There are 532 ratings for the drug: ACCUTANE in the Askapatient database.

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.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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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 Email
5	Cystic acne	Chapped lips and dry skin, primarily in the last month of treatment. Resolved within a week of ending treatment.	THIS IS A WONDER DRUG. I had cystic acne from about age 10 to age 35 when it became available in the mid-1980s. It totally cleared my skin and helped me physically and emotionally. It has been many years since I took Accutane, and my skin is totally clear and it helped the quality in terms of reducing scarring, pores and general appearance. People actually compliment my skin, which, for those of us who suffered so much is amazing. The first time someone complimented me (who didn't know me before treatment), I looked behind me to see who they were talking to and there was no one there. This drug is well worth all the precautions. I felt fine while taking it because my skin cleared within a short period of time. My son and nephew also had great results.	F	60	5 months 1X D		6/9/2010
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
4	adult onset cystic acne	dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes, permanent thinning hair that started during treatment, joint and muscle pain, back pain	I took Accutaine for about 3 months but I don't remember the strength. The joint, muscle and back pain started soon after treatment ended. I never associated the pains to the medication until recently after reading what others have stated. I knew the thinning hair and other side effects were the result of the medication and figured it was worth it. Knowing now that the back, joint and muscle pains are most likely due to taking the medication I would not take Accutaine again if I could do it over again. The worst part is that my son took the medication at age 17 and he started having back pain (disc related). He regrets taking Accutaine and I regret encouraging him to take it.	F	58	1X D		6/7/2010
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
4	ADULT ONSET CYSTIC ACNE	Lasting dry eye issues. Attribute severe lasting vaginal dryness to the use of this drug. Issues with intermittment moderate muscle/joint pain	I took 2 normal rounds of this medication in my early thirties. I think that each round was about 12 weeks in duration. I do not recall the dose. I think I took it once or twice a day but was told that it was critically important to not miss doses and to totally stay out of the sun. I do not know how else I would have cleared up the cystic acne I developed in mid twenties. It totally cured the issue to this day. However I believe I do have the lasting side effects that have been manageable.	F	55	3 months 1X D		5/26/2010
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
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
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	Acne	Dry lips, joint pain	I took Accutane when I was 23, when it was first approved. It cleared up 13 years worth of acne in a few weeks, with few side effects. No lasting side effects.I took it again at age 40 but noticed severe joint pain, and discontinued after two months. I am taking it again at age 52 for the occasionall hormonal flair up and again have severe joint pain. I am slim, very active, work out, eat pretty well, don't smoke. The joint pain will go away once I stop the dug. For the other reviewers, please know they may not be revealing anything else about their lives: do they smoke? Drink? Take other drugs? Symptoms are different with each person and it's hard to say Accutane caused this or that. It might be, but other things may also be affecting ther symptoms. I know it is giving me joint pain, but every time I stopped it, I went back to working out, running, being in good shape. So you need to take care of yourself very well and not just blame Accutane right away. Every patient should dsicuss their treatment and side effects with their physician, as every patinet is unique and may experience things differently.	F	52	3 months		12/20/2009
1	ADULT ACNE	WHEN TAKING ACCUTANE I ALMOST IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND JOINT PAIN. NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. YEARS LATER THE DR WAS UNABLE TO GET AN ACCURATE EYE EXAM ON ME. MY EYE SIGHT HAD CHANGED SO MUCH AND ALSO DIASGNOSED WITH THINNING OF THE CORNEA WHICH LED TO EYE SURGERY. I STILL CANNOT BE IN THE SUNLIGHT OR EVEN DRIVE WITHOUT SUNGLASSES. MY EYES ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO LIGHT. I NOW, WHICH IS THE MOST SERIOUS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A KIDNEY DISEASE. I FEEL THAT ACCUTANE ELEVATES AND PRODUCES DISEASES. MY SKIN WAS LEFT VERY THIN, LARGE PORES AND LOOSE SKIN. STILL HAVE ACNE FLARE UPS. I WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND JUST HATE SO BAD WHEN I SEE A TEEN OR ANYONE COME IN BECAUSE THE ARE GETTING READY TO START TAKING ACCUTANE..... I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH HAIR THINNING. PATIENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA		F	52	9 months 50MG 1X D		6/21/2010
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
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 Email
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
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
