Gah Acne

[dictionary]

I have it and obiously dont like it.....

I take Medication for it but it will takes a while to cure it

Dose any one have tips???

[CrimsonThunder]

I thought taking medication leaves scars. (well something does, I know ripping them off does)

Clean your skin would be a tip.

Or you could just leave them, as it is a natural thing for your body.

[Kovax14]

acne medication is huge scam, or it has been at least in my experience. I was going to a dermatologist for a few years and paying 300-400 dollars for a little tube of cream each time, under the direction that I wash my face twice daily and use the cream every night. all that resulted from that was dry skin, and worse acne. I decided to take a self imposed break from the medication and I went out and bought a 7 dollar face scrub (Clearasil daily face scrub for men), and now that is all I use. i use it once in the morning when i shower, and after that I apply a moisturizing lotion for sensitive skin (nivea for men extra soothing lotion). after that I go the whole day without doing anything else until the next morning. the only thing i make sure to do is avoid touching my face and adding unnecessary extra oil. nowadays i have practically zero acne, perfectly moisturized skin (i havent had dry skin at all in months, mostly because i don't wash my face as unnecessarily often) and it seems that the less that I did about it, the less acne i actually had

[beckyg]

My kids all had acne. The prescribed medications never worked for them. They use the St. Ives medicated apricot scrub in the shower and then follow-up with a moisturizer and that seems to work really good. Moisturizer is important because your skin tends to produce more oil if its dry. This is a good website for acne sufferers: www.acne.com

[CrimsonThunder]

Something tells me that site was made by Proactiv Solution. >_> (it is)

[yaoi fanboy]

well like they all said u can use a acne scrub at the store but to really help it use eye drops,

eye drops will clear the redness out of your acne and make it look like you don't have any even though u do.(make sure the eye drops say redness remover)

[sdc91]

I used to use Proactiv, then my parents got me Acne Free, which is pretty much a generic ripoff. That didn't work.

So now I'm on minocycline, Differin, and some 8% salicylic acid cream. It's supposed to take 8 weeks to show, and I've only done about 2. It seems to be working alright, but it's EXPENSIVE. I'd try the stuff Kovax mentioned if I were you.

[beckyg]

Something tells me that site was made by Proactiv Solution. >_> (it is)


Maybe I gave you the wrong website. My daughter uses several different products that are not Proactiv. I'll have to check with her.

[Ty]

I have dry skin (well on my face anyways) and im not sure what sort of lotion i'd use on my face cause i think most of the ones in my bathroom are like greasy and not good for teh face...


Ahem

[beckyg]

OK, its supposed to be www.acne.org

[EthanS]

Clean your face with a exfoliant, then use baby oil on your face ;) daily :) Ive been told baby oil makes your skin all nice, kinda works too :P

[Paul_UK]

Baby products are normally mild and gentle, so you know they won't he harsh on your skin.

I have used baby soap and baby shampoo since my late teens. It was taking this gentle approach instead of using various acne products that finally got my acne under control. I also used to have greasy hair but the mild shampoo helped that too, probably by not drying out my scalp so it didn't produce the oil.

[beckyg]

I'm not sure I would try baby oil on acne. That seems like it would make it much worse plus that it can cause extreme sunburn if you get out in the sun.

[ppreston9]

i have some pretty bad acne on my forehead, and i have used various different acne medicnes with no result. now i am taking a medice called Acutane. It is the strongest acne medicine out there and one of the strongest in general. It is a very controlled subtsance. i have taken it for a little over a month with some good improvement, i will be on it a little longer hoping for some more results. This medicine has been 100% effective at my dermatologist, but this is like the godly medicine when the other ones cant do the job for you. This medicine requires monthly blood tests just in case and females cant have sex while on this or their baby will be deformed.

I also like this medicine because it is once/ day and no cream necessary. i would recommend this if you want to save money. There are also lots of generic brands for this too.

[Hollywood]

if you're taking medication then you'll need to suffer through it for a few weeks and see if it gets better. if not, go back to your doctor and try something else-it took about a year to get a good combination of meds for me (an oral and 2 topicals) and my face is never truely 100% clear but its 1000x better then it was three years ago. the only issue is eventually weening yourself off the medication because you cant stay on it forever. im at that stage now.

