ACCUTANE Reviews (ISOTRETINOIN)Average Rating: 3.3 (746 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ACCUTANE with similar:
Type: Brand name discontinued; available as generic
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Results are sorted by Gender with females listed first (reviews with no gender reported listed before females). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 |
More on ACCUTANE: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ACCUTANE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | Joint pain, nose bleeds, swollen and sluggish lymph nodes, weight gain, liver disease, depression, hair loss, anger and mood swings, cracked lips, eye infectons, light intolerance, redness of the skin, skin sensitivity. Skin would break open with the slightest knock. | Its been over 12 yrs and I still cant wax my legs without having to scratch them excessivly for days sometimes weeks. Its only been in the last yr that I can squeeze my nose, as i the cartilage in my nose must of damaged or something. I was unable to pinch my nostrils together. I now have alot of lymphatic issues and Im fairly certain its due to this horrible drug. I cant believe they put teenagers on this. | M | 29 | 7 months 70 1X day | 4/1/2010 | 1 | Acne (mod-severe) | depression,anxiety,paranoia,knee pain,peeling skin on face,chapped lips,back ache,hair thinning,loss of appetite,anger,mood swings,blurred vision/ | Do not take this medication it ruins your life! i would rather have slightly marked skin than a life of the side effects i am experiencing now beilieve me, my advice is never to pick or pop spots leave them alone they will heal themselves. Wash your face with aqueous cream and tepid water and pat dry and use the topial sloution zineryt this will not cure your acne but will help significantly! | M | 26 | 4 months 2X day | 2/12/2010 | 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 | 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 | 1 | Acne | Dry skin, dry lips, dry sinus cavities, dry everything, thin hair, loss of appetite, depression, chronic sickness, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic pain, extremely pissed off. | This drug is not for anybody. No acne is bad enough to expose yourself to this substance. I took this 6 years ago, and I never even finished a course because I got so sick. My immune system was destroyed, and I picked up every virus or bacteria out there. It started out with chronic sinus infections, then got the flu, then was just sick all the time with whatever. I had to retake my last year of highschool because of this. A few years later I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Now it's six years later and I am in constant pain, I can't eat any foods I like anymore, and I'm nearly almost always depressed or angry. I can't afford hospital bills, and I've lost my motivation to do much of anything. Every day is a struggle. If you have read peoples experiences the with the drug and still think it's worth it to get rid of your acne, try and remember there can be life long consequences. No acne is bad enough to put yourself through this. P.S. Accutane didn't even fix anything, I still have bad acne on top of all this shit. | M | 23 | 5 months 2X day | 7/22/2010 | 1 | severe acne | severe hair loss stunted growth nose bleeds extremely chapped lips | My son was on Accutane for a 5 month stint. We were concerned about potential scarring both physically and mentally. We were mainly worried about the possible depression side effects. My son assured me that he still wanted to go thru with it. We had no insurance and at the cost of about $2500 for treatments I decided to carry medical thru my work. The medicine worked well overall (as far as reducing severe acne.) He has been off of it for over 2 years and his acne has been greatly reduced. But he now has extreme hair loss that has never grown back! He has the hairline of a middle aged man! He also has not grown 1 single inch since he took the drug!! At 18 he is 5'7" the same height that he was at age 15! It is very devastating! The dermatologist said that these side effects were not from the drug! B.S.! BE VERY INFORMED BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS DRUG! | M | 15 | 5 months | 1/8/2007 | 1 | Acne | Immediate: Every part of me was dry as a desert...it was horrible! Long Term: Have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (which is a living hell), constantly fatigued, achy joints, severe mood swings. THIS DRUG IS TOXIC - IT SHOULD HAVE A SKULL & CROSS BONES WARNING!! | This side-effects (immediate & LONG TERM) are not worth it. And, to top it off, I still have breakouts...You get nothing, but pay with your life. | M | 22 | 6 months | 10/4/2006 | 1 | Severe Acne | Sudden and severe depression at the end of the 5-month period; this got significantly worse in the weeks after going off the drug. | Any web search on its side effects reveals so much to worry about (class action law suits, over 100 suicide cases, and more) that I don't think anyone should be taking this drug without a LOT of research. | M | 17 | 5 months | 2/27/2005 | 1 | Mild persistent Acne | Permanent Dryness! All over skin Dryness on scalp, body, lips, hands, feet, etc. Permanent Hair Loss and continued Rectal bleeding. Depression, anxiety, heart palpitations. I am 33 years old. I took this drug when I was 18 or 19. I've had these "side effects" ever since. My skin immediately & permanently changed tone and texture. I had naturally tanned skin, know permantely "lighter" & doesn't tan anymore. I burn easily now. I have very little natural skin oils left. My hair changed texture. Used to be thick and beautiful, now is thin, brittle and whispy. The hair loss continues to this day. At 33, I have very thin whispy hair. It has aged me prematurely. The skins natural oils are permantely reduced by Accutane. This is what keeps your skin YOUNG! As we naturally age, our skin losses its oils. DON'T TRADE SHORT TERM GAIN 4 LONG TERM PROBLEMS! THIS DRUG IS TOO STRONG FOR MOST CASES! BAD, BAD, BAD! | After reading all the posts, It's comforting to hear I'm not the only one who suffers from continued ACCUTANE "side effects". I thought for a long time it was just bad genes, poor health, Depression etc. I now know its from this FREAKIN DRUG I took when I was too naive to understand the potential consequences! We all want quick fixes, there's no such thing! WAKE UP! and stay away from this DRUG! ITS BAD NEWS for vulnerable teens looking for a way to end the traumatic effects of ACNE. THIS JUST TRADES one affliction for many! PERMANENTLY... | M | 33 | 6 months | 10/15/2007 | 1 | acne | I experienced the same common side effects when I took it when I was 15 and I am now 27. I am concerned about long term side effects. I have an identical twin that did not take it and I have issues that he does not have but I do. My stomach and intestines are not doing well. My twin has no problem with his and he drinks alcohol and eats worse food than I do. | I did not know that much about the drug at the time or I would not have taken it. The acne started to come back and I was able to treat it with other methods that are less harmful to my body. I experimented with soaps, used things to exfoliate my skin, changed my diet, and washed my face with cooler water. It cleared up. I think that everyone should do this instead. I also noticed that tap water in some areas influenced my skin too. Diet and stress also cause skin changes too. Keep in mind also that skin has natural defence microorganisms that protect it so cleaning it too much is bad. Alcohol is also bad for it and most acne products have this. Alcohol will also cause skin to produce more oil after using it. All of the acne products Don't work for severe acne because of alcohol and other products in it like that. Acne can also be caused by infection called candida. Antifungal cream will help this and you will notice that your skin will get worse in humid weather if this is the cause. | M | 27 | 6 months | 3/11/2008 | 1 | o Moderate Acne: Tetras didnt work | within first 2 weeks: severe headaches, blurred vision, dry burning skin, dry lips, diarrhea, decreased night vision, severe heart burn | went to dr on day 10, was told to immediately stop the medicine. now must wait 3-4 weeks before starting antibiotics again. Dr said that the heartburn and headaches were too risky to continue on the drug. | M | 24 | 10 days | 7/9/2007 | 1 | severe acne | Inflammatory bowel, dry skin/hair/eyes got better once off the drug but never close to normal it's been about 10 years and everything is severely dry, hair falling out, muscle's stiff weak stretching out doesn't work anymore. Blurred vision gets worse after a couple years off. Overall body fatigue, heart palpitates when I eat certain foods which seems to be everything it's like a total body inflammatory response horrible and not fun at all. Of course joints crack and pop hurt my bones hurt if that makes sense to anyone it's hard to explain everything. Urine retention also can't forget that. | Please don't anyone take this drug I understand you get put in a vurnable situation and would do anything to get ride of acne but just don't ever take it the side effects are permanent even if others say there not doctors included. Use benzoyl peroxide and find a good moisturizer, eat healthy drink lots of water, eat oatmeal (lots of fiber) diet does play a role! Get sweaty exercise it helps clear out blackheads I know this because it did for me, plus it's great for your health. Don't use harsh scrubs and soaps use something gentle like dove sensitive skin(yes the bar soap!) Take this advice use Benzoyl peroxide all day everyday all over do not spot chase zits it ok! This will work. Trust me | M | 23 | 15 months | 7/16/2007 | 1 | Acne | Crohns Disease, Hair Loss, Depression | Developed Crohns Disease (internal bowel disease) within 6 years of taking Accutane. Also hair loss started at 25. No genetic trace of either in my family. Depression could have been partially genetic, but not to the length I went through while taking it. | M | 35 | | 6/1/2007 | 1 | Cystic Acne | [DRY SKIN, PHYSICAL & MENTAL ABNORMALITIES] I took Accutane when I was a freshman in high school, I was at 14 years of age in the year of 2000. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a storm that is still taking years to dissipate. After the six months of treatment, the severe acne on my face miraculously disappeared with the occasional zit here and there; however, the acne scars on my chest, arms, and back are still present to this day. For the first few months, I was pleased with the results. Although, I suffered from severely dried skin, almost unable to smile. I was oblivious of the mental and emotional anguish this drug had in store for me in the future. Winter break of 2001, I began feeling deep despair for some mysterious reason. At 17 years of age, the anxieties and depression worsened, and I was later plunged into a behavioral institute not once, but another time in the future due to suicidal attempts. My life was going backwards. I struggled to restrain my th | It was difficult to focus, I could not maintain a job, and I dropped out of college a few more years later. Now, at the age of 21, I am left in the wake of the side effects Accutane has left me with. It took me years to decipher the elusive reason as to why I have been feeling out of touch with reality, why things I used to enjoy have corroded from my body and thoughts, and why my life, as a whole, has been nothing but a dark, cloudy haze. Sure, there were a few factors that occured during this period that could have made me depressed, anxious, or suicidal without the aid of this virulent drug; though after research, I feel that Accutane has magnified these devastating symptoms. Nothing can replace the sorrow, despair, and insanity I went through, and still have yet to deal with. With this said, I leave you with something to think about: Would you rather trade your hideous acne for the feelings that only you, deep inside can alter or would you live a life with feelings scarred but wit | M | 21 | 6 months | 4/12/2007 | 1 | Cystic Acne | Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Severe Anxiety, Social Phobia, Headaches, Dry lips & Skin, Aching Joints, Muscles & Bones, Fatigue, Insomnia, Severe Depression, Short & Long term memory loss, SEVERE Concentration Problems, Hair Loss, Sexual Dysfunction. | Some may call this the miracle drug, at the age of 15 when I took a 6 month course of roaccutane I thought this was my miracle cure as it cleared my skin completely. Little did I know what would come in the following years. I am now 23 years of age turning 24 and this drug has COMPLETELY RUINED MY LIFE. I am unable to work anymore and have severe problems in social situations due to all the adverse side effects that are STILL in my body after taking this drug nearly 9 years ago. My ability to concentrate is getting worse by the year as well as my memory; I'm constantly unable to remember the smallest mundane things to even the largest. If I had the choice now I would of preferred to keep my acne and deal with it. My advice to anyone contemplating taking this drug, if you want your life COMPLETELY AND UTTERLLY RUINED then by all means take it, but to this day taking this drug is the biggest regret, and always will be the biggest regret of my life. DO NOT TAKE ACCUTANE!!!!! I WOULD | M | 23 | 6 months | 8/21/2007 | 1 | Cystic Acne | [Extremely dry body. Developed physiological and psychological abnormalities. Depression, excessive sleep, loss of hair, anxieties, mood swings.] I took Accutane when I was a freshman in high school, I was at 14 years of age in the year of 2000. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a storm that is still taking years to dissipate. After the six months of treatment, the severe acne on my face miraculously disappeared with the occasional zit here and there; however, the acne scars on my chest, arms, and back are still present to this day. For the first few months, I was pleased with the results. Although, I suffered from severely dried skin, almost unable to smile. I was oblivious of the mental and emotional anguish this drug had in store for me in the future. Winter break of 2001, I began feeling deep despair for some mysterious reason. At 17 years of age, the anxieties and depression worsened, and I was later plunged into a behavioral institute not once, but another time | It was difficult to focus, I could not maintain a job, and I dropped out of college a few more years later. Now, at the age of 21, I am left in the wake of the side effects Accutane has left me with. It took me years to decipher the elusive reason as to why I have been feeling out of touch with reality, why things I used to enjoy have corroded from my body and thoughts, and why my life, as a whole, has been nothing but a dark, cloudy haze. Sure, there were a few factors that occured during this period that could have made me depressed, anxious, or suicidal without the aid of this virulent drug; though after research, I feel that Accutane has magnified these devastating symptoms. Nothing can replace the sorrow, despair, and insanity I went through, and still have yet to deal with. With this said, I leave you with something to think about: Would you rather trade your hideous acne for the feelings that only you, deep inside can alter or would you live a life with feelings scarred but wit | M | 21 | 6 months | 4/12/2007 | 1 | Cystic Acne | I took Accutane when I was at 14 years of age in the year of 2000. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a storm that is still taking years to dissipate. After the six months of treatment, the severe acne on my face miraculously disappeared with the occasional zit here and there; however, the acne scars on my body are still present to this day. For the first few months, I was pleased with the results. I suffered from severely dried skin, almost unable to smile. I was oblivious of the mental and emotional anguish this drug had in store for me in the future. Winter break of 2001, I began feeling deep despair for some mysterious reason. At 17 years of age, the anxieties and depression worsened, and I was later plunged into a behavioral institute not once, but another time in the future due to suicidal attempts. My life was going backwards. I struggled to restrain my thoughts of suicide, and I was diagnosed with a number of mental disorders. | It was difficult to focus, I could not maintain a job, and I dropped out of college a few more years later. Now, at the age of 21, I am left in the wake of the side effects Accutane has left me with. It took me years to decipher the elusive reason as to why my life has been nothing but a cloudy haze. Sure, there were a few factors that occurred during this period that could have made me depressed, anxious, or suicidal without the aid of this virulent drug; though after research, I feel that Accutane has magnified these devastating symptoms. Nothing can replace the sorrow, despair, and insanity I went through, and still have yet to deal with. With this said, I leave you with something to think about: Would you rather trade your hideous acne for the feelings that only you, deep inside can alter or would you live a life with feelings scarred but with a somewhat renewed appearance that is only skin deep? | M | 21 | 6 months | 4/12/2007 | 1 | Cystic Acne | I took Accutane when I was at 14 years of age in the year of 2000. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a storm that is still taking years to dissipate. After the six months of treatment, the severe acne on my face miraculously disappeared with the occasional zit here and there; however, the acne scars on my body are still present to this day. For the first few months, I was pleased with the results. Although, I suffered from severely dried skin, almost unable to smile. I was oblivious of the mental and emotional anguish this drug had in store for me in the future. Winter break of 2001, I began feeling deep despair for some mysterious reason. At 17 years of age, the anxieties and depression worsened, and I was later plunged into a behavioral institute not once, but another time in the future due to suicidal attempts. My life was going backwards. I struggled to restrain my thoughts of suicide, and I was diagnosed with a number of mental disorders. | It was difficult to focus, I could not maintain a job, and I dropped out of college a few more years later. Now, at the age of 21, I am left in the wake of the side effects Accutane has left me with. It took me years to decipher the elusive reason as to why I have been feeling out of touch with reality, why things I used to enjoy have corroded from my body and thoughts, and why my life, as a whole, has been nothing but a cloudy haze. Sure, there were a few factors that occurred during this period that could have made me depressed, anxious, or suicidal without the aid of this virulent drug; though after research, I feel that Accutane has magnified these devastating symptoms. Nothing can replace the sorrow, despair, and insanity I went through, and still have yet to deal with. With this said, I leave you with something to think about: Would you rather trade your hideous acne for the feelings that only you, deep inside can alter or would you live a life with feelings scarred but with a so | M | 21 | 6 months | 4/12/2007 | 1 | Acne | Dry bleeding lips, bloody noses, lower back pain, racing heart, borderline Diabetes, decreased night vision, and limitations on eyesight distance, depressed feeling, and change in personality. | I was administered the medicine in 1993 for less than 3 months and it still has my attention. I suffer from occasional back pain, decreased vision and occasional racing in my heart. I would discourage anyone from taking the drug. | M | 35 | 3 months | 4/7/2008 | 1 | cystic nodual acne | dry,cracked lips, joint pain, weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, brain fog, very low cholesterol, depression, suicidal thoughts, | No longer have the same personality, self-esteem is low due to severe scarring, still have trouble sleeping and with IBS, grades in school were never the same again. For that reason, not sure if it was worth the risk. Would never put it in my body again. | M | 16 | 4 months | 8/5/2008 |