| Key to ratings for accutane: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
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| 5 | Back and neck aches requiring chiropractor help, gnawing abdominal discomfort and digestive problems (helped by enzyme supplements), occasional nausea, chronic chapped lips, bloody nasal discharge, dry eyes, itchy skin, headaches, sleepiness, insomnia. | The side effects were NOTHING compared to on and off YEARS of my adult lifetime being unable to take off my shirt in public, go swimming, being embarrassed when my wife touched me, due to severe nodular, pustular acne on chest and back. Its all GONE after 6 months of treatment. Scars are healing. Side effects are wearing off nicely. Tickets to Bahamas on the way! | 62 | 6 months | 3/11/2009 | 1 | Moderate to severe | Excruciating neck and back pain, hair loss,insomnia problems, loss of eyebrow hairs on ends only, eye irritations, loss of appetite, allergies, Triglicerides went sky-high from 120 to 450. Muscle aches, oh,I can go on and on. I am now depressed as I look older even though I'm no longer taking it. | This stuff is horrificly BAAAAD! Wish I had known of this site before I even tried 1-day of this. Derm Doc never advised me of these after-effects. Wasn't taking any meds for anything as I was healthy. My blood numbers before initially starting were perfect. I am still having symptoms, a year later. Initially, the Derm doc tried other meds/lotions & they didn't work, so that led to the Accutane. Derm Doc said she never HEARD of such a thing re the after-effects after I stopped. I am so angry. I had problems in early teens, but started taking birth control pills for gyno. problems which really helped my acne. After I had a partial hysterectomy @ 43 I had to stop taking the pill; acne returned. Spironolactone was very helpful, but by the time I turned 50 it made me go #1 too much, so stopped. I am breaking out again, plus all those horrible side-effects still & am frightened that it won't go away. I never had any menopausal concerns until now, this has changed my entire system! I used to have a lot of thick hair, now I can see my scalp. My Mom & Dad had beautiful heads of hair so it is not hereditary. My Mom is 89 & her hair is just now starting to look thinner on top. My skin started breaking out & returned to oily within 3 months after I stopped. I really do need to find out where to find a site re how I can get included in a Class Action suit. It is a dangerous MAN-MADE concoction. If you are 30 or older it should be a definite "NO". Be | F | 62 | 4 months | 7/31/2009 | 5 | Lifelong acne | dry lips, hair loss, dry skin, reddish skin, skin got worse for about a week before it got better. Now it is almost completely clear for the first time in my life and I am not mopping oil off my face constantly. | I've had acne for 47 years -- complete with cysts, breakouts on my neck, chest, back, even inside my ears! It would get worse, then get better, get worse, get better. My make-up was oil soaked within 30 minutes of putting it on. My hair was oily and stringy and had to be washed every day. This is the first time in my life that my skin has been clear and at age 58, its about time!!! I thought long and hard (6 months) when my dermatologist recommended Accutane, so I didn't make a snap decision. The side effect that worries me is the hair loss. I hope it tapers off some or stops. Barring that I hope it grows back when I finish the medication. I have a history of major depression, so I am watching closely for any problems there. So far, my mood is stable. Recommending a medication to someone else is iffy --- each person has to decide the risk-benefit ratio for themselves. | F | 58 | 3 weeks | 5/29/2005 | 4 | Lifelong acne | blepharitis (inflammation of eyelids), hair loss, dry eye, dry lips. (I'm the 58 yr. old woman who did the earlier posting, when I was only several weeks into therapy. Here's the rest of the story.) | I took Accutane for 4.5 months. I had to reduce the dose after about 2 months, when the eyelid inflammation flared up. I went from 40 mg. down to 20 mg. day. I've been off for about 1 month and I still have the eyelid inflammation (although it seems a little better, but not much) and the hair loss continues. My skin is still clear and I am very happy about that. The acne is completely gone -- no breakouts at all on my face, back, neck, chest. Some mild oiliness has returned to my face -- but it is definitely within the normal range. Overall, I am satisfied -- but I had, and continue to have, definite side effects. So you need to be aware there are risks connected to this drug and some side effects may continue after you stop the drug. I'm certainly hoping that the eyelid inflammation and the hair loss cease with the passage of time. Who knows? | F | 58 | 4.5 months | 10/30/2005 | 1 | for acne | long term knee jouint problem, loss of hair(spotty balding) and under arms, decrease in vision, permanent dry scaly skin. | If I knew then the problems I would encouter now, I would have NEVER have used it. BEWARE! | M | 58 | 6 months | 9/8/2008 | 5 | Cystic acne, painful, unseen bumps | I was part of the trial for Accutane, before approval, so there was no cost for me, just forms and reports. I did have the usual dry skin, chapped lips, sensitivity to light and lots of body & joint pain. I also had a few headaches. | Since I was in jr high I had acne.I tried creams, antibiotics, sunlamp treatments & had dr cutting open the bumps, leaving scars. So,when I was asked by a dr if i was interested trying this, I jumped at it. It's been so long, since my experience, 2 of my sons used it only 1 stayed w/it the other fainted at his monthly blood draw. so the one that stuck it out has great clear skin, with no breakouts, his brother is not as clear, but it's his choice. I am entering my golden years & haven't had a breakout in many, many years. just the self esteem makes it worth it! For me it was a miracle drug. I owuld do it al again if I needed to. | F | 55 | 12 months | 1/3/2009 | 5 | Cystic acne, nothing else helped | Dry eyes and lips, curly hair (yay!), thinned skin, vague aches and pains in joints. | Started at 40mg/day went down to 10mg every other day. At 40mg got instant smooth, dry *touchable* skin, but eyes would stick shut and lips exfoliate in 30 sec.s - talk about conversation stopper! Kept taking less Accutane until found a minimum maintenance level. At 10 mg had a few pimples, blackheads, shiny nose, but no more cystic zits! Did miss the curls, though. If I stopped the Accutane, the acne came roaring back. It was like a toggle switch. Finally, went off for good in anticipation of minor surgery, decided to stay off because concerned about effect on bones, starting to feel achy. That was ten years ago. Aches went away but acne got worse and worse, spreading further and further, tho. didn't get cystic until just 6 mo.s ago, when seemed almost as bad as just before I started Accutane. Worse, my older skin does not heal or resist scarring as well as before. No point in going back to Accutane, though: started going through menopause (at normal age for it) and acne comes | F | 54 | 8 years | 5/4/2007 | 5 | Cystic acne, nothing else helped | Dry eyes and lips, curly hair (yay!), thinned skin, vague aches and pains in joints. | Continuation of previous post: No point in going back to Accutane, though: started going through menopause (at normal age for it) and acne comes and goes, riding hormone roller coaster. When hormone level drops, wipes out acne, brings on hot flashes and need to keep tweezers handy! Bottom line: Accutane made huge difference in my life - from disgusting, oily pizza face and upper body to silky skin, no need for make up, felt attractive, fell in love, got married, etc. Hoping bones not so affected by Accutane that it will make a second, huge, more negative effect on my life sometime down the road. (Have read that studies of bones changes due to Accutane mostly in German - not well known in N. America.) | F | 54 | 8 years | 5/4/2007 | 5 | severe nodular acne since teens | severe dry eyes, blurry vision, peeling skin, dry rash on wrists and lower arms, slight depression at times. | This is my 3rd round. First was in my 20's, second in my 40's. Side effects were not as pronounced and skin cleared up incredibly, lasting for years. This time only cleared up 50% and side effects very difficult to take, especially dry eyes/blurry vision. Now taking every other day. | F | 54 | 3 days | 5/22/2005 | 1 | Mistake by the pharmacy | Total Impotence | I took this drug by mistake for 4 weeks in April of 1996. I went from a fully functionable male to an impotent one in less than 2 months. Do not ever take this drug--deal with your acne and get on with your life, it sure as hell ruined mine as far as sex goes. | M | 54 | 30 days | 2/24/2009 | 5 | Nodular Acne, Folliculitus | Dry Skin and Chapped Lips | I'm almost finished with my 3rd month of Accutane. Started with 80mg a day, up to 160mg per day. I weigh 240#, therefore, the heavier dose. I had recurring bouts with folliculitus, nodular acne on the back of my head/neck. After about 5 years of being on different antibiotics, my new dermatologist precribed Accutane. What a fantastic drug. It cleared up the problem within the 1st month. I will remain on the drug for the recommended 5 months. Doctor says, if I remain on for 5 months, the problem "may" never reoccur. | M | 50 | 3 months | 12/15/2008 | 5 | adult acne | dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, slight