ACCUTANE Reviews (ISOTRETINOIN)

Average Rating: 3.3 (746 Ratings)

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 DERMATOLOGICS

 Type: Brand name discontinued; available as generic

  

ACCUTANE  (ISOTRETINOIN):  This medication is used to treat severe cystic acne (also known as nodular acne) that has not responded to other treatment (e.g., benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin applied to the skin or tetracycline or minocycline taken by mouth). It belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids. It works by decreasing facial oil (sebum) production. High amounts of sebum can lead to severe acne. If left untreated, severe acne may cause permanent scarring.   FDA Approval Date: 1982-05-07 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on ACCUTANE: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ACCUTANECOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  acne dry face, dry hands, cracked lips. I have been on accutane for almost 3 months now and I have had great results. Before I started taking it I had severe Acne on my face and chest. At first my Acne worsened and I was descouraged but towards the end of the second month my face began to dramatically improve. Now I have almost no Acne! M 19 3 months
40 MG 1X day
3/28/2011
 3  severe acne on my cheeks :'( dry lips n face, rectal bleeding, skin rashes on hands,mood swings,redness of face which makes it seem like it is irritated I am on accutane since nearly 2 months I guess I will be taking it upto 6 months. I am already going through so much of side effects of this drug...recently, i have developed skin rashes n rectal bleeding about which i am gonna talk 2 my doctor when i will visit him after some days...rest is alright...i also get angry a bit fast these days n have mood swings...moreover, my face gets red so fast these days that it makes my face seem so irritated!! :'( i really hate this side effect to the fullest! i have no clue if my face is gonna clear up n if this med is worth it...it will be known with time...hope i get better soon :( F 17 6 months
40 mg 1X day
3/27/2011
 1  Mild Acne dry skin, eyes, reduced vision, floaters, dizzy spells, panic attacks, MAJOR depression(post-usage) Wow, I feel a comraderie with the rest of the victims here whose lives have been devastated by this drug. I am 42 yrs old, and like many others, took it in the mid-eighties when I was a junior in high school (16 yrs old). I had a hypochondriacal mother who took myself, my brother and sister to the dermatologist often because she wanted us to look perfect!(yes, I partially blame her, but I mostly blame the doctor and the evil pharm companies). None of us had anything worse than mild to moderate acne, mine being mild. I thought it was amazing at first, as it permanently rid me of acne. However, shortly after I started to have dizzy spells/panic attacks several times a day(in school, nonetheless), and I slipped into a depression for which no one could figure out why. I went to a semester of college, dropped out, and my father pretty much forced me to join the Army or get out of dodge(which was actually good for me). However, I have continued to have on and off bouts of depression and vision problems for the rest of my life. I feel a common bond with the rest of you with similar issues. Please feel free to shoot me an email any time, if it is just to vent. M 42 4 months
40mg 1X day
3/24/2011
Email
 4  Facial, chest, back and arm acne. Dry/cracked lips, irritated/dry skin, red rash on arms/hands/legs, bloody noose, dry patches on skin, [I AM NOT SURE IF ACCUTANE CAUSED THE FOLLOWING: chest pain, tightness in chest, stomach pain, bowel pain, muscle ache.] I have always been insecure about my skin and have tried EVERYTHING and none of it worked. I have been on the medicine for 3 months now and am starting to see great results. I had so severe chest pain in the first few weeks and my doctor said it was not from the medicine but something tells me it is. If you talk to your doctor about this medicine make sure you feel comfortable and trust them. I don't think my doctor is the best and he doesn't monitor my blood levels and says I don't have to have blood work done anymore, which I find odd because my brother went on it(with a different doctor) and had blood drawn EVERY month. Other than a few bothersome things I have a lot of hope in this drug. F 16 6 months
80MG 1X day
3/7/2011
 2  moderate acne severe nose bleeds, cracked llips, mild bleeding of the rectum, dry eyes, possibly stunt of growth and ulcers. I started this medication when i was 11 years old. I'm currently 15 years old and since then have only grown half of an inch. It seems I have completely stopped developing in all physical ways. A few months after Accutane, I developed ulcers. Unknown if it is linked. F 15 6 months
umm.. 1X day
3/1/2011
