Sarecycline for acne treatment

[chickenslegs]

My daughter (13) suffers quite severe acne - face and back are worst. Various soaps, foams and creams do not seem to have any affect.

 

Googling comes up with Sarecycline as an antibiotic specifically for acne, as opposed to wide spectrum antibiotics which could be harmful to her general health.

 

Does anyone have experience of this medication? Is it available otc in Thailand? Any brand names to look for?

 

Any advice appreciated.

[stubuzz]

 

Google the medication below, then go and see a dermatologist (แพทย์ผิวหนัง)

Do not go to a fancy clinic or they will drain your wallet. The medications below cost less than 1000bt for 3 months supply at my local dermatologist.

 

Isotretonoin+Azithromycin+Topical Clindamycin

 

To avoid side effects, use a lower dose of Isotrtonoin 10mg daily as it is hard on the liver.

 

My daughter has medium/severe face only acne and is taking 10mg every other day. After 2 months, it is much better.

[chickenslegs]

Thank you @stubuzz.

I am in Sattahip, would your local dermatologist be anywhere near?

[stubuzz]

1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

I am in Sattahip, would your local dermatologist be anywhere near?

No, Chachoengsao, about 2 and 1/2 hours away.

 

Maybe the local hospital has a Dermatology department or try this Goole search -แพทย์ผิวหนัง  สัตหีบ (Dermatologist Sattahip)

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=แพทย์ผิวหนัง++สัตหีบ&sca_esv=c39225120f7c3a88&rlz=1C1CHBF_enSA877SA877&sxsrf=AHTn8zqCAwANSJ5pZJhMl-OPF61f_1epkQ%3A1737876366531&ei=juOVZ8OYIIvzi-gPu-nzmQ0&ved=0ahUKEwjDl_b77ZKLAxWL-QIHHbv0PNMQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=แพทย์ผิวหนัง++สัตหีบ&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiOOC5geC4nuC4l-C4ouC5jOC4nOC4tOC4p-C4q-C4meC4seC4hyAg4Liq4Lix4LiV4Lir4Li14LiaSOkvULIDWOMOcAN4AZABAJgB6QGgAcUDqgEDMi0yuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAICoALyAcICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgQQIxgnwgIHEAAYgAQYE5gDAIgGAZAGBJIHBTEuMC4xoAfGCQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

[chickenslegs]

I just found an old TV post from 2017 saying that Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip has a decent dermatology department. I'll get Mrs C to phone tomorrow.

If anyone knows more about this hospital or can recommend a specialist, I would be grateful.

[Sheryl]

29 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

I just found an old TV post from 2017 saying that Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip has a decent dermatology department. I'll get Mrs C to phone tomorrow.

If anyone knows more about this hospital or can recommend a specialist, I would be grateful.

Queen Sirikit should be fine. Pattaya Memorial would also work but Queen Sirikit would be cheaper.

 

if  your daughter is Thai, she could also go to the government hospital where she is registered under the 30 baht scheme.

 

Isotretonoin and related compounds work but are prescription only and for good reason. Liver enzymes need to be monitored. Also, during treatment (which takes months) the skin and lips will become quite dry.  In addition pregnancy must be ruled out as this drug causes birth defects. Doctor may prefer to first treat with an antibiotic in the tetracycline group and move on to a retinoid only if those do nto do the trick, but see what doctor says. Saracycline is an example of drugs in the tetracycline group but not yet available in Thailand. There are others that can be used e.g. doxycycline.

[KhunLA]

This is what worked for my daughter, as she had bad acne, and local dermatologist was completely useless.

 

Diane 35 ... the least strength birth control pill.  At 13, guessing she already had her period, so getting hormones leveled out is a priority.

 

Benzoyl peroxide cream ... comes in 3 strengths; 2.5%, 5% & 10%.

 

Suggest get a small tube of 5%, and see how her skin reacts to it.  Feel a little warm, but will tighten up, dry out her skin.  Apply overnight if I remember.