increase in cholesterol levels. | I took this drug in my late thirties after experiencing embarrassing break-outs on my face and very oily skin. I was thrilled with the results. My face was like glass -- no pores! But I did tire of the sore lips and dry eyes and was relieved to go off of it. Still, well worth it. My skin stayed good for about three years and OK for another 10. I have used Minocycline periodically for the better part of the last 5-7 years. When my son developed cystic acne at age 16, I didn't waste any time in getting him to the derm and getting him on Accutane. He took it for six months and hasn't had any problems since. That was five years ago. His acne is just like my sister's, who unfortunately struggled needlessly with cystic acne her entire adult life and didn't go on Accutane until last year -- at age 46. She loved it too. Now, at age 50, not yet in menopause, and experiencing poor skin quality again with breakouts seemingly tied to my cycle, I would go on Accutane but my derm seems reluctant because of my age and cholesterol levels. We have discussed Spironolactone but I don't like messing with my hormones. | F | 50 | 5 months | 8/10/2009 | 3 | moderate cystic acne since teenager | chapped lips, slow wound healing, bumpy dry rash on back of hands, nasal bleeding, greatly increased joint pain and tendonitis. Also irritability and depression. | This was my 3rd round; took it at age 25 for 16 weeks with good results and only side effect then, besides the dryness, was slightly depressed mood but acne came back in a few years. Took again at age 30 and stopped when I developed severe pneumonia @ 10 weeks. Unable to tolerate more than 40 mg this time. After a slight injury that would have gone unnoticed normally, I developed tendonitis in biceps and rotator cuff that is still not resolved. Existing knee and hip problems were MUCH worse. And my hair is much thinner. I am loving not having oily skin but still have some breakouts. Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Cream great for inside dry nose; Kmart Fruit/Earth VitE cream good moisturizer; GNC l-phenylalanine helped with mood but check with your doctor first. DO NOT take Accutane without carefully weighing the risk vs reward and DO have a friend monitor you constantly while on it. I took 6 Rx over 7 months. | F | 50 | 7 months | 5/3/2008 | 3 | Seb hyperplasia, oily skin, rosacea | Took full course of Accutane in 1990 for cystic acne when I was about 30. The big dose made my joints extremely stiff. I had thinning hair. I had dry lips and carried Chap Stik constantly. I am not sure but suspect that my huge mood swings were from the drug. It was at this time that I was a first time mother and so I never knew if it was stress from that or from the side effects of Accutane. I am now 50 years old and have had huge hormonal changes in recent years that have caused me to have sebateous cysts on my chest and sebateous hyperplasia on my face. It was quite depressing (after having made it through years and years of acne ... and now ... this.). I was recently put on a low dose (20 mg) to take 3 X a week. After only a couple of weeks the sebateous hyperplasia bumps on my face appeared to disappear. My face became much less oily. The dermatologist informed me recently that I would have to be on Accutane for the rest of my life. (?!). This troubles me. He also in | When I took the full dose back in 1990 my skin cleared up and it was less oily. But it went right back to normal in not much time (less than a year). So it felt as though I suffered through the Accutane regimen for nothing. | F | 50 | 2 months | 11/6/2008 | 1 | 30 years of acne | nosebleeds, dry cracked lips, personality change and loss of smell and alteration of taste. Smell and taste took 8 years to return. Still not 100 percent. Acne was gone while on product. Came back when off. | Many side effects not listed or known.This is a very serious drug. I do not know if it messed up my heart.Think twice before taking this drug. | F | 49 | 90 days | 6/25/2005 | 5 | severe cystic acne | dry skin, eyes, lips | I loved it. I'm normally extremely oily. i enjoyed not having to dab my face all day to keep the shine at bay. my makeup looked great all day. not sliding off with the oil. tho i had to moisturize my lips constantly, the rest of my body was not as dry. i started using a moisturizer for dry skin and that took care of the dryness on my face. i have finished taking accutane and my skin still looks good. back to using a moisturizer for oily skin. | F | 48 | 4 months | 8/17/2007 | 5 | Adult Acne, Cystic Acne | DRY DRY DRY... skin, scalp, lips. Itchy scalp. Side effects stopped as soon as I stopped aking the drug. | I suffered from persisant acne since I was a teen. I had tried every over the counter med, nutritional and herbal remedy, but nothing helped. Even prescription topicals and anti-biotics were no help. Accutane cleared up my acne immediatley and it never came back. I am now 10 years clear! | M | 48 | 3 months | 4/3/2007 | 5 | cystic acne | Chapped lips, the usual dry skin (on face), dry nose (but no nosebleeds). I am now in my last month and have had a spot on my lower spine that hurts and my tailbone hurts. I wondered if this pain was due to the Accutane and now that I see two other references to the tailbone pain, I'm guessing it is. | I am a 48 year old woman who has had cystic acne since 19 years of age. Before treatment I had two huge cysts on my chin and that was the last straw for me. Those cysts were just too embarrassing! I had an initial breakout after starting Accutane, but since then my face has continually cleared and was totally clear after about two months. The chapped lips are annoying, but nothing compared to the acne. For me, Accutane worked. I just wish I had started the treatment years ago! | F | 48 | 5 months | 1/8/2006 | 2 | facial acne at age 41 | dry lips, sensitive skin during and after sun exposure, muscle pain in arms | I was prone to acne as a late teen and during my twenties and did nothing about it except ineffective zinc, proactive sol. and over the counter acne lotions. Eventually, my skin was less oily in my 30s and okay. At 40, resurgence of acne, I was given accutane for 5 mos. it cleared my face but aged my skin everywhere else by 20 years. Very sad because I found out the acne was caused by a benign tumor on left adrenal gland, it was surgically removed. I wish I had not taken accutane. Avoid it if you can. Now I have seborrheic keratosis and the dermatologist says: your skin looks so old for your age!!! Thanks Accutane garbage. | F | 48 | 5 months | 2/28/2009 | 1 | cystic acne | I did two rounds of that crap in 1997.My skin cleared up.However I started having heart palpitations which have not stopped now for several years. Will they ever stop? Would I trade clear skin for these disturbing side affects? No, I am scared about what the future holds. This is a scary drug. I would never do it again | F | 48 | 1/8/2005 | 1 | cystic acne | I did two rounds of that crap in 1997.My skin cleared up.However I started having heart palpitations which have not stopped now for several years. Will they ever stop? Would I trade clear skin for these disturbing side affects? No, I am scared about what the future holds. This is a scary drug. I would never do it again | F | 48 | 1/8/2005 | 5 | Severe acne, canalizing cysts | I have experienced many of the side effects mentioned here but I am not sure if they can be blamed on Acutane. Some depression, dry eyes, intestinal problems, difficulty concentrating. All of these symptoms even 20 years after taking the drug. | This is a miracle drug and I can live with the side effects. I felt cursed with horrible acne for so many years that I inherited from my father and grandfather. It was not unusual for me to discover 2 or 3 new cysts everyday on just about any part of my body. I always had horrific bleeding and puss filled canalizing cysts on my face, back, chest and buttocks. It was painful and embarrassing and seeing dermatologists throughout my teenage years yielded no results. I went through dozens of different treatments from antibiotics to lotions to UV therapy and the doctor freezing off cysts. It is a wonder to me that I could have any friends and even meet a woman who would accept me as I was afflicted but somehow I made it through all that. When I heard about acutane (around age 27 in 1986)I immeadiatley went for the treatment, willing to pay any price. It was a miracle to me that in a few short months 90% of my acne was gone. I opted to not go for a 2nd treatment 5 years later. I can live wit | M | 47 | 90 days | 12/11/2006 | 5 | Garden variety acne | Permanently chapped lips, permanently dried out eyelids and inside of nose. Eyelids and nose were not dry until 26 years after finishing accutane therapy. Eyelids are so dry that I cannot even open them at night. I had no other side effects and was happier after taking accutane because I was unhappy with daily pimples on my face--it really got rid of the pimples. I do think the combination of the permanent accutane effect and natural skin dryness due to aging created the painful eyelid and nostril condition I now have. | I took 60mg per day of accutane for 4 months in the fall of 1982 and again for 4 months in the fall of 1983. It was extremely effective on my acne. I have never seen another pimple. It caused the hair on my legs to permanently fall out too. I was not unhappy to see the leg hair disappear. My lips were permanently chapped since I took it in 