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Could Acne Medication Effect Growth In Height?
sir. before, at the age of 14 the least, my height growth took a kick, i was the tallest amongst my friends, my height completely blew off the chart. even my friends were surprised and jealous. now i am a 19 male, and my height is 5ft 4inch, approximately less than 1 inch taller than my dad. maybe 0.75 inch or so. problem is my height started to stop increasing just before i reach 18. now i recalled i took an acne medication for 2 years at most, that completely stop my acne problem during my early puberty. now it came thru my mind that did taking those medication put a stop to my growth hormones during puberty? as in gradually decreasing? if im not mistaken, the doctor did kinda warn me about it and said something like i have human average height? so i proceed anyway. my question is, is acne problem during puberty related to growth hormones? and is there such acne medication similar to mine ? now my friends are taller than me, and their acne problem isnt as worst as mine before.
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
Hi,
Acne medications, particularly isotretinoin (Accutane), have been associated with potential growth suppression in some studies. This is because isotretinoin can affect bone growth by decreasing the activity of cells that form new bone tissue. However, the effect of isotretinoin on height appears to be small and may not be clinically significant in most cases.
Acne itself is not directly related to growth hormones, but hormones do play a role in the development of acne during puberty. Androgen hormones, which increase during puberty, can cause the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more oil, leading to the development of acne.
The acne medication you took may have had some effect on your height, but it's also possible that your height is largely determined by your genetics. If you have concerns about your height or the effects of acne medication on growth, it's best to talk to your doctor or a specialist who can provide personalized advice based on your individual health history and current situation.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
Acne medications, particularly isotretinoin (Accutane), have been associated with potential growth suppression in some studies. This is because isotretinoin can affect bone growth by decreasing the activity of cells that form new bone tissue. However, the effect of isotretinoin on height appears to be small and may not be clinically significant in most cases.
Acne itself is not directly related to growth hormones, but hormones do play a role in the development of acne during puberty. Androgen hormones, which increase during puberty, can cause the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more oil, leading to the development of acne.
The acne medication you took may have had some effect on your height, but it's also possible that your height is largely determined by your genetics. If you have concerns about your height or the effects of acne medication on growth, it's best to talk to your doctor or a specialist who can provide personalized advice based on your individual health history and current situation.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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