 

There was another cream she applied, 2X a day, after 'lightly' washing (over washing removes protective oils) her face.   Forget what that was, and sent daughter a msg, hoping she remembers.

 

Couple months, and she went for total zit, crap mug, to all clear, along with no scarring.

 

[chickenslegs]

I'm late to say thanks @Sheryl and @KhunLA. Just finished watching the tennis final.

 

Some great information to get things started.

[The Fugitive]

Used 'Quinoderm' myself in the 1960's. Can confirm it's effective. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14199634/

[gravity101]

20 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Queen Sirikit should be fine. Pattaya Memorial would also work but Queen Sirikit would be cheaper.

 

if  your daughter is Thai, she could also go to the government hospital where she is registered under the 30 baht scheme.

 

Isotretonoin and related compounds work but are prescription only and for good reason. Liver enzymes need to be monitored. Also, during treatment (which takes months) the skin and lips will become quite dry.  In addition pregnancy must be ruled out as this drug causes birth defects. Doctor may prefer to first treat with an antibiotic in the tetracycline group and move on to a retinoid only if those do nto do the trick, but see what doctor says. Saracycline is an example of drugs in the tetracycline group but not yet available in Thailand. There are others that can be used e.g. doxycycline.

Go straight for the good stuff, a course of Isotretonoin, especially for teenage acne and backne. There is a Thai cheap version, Acnotin. Don't mess around with anything topical or antibiotical just to find out they don't work very well and/or the acne returns, catch it before it effects her mental health and life long scaring. But as this person says, take it under supervision, no sun and monitor liver health. Start off slow, 5mg to check for reactions and take it from there. Will take 4 months to see improvements, but boy does it work. Finish the course, she'll thank you.

 

[chickenslegs]

14 minutes ago, gravity101 said:

Go straight for the good stuff, a course of Isotretonoin, especially for teenage acne and backne. There is a Thai cheap version, Acnotin. Don't mess around with anything topical or antibiotical just to find out they don't work very well and/or the acne returns, catch it before it effects her mental health and life long scaring. But as this person says, take it under supervision, no sun and monitor liver health. Start off slow, 5mg to check for reactions and take it from there. Will take 4 months to see improvements, but boy does it work. Finish the course, she'll thank you.

 

Thanks. I will mention this and other suggestions to the dermatologist at Sirikit. Wife will contact the hospital today to ask about an appointment (or whether the doc has a private clinic).

[newbee2022]

On 1/26/2025 at 12:57 PM, chickenslegs said:

My daughter (13) suffers quite severe acne - face and back are worst. Various soaps, foams and creams do not seem to have any affect.

 

Googling comes up with Sarecycline as an antibiotic specifically for acne, as opposed to wide spectrum antibiotics which could be harmful to her general health.

 

Does anyone have experience of this medication? Is it available otc in Thailand? Any brand names to look for?

 

Any advice appreciated.

There are various kinds of Acne. I know more than 12. 

I presume you want to help your daughter?

So to decide what is the best treatment is ONLY be possible by experienced DERMATOLOGISTS.

He/she will find out what kind of Acne should be treated.

Don't listen to "advices' or Wannabe doctors.

 

 

[newbee2022]

On 1/26/2025 at 1:13 PM, stubuzz said:

 

Google the medication below, then go and see a dermatologist (แพทย์ผิวหนัง)

Do not go to a fancy clinic or they will drain your wallet. The medications below cost less than 1000bt for 3 months supply at my local dermatologist.

 

Isotretonoin+Azithromycin+Topical Clindamycin

 

To avoid side effects, use a lower dose of Isotrtonoin 10mg daily as it is hard on the liver.

 

My daughter has medium/severe face only acne and is taking 10mg every other day. After 2 months, it is much better.

Could be just wrong

[newbee2022]

On 1/26/2025 at 3:27 PM, Sheryl said:

Queen Sirikit should be fine. Pattaya Memorial would also work but Queen Sirikit would be cheaper.