1983. I had no eyelid or nose dryness till 2007. Unfortunately, now I have permanent eyelid dryness and extreme dryness inside my nose. My doctor of internal medicine is baffled as to why my nostrils are so extremely dried out. Accutane is my only guess. My ophthalmologist said the glands adjacent to my eyelashes have permanently failed. I think the accutane may have caused this because it permanently affected the skin all over my body. It is a really effective drug for acne--it works. However, you must be prepared to live with permanent side effects because it has a permanent affect on your skin everywhere. | F | 47 | 8 months | 8/19/2009 | 4 | Adult Acne | At the time I took it I had to usual very dry skin and LOTS of breakouts (at first). Then, everything went away and I had very clear skin that was not oily like before. Now, 10 years later, acne is coming back slightly, but I was warned that one course of treatment may not be enough. | All in all, taking Accutane was worth the 3 months of looking aweful. I think it's funny how the people on this site are blaming Accutane for every medical or physical problem that they're having. Come on people, if you didn't read about the side affects, then that's your fault, not the company. Do I have achy joints, yes slightly, but I am almost 48 years old, too. That's expected. Plus, there are lots of other reasons why people can have achy joints. Don't be so quick to self-diagnose! | F | 47 | 4 months | 6/2/2009 | 5 | severe nodular acne | SE:Mostly dry lips, skin and eyes but able to cont. wearing contacts.. I was in my early 20's in the 1980's. This was miracle drug for me. No more cysts! and skin looked great. | I took 2 rounds of accutane over a year in the 80's. Prior to this creams, lotions, antibiotics and it just became worse for years. As far as depression, hormonal changes in life can cause depression as well as acne--they seem to occur together. A teenage with acne can be depressed. My father had severe acne and has deep scars. I believe that I avoided this because of Accutane. Accutane has gotten a bad wrap. I have had 3 healthy children several years after being on Accutane. If they develop acne I would put them on Accutane. At age 46, with menapause coming, I am now starting to have increase breakouts, rare cyst. If it becomes bad, I would go back on Accutane. My skin for 20yrs has remained healthy until just recently. Even with breakouts now, I do not have oiliness. My pores recently seem to be enlarging and my skin has become thinner ...probably age and hormone changes. | F | 46 | 12 months | 5/2/2009 | 1 | cystic acne | Severe joint and muscle pains - started within first week of taking Isotretinoin. Been off the medicine for 1 year now and still experiencing severe joint and muscle pain 24 hours/7 days a week. The pain has now spread from my hips and legs to other joints in my body. This pain interrupts every area of my life. I have been to 2 orthopedic doctors and 2 rheumatologists, have had cortisone shots, been on anti-inflammatory medicines, been to physical therapy - all without any relief. | I would encourage anyone taking Accutane who has muscle/joint pain to STOP taking the medication. It is not worth the permanent pain! | F | 46 | 4 months | 7/19/2008 | 1 | Cystic Acne | Chronic bloody nose, dry lips, but the worst part was the pain in my feet! My toes and the bottom of my feet pealed and I shuffled around like I was 80 years old. I took this drug in 1997 for about 6 months and my acne came back within 6 months after completing. I still have terrible pain in my feet - primarily my heels. I would never recommend this drug to anyone. I think it is very dangerous. | F | 46 | 6 months | 12/4/2007 | 4 | acne | dry throat made me cough frequently, dry nose, dry and cracked lips | F | 45 | 4 months | 8/23/2005 | 2 | cystic acne | TALK ABOUT CHANGING A LIFE. 45 YEARS OLD TOOK ACCUTANE IN ITS INFANCY. BECAME CONSUMED BY THE WAY I LOOKED. HAD SCARS FROM THE ACNE DIDNT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THEM TAKEN AWAY FIGURED OUT A WAY. SANDED MY OWN FACE TO GET RID OF THE SCARS TWICE WHICH WORKED. I TOTALLY CHANGED. VERY OUTGOING BEFORE THE MEDS MY PERSONALITY CHANGED TO WHERE I BECAME A RECLUSE. TODAY PANIC ATTACKS WHICH I NEVER HAD. ALWAYS HAD A GIRLFRIEND. | ITS LIKE A VET GOES TO WAR HE COMES OUT OF WAR EVERYONE SAYS LOOK AT UNCLE SO AND SO WHAT HAPPENED? IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOURSELF AS YOU KNOW IT. THEN TAKE THE RISK. GOING BACK TO THE HALF HOUR SHOWER I USED TO HAVE THICK EYEBROWS ALOT FELL OUT. I HAVE CONSTANT DRYNESS EYEBROWS THAT LOOKS RIDICULOUS. JUST DONT PICK AT IT. KNEW I WAS GOOD LOOKING WITH THE PIMPLES MY FATHER STEPMOTHER WOULD SAY DONT PICK BUT I WOULD ANYWAY DIDNT BELIEVE THEM. USE IVORY MAYBE THAT WILL HELP YOU. CANT GO BACK IN TIME REDO EVERYTHING BUT IM SPEAKING ABOUT THE 21 YEAR OLD GOING IN TOMORROW. DONT PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE. PAIN AROUND MY EYES WAS SO BAD YOU WILL NOT EVEN WANT TO GO OUTSIDE. | M | 45 | 365 days | 11/19/2008 | 1 | Cystic acne of face, neck, and back | Severe Cystic acne of face, neck, and back Painfully tender dry and cracked skin and severe joint pain (not to be experienced by anyone around the age of 20). Every bone in my body ached with pain. Warning Of Note: My joint pain persists now 20+ years later. | I took Accutane only as a last ditch effort to rid myself of acne. When I first sought treatment, my dermatologist said I had the worst case she had ever seen for a woman under her care. I started treatment for my acne when I was 18 or 19 years old. My dermatologist put me on one medicine after another over a period of years including: Tetracycline, Minocin and Retin-A. Then, as a last resort, I took Accutane, which was the only drug that had a long term positive effect on my acne (- Don’t stop now - PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ MY COMMENTS!). While I took the drug for only 6 months (Now, 20+ years ago), I firmly believe Accutane did much more harm than good and so I continue my search of the Web for answers. (Thus, I came upon this website). For the last 20 years, I've been suffering from persistent joint pain and experience both weakness and severe bone-chilling and painful cracking in my joints (particularly in my knees, elbows and shoulders), just as I had when I was taking the drug, though it’s now significantly worsening over time. Also, since my later thirties, I have been suffering with chronic hives on my neck and face. Isn’t that Ironic – Don’t you think? :-) *** PLEASE EXHAUST ALL POSSIBLE ACNE TREATMENTS BEFORE CHOOSING ACCUTANE, and then ask yourself: "Is the cure worse than the disease?" | F | 45 | 6 months | 5/22/2009 | 1 | Severe acne | Hypothroidism, severe colitis, osteoarthritis | Accutane is a horrible, dangerous drug. I think it will eventually be removed from the market. I was a young, healthy adult before I took this drug and it has ruined my entire health for life. I hope that I can either get on a class action lawsuit against roche, or that I will be compensated by roche in an individual lawsuit, for absolutely destroying my life! My acne is still present, today at 45 years old, after three courses of accutane, over a three year period, in the early 1990s, when I was in my early thirties. I would not recommend this drug to ANYONE! DO NOT TAKE IT!! PLEASE!! It could take away your life as you know and want it. | F | 45 | 12 months | 10/1/2008 | 4 | cystic acne | chapped lips, occational bloody nose, sadness | I took this medication when I was in my early 20's. I am now 44. For the last 17 or so years I've had some back, joint and muscle pain. It has gotten worse in the last five years. I was told I probably have fiber myalsia by my doctor. I only recently realized that this could be a lasting side affect from taking accutane. I am in severe pain every day.... | F | 44 | 4 months | 6/7/2009 | 5 | cystic acne | Dry eyes, dry lips, cracking on the inside of my nose, dry anus, possible joint pain. | This is my second round. This time I took 20mg instead of 60mg. Far less side effects. My acne started coming back after 2 years off accutane. The derm put me on the low dosage of 20mg and I cleared up almost immediately. I will use accutane for as long as it's available. It's been a lifesaver for my painful, cystic acne. | F | 43 | 4 months | 3/16/2009 | 5 | cystic acne | No severe side effects except dry lips for my first two episodes of acutane usage. This third time around (20 years later) is different. Dry lips (normal) and some kind of rash on my hands which is now spreading up my arms and back. It's itchy, sore and looks horrible. Doctor says it's a normal reaction but I never experienced it with previous intakes. Honestly don't know if it's a normal reaction to the drug or if it's in anyway a dangerous symptom. Doctor doesn't seem to concerned about it and has given me cortisone cream. | Took accutane in my early 20's (still experimental then) and again in my later 20's. Went 20 years with pretty much no cystic acne problems and now it's came back again in my 40's. This is the 3rd time I've been on the drug but it is the only drug that eliminated the cystic acne for me. All other prescriptions were worthless. | F | 43 | 3 months | 4/15/2005 | 3 | Cystic Acne for 30 YEARS | Dry lips; some dryness to face; dry scalp; joint pain; emotional sensitivity. | Started at 20 mg 1st month; 40 mg 2nd month; 60 mg 3rd month and progressed now to 80 mg 4th month. I'm 5'7" & weigh 135#s. I was bumped