[Behling]

I used to use proactive but it didn't do crap, I now take pills and use a special medicated facewash, the effect is ok but not really that noticeable

[StudMuffin]

i have some pretty bad acne on my forehead, and i have used various different acne medicnes with no result. now i am taking a medice called Acutane. It is the strongest acne medicine out there and one of the strongest in general. It is a very controlled subtsance. i have taken it for a little over a month with some good improvement, i will be on it a little longer hoping for some more results. This medicine has been 100% effective at my dermatologist, but this is like the godly medicine when the other ones cant do the job for you. This medicine requires monthly blood tests just in case and females cant have sex while on this or their baby will be deformed.

I also like this medicine because it is once/ day and no cream necessary. i would recommend this if you want to save money. There are also lots of generic brands for this too.

Same here, except most of my acne was on my back (bacne) rather than my face, which I'm extremely thankful for. Anyway, last summer I kinda got sick and tired of dealing with my acne after trying products like ProActiv, Acne Free, natural remedies, etc. - all of which didn't really work all that much. =/ So, I finally went to my derm and she gave me this cream (it was called Tretinoin or something) and a cream that I had to put on every day. Supposedly, I was to suppose to see results by the second month but all that med did was screw up my skin. :confused: I was pissed, lol. So after I met with her again, she put me on Accutane and tomorrow I'm going to her office and getting my blood taken to start my fourth month.

All I can say is that this stuff WORKS. At first I broke out really bad, though, since it's supposed to bring EVERYTHING out. This lasted for like 2 months and by the third my skin was becoming more smooth and now I only have a few left and even those are disappearing (and I had A LOT). =] The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that you're left with lots of blemishes since Accutane slows the recovery of your skin, but my derm told me those would fade pretty quick once I'm done since my skin will start recovering faster, so we'll see.

But yeah ^_^ to the OP I suggest Accutane if your derm offers it. Lots of people give it a bad rep for some reason, but everyone I know who has taken it didn't regret it at all. Most of them have the clearest skin I've seen, too. =]

[Latinokid]

Accutane has a bad rep because since it's really strong it can damage your liver which is why monthly blood test's are required. This can also lead to bad breath XD. Accutane is also strong and cause some of the users to go into depression and have many suicidal thoughts/feelings which is why it is very monitered on the amount you are taking and the type of patient you are. I was going to be put on Accutane but...when i called to make my appointment whith my derm stupid nurse didn't even book it >< so now its like in april..

[Keegan1]

My kids all had acne. The prescribed medications never worked for them. They use the St. Ives medicated apricot scrub in the shower and then follow-up with a moisturizer and that seems to work really good. Moisturizer is important because your skin tends to produce more oil if its dry.
Exactly wat i do it works ;)

[Time]

I took Accutane for approximately 3 months, and I now have virtually clear skin. I had moderate acne.

Taking it is absolute HELL. It completely dries up your body. Chapped lips 24/7, bladder infections, nose bleeds, peeing blood, all that. I hated it. But it was worth it.

[Kovax14]

I took Accutane for approximately 3 months, and I now have virtually clear skin. I had moderate acne.

Taking it is absolute HELL. It completely dries up your body. Chapped lips 24/7, bladder infections, nose bleeds, peeing blood, all that. I hated it. But it was worth it.

yikes! that sounds like a lot to go through just to get rid of acne

[Bryan]

Like many of you, I have horrible acne. I am in my 1st month of accutane. I am annoyed with the dry skin, chapped lips and dandruff it causes, but my face is beginning to clear up already, I just cant wait until its over.

[StudMuffin]

I took Accutane for approximately 3 months, and I now have virtually clear skin. I had moderate acne.

Taking it is absolute HELL. It completely dries up your body. Chapped lips 24/7, bladder infections, nose bleeds, peeing blood, all that. I hated it. But it was worth it.

yikes! that sounds like a lot to go through just to get rid of acne

Yeah, the side effects can be pretty heavy, but it all really depends on the person. The chapped lips is a given, but other than that and nose bleeds (which I rarely get), the other side effects have yet to affect me. But it really is worth it. My skin hasn't been this smooth/clear since I was probably 13 or 14. The depression side effect is pretty rare from what I hear, but I can't say for sure. I feel fine after 3 months... in fact, my self-confidence has upped quite a bit since I've been taking it. Like I said, it depends on the person.