 4  severe acne very very dry skin, cracked lips, dry hand, arms, and legs. the inside of my nose around the third month dried up so bad i had blood coming out of it and my mouth. i was on accutane for 6 months and it work great. i took it over the winter and that wasnt a great idea but it really helped. The whole summer went buy and i didnt get 1 pimple. but when school started again i got a bunch and my acne was back. they put me back on it over the winter again. this thime the side effects were a lot worse. i cant stand looking at my face. iv become so obssesed with it becuase of the dryness. iv thought about quiting with it but i only have about a month and a half left so i guess ill stick it out M 15 6 months
3X day
2/16/2011
 4  Acne Dry lips, dry/flaking skin, eye irritation, eyes ache and turned extremely red when wearing contacts, reduced vision, hair became dry and more curly. It is hard to say if I've had real psychological changes in mood or behavior due to the drug but I think it is possible. I had acne for about 8 years solid and started taking Accutane (isotronin) at 23 years old. Previously, no over the counter or prescription topical treatment or antibiotic worked. After a few weeks of accutane I stopped getting breakouts. In the 6 months of taking accutane I probably had under 5 new pimples, versus that many each week or two prior. Immediately after starting accutane I had dry lips and skin. Be prepared to use plenty of lotion, get something that is light, non-oily, includes vitamins and will absorb in your skin like Cetaphil or Eucerin, and a quality non-oily lib-balm like Blistex. I am hoping the aching eyes and dry hair will go away after I stop treatment. Accutane is truly a miracle drug but all the side effects are worrisome. I recommend exhausting your options before starting this treatment. M 24 6 months
60mg 1X day
2/16/2011
 5  cystic acne - face, back, chest dry face, lips, nose...bloody snot/boogers...dry tops of my hands with minor red rash I read all of the goods and all of the bads but what's the most important thing you need to consider? Everyone is DIFFERENT! Sure, some people have had terrible reactions and others have had great success with the drug. Your body will react differently...I took 5 months of Isotretinoin (Clavaris) and saw fantastic results! Tried everything prior to my cycle, AcneFree, Proactiv, creams, gels, etc. and nothing helped clear up my skin the way Accutane did. This drug has come such a long way. PLEASE just be sure to ask your doctor questions, go for blood tests and pregnancy tests (if you're female) and watch yourself closely. If you experience any side effects that you cannot handle (ie. depression) or anything serious, stop taking the medication! F 25 5 months
20-100mg 1X day
2/4/2011
 4  Acne with open pores and bad skin Very dry lips and dry facial skin especially around the mouth, skin looked very wrinkly, muscle pain towards the last month but otherwise I could cope with being on the drug. In the 3rd month I got chest pains under my ribs, so painful but did not last long only a few days but it was scary, I do believe it is one of the side effects. I have just finished a 5 month course and can already see an improvement in my skin, my pores have closed up but they are still small and I have small white spots under the skin on my cheeks and chin which have white pus in, if I try to squeeze, the pus comes out like a small worm but it marks my face as my skin is so thin, so advised NOT to do this. I developed more lines and wrinkles around the mouth but now I have finished the course post 2 days I hope these are going to disappear as I do hope it is only the drying effect of the drug. I did not suffer all the side effects people write about, my hair did get dry but it also got thicker and my make up stayed on my skin and eyes all day without smudging which was a blessing. I would recommend anyone to take these tablets if they have bad skin but I am glad I have finished the course as I never felt my face was my own, I looked in the mirror all the time and became obsessed with how my skin and face was looking, I was like a dried up prune most days and I went through endless bottles of moisturizing cream. There was many a days I said not going to take the drug any more but I carried on going and the time does go quite quick. I can not wait to see how things improve over the next few months without taking the tablets and will update you after one month. F 55 5 months
40mg 1X day
1/19/2011
Email
 1  bad acne cleared up skin,but bad side effects that started 6 years after taking it. I took this 14 years ago, it worked.But 6 to 7 years after taking it I have had bad side effects from it and are still having them.Including, hair loss,back pain,arthritis in hands,bad blurred vision,finger nail problems and very tired all the time.This is not worth taking.You get the side effects much later.Doctor says my problems are from this drug. F 45 5 months
2X day
1/18/2011