up in dosage because my skin was still oily. Still get a cyst now & then, but they only last about 5 days instead of weeks. Major side effect is JOINT PAIN which I never had before, including hips, shoulders, neck, legs & feet. I move like I'm 75 - slow and heavy. Another side effect is emotional sensitivity. YES, this drug does cause emotional upset. The best way to describe is PMS 24/7 (nothing too serious, just don't look at me cross-eyed ;) My main concern is Joint Pain. Why? And will it go away????? Can anybody tell me. . . | F | 43 | 3.5 days | 1/1/2007 | 3 | Cystic Acne for 30 YEARS | Dry lips; some dryness to face; dry scalp; joint pain; emotional sensitivity. | Started at 20 mg 1st month; 40 mg 2nd month; 60 mg 3rd month and progressed now to 80 mg 4th month. I'm 5'7" & weigh 135#s. I was bumped up in dosage because my skin was still oily. Still get a cyst now & then, but they only last about 5 days instead of weeks. Major side effect is JOINT PAIN which I never had before, including hips, shoulders, neck, legs & feet. I move like I'm 75 - slow and heavy. Another side effect is emotional sensitivity. YES, this drug does cause emotional upset. The best way to describe is PMS 24/7 (nothing too serious, just don't look at me cross-eyed ;) My main concern is Joint Pain. Why? And will it go away????? Can anybody tell me. . . | F | 43 | 3.5 days | 1/1/2007 | 2 | Acne from 12-43 | Severe neck pain, seized hips after sitting for short periods. Depression, crying spells. The good part was no oily skin. The inside of my ears were not oily anymore, and my scalp,chest and back were not oily. This DID NOT LAST BUT 2yrs. This is NOT a MIRACLE DRUG! Your Dr. will tell you that. Acne comes back most of the time. My neck pain went away right after stopping Accutane. My hips have NEVER been the same. I also received several letters for a Class Action suit against the maker for Accutane, allowing me the chance to sue them in 2002. I didn't respond. People. Antibiotics Work. Talk to your Dermatologist! Facials Really help too! Beware of Fraxil Laser! I broke out in 20 cysts and have 20 NEW scars! | I was so oily for 30 years, I could grease a frying pan right after washing my face. Acne was mostly on my chin and nose with a cyst here and there constantly. My face would clear for short periods. After suffering until 23, I tried Retin A. It worked for 2 years. I tried again later No luck. Broke me out worse. In 1993 I was a mess! I tried Accutane. I took it for 2 mths and my Dr. took me off because my Triglycerides were too high. I was so mad and upset because it had been working so well! I was 27 at this time and had No side affects. I later took it at 34. I broke out horribly! Immediately I had severe neck pain and my hips started seizing up after only short periods of time sitting! I became Very depressed. My husband wanted me off of it, but I was determined to get rid of my acne! I stuck with it for 5 mths. I could'nt take it anymore! I had not slept for 5 mths due to the neck pain! For a whole year I still had acne mostly on my chin. Then almost a year to the day I stopped, my skin cleared up, and the oily skin on my upper body was Normal. For 2yrs my skin was NORMAL. All of a sudden, it came back! My nose and chin nodules and cysts have been cleared by the antibiotics Bactrim and Minocyclin. They quit working after a year or 2. So you have to go back and forth. I won't take Accutane again though. I highly recommend it for younger people before the age of 25. Do it young! If you have had any injury to bones or joints, or depression BEWARE!!!! | F | 43 | 5 days | 7/14/2009 | 1 | cystic acne | Cracking and bleeding from every mucus membrane I had. Drying of my joints (knees, shoulders, fingers). Till this day I cannot sleep on my side unless I sleep on my scapula due to pain in my shoulder. Hair loss, hair loss, hair loss! Irritable bowel syndrome (maybe)... I think its worse as I am chronically constipated. I seldomly have pain as I won't have a bowel movement for over 2 weeks unless I take drastic measures! I can't smell due to chronic edema in my nose. | My face has no more acne, scars stopped forming after I completed my course but.....NOT WORTH IT with the MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS. To use the rest room once a day... priceless. I weighed 100lbs. Took 40 mg for extended period. | F | 43 | 1 years | 9/1/2005 | 5 | adult acne & purigo nodularis | headaches at 1st...slightly dry lips...Muscle aches & toe joints...back & hop pain... | it seems to be working..But i feel extremely fatigue & my body aches & it hurts to bend down & up...Will this improve or get worse???? | F | 42 | 4 weeks | 12/19/2006 | 5 | acne | sore anus...Muscle aches toe & joint pain | Does anyone have a sore anus...please tell me what helps this...i use diaper rash cream & polysporin....But does not seem to help.... | F | 42 | 4 weeks | 12/19/2006 | 5 | Severe lifelong acne, cystic | Aching joints, like arthritis, extremely stiff getting up or down, sitting or standing, but once motoring okay. Dry and chapped skin and dry hair, very tired, feel poisoned every time the dose goes up, increased cholesterol levels, skin heebie jeebies, sleeping problems - tired but could not sleep with crawling skin - lead to exhaustion. | This is extreme medication, my doctor did not mess about and told me this. But I had extreme acne under control for most of my life but had exhausted every other cure and as a woman was really suffering from self esteem issues as it got worse, went down my back and chest and shoulders, my face could be used to frighten small children, and it always got worse under stress. The Accutane was like poison in my system, I feel sore and tired as if I am dragging myself around the whole time, eyes, skin hair nose ears dried out, vaseline my best friend....but the bottom line is it is a miracle cure for my skin and I can face the world again and smile at it, I am in my sixth month of taking accutane and my skin is wonderful, it was like getting a skin transplant. If it stays like this and the side effects go away it will have been well, well worth the six months of hard work. Will come back in six months time and update. | F | 42 | 5 months | 9/2/2009 | 5 | Rosacea, Rhinophyma Skin Lesions | Skin and Eye dryness. | THIS DRUG SAVED MY LIFE! I developed severe rosacea and accutane helped to clear up the lesions that I developed all over my face. Ive been on 2 courses. One high dose for six months and the other was low dose (10mgs every other day) for about 3 years. After seeing many specialists and trying EVERY other drug out there I got a doc to prescribe me accutane. Almost overnight my skin lesions stopped! Once off accutane, they started coming back so i did a low dose regime to treat the swelling in my nose. THIS DRUG WORKS WONDERS BUT MUST BE USED WITH CAUTION! | F | 42 | 3 years | 4/4/2008 | 3 | acne | I am feeling very uncomfortable. My back hurts and my joints ache. I am tired to the point of needing to take a nap everyday. I used to play in the yard with the kids and I feel like I have no energy to do that and I also have such bad muscle cramps that I am afraid to use them. No headaches- just bad aches and pains. The dry lips are tolerable. | I am wondering if anyone else has this problem and how long it lasted. It seems like there is a range of symptoms associated with the drug. I am 41, have mild acne but tired of the scars it leaves. Should I preserver? I have been on it about three weeks- have a pretty good breakout currently, and hope it works in the long run to make it worth the pain it causes. | F | 41 | 1/8/2009 | 1 | moderate acne | My first round was age 20 and I had good results. I do remember feeling depressed at the time but it stopped shortly after the last dose. At age 40, I tried another round as I still struggled with mild-moderate acne. Worst mistake of my life. I knew about the depression side effect, but had no idea about the joint pain. After about 5 months when my provider happened to mention it, I finally figured out why I could hardly move. . | Unfortunately, I'm still having problems with my joints, I get easily fatigued, my mind is cloudy, my hair is thin and dry. These things started out of nowhere. I was VERY active and healthy, hardly ever sick and had all kinds of energy. I wish I would have read this forum and would have never taken it. It's absolutely not worth it. And to the person who believes that all of this is in our heads--if you knew me, you would never believe that. | F | 41 | 5 months | 3/23/2009 | 1 | Folliculitis | Depression, dryness, joint pain. | I was 40 years old when I first took Accutane to treat folliculitis (similar to acne). I was having severe breakouts on my chest. Accutane DID clear up the breakouts in about 2 weeks. BUT- the side effects were horrible. First, the dryness in my mouth, lips and ears was painful. I was drinking water constantly to try to combat dry mouth. I had to use Aquaphor on my lips and ears all day long. My hips were very painful while taking Accutane. I could never get comfortable. But the worst was the depression. It hit about 6 weeks into the treatment. I continued taking Accutane for another month, but I became completely despondent and irritable. I got into arguments at work and at home. It was horrible. I finally stopped taking the medication after a total of about 10 weeks. I stopped taking it a year ago, and I still suffer from dryness in my ears and mouth. I talk like I have cotton stuffed in my cheeks. I am not sure if the depression