5	severe, cystic-type acne	I took acutane about 15 years ago after trying everything else on the market, OTC and prescribed. I don't remember the dosage, but I do recall alternating the dosage every-other-day as prescribed by the doctor (two pills one day and one pill the next). During the course of treatment, I began to have pretty significant joint and muscle pain and my cholesterol level went through the roof (450) even with a very low-fat diet. I also had some issues with night vision, some of which continues today. The cholesterol and joint/muscle pain resolved once I completed the treatment. I never had the very dry, flaky skin and lips or dry eyes others have experienced. I have not had a problem with any significant break-outs since taking the medication. I do have some fairly significant scarring though. My daughter completed her Acutane treatment about 9 months ago. She suffered with severe joint and muscle pain as well with the main pain occurring in her back. She also had very dry lips. Bo	Like many other medications, you need to be informed about possible side-effects. Unfortunately, I did not know about a possible link between Acutane and IBS as none was ever given at the time I took it. Although Acutane cleared my acne and I have not had a significant break-out since, I don't know if I would have made the decision to take it if I knew it was possible to develop IBS.	F	49	4 months 2X D		2/19/2010 Email
3	hard knots on face (acne)	dry lips /muscle aches	Fifteen years after taking accutane I now experience severe abdominal and lower back pain. I have horrible headaches, depression, hair thinning, muscle pain,bleeding hemmorhoids, high blood pressure, diahrrea, constipation, diverticulitis, etc. YOU NAME IT!! I am looking into the suit against them. I have always been super healthy but am beginning to attribute my problems to accutane use.	F	49	180 days 1X D		7/30/2010
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 Email
5	Cystic Acne	Dry nose, occasional nosebleed	A wonder drug! I had terrible cystic acne starting before puberty and did all the usual treatments without any effect on it at all. Finally I went on Accutane in my mid-30s and it was a wonder drug. The acne quickly vanished and aside from a dry nose, I had negligible side effects. It's been over 15 years and I'm still mostly acne-free with only slightly oily nose and forehead. I'd recommend this to anyone, and, as my 9 year-old has started to develop acne, I'm keeping it in mind for when he gets into his teens.	M	48	3 months unknown 1X D		2/24/2010
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
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	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
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 Email
5	SEVERE CYSTIC ACNE	CLEAR SKIN	ACCUTANE WAS A WONDER DRUG FOR ME. I WENT FROM BEING A LOVELY PRETTY GIRL, TO A 14-YEAR OLD RIDDLED WITH CYSTS UPON CYSTS - ALL OVER MY FACE, BACK, AND CHEST. I WAS GHASTLY TO LOOK AT, AND MY EGO WAS CRUSHED. AFTER ROUNDS OF EVERY ACNE MEDICATION ON THE MARKET, ACCUTANE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK. I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS. SHOULD I EXPERIENCE THEM IN THE FUTURE (I'M AGE 46), I WILL SAY IT WAS A FAIR TRADE OFF. NO YOUNG GIRL DESERVED TO GO THROUGH WHAT I DID. THANK YOU ACCUTANE!	F	46	6 months ? 1X D		5/14/2010
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	cystic acne	dryness of lips and face. looking back probably depression	I took Accutane in 1981-82. I had to have 2 rounds of the medicine but I do not remember the dosage. The first round cleared up my back and shoulders but it took another round to clear the cystic acne on my face. The only thing I do remember was the dryness and sensitivity to the sun. But since then I have dealt with depression through out my adult life. I don't remember the joint/muscle pain but getting older or what I have had creeky knees and such for a long time. My daughter,who took it at the age of 16-17 still has break outs and I am concerned about her taking it again. I would like to hear feedback on how the medicine has affected females and their hormones. I think that rather than losing hair it has messed mine and my daughter's hormones up and has caused an increase in thicker/darker body hair especially arms and chin. I went into early menopause at the age of 36 and have a thyroid condition. I don't know if these things are related to taking Accutane but I would like to find out if others have experienced anything similar.	F	45	4 months		1/21/2010
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	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 Email
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
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
1	acne	Dry lips eyes nose	Took 80mg for 4 months in mid 80s when I was 19 had the basic side effects had to stop after 4 months could not take it any longer it was rough. But I have to stop here and say the drug changed my life the first for the good acne oily hair and skin where gone for good. I went for seven or eight years with no problems some chapped lips and dry skin in winter but then started having Bowel problems and muscle & joint pain lower back, elbows, hands, I get out of bed like a 70 year old man my back and kidneys ache every morning, Doctor thinks I have Fibromyagia but symtoms are not the same. I always blamed it on the Accutane but was told not possible. Then I started checking on the long term side effect of Accutane for my 14 year old daughter and started seeing the same problems over and over in people that had taken Accutane over twenty years ago. Don't do it	M	44	4 days		1/10/2010 Email
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
5	severe acne	dry lips, hair loss, and joint pain	I realize that I did not start experiencing adverse side affects until I started taking the drug irregularly. I would take it in the mornings and then skip a day and take it the following night. One day, I started noticing, joint pain and hair loss. I decided to do something I should have been doing all along... take vitamins. I am happy with the results as I had gotten to the point where I did not wish to step outside my door to pick up the paper let along go into my office and work. I was just too embarrassed. I am employed full time as a financial analyst and attend college full time; and have not noticed a decrease in attention to detail or depression. I came to this site because of the joint paid I have been experiencing but once you understand the ideation, you can make better decisions for your life. The choice is truly yours. Accutane has truly been good for me.	F	43	5.5 months		2/3/2010