 2  Acne Migraines, severe major depression, bipolar, anxiety, agitation, social phobia, suicide attempts. Accutane gave me migraines every 10 days, making me miss school. I took Accutane for 4 months when I was 14. First of all, the good. My acne dramatically improved. However, at age 23 I still have bacne that never went away. My face is pretty much clear with the occasional pimple. Now the bad. Before starting, I was a perfectly normal, happy kid. 3.8 student, lots of friends, played select baseball. Great upbringing, never a worry in the world. Aside from my acne, things were seemingly perfect in life. In a couple months I had developed depression and started getting angry at others very easily. My mental health issues increased in number and severity as time went by. After four months of taking Accutane, I attempted suicide. Massive overdose, parents found me, I woke up in the hospital. I have been battling these issues for the past nine years now. Just a couple years ago I began feeling "normal" again. Sure, the drug works. But it's not worth the hell it put me through. M 23 4 months
unsure 1X day
1/11/2011
Email
 4  bacne dry lips, tiredness, anxiety, flare-ups in the first week I got an accutane prescription after trying everything else-- creams, antibiotics, you name it, I used it at some point. I'd heard about all the side effects. On the first day I got a painful acne cyst on the side of my nose, which was unusual for me because I don't get facial acne. It's reduced oil gland production, I can tell. And I have the usual dry skin, lips, etc. Hope it works!! Seems like it so far... F 14 5 months
40 mg 1X day
1/10/2011
 1  acne Recently developed, anxiety, irregular and racing heartbeat, depression, mood swings,insomnia Like everyone else on this site i took accutane to solve my seemingly endless acne problem. While on the drug side effects were basically non existent expect for slightly dry lips and face. I was ecstatic that my acne was disappearing and I wasn't experiencing any of the severe side effects. Its been about 8 months post treatment and i am now becoming increasingly miserable by the day i have developed horrible anxiety, depression, mood swings, and a racing heartbeat that is driving me absolutely insane! I'f i could change one thing in my life it would be ever taking this drug it could be one of the worst decisions in my life. I prey to GOD that my side effects will eventually dissipate. I will say i have had no outer extremity issues since stopping accutane end my acne has yet to return. My sideeffects have proven to be solely internal...something i would have never had anticipated before taking accutane. id like to add i'm currently writing this at 6 in the morning because i have been unable to sleep tonight due to a racing heartbeat an anxiety attack and depression. M 19 300 days
40 2X day
1/9/2011
Email
 4  Acne Dry lips, dry skin, dry scalp/dandruff, vaginal dryness, joint pain. I did take it over winter which is probably not the best idea as I get dry skin in winter anyway. F 20 12 weeks
40MG 1X day
1/4/2011
 3  persistant acne pimples definitely caused: dryness and nosebleeds also happened while on it: strange anxiety, didn't know why; lost interest in classes, didn't want to be there anymore (was just basics though, no major) long term since around that time: crossed eye last couple years: crying easily, less ability to judge time passage took Claravis after trying lots of other prescriptions and Proactiv that didn't work, at age 20-21, I think it was 5 months but I don't remember. It actually worked, so that was awesome. other than the dryness and stuff I really don't know if my problems were caused by accutane, but they started happening around the same time and I'm trying to figure out why. my left eye went crossed (still is) and I used to never cry about anything but now I cry super easily. not depressed, just weirdly emotional. acne is back, not as bad but persistent. F 26 5 months
2X day
12/30/2010
 1  severe acne/cystic acne I stopped taking accutane about a year ago. I haven't grown since I've taken it. I have stomach aches every day. I've had a colonosopy, an MRI, and an endoscopy. The doctors still don't know what's happened to my digestive system. When I go to the bathroom, my stools are loose and basically resemble half-digested food in weird shades of nasty yellow and green. I feel tired even if I sleep for hours and hours straight. It hurts to work out. It's hard to see when I try to drive at night. I have problems focusing on school. I went from making A's to making D's. I have scars from minor injuries and bug bites that wouldn't heal while I was on accutane. My speech slurs. My head hurts. My hair still falls out and it's thin and dry. I have joint and muscle pains. I exercise, sleep, and have a well-rounded diet, I take probiotics, but I still have stomach problems. Don't compromise your health for a clear face. It's not worth it. F 16 6 months
40 1X day
12/12/2010
