ACCUTANE Reviews (ISOTRETINOIN)Average Rating: 3.3 (746 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ACCUTANE with similar:
Type: Brand name discontinued; available as generic
|
Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 |
More on ACCUTANE: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ACCUTANE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | Severe acne | When taking accutane I experienced very very chapped lips, dry itchy skin, peeling skin, thinning hair ( fell out in hand fulls), blurred vision (while on accutane I developed astigmatism and had to get special contacts, this later went away), flash headaches -this happened at least twice a day, a sharp blinding pain behind my eyes that lasted about 5 seconds then went away, last but not least I was extremely angry and aggressive. I was constantly frustrated and annoyed, I was either yelling or crying. I also had kidney stones 5 years after taking the drug...I am not sure if it could have been caused by accutane. | It works, but it is a very strange drug and you should make sure that you communicate all symptoms to your doctor. | F | 21 | 8 months | 9/1/2009 | 4 | Moderate Acne | Chapped lips, dry skin, joint pain, insomnia, moody/irritable. | I have been taking Claravis for almost 2 months, I started out on 40mg, my Dr. just upped my dose to 80mg every other day... the side effects just got worse. I got my first nose bleed today, that's how I ended up on this site. My acne is horrible right now and all I can do is hope that this is the process. I was warned that it would get worse, after the increase in dose it has really started effecting me. I would reccomend this if you have acne, but don't expect an overnight miracle. I was getting facials once a week and only buying the BEST products for my face, I also tried everything the Dr had to prescribe. I have spent so much $ over the last 5 years trying to clear my skin and this is the first one to give me some hope. | F | 26 | 7 weeks | 8/26/2009 | 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 | 3 | Derm and Mom referred me | Dry Eyes/ Lips, Ecsema, Persistant Hair thinning, Distrust of modern medicine/ FDA | Worked wonders on my acne. Litterally never had bad acne since I took 40mg over 3 months at the age of 17. I did notice that my hair was thinning after the treatment was completed. I had thiick brown hair before the treatment and afterwards noticed my scalp showing on the top of my head. Both sides of my family have MPB in the genes so I figure that becoming bald is inherent, but I am positive that accutane sped this process. I also remember tennis matches having to wear a knee brace after treatment to deal with knee pain. Apparantly the oils your skin excreets to moisturize your skin also lubricates your joints. I feel real bad for the people who suffered life dehibilitating conditions from this drug and I am scared for my two little sisters (and myself) who also was treated with accutane. FDA is full of individuals who have conflicts of interest which is why drugs like vioxx and accutane have been passed for consumer usage. I am scared for what long term effects this drug may have on me but it's kind of silly trying to change the past. I am just going to be more vigilant about modern medicine. Humanity has walked the face of the earth for thousands perhaps millions of years and have survived just fine up to this point without the help of cheaply made toxic pharmacauticals. My advice for anyone considering this treatment is to simply say, no thanks. Remember that the term 'side effect' is just marketing bull. The drug causes all those things to happen, the manu | M | 22 | 3 months | 8/19/2009 | 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 | 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 | severe acne | tired all of the time (however I was also student teaching, finishing my degree, and planning a wedding), i was definitely excessively tired with the meds though, extremely dry skin, especially lips. had some nose bleeds and nose is still very dry even though I've been off of it for 2 months, thinning hair started at the end of my 6 month treatment. i've lost gobs of hair. i'm taking vitamins, but i don't know if it's really helping. | after trying several acne prescriptions including duac, benzacline, retin-a, tetracycline, etc. accutane is the only thing that really worked over an extended period of time. the doc started me at 30 mg and then after 2 months he put me on 60 mg. i have not had any acne for months!! it completely cleared up my face for my wedding! i do have a couple of blackheads on my face that it didn't clear up, but the doc gave me another perscription of retin-a, so that may help. accutane is a miracle, and i would suggest it in a heartbeat.. having severe acne problems for over 10 years was rough. | F | 22 | 6 months | 8/1/2009 | 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 | moderate acne | dry lips, skin, etc. minor rashes from dryness (especially on arms and legs). nose bleeds from dry nasal passages. decreased appetite (lost weight). And the later months brought dry eyes and minor discomfort wearing contacts. I also had temporary headaches and muscle soreness in the first week or so, but went away after that. | This really is a miracle drug and is worth it if your acne is negatively affecting your life. Everyone is different and tolerates the drug differently. I am 115 lbs and took 80mg a day for 5 months, and definately found the minor side effects to be worth not having acne anymore! :) | F | 21 | 5 months | 7/30/2009 | 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 | had acne vulgaris | cracked lips, eye dryness, nose bleeding due to dryness, muscle pains, loss of concentration, depression, hair loss (at first, but after a month or so it stopped) | though it has lots of side effects i did not experience any liver problems or increasing cholesterol levels. so far my skin is so beautiful and i've been having acne problems for 10 years (since i'm 11) | F | 21 | 6.5 months | 7/19/2009 | 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 | 5 | cystic acne | extremely dry skin, cracked lips (minor) | I took Accutane when I was 16 and I am 25 now. This medicine was truly a lifesaver and I had virtually NO side effects. I never write reviews, but I felt I had to because of all the horror stories out there. People who are happy with their results aren't typically searching for the drug. I'm going back on for a second course-- I was on birth control for 7 years and I've experienced horrible acne for almost a year straight since going off. I don't think I'd need to do a second round of Accutane had I not been on the pill for so long. I have several friends who took the Accutane the same time as I did and their skin is still perfect. Even though I'm going to do a second round because of this hormone drop, my skin is still like 85% clearer than it was pre-Accutane. Basically, do it. It's ABSOLUTELY worth it. I didn't worry about my skin for almost 10 years. It was amazing. Good luck! | F | 25 | 5 months | 7/17/2009 | 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 | mild but persistant acne | Joint pain