 

if  your daughter is Thai, she could also go to the government hospital where she is registered under the 30 baht scheme.

 

Isotretonoin and related compounds work but are prescription only and for good reason. Liver enzymes need to be monitored. Also, during treatment (which takes months) the skin and lips will become quite dry.  In addition pregnancy must be ruled out as this drug causes birth defects. Doctor may prefer to first treat with an antibiotic in the tetracycline group and move on to a retinoid only if those do nto do the trick, but see what doctor says. Saracycline is an example of drugs in the tetracycline group but not yet available in Thailand. There are others that can be used e.g. doxycycline.

Better to go to a specialist than to give assumptions here

[chickenslegs]

Double post deleted.

 

 

[chickenslegs]

11 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

There are various kinds of Acne. I know more than 12. 

I presume you want to help your daughter?

So to decide what is the best treatment is ONLY be possible by experienced DERMATOLOGISTS.

He/she will find out what kind of Acne should be treated.

Don't listen to "advices' or Wannabe doctors.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Could be just wrong

 

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Better to go to a specialist than to give assumptions here

I listen to all advice and opinions. Thank you for yours.

 

My wife contacted Queen Sirikit hospital today and was told that they will not give acne treatment to anyone under 14 years of age - which I find strange. 

 

Anyway, we have a few more options to explore.

[stubuzz]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

On 1/26/2025 at 9:13 AM, stubuzz said:

Google the medication below, then go and see a dermatologist (แพทย์ผิวหนัง)

Do not go to a fancy clinic or they will drain your wallet. The medications below cost less than 1000bt for 3 months supply at my local dermatologist.

 

Isotretonoin+Azithromycin+Topical Clindamycin

 

To avoid side effects, use a lower dose of Isotrtonoin 10mg daily as it is hard on the liver.

 

My daughter has medium/severe face only acne and is taking 10mg every other day. After 2 months, it is much better.

Could be just wrong

Did you read the post correctly?  

How could " then go and see a dermatologist" be wrong? It is the best course of action to help the OP's daughter.

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, stubuzz said:

Did you read the post correctly?  

How could " then go and see a dermatologist" be wrong? It is the best course of action to help the OP's daughter.

You're mistaken me. Not my post

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

 

I listen to all advice and opinions. Thank you for yours.

 

My wife contacted Queen Sirikit hospital today and was told that they will not give acne treatment to anyone under 14 years of age - which I find strange. 

 

Anyway, we have a few more options to explore.

I'm sure that's a misunderstanding or misinformation.

Of course there are acne treatments for young girls/men.

But again:

As I told you there are more than a dozen different forms of acne and therefore different treatments. The dermatologist has to see your daughter first before he/she will decide what treatment.

Also the doctor will find out what kind of food your daughter should avoid.

[KhunLA]

9 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

 

I listen to all advice and opinions. Thank you for yours.

 

My wife contacted Queen Sirikit hospital today and was told that they will not give acne treatment to anyone under 14 years of age - which I find strange. 

 

Anyway, we have a few more options to explore.

Both of the 'scripts' I mention are available OTC, and very inexpensive at any pharmacy.

[chickenslegs]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Both of the 'scripts' I mention are available OTC, and very inexpensive at any pharmacy.

Thanks again. I appreciate your suggestion of an alternative treatment and will bear it in mind if needed. 

 

We will see a dermatologist, either at Pattaya Memorial or Pattaya International and go from there.

 

I just found an old TV topic that mentions Dr Waraporn Klanwarin at PIH, saying she also has a clinic at Queen Sirikit - just 15 minutes from our home.

 

 

[Pouatchee]

On 1/26/2025 at 1:19 AM, chickenslegs said:

Thank you @stubuzz.

I am in Sattahip, would your local dermatologist be anywhere near?

 

The dr at sirikit is really good. You may also go to the mini clinic which is just in front, to the left of the main entrance (sirikit). I believe there is also a dermatologist that goes there once a week or so, but you'll have to check on that and book an appointment