is completely gone, but I do feel a lot better. I would never take this again. | M | 41 | 10 weeks | 7/30/2009 | 5 | acne | dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes (could not wear contacts), weird ear wax, extreme exhaustion, severe joint pain | I used Accutane in 1998-99 for approximately 6 or 7 months. I experienced pretty bad side effects, but feel it was worth it. I would take it again in a heart beat if it was necessary- which it is not. Went 2 full years w/o breakouts. Now I get 1 or 2 pimples during my monthly cycle that go away fairly easily. | F | 40 | 7 months | 10/19/2004 | 5 | Cystic acne | Dry lips, transient joint pain, dry anus. No fatigue or depression. No redness or worsening of acne. | I use Aquaphor for the dry lips. I work out pretty intensly and have to watch out for joint fatigue so I don't get hurt (at my age I have to be very careful). I take Metamucil to avoid bloody butt tears. I try and drink a lot of water but it's been hard to do since I really hate water, unless there is nothing else to drink. Don't listen to that poster about accutane NOT causing depression. She posts on another site and goes on and on about the same thing. Not sure what her problem is. Lots of people complain about mood changes while on Accutane. She really doesn't know what she's talking about. If you get depressed while taking accutane, see your doc. They can put you on something until you feel better (which may be after you finish accutane). | F | 40 | 2 months | 11/19/2006 | 4 | Cystic Acne | Dry Skin, cracked nostril membranes, cracked dry lips | I have completed my accutane treatment and am happy with the results (so far). Along the way I had to come up with some treatments for my side effects that I would like to share. For my chapped lips I found Lip Vitamins to be the best. It is not waxy like many others and really help prevent the cracking. For my face, used Jasmine & Aloe Vera Gentle Moisturizing Gel from Serindipity-Doo http://www.serendipityint.com/pages/face.htm. It is lighter than regular aloe vera gels and a little lasted between face washes. I had experienced flaky dry skin all over my face and neck. My symptoms were not noticable except after washing my face. For my nose I liked Nasal Comfort http://www.nasalcomfort.com/. It was not a cure but it helped alleviate the discomfort quite a bit. | M | 40 | 6 months | 8/13/2007 | 4 | cystic acne | Severe drying and permanent increased prolactin level | Have not had any significant break-outs since taking medicine 16 years ago; however, I believe there is a direct connection to my elevated prolactin level. | F | 40 | 6 months | 6/4/2008 | 4 | cystic acne | dry/swollen lips, severely dry hair, exhausted most of the day, dry eyes, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, joint pain | I'm beginning to re-think taking this drug. I was told by an aesthician that I'm way to old to start a drug like this and that it could kick me into early menopause?!? I'm going to find out if there are any side effects if I stop immediately. I'm wondering if anyone else suffers the sexual dysfunction?!?! I would really hate for my hair to be permanently damaged for the sake of getting rid of a few pimples. My acne was not severe. | F | 40 | 3 weeks | 5/29/2009 | 4 | severe acne | dry, cracked lips | I was on accutane for 6 months about 2 years ago after suddenly developing severe acne at age 40. It certainly cleared the acne which erupted all over my face for no reason. However, I suspect that the knee pains and elevated cholesterol that I still have today was due to the drug. Both of these started after I was taking accutane. | M | 40 | 6 months | 12/4/2008 | 3 | severe acne | extremely dry skin; difficulty healing minor wounds; itchy bumps on the neck which, when scratched, get bigger and bleed; tiny itchy bumps on forearms; irritability; dry mouth, eyes, nose (sometimes resulting in nose bleeds); increased appetite; strange pain on bottom of feet, particularly heels; fatigue; and reduced sex drive. | I am SO HOPING that these symptoms are worth it. I can take it for now, and I have an incredibly supportive partner, but I'm on my third bump-up in dose and the symptoms are becoming more pronounced. My acne interfered with my self-confidence at work (I do a lot of public speaking), and these side effects are interfering somewhat now, as well, in both my work life and my personal life. I'm going to power through this thing and take the advice that someone offered earlier: take better care. Pay attention to the sex drive stuff, drink more water, and take vitamins. | F | 40 | 3 months | 2/27/2008 | 3 | I took Accutane for acne | SEVERE joint aches and pains all over especially in the lower back and large joints. Severe allergy reactions to foods high in Vitamin A (such as carrots--by favorties). | Don't take this drug. I'm now 40 and took it in my late teens and again in my 20s. I have had joint problems ever since. | F | 40 | 12 weeks | 5/11/2009 | 3 | Cystic Acne | Dry lips, dry skin, sensitive to sunlight, dry mouth, skin peeling on inside of hands, acne got much worse before getting better. | Please take caution when using this drug. I took accutane when I was 22, the side effects were tolerable then, and my acne went away and never came back, but it's the side effects I am dealing with now that are horrible. I have developed severe food allergies, my right kidney failed, I have horrible problems with my intestines, and have frequent headaches and heartburn. Most of these side effects started 7 years after taking the drug. I never thought about accutane being the source of the problems until I started doing some research recently. Vitamin A (high concentrations like in accutane) is absorbed by your body and stays in your system a very very long time. | F | 40 | 3 months | 6/30/2008 | 2 | Acne | Hair loss, dry skin | I took Accutane in the early 80s when I was a Junior in high school. My Acne was severe and it did help clear it up. Until that time I had a full head of hair. By the time I was in college I had a receding hair line. By age of 26 I had lost most of the hair on the top of my head. I am the only member of my family to have hair loss like this - all of my siblings, parents and grandparents all have full sets of hair. I know shave my head. The only explanation I can find is the use of Accutane as a teenager. | M | 40 | 6 months | 5/30/2007 | 1 | acne | exhaustion,mood swings, terrible anger, depression, irritability, dry everything, muscle and joint pain, scarring, skin that heals slower, pain during sex, lack of sex drive, abdominal pain. | I was CONVINCED I should to take it by dermatologists, all of whom assured me side effects would be gone within 6 weeks of stopping. I took it for 7 months. This was 10 yrs ago. Before I took it I almost never got sick, extremely active and strong, and was pretty much happy go lucky-nothing really bothered me. After I started taking it, I was sleeping 14 hrs aday, tired during the waking hours, my muscles and joints started hurting, I got terrible muscle cramping if I tried to do anything physical, and I mean like lift a gallon of milk compared to hay bales I used to easily lift on a regular basis. When I told them about the symptoms they said 'don't worry that's a normal side effect', and that they often have to prescribe Zoloft for mood/depression. so now I have another drug, yippee. I felt this way all the time, it did not go away. It did start to flip flop as the yrs went on, meaning more good days than bad. Now for about the last 3 yrs I have 'episodes' that come and go at will | F | 40 | 7 months | 3/3/2009 | 5 | Cystic Acne | Lower Back - joint pain, dry lips, lethargy, sweaty eyebrows (just noted that someone else had this!) | I have been pleasantly surprised - My face is finally clear! I did get breakouts on my back - the only other time was when I was pregnant 10 years ago! Good to know that I dont have to look like a teenager as I enter my 40's! | F | 39 | 4 months | 2/22/2005 | 4 | acne | dry lips, dry eyes, LOTS of crying, stress, stiff/sore joints, pain in groin and tailbone/coxix mostly if they are overused. i'm a server in a busy restaurant, i can barely move after work. Very dry , patchy arms. Burn easily in the sun. Skin is easily damaged especially from picking. | my skin looks great, but i'm starting to worry. hope these effects don't remain afterr I stop taking it. | F | 39 | 5 months | 6/11/2007 | 2 | adult acne | Very achy joints, dry eyes, and chapped lips. No depression at all, although I was expecting it. Mentally I felt great while on it. | Face was 99% clear while on it, but started breaking out again as soon as I quit taking it four months later (not as bad as pre-accutane.) The main problem is immediately after I stopped taking it I suddenly developed chronic diarrhea and severe neck pain which I still have over one year later. Would not take again or recommend for those reasons. My neck is killing me! | F | 39 | 4 months | 11/4/2009 | 1 | Acne | chapped lips, nose bleeds, hip pain, dry eyes-Now have Type 1 Diabetes, IBS, Arthritis, High cholestrol (all associated with this medication) | i took this medication in my early twenties. At that time,(1988) the only caution from my dermatologist was DO NOT GET PREGNANT, can raise triglycerides and cause some joint pain which will go away when medicine is discontinued. Within months of finishing my round of Accutane, my pancreas started dumping too much insulin and I suffered severe hypoglycemia for months. I then developed