5	Severe cystic acne on face and body	Aching joints, like arthritis, felt like I was 90, extremely stiff getting up or down, sitting or standing, but once moving reasonably okay. Dry and chapped skin and dry hair, very tired, felt poisoned every time the dose went up, increased cholesterol levels, skin crawling, sleeping problems - tired but could not sleep with crawling skin - lead to exhaustion.	So it is now a 8 months since I finished my Accutane course. As per the side effects it is very serious medicine, and I was very lucky all the side effect were gone within a month of finishing the accutane, but believe me it is like poison in your system. However for me this was a miracle drug, it was like having a skin transplant to pretty, normal skin which I have not had since puberty, I am full of confidence and very happy with the result. I could not recommend it highly enough and if your skin is bad enough you will try it anyhow, just wish I had over ruled my doctor and taken it years ago, honestly. It is very strong medication, and I am as healthy as a horse, so if you are an unhelathy person anyhow would not advise it. I would say that if your skin is bad enough then taking it with the side effects outlined here is still worth worth it.	F	43	7 months body weigh 1X D		7/8/2010
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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	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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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	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 Email
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 Email
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
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
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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
1	acne cystic	PERMANENT BACK/JOINT PAIN! DEBILITATING MED!	I took Accutane in 2001, and I haven't been the same since. I was a healthy nurse working full-time, taking care of 2 small children, and kept an immaculate house. THEN, ACCUTANE RUINED MY LIFE! I haven't been able to nurse full-time or work full-time for that matter. I can no longer walk long distances b/c the back and joint pain is so SEVERE. I've been taking arthritis and pain meds for years now. Every time I try to come off, the pain is absolutely unbearable. I manage if I take my meds and be as active as the pain will allow. I also have a bladder disease, poor eyesight and thinning hair. This med is like chemo; it ages your entire body. My skin looks 10 years older than I am, and I still have acne! If you've taken it and have the same permanent symptoms, I feel so bad for you. You may email me, if you'd like. BEWARE,IT'S NOT WORTH IT!	F	39	? 1X D		8/12/2010 Email
1	Adult-onset acne	IRREVERSIBLE, SEVERE JOINT/BACK PAIN, THIN HAIR, VISUAL CHANGES	I am absolutely amazed at the people on here who are basically calling the ones with permanent side-effects from Accutane liars!! You have no idea! I was a 5'8", 135 pound, healthy, non-smoking, active person when I took this HORRIBLE drug. Just because everyone doesn't experience the debilitating side effects doesn't make them untrue for others. I am a nurse, and there's NO doubt in my mind Accutane caused every one of my symptoms. A study has been done that confirms this drug causes cell death all over the body. It's the same drug as chemotherapy! That's why the body ages so quickly, thin hair, vision deficits, aging joints,etc. http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/accutane/T9QJ8DO1TLI41VBPN It's hard to go from doing EVERYTHING to near disability! How can you sit in judgement of us when you have no idea the pain we suffer. We can't all be crazy; just read how many of us have the same symptoms, and they all started after taking Accutane.	F	39	2 months ? 1X D		3/26/2010 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
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 Email
1	Acne treatment	I had a baby 1 week ago born with Sirenomelia an extremely rare congenital disease occurring only 1 in 100 000 births. After researching the condition in some detail the only possible cause and common factor that recurs in my research is Roaccutane usage. I used Roaccutane 20 years ago. My pharmaceutical knowledge tells me that It is physically impossible for drug traces to remain inside the body for such a lengthy And extended period of time as all traces are considered expelled within 6 months. The area too coincidental is Roaccutane. This is implicated with birth defects in Sirenomelia as well as the anotia which does not present in any of the other sirenomelia cases I have read. I had an approximate 6 month treatment of roaccutane approximately 20 years ago. This might seem a total improbability I know and I might be clutching at straws. I am a pharmacist who has studied further in the area of natural health during the last few years. During my natural health stud		F	38	6 months 3X D		2/8/2010 Email
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	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 Email
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
5	ACNE	DRY LIPS, TIREDNESS		F	36	4 months		6/7/2002
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 Email
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	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	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 Email

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Average rating for drug: 3.4. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

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.

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