 4  cystic acne Chapped lips, dry skin,(later - back pains, shoulder and elbow joint pains), hair thinning, degenarative tissue Accutane is really a miracle drug. I took this drug about 14 years ago. I was on it for a year and then another round (for 3 months) after 2 years. After taking it for 6 months, I got many compliments how beautiful my skin was. Even without makeup on, my skin was almost flawless. The joint pains in my elbow, shoulder and lower back occured at different times: 2 years after taking accutane - right shoulder pain and I thought it was because of carrying a full-load purse; 5 years after - right elbow tendonitis; 8 yrs after - lower back pain and left leg pain due to degenerative tissues on my back bone. About few months ago I noticed that my left elbow and should started to ache and the pains on the right elbow and shoulder came back. I was told by my physician that there is no cure for these pains but pain reliever pills and steroid injection. I opted for another alternative which was Physical Therapy. The exercise relieved the pain but it did not go away completely. Also, about a year ago, I was diagnosed with gall bladder problem. Not sure though if this is associated with accutane too. However, based on the postings in this web, joint aches were always present. My advise for the joint pains, undergo a Physical Therapy. It helped. I read one posting here about taking vitamin D. I will try that and hopefully will help. F 46 1 years
40 mg 2X day
11/30/2010
Email
 5  cystic acne on my face Back and stomach pain I haven't been on it for very long but the short amount of time I have been on it it has been wonderful to my face. I do experience some horrible stomach pain and back pain but its no worse then what feels like menstrual cramps. My mother was on accutane when she was 19 (25 years ago) and she has never had a problem with acne or anything else ever since, so I don't exactly worry the accutane will give me problems down the line. To me, its so worth it to take the drug and not have to deal with horrible painful cysts. I didn't even get normally more then one cyst at a time but I was in so much pain f.....I tried everything and my doctor finally agreed to put me on this, and I have never been happier. F 21
20 mg 2X day
11/28/2010
Email
 4  cystic acne on face Chapped lips,nose bleeds,dry eyes, sore joints, my nose constantly peeled so badly I thought it would fall off, rash on my arms, mood swings I am a 57 year old woman - I have had cystic acne since I was 13.My acne has been devastating to my self esteem and personal relationships. This is my THIRD go around with Accutane since starting my initial treatment in my late twenties. A 6 mo treatment seems to last me 8-10 years. My doctor stated my second treatment should keep my face clear until menopause and I shouldn't have any more acne....WRONG. My face got so bad in the last couple of years that it seemed like I was constantly on anti-biotics. I eat a healthy diet and exercise. At one time I had over 30 sores all over my face. Accutane was a last resort. I read all of the literature on the side effects and agreed to gamble with them..nothing was guaranteed except my face is CLEAR. It's been a month since I took my last dose and my side effects are extreme lower back pain, peeling scalp, eye sties, mood swings (but that may be menopausal). F 57 5 months
30 mg 2X day
11/23/2010
 1  Moderate acne on face and back During treatment: Chapped lips and slightly dry skin Months and years after: Consistent back pain, hair thinning, possible stunted growth, bowel irritability, bouts of depression and fatigue ... acne 14 when I was prescribed Accutane, I thought it was a miracle drug while I was on it. Relatively no side effects, all my blood tests came back with flying colours, and I was seeing results, so I stayed on it longer than most do. It wasn't until months after that I noticed my hair thinning, which is hereditary in my mothers side, but I take strongly after my father with a full head. Mild to moderate back pain started about a year after treatment, and has not gone away today. I also suspect it might have hindered my growth as an adolescent, both sides of my family are healthy giants, men and women, dad was the shortest of any of my immediate and distance relatives and he stood at 5'10. I'm 5'7, skinny jointed, small hands, don't fit in with the rest of the family. I have bouts of inflamed and enlarged bowels, but nothing was found in a stool sample so it's gone undiagnosed. I'm a very healthy, active, muscular man, I am obsessed with eating well and the gym, I shouldn't be in pain. On top of it all, acne has returned, not as severe and no longer of the back, but that could just be the decline of puberty. I only wish I was smart enough to understand the negative effects of pharmaceuticals and the reason why the medical industry makes as much money as it does... This drug isn't to cure people, it's to make them more sick. This drug causes severe deformities in babies, and has a 5 page pamphlet of side effects, I was foolish to think I couldn't be harmed as a developing adolescent M 22 8 months
1X day
11/18/2010

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