insulin dependant diabetes. In my mid thirties my skin begin breaking our again. My derm put me on 40mg daily and gave me a BOOK of cautions and side effects. A BOOK! Among them was "notify your physician of diabetes in your family" can cause IBS, pancreatis (which can lead to diabetes) depression, suicide, and on and on. When I spoke with my dermatologist she said there was no proof and to keep taking it, I stopped immediatley. For the month I was on it, my hair fell out, my blood sugars went out of control. I spoke with my endocrinolgist about it and she agrees that is caused my diabetes. Th | F | 39 | 9 days | 6/21/2006 | 5 | roseacea | dry lips | i have been taking accutane for 1 year now for roseacea. it has help me a great deal. it has been prescribe 1 20mg tab 1x per week. it has kept acne roseacea under control to the point that i do not suffer with pain. still some slight reddness/flushing of skin with minimal breakouts. | F | 38 | 1 years | 4/29/2008 | 5 | severe acne | Joint pains, yeast infections, dry and crecking lips and my face and neck got really dark and i'm a black person. | The first week my acne cleared up and i was only taking it every other day and i tried everything before but i want to stop now the joint pain is really bad i feel like i'm 80 and i want to avoid anymore damage. | F | 38 | 6 weeks | 11/14/2008 | 4 | Cystic Acne | Dry lips and skin, aches in back and chest, slower healing of wounds. | I am 38 and this is the fourth, yes fourth, time I've taken Accutane for cystic acne and seriously oily skin. Each time my skin was a bit different due to climate change, stress and hormones but each time the problem cleared for several years. For me, the great result has never been long term but its always been worth it. What they say about slight depression and aches is definately true but managable. I wouldn't freak about getting pregnant down the road since I had a very healthy son a year after my third round of treatment. | F | 38 | 7 months | 7/11/2007 | 3 | cystic acne | dry lips, lack of energy, severe joint pain, high cholesterol and high triglicerides the last month of treatment | The first year and a half after discontinuing accutane was wonderful. No cystic acne and the oily skin was gone. Then, overnight, the oil production increased and I was back into a full blown cystic acne nightmare. Don't be lulled into thinking that accutane is the be all end all to your acne problems. Most likely they will return. If they don't, you are one of the lucky few. My dermatologist had told me that the results would be life long....My new dermatologist said that is never the case. It only helps to control the acne. I will never regret taking accutane..but the results were not permanent. | F | 38 | 6 months | 11/9/2007 | 3 | VERY oily, acne prone skin w/ cysts | VERY dry, chapped lips; dry, itchy eyes; HA; neckache; fatigue; dry, itchy skin; facial flushing/heat; mild nausea w/ decreased appetite. | I started my first week on 80mg per day - within a few days my lips & face dried out quite a bit. Lovely to not have an oil slick on my face for the first time in my life! However, increase in zits, headaches & neckaches, nausea, itchiness, some facial swelling & flushing, & more extreme lip/face dryness occurred so I cut back to 40mg per day. It's a bit better, I can tolerate this so far. I may cut back to 20mg per day - not sure. Need to talk with the MD about it. My skin is also extra sensitive now. I'm hoping to see some significant clearing of my skin soon so I feel that continuation of the drug is worth it. This was my last resort - after 20+ years of persistent acne & all other treatments, I have had it! Anyone else with facial flushing, redness, heat that just comes on out of the blue like a sunburn??? | F | 38 | 2 weeks | 7/18/2009 | 1 | Acne | SEVERE and PERMANENT back and joint PAIN! Poor VISION and THINNING HAIR. This drug has ruined my life! BEWARE! | I took it at age 30 and was completely healthy before beginning it. 3 months later, the SEVERE PAIN came in my back and EVERY joint in my body! My hair thinned, and my eyesight became worse. I have also noticed my skin looks older, no doubt because of the lack of oil needed to stay looking young. It is now 8 years later, and I am unable to work full-time and have to lie down or rest frequently throughout the day. I, also, have a bladder lining disease. This drug wreaks havoc on your body! I am with the other person about a class action law suit. This drug has no business on the market! | F | 38 | 3 days | 6/16/2009 | 1 | cystic acne | SEVERE and PERMANENT BACK and JOINT PAIN! Thinning hair and poor vision. This drug has ruined my life! | I took it at age 30 and was healthy before beginning it. 3 months later, the severe pain came in my back and EVERY joint in my body! My hair thinned, and my eyesight became worse. I have also noticed my skin looks older, no doubt because of the lack of oil needed to stay looking young. It is now 8 years later, and I am unable to work full-time and have to lie down or rest frequently throughout the day. I am with the other person about a class action law suit. This drug has no business on the market! | F | 38 | 3 months | 1/28/2009 | 1 | 20 years of acne | severe dryness of skin (but the acne still manages to continue), severe dryness of eyes (still have that problem, depression (on and off), migraines | I do not recommend this med after two rounds of it. It worked short term for me, then the acne came back after about a year or so. Try chemical peels from a dermatologist's office along with the other meds they offer. The peels actually have helped the most of all. | F | 38 | 6 months | 8/9/2006 | 5 | acne | My side effects were actually minimal, mostly dry lips (don't lick your lips; it makes things worse) and slightly flaking skin. No depression. My triglicerides shot up through the roof, which resulted in my doc taking me off Accutane before the full 3-month course of medication (I was on for 2 months). | Accutane was a god-send for me. I struggled for 20 years with mild acne, the kind that creates large, painful pustules under the skin. Within 2 months of taking this medication, I was cured -- and that was 8 years ago. Wish they had Accutane available when I was 15. | M | 37 | 2 months | 7/10/2006 | 5 | bad acne | bloody nose, slight swelling of lymph nodes | I took the med. in the mid 80's, had very few side effects and no long-term effects. Doc. monitored me very closely with urine and blood tests bi monthly. When my lymph nodes showed some swelling he took me off the drug right away. My acne cleared up after 1 month and I have never had acne again. After reading many other blogs, please becareful and smart using this drug. Use it as a last-resort, and if you get side effects get off it. | M | 37 | 45 days | 3/16/2008 | 4 | acute cystic acne | dry skin, chapped lips, acne flare-ups, skin real sensitive (like a sunburn). No other lasting side effects that I've noticed. | I took accutane when I was like 16-17. I had really bad acne on my back and chest and some on my face. I remember it seemed to make the acne worse, bring it all out. It was gross. My lips were really chapped most of the time. My skin was real irritated so if someone slapped me on the back or shoulder it killed. I had to get my blood and urine checked monthly. As far as depression goes I'd say I was depressed but I was a pretty shy kid who had real bad acne and I was in high school. It didn't have anything directly to do with the drug for me. I also remember not going swimming in my pool and not going to the beach that summer(boo!). I do believe it did get rid of my acne and it never did come back after that. I've heard about accutane causing premature wrinkles. My younger sister seems to think the reason I look so young for my age is because of taking it. I'm only 37 though. I still have all my hair and my younger brother is losing his. My older sister has aged quite a bit, but she's a | M | 37 | 6 months | 9/30/2008 | 3 | foliculitus | Very dry Lips, dry skin, sleep disruption, mild depression, tiredness. stomach acid,pain after gym workouts, vomiting, weird night vision and A COMPLETE LOSS of ALL Sexual LIbido | will never take this drug again..the lips and backpain were not too bad but the depression was quiet horrible and my sex drive and ability to have sex disappeard overnight.... | M | 37 | 8 weeks | 3/12/2006 | 1 | cystic acne | PERMANENT severe low back pain, severe joint pain, thinning hair, | I took it when I was 30 years old in 2001. I immediately began to have low back pain to the point I was seeing a neurosurgeon. My derm discontinued the med when she learned of the pain. Being a nurse, I read everything (including the PDR). Nothing was reported about my symptoms. Now, almost 7 years later, I suffer from severe back and generalized joint pain to the point I can no longer work full time. Before Accutane, I was a healthy, active young woman. It definitely ages you prematurely. If you haven't had these awful symptoms, count yourself blessed, and don't take this med again. Just read all the bad blogs on it. CAUTION | F | 37 | 3 months | 2/25/2008 | 1 | severe cystic acne | reddness all over...my lips peeled off by the layers...night blindness it was misery!!!several people i knew including my brother that needed help refused to take it after they saw what it did to me.. | the 1st time i took acutane i was 14 years old an it was still experimental and i took it a second time about 3 years later when i was about 17...im now 37..and have had no relief...i continue to suffer | F | 37 | 2 times | 8/4/2006 | 5 | ACNE | DRY LIPS, TIREDNESS | F | 36 | 4 months | 6/7/2002 | 5 | acne | severely chapped lips, rectal bleeding, dry skin | The best thing I could have taken! I was 27 when I was on this drug for approx. 