But I don't think anyone should take it if your acne isn't all that bad... like a poster said before me, it's a pretty strong drug. Dermatologists usually only give it to people who actually need it (moderate to severe).

[beckyg]

Yeah, I think Accutane should be taken as a last resort especially if you are prone to depression to begin with.

[Micah]

Keep in mind that there are about half a dozen causes of acne, ranging from oily skin to unclean skin.

No single solution will work for everyone.

The important thing to remember is to give a particular treatment time to work, and if it doesnt work, try another.

I was on simple antibiotic medication for my skin when i was 15-16 which seemed to work fine in combination to cleaning with a gentle scrub.

However, when I turned 17 it flared up and nothing seemed to work. As a result I went on Accutane which cleared my skin up after about 2 months (not without mild side effects like dry lips and blood noses).

Accutane shrinks your sweat glands, which will be extremely effective for those with oily skin type acne. For someone whose acne stems from dry skin, facial hygiene or another cause, Accutane won't be very effective.

So try dont be affraid to try out your options. I had a friend whose skin cleared up due to a change of diet (cutting out high sugars and replacing them with vegetables and fruits). But the diet didn't work for me. It's all individual.

[ppreston9]

I took Accutane for approximately 3 months, and I now have virtually clear skin. I had moderate acne.

Taking it is absolute HELL. It completely dries up your body. Chapped lips 24/7, bladder infections, nose bleeds, peeing blood, all that. I hated it. But it was worth it.

yikes! that sounds like a lot to go through just to get rid of acne

i have had any side effects yet, but i clean my face and moisturize it daily, i am obsessed with chapstick and i wash my hair daily. One thing i did notice was blowing bloody snot, but i never had a bloody nose. but, effects vary so much. A lot of my friends have been on it too and they have had excellent results

[Kenko]

I had good success with benzoyl peroxide based cleaners, which are a lot less expensive then OTC drugs, and less likely to have severe side effects.

Also, I'd actually had success washing with plain old Hydrogen peroxide.

Another active ingredient in many acne cleaners is salicic acid, which many have good luck with (some products have both). I've also heard of people having good luck cleaning with vinegar (some claim apple cider vinegar. I don't know if it really matters).

Just be sure to dilute Hydrogen peroxide or Vinegar before use!

[sdc91]

If my acne regimen doesn't clear up my face by February 20-somethingth, then my dermatologist is going to talk to me about Accutane, which he strongly believes in.

As far as depression/suicide, he said that a Florida (I think) lawmaker's son was on Accutane and committed suicide so the lawmaker blamed it on Accutane or something. I'm not sure that it actually causes depression. Anyway, he fully supports Accutane and doesn't think there's anything wrong with it, but it should be used as a last resort especially because it's EXPENSIVE. My mom said the treatment is $3000, since that's what it cost for my older brother (or at least that's what she told me).

[bvtsjm116]

I take Accutane... :) 2 more months and I can come off it...

It doesn't leave scars.

Cured my brothers acne

And I haven't gotten a pimple in a LONG time.

It takes 6 months though

And you get really dry while on it...

I hate the dryness, but no acne... at all...

But it has a lot of side affects, but lucky I only get the dry skin side effect.

[bvtsjm116]

Taking it is absolute HELL. It completely dries up your body. Chapped lips 24/7, bladder infections, nose bleeds, peeing blood, all that. I hated it. But it was worth it. ZOMG! I didn't know so many other people took it XD yes. IT IS HELL. I hope everything goes back to normal after. The dry skin is HELLLL.... and... well... my lips are SOO chapped, and I have to wear soo much chapstick... which this girl makes fun of cause it looks like lip gloss she says *rolls eyes* I've gotten like a few nose bleeds but not really... and nothing having to do with my bladder.

[Hollywood]

my mother wouldn't let me take accutane. she's a nurse and knows too much about the side effects-especially extreme depression.

[UnderARock]

I took Roaccutane (Which I think is the same thing as Accutane, sold under different names in different countries) about 5 years ago. I cant recommend it more highly. I have extremely bad ance and nothing else worked at all. Took this and it completely got rid of it. Side effect wise all i had were dry lips that need to have lip balm applied to them alot. Personally imo getting completely rid of my ance for a few months of dry lips was more than a fair trade. If only it was as easy to get rid of other elements of my uglyness.

