antibiotics based on tetracycline, minocycline can harm an unborn child when taken by a pregnant woman.

* Tetracycline drugs should not be used when a child's teeth are forming (during the last half of pregnancy and up to 8 years of age) because they may cause permanent darkening of teeth.

* Severe irritation and bleeding in the colon (pseudomembranous colitis) have been reported with nearly all antibiotics and may range from mild to life-threatening. Talk to your doctor if you have severe diarrhea.

* Light-headedness, dizziness, and a spinning feeling have been reported by patients taking minocycline.

* In rare cases, patients can develop an increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity).

* Don't use SOLODYN if you are pregnant. Men and women who are trying to conceive a child should not take SOLODYN. SOLODYN may make an oral contraceptive less effective.

* This drug should not be used by anyone who has had allergic reactions to any of the tetracycline drugs.

* The safety of using SOLODYN for longer than 12 weeks has not been studied and is not known.

* SOLODYN may cause a serious rash and allergic reactions that may affect parts of your body. 

Discontinue SOLODYN immediately if symptoms occur.

Click http://pi.medicis.us/solodyn.pdf for Full Prescribing Information for SOLODYN Tablets.

1. AcneNet: A comprehensive online acne information resource. www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/acne.html. Accessed March 23, 2012.

2. IMS Health. National Prescription Audit (NPA). Data through March 2012. Data on file.

3. SOLODYN Tablets Package Insert. Scottsdale, AZ: Medicis, The Dermatology Company; June 2011.

SOLODYN is a registered trademark of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

SOL 11-015AR2 01/31/13

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