8 months. This drug has HORRIBLE side effects if you are thinking of getting pregnant. Make very sure you don't. Had to go in monthly for pregnancy test to make sure it was negative. I took this 10 years ago and barely have a breakout at that time of month. I highly reccomend it, but do take ALL the warnings very seriously. | F | 36 | 8 months | 5/2/2007 | 5 | Nodular acne, multiple areas | Very slight facial peeling, once. Lips dried up like mad suddenly on day 5. Using lip balm every couple hours during the day still. Got a cold sore the first week. It's so worth it so far. | Start lip balm right away before they dry out! This stuff is unbelievable. I wake up to no oil slick. My pores on my nose were so large and now are almost closed. I can clean my face and still be fresh 3 hours later. My makeup doesn't run. My skin glows. No mood changes except I'm confident and happy. | F | 36 | 14 days | 11/14/2005 | 5 | moderate acne for 20 years | Mildly dry lips and skin. | I have had acne for 20 years and nothing I mean nothing worked. I was so nervous about taking it because of all the side effects I have read about. I started keeping a log from the first day and literally the only side effect so far is dry lips and skin and a whole lot clearer skin!! Everything is stable including weight, mood etc I am taking a total of 60mg daily | F | 36 | 5 weeks | 10/15/2006 | 5 | moderate to severe acne; 20 + yrs | currently severe/acute joint & back pains | In response to the opinionated, narrowminded & naive comment about accutane "NOT" contributing to depression (or in the least, mood changes); simply because YOU haven't experienced the side-effects doesn't mean other people will not. Medications affect each individual differently (due to physiology, genetics, metabolism & biochemistry) and it's COMPLETELY erroneous to make a bold statement like that. | M | 36 | 2 months | 11/10/2006 | 5 | rosacea with cysts / cystic acne | very dry lips and skin, minor nose bleeds during first month only, very dry eyes after 4th month, neck stiffness and pain after 5th month | This drug was the last thing I could try, since various creams did not help and I got yeast infections when I took antibiotics. This drug has helped immensely but only after the 4th month. I saw little improvement until the 4th month. The side effects are tolerable, given the improvement in my skin. I have no cysts or blemishes anymore and the scars are fading. My skin is very red (all over) but this should improve after stopping the medication. Overall, I am pleased. | F | 36 | 5 months | 6/18/2008 | 4 | moderate to severe lifelong acne | Very dry lips, dry nose causing nosebleeds, dry eyes, SEVERE lower back pain | Accutane definitely cleared up my acne. 2 months after discontinuing usage, I am still 100% acne-free. Aquaphor became my best friend while I was on Accutane. I tried several things for my dry nose, but not much really helped. My nose would get so dry and clogged up at night that I usually slept with my mouth open - not very comfortable. Those side-effects were manageable. My biggest problem was the lower back-pain. It was not a muscle pain. It was a spinal pain. This began about 3 weeks after starting Accutane. I was very active and was training for a marathon. This came to an abrubt halt. I had to stop playing golf, riding a bike, almost all physical activity. Even walking was painful. This lasted for the entire course of treatment. I went to a couple of different doctors, tried physical therapy, took Meloxicam daily, and nothing seemed to help. The pain spiked at the beginning and then very gradually got better. It started getting better very quickly after finishing the course of treatment. Two months after finishing treatment, my back feels ALMOST back to normal. I have started lifting weights and biking again with no major problems. Hopefully I can start running again soon. | M | 36 | 5 months | 9/4/2009 | 4 | Back Acne | Dry Eyes, Dry Lips, Cracked Lips, Dry Nose, Hip Paint, Back Pain | I am on my 5.5 month of 6 months on Accutane for back acne. My back looks amazing, before it would constantly bleed from zits popping open. My wife says she feels like she is cheating on me when she rubs my back because it had never been smooth : ) I am praying my side effects go away quickly. The worst has been hip and back pain in my 4th and 5th month. If I sit for a while or sleep and try to get up it is a killer. My Dermatologist said those are all side effects that should disipate quickly. The dry lips and nose have been terrible, but I wanted to say I have tried over 5 kinds of chapstick, most stink. However, my Dermatologist put me on Chop Saver chap stick and my lips have been great ever since. One tube only lasts me about 3 weeks but this has been a lifesaver. I also put vaseline in my nose every other day, otherwise it is so dry it becomes very painful. The vaseline has worked well, I can tell if I miss two days. Lastly, the Cracked lips were really bad in the beginning, and once they crack, good luck healing them, so when I told my Doc about this, he gave me a prescription cream for it to apply 2x a day to the corner of my lips. They healed in two days and as long as you apply, the cracking won't come back. | M | 36 | 5.5 months | 9/25/2009 | 3 | off/on acne, even cystic; 20 yrs | only on 2nd month but on the 1st month: dry skin, major chapped lips, slight nose bleeds, moodiness (more than normal), minor back aches and acne flare ups. now on 2nd month and no more nose bleeds, minor chapped lips (seems to be lessening), moderate/acute back/neck pains (difficulties getting in/out of bed), minor joint aches, moods seem normal, still some acne flare ups. | almost midway with 2nd batch of meds but hoping the back pains go away...and eventually the flare ups. hopefully only 1 or 2 more batches/months on accutane..... | M | 36 | 1 months | 11/6/2006 | 2 | acne | very dry, chapped and peeling lips, increase in acne, depression related to the increase in acne, dry eyes, hair | i was on accutane for six months. i don't believe that its improved my situation. i am still getting cystic acne although i went off the medication about a week and a half ago. it is so disturbing, especially since the dermatologist claimed that this would "cure" my acne forever. they really should not make such claims, because they are not true. there's unfortunately a percentage of people for whom accutane does not work, and i guess i happen to be one of those lucky few. lol. the first 3-4 months were absolute hell and my acne increased tenfold during that time. i seriously did not want to leave the house at all. i have less acne now, but its still a problem for me. i think i will try going back on minocycline at this point. | F | 36 | 180 days | 10/1/2005 | 1 | blemishes | 1.Swift & immediate extreme hair loss which became permanent. Also permanent unpleasant change to hair quality & texture (more coarse,dry,wiry,"old"). After taking it, hair now grows in more slowly than ever before. 2."Aging" effect, sudden appearance of wrinkles and grey hair practically overnight. Appeared to have aged 5-10 years in that many months! 3. Extreme joint pain/arthritis, temporary. Some joint pain/arthritis, permanent. Tendon damage & fragility, bone loss. Muscle soreness, fatigue with anxiety. 4. Although it did clear up awhile- my skin looked beautiful-, my fleeting experience with near-perfect looking facial skin brought no relief since I felt terribly weak & sore & achy and my hair looked like a gnarly baldy brillo pad. Pain made it difficult to continue exercising as much as I did before. At times, was too dispirited to get out of bed. Accutane cures acne like a fatal heart attack cures cancer. It just swaps it for something e | 7.Giant patches of skin (inches across at times!) flaked off around nose & scalp & ears especially. Still on ears over 6 yrs later:red, raw, flaky.8.Worsening of overall skin resilience & tone throughout body. Brittle nails, fragile skin tears easily, etc.Felt unexplainably "brittle", as if my "bounce" is gone. 9. Chronic, mild irritated, dry eyes. 10.To be fair, I was not traumatized EVERY day. I truly believed the troublesome effects would go & no serious harm was coming to me, as docs said. I had hope, so wasn't 100% dejected. Before, I was a happy girl, healthy, energetic & excited about resolving long- term acne. I was enthusiastic about living a great, suc- cessful life. I was NOT depressed & anxious by nature. I worked out, ate health food, & was a picture of vitality aside from frustratingly persistent acne. I had no idea what I was in for, in terms of years of physical problems afterwards, for the sake of self-improvement. I woul | F | 36 | 6.5 months | 12/27/2005 | 5 | Lifelong Acne | Dry, peeling lips | Fabulous drug. Cleared up a lifelong acne condition that nothing else helped. Well worth the minor side effects | F | 35 | 6 months | 7/18/2008 | 5 | cystic acne and extremely oily skin | dry lips, eyes, & skin, occassional but treatable rash on the tops of my hands, periodic sore/fatigued muscles, occassional bloody nasal mucous, slower healing of minor cuts | I am a 35 year old mother of two, working psychologist, taking my third 20 week regimen of accutane. I have never had "severe" acne but did have the cystic acne with extremely oily skin, sometimes needing two showers daily. My first two consecutive regimens began at age 31, almost two years after the birth of my first child. The benefits were permanent until my hormones were sent back into flux again during my second pregnancy and birth of my second child a year and a half ago - the oil and minor cystic acne breakouts reemerged. I am currently taking 120 mg/day, a very high dose but I suppose I'm able to tolerate it due to high oil production. I have never posted a drug review but feel compelled to do so after reading some the absurd anecdotal accounts of this medication. I caution those considering taking accutane to base their decision on sound medical literature and take subjective reports with a grain of salt. While I have been extremely pleased (decreased oil prod | F | 35 | 12 months | 2/26/2008 | 2 | Acne | I took this drug several years ago and ever since I've been having problems with my prolactin levels which never happened before I took this drug. I think it has something to do with Accutane but I haven't found it stated as a side effect by other people. | F | 35 | 4 months | 8/4/2006 | 1 | persistent acne | During the 5th month of a 6 month treatment, I developed depression and anxiety, moodiness, fatigue, night sweats, joint pain, vaginal dryness, decreased night vision, and worst of all a COMPLETE loss of libido. (Depression subsided after drug completed; however, the other symptoms persist 5 years later.) | I had a course of Accutane in the late 80's with good results and no lasting side-effects, so at 30, I decided to take it again. This drug WILL clear your acne, but I would caution adult women from the drug, because for me, the side-effects were far more serious than they were at 16. I lived 30 years without 1 day of depression, and I am convinced this drug causes it. After stopping, the depression completely vanished and has been gone for 5 years. Unfortunately, the other side effects developed during treatment such as loss of libido, moodiness, night vision issues, extreme fatigue and joint pain continue to persist. I'd take my old acne back in a second to get rid of these new problems! | F | 35 | 6 months | 2/5/2007 | 1 | Bad Acne | It cleared up my acne but left my face with severe scarring. I took this when I was 20 and had ZERO scars before my treatment. I had suffered from bad acne for several years, but my skin was always resilient and NEVER scarred before I got on Accutane. No one in my large family has any acne scars either although most suffered from bad acne in their youth. After my treatment finished, the acne was gone, but to my horror I was left with countless deep acne scars on my face. When visiting my best friend, his little sister, age 4 at the time, asked if someone had burned a cigarette on my face. Children can be brutally honest. I've spent thousands of dollars on plastic surgery for my scars (deep chemical peels and fat injections) with some success, but of course some scarring will always remain. | THIS IS A SERIOUS DRUG WITH SERIOUS POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS! Don't take this unless you fully understand the potential side effects. Many are NOT listed by the manufacturer and Doctors can be surprisingly ignorant of them. | M | 35 | 6 months | 2/22/2007 | 1 | mild acne | Major Sexual side effects. I can no longer have an erection (female) and i have lost all sensation in my clitoris. I can have an orgasm, but it's very difficult and can't feel anything before the orgasm. very strange side effect but true. Dr's don't understand this, or know what to do with me. IT'S FROM THIS DRUG! | F | 35 | 5 months | 6/24/2007 | 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 | 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 | 4 | severe acne since jr high | dry lips, dry mucous membranes (nose, ears, anus), watery eyes, back/neck soreness, fragile skin on hands/face, tiredness, and sweaty eyebrows. | I have struggled with acne since junior high. It has progressively changed and gotten deeper into my early 30's. I have tried multiple topicals, and nothing has really cleared up the deep cystic acne I had. I am on my 4th month of Accutane, on a 6 month course. So far I am very happy with it. Caused some minor side effects that haven't been too much of a bother as long as I keep up on treating them. I moisturize 3-4 times daily, and constantly use AquaPhor for my lips. The only side-effect that have caused some symptoms worth seeing a doctor for was anal dryness causing an anal fissure. I see a doctor once a month for check-ups and blood work to make sure my levels are ok and my symptoms aren't getting worse. Doctor says the tiredness could be caused by the muscle soreness. Accutane drys out the muscles so she said to drink lots of water and get rest. | F | 34 | 4 months | 3/30/2009 | 4 | cystic, chronic acne | VERY dry lips even with applying copious amounts of Aquaphor, dry and bleeding nose, substantial joint pain (I feel like I'm 100 years old) and one other major side effect that has twice caused me to have to abandon the drug before my course was up: serious infections around the fingernails. | I have done two partial courses of Accutane (see side effects) and two full courses in my 20's, and I'm back at it again. I am losing hope that my skin will ever be 'normal.' | M | 34 | 3 months | 5/9/2006 | 3 | Dry Lips within 5 days. Stomach rumbling and distention within 20 days. Trouble sleeping. | I believe reading comments and possible side effects increased the negative effects I am experiencing. Some are very real but some are psychosomatic and have been managed by positive thinking. This drug would not be legal if it was detrimental to everyone so do not become overly paranoid like I did. It is important to monitor side effects and stop taking isotretinoin immediately if they become serious. However, this drug has helped millions of people without severe side effects so take this into consideration before freaking out. | M | 34 | 36 days | 9/6/2009 | 1 | Chronic Cystic Acne | A decade of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anxiety/Nervousness, Joint Pain, Insomnia, Most Significantly Loss of Sexual Desire & Sensitivity, Fatigue, Dry Hands, Chapped Lips, Dry Hair & Halos at Night. | It is not worth it. I now take Zinc Picolinate from my homeopathic doctor and it controls my breakouts. I did two courses of Accutane in my 20's and have never been the same since. The loss of libido is devastating and now I am exploring bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I am a 34 woman in perimenopause. It blows. Also, I still continue to struggle with IBS. Don't do it... | F | 34 | 6 months | 5/29/2008 | 1 | cystic acne, adult onset | I am on 20mg claravis. I noticed confusion and an inability to concentrate with the first dose and a dry mouth immediately. (day 1) On day 2, concentration was difficult and had a couple of dizzy spells. Day 3, onset of severe heartburn, abdominal pain/ bloating, some dizziness and noticed a few floaters and. Day 4, read some web sights and have decided to stop until talking to my doctor on monday. | Very scary stuff. The first day I thought everything was in my head, but the with each day, I am noticing more and more severe changes that are troubling. I don't want to take this drug, but I don't know what to do about the adult acne that has flared with a vengeance. The topical and oral antibiotics did not touch my acne. So I thought I would try this medication. I was wrong. Nothing seems to be working!!!! That's is what is depressing!!! But I don't want to try to improve one thing and create other life long problems. My diet is very healthy and I regularly workout. Maybe I'll try reducing some stress in my life. That may help. | F | 34 | 4 days | 4/27/2008 | 5 | adult cystic acne | Dry lips, pain where Achilles tendon attaches to heel, some dry eyes and stiffness in the hips. The Achilles tendon pain was the worst side effect for me. It has subsided but was bothersome for a few months. | Absolute miracle drug! I suffered from cystic acne for the latter half of my life and had wasted my money on practically everything - antibiotics, Differin, Retin-A, Clindamycin, ProActiv, special cleansers, and probably other stuff I can't remember. Nothing worked. I just finished my Accutane treatment and the results are unbelievable. My skin isn't disgusting and oily anymore, and I cannot even remember the last time I had one zit. I finally don't have to put on makeup before leaving the house, and I'm no longer embarrassed to wear a tank top. | M | 33 | 6 months | 8/11/2009 | 5 | cyctic acne | Severe chapped lips. If I could have sucked Carmex lip blam with a straw it wouldn't have helped. Fortuneatly the skin peeled in layers and didn't bleed or crack so it wasn't painful. Had zero mood problems. Cholesterol shot up to 500mg/dL but came back down slowly after treatment -- it's around 200 now +/- 30. I've had full bloodwork done and it's not a concern as it's the "good stuff" that's high. Hair thinned slightly on top but came back after a year. | It was my last straw after everything else. Doxycyclene gave me acute gastritis, ulcerated my esophagus, and a hospital visit. As with any drug, if you system can handle it, it's worth it. If you can't, please don't tell people to avoid it but educate them. They may not have the same reactions you did but it does help to share information. | M | 33 | 4 months | 1/3/2006 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