[SpikySpice]

I used to use Proactiv, then my parents got me Acne Free, which is pretty much a generic ripoff. That didn't work.



It would be better if I use Proactiv earlier,

My face is urghh><, my pimples are one of the things I hate teh most bout me. Seems liek I have a break out . Mhy face used to look better

[ppreston9]

If my acne regimen doesn't clear up my face by February 20-somethingth, then my dermatologist is going to talk to me about Accutane, which he strongly believes in.

As far as depression/suicide, he said that a Florida (I think) lawmaker's son was on Accutane and committed suicide so the lawmaker blamed it on Accutane or something. I'm not sure that it actually causes depression. Anyway, he fully supports Accutane and doesn't think there's anything wrong with it, but it should be used as a last resort especially because it's EXPENSIVE. My mom said the treatment is $3000, since that's what it cost for my older brother (or at least that's what she told me).

that is without out insurance and the name brand of Accutane. there is about 5 other generic brands that cause the same effects

[Wired106]

i have some pretty bad acne on my forehead, and i have used various different acne medicnes with no result. now i am taking a medice called Acutane. It is the strongest acne medicine out there and one of the strongest in general. It is a very controlled subtsance. i have taken it for a little over a month with some good improvement, i will be on it a little longer hoping for some more results. This medicine has been 100% effective at my dermatologist, but this is like the godly medicine when the other ones cant do the job for you. This medicine requires monthly blood tests just in case and females cant have sex while on this or their baby will be deformed.

I also like this medicine because it is once/ day and no cream necessary. i would recommend this if you want to save money. There are also lots of generic brands for this too.


ppreston9 is right! I used that about a year ago and was on it for like 3 months. You have to go to a dermatologist to get it perscribed and you also have to have monthly blood tests. Its hard to get perscribed and you can only be on the treatment a maximum of around 2-3 times (each treatment is about 3 months long) because it is known to cause severe problems in organs but that is why your are monitored. nothing bad happened for me but this is the only thing that worked! I use to have it bad and what this stuff actually does is, it pushes everything out and you get bad acne like the first 2 weeks but after 2 months your skin gets so clear that you have no big pores showing or anything. literally this stuff will work. make sure you have good med insurance tho because this stuff costs around $900 for a supply of 30 pills for a month. :icon_wink

[nickmc]

I also am on Roaccutane but am only in the first month of it. So far it hasn't made a difference other than completely drying up my skin- AHH the pain of chapped lips when you've forgotten to bring chapstick with you... oh and a few more nosebleeds than usual.

I was one of those people who kinda had to take SOMETHING. I've had bad acne for about 6 years, never squeezed a pimple and yet still (according to my dermatologist) have some scarring- so unfair. So sometimes you can't just leave it...

It's great to hear some of you have had positive results with it. I hope I can join THAT group *fingers crossed*

[Micah]

I also am on Roaccutane but am only in the first month of it. So far it hasn't made a difference other than completely drying up my skin- AHH the pain of chapped lips when you've forgotten to bring chapstick with you... oh and a few more nosebleeds than usual.

I was one of those people who kinda had to take SOMETHING. I've had bad acne for about 6 years, never squeezed a pimple and yet still (according to my dermatologist) have some scarring- so unfair. So sometimes you can't just leave it...

It's great to hear some of you have had positive results with it. I hope I can join THAT group *fingers crossed*

Hopefully you'll notice a difference by 2-3 months. If you're the type of person that has external ache (bumps on top of the skin) you'll notice clearer skin than if you have internal ache (below the skin). Red marks and other blemishes take much longer to clear up - but rest assured they do get better with time =]

[Nicvcer]

I waited away my zits, that worked pretty well

[biisme]

benzaclin is what i use and it works really well. i just wash my face twice at night and then apply it, and then my acne goes away

[SimplyChaotic]

About 2 weeks ago I started using some home remedies that are working well for me.. I'm way too embarassed to go ask my parents to buy me acne medication >.>
So ya, I'm using some home remedies that are working decently. Maybe not as quickly as the pro stuff, but it works.

Oh also.. that accutane stuff.. that sounds like absolute hell to go through just because of some pimples :confused: Monthly blood tests, possible organ damage and severe depression? Nose bleeds? Just to get rid of some pimples?

Oh well.. to each his own.

[boyequal]

I was on the same boat when I was around 16, bad acne and such. I got put on a course of Roaccutane and it worked. Expensive, but it worked. Luckily I didn't get the depression side effects, only dry skin and HORRIDLY dry lips and sore joints. Those side effects went away about a month after I stopped taking it. Good news!

Now, a couple of years later, my back started up with acne again, so now I'm on a generic version, Acnetane. So far, it seems to be working. Dry lips are back again, sore joints and hyper-sensitive eyes. But, it's a trade I'm willing to make.

Some medicinal information :sleep: : Roaccutane was the first retinoid drug isotretonoin. When it first came it, it was very expensive, but it did work. Now many (more good and less bad) generics are on the market, such as Accutane, Acnetane, etc. and at least that has brought the price down. Basically, isotretonoin is substance related to vitamin A, so you're not allowed to take ANY other vitamin A while on this medication.

Good luck with the side-effects and smile at a clear skin :)

[Vampyrecat]

Yeah, acne is a bummer.
And yeah, its completely normal.
I had acne since I was 11. It was pretty bad, but after a while I went to the doc's, and they put me on Doxycycline, which is not something I reccommend if you have only mild acne. Doxycycline is only for severe acne, and it works by treating infection and that sort of thing. When it's used over 6months or so, it gradually begins to work your skin into better condition.
But one of the side effects is a bum as itchy as poison ivy. Also, it can give some people nausea or headaches.

I see that you're Male, otherwise I might suggest that you go on the pill. Obviously men cannot go on the pill (They'd grow boobs for a start).

My advice, buy a gentle cleanser/toner and moisturiser, but MAKE SURE that they're all gentle or specifically made for people with sensitive skin. normal strength cleansers/toners can strip all the oil from your skin making it feel tight and dry for a but, and then your skin will go into overdrive trying to make up for the lack of oil, producing more acne then you had in the first place.
Use the Cleanser daily, with a moisturiser straight afterward, and then use a toner on your skin once a week at the absolute most. Avoid touching your skin unneccessarily, and try to drink a lot of water. Also, for some strange reason, I've found that eating a lot of apples seems to help my skin. I think there might be something in it that helps your skin.
Kiwi fruit! If you can stand them (I know some people can't), eat a couple or more a week, because they're LOADED with Vitamin E, and Vitamin E is great for your skin.

Other then that, wait it out.
Hope this helps. Remember most of us younger people here will have/have had experienced acne, so you're not alone on this issue.

[Paul_UK]

Oh also.. that accutane stuff.. that sounds like absolute hell to go through just because of some pimples :confused: Monthly blood tests, possible organ damage and severe depression? Nose bleeds? Just to get rid of some pimples?

Oh well.. to each his own.

That's what I was thinking too. I had bad acne when I was in my teens and although I really wanted to get rid of it somehow I wouldn't have gone to this extent.

[RobbIsFlyyy]

I have it and obiously dont like it.....

I take Medication for it but it will takes a while to cure it

Dose any one have tips???

I used to wonder the same thing, and posted numerous times asking the same questions.
I used to hate to go out in public, or to school, or even to the mailbox.
I've been to the Dermatologist several times, always getting the same report, and another perscription for Accutane. (SP) (Gives severe chapped lips, and hurts like a mthr sckr. :]) So, I quit taking it, secretly (shh), and I ordered ProActiv.
It's the best stuff ever.
And anyone who says it doesn't work, may not know what they're talking about.
:]
It worked for me.
:]
Now I'm clear as can be, and I couldn't be happier.

My advice? ProActiv.

[mrrolemodel]

I have it and obiously dont like it.....

I take Medication for it but it will takes a while to cure it

Dose any one have tips???

I used to wonder the same thing, and posted numerous times asking the same questions.
I used to hate to go out in public, or to school, or even to the mailbox.
I've been to the Dermatologist several times, always getting the same report, and another perscription for Accutane. (SP) (Gives severe chapped lips, and hurts like a mthr sckr. :]) So, I quit taking it, secretly (shh), and I ordered ProActiv.
It's the best stuff ever.
And anyone who says it doesn't work, may not know what they're talking about.
:]
It worked for me.
:]
Now I'm clear as can be, and I couldn't be happier.

My advice? ProActiv.

i use proactive, have for a longg time. and it hasnt completely cleared up my face.
im dissapointed with it.
but whatever.

[Alexander]

Nothing will work if you don't use moisturizer (oil free) and drink looooootttttts of water.

[Paralyzer]

I secretly stopped taking my Proactiv (which works btw) and I still got lots of comments on my face...... haha.. but It might be because I drank a lot of water. appl^

[Swimmerboy]

I have it and obiously dont like it.....

I take Medication for it but it will takes a while to cure it

Dose any one have tips???

I don't think you have to really worry about having it for too long, and don't let it get to you. Take care of your skin. Avoid Accutane! Ask your doctor if he/she thinks erythromyocin can help.

Try a 10% benzoyle peroxide cream, like clearsil ultra vanishing cream once a day after you wash your face. Using a sunscreen with it is very important because of its interaction with UV rays in forming free radicals which age your skin and cause disorders such as cancer.

Salycilic acid (spelling?) is effective in the treatment of acne. A good face wash with this in it is clearasil ultra face something... it's shiny.

don't irritate or dry out your skin!!!

order:

Wash, cream, moisturizer, sunblock.


I don't think the order in which you put the moisturizer and sun block really matters.

avoid sun exposure. Tan skin is nice, but the aging affects aren't.
:thumbsup:

Thats really all I know. Good luck.

Remember that acne is something most people have to deal with during puberty... wait two years and I'm willing to bet it will be gone. (haha that sounds like a long time, but you really have the rest of your life to have beautiful skin) :smilewave



Oh, and DON"T POP!!!!!!!!!

[Swimmerboy]

acne medication is huge scam, or it has been at least in my experience. I was going to a dermatologist for a few years and paying 300-400 dollars for a little tube of cream each time, under the direction that I wash my face twice daily and use the cream every night. all that resulted from that was dry skin, and worse acne. I decided to take a self imposed break from the medication and I went out and bought a 7 dollar face scrub (Clearasil daily face scrub for men), and now that is all I use. i use it once in the morning when i shower, and after that I apply a moisturizing lotion for sensitive skin (nivea for men extra soothing lotion). after that I go the whole day without doing anything else until the next morning. the only thing i make sure to do is avoid touching my face and adding unnecessary extra oil. nowadays i have practically zero acne, perfectly moisturized skin (i havent had dry skin at all in months, mostly because i don't wash my face as unnecessarily often) and it seems that the less that I did about it, the less acne i actually had

sounds like me.... actually kind of scary how similar it is.:eusa_shif

[elstix99]

I use(d) StrideX, and it has done nothing. Basically I am just trying real hard not to pick what I have and I am recently being a lot more clean than I had been (not that I used to lie around the house in a pool of mulch and then go out to a party, but just generally not as clean as I should be) and if that doesn't work, I will scream :D. Seriously, I think if I stop picking what I have and that, it should work fine and it should work the same for you.

[Jasper]

If the medication dries the skin out, can't you just apply moisturiser?

[elstix99]

You can absolutely do that, but if you're using a medicine and then you apply some lotion, there could be conflict between active ingredients in both (I use lotion aggressively but not on my face, so I don't know for sure).

[MusicIsMyBoyfriend]

I'm on PanOxyl and it doesn't do anything for my skin, which i was really depressed about

[KaraBulut]

The next time that you are in a crowd of people, look at their skin. Everyone has very different skin- some have dry skin, some have oily skin, some people have large pores and some people have very small pores. That's why acne is so hard to treat- everyone's skin is different. What works for one person may not work for another person.

Another thing to know about acne treatment. Sometimes when you start a new treatment, it will get worse before it gets better. This is especially true of the medications that peel the skin.

Most people start with washes and creams that contain benzoyl peroxide. Medications like Panoxyl, AcneFree, Clean and Clear, Oxy, Proactive are all brands that contain benzoyl peroxide. These are all things that you can get at a drug store.

Usually, if these don't work for you, see a dermatologist. There are stronger medications that a doctor can give you that may do the trick.

Understand though, that it may take trying 2-3 different things before you find what works for your skin. Ask the doctor to give you samples. If something doesn't work for you, try something else.

[ccole]

just use a daily face scrub religiously...that's what i did and i'm pretty clear now =)

[kiddo]

Proactive has worked for me.
I wouldn't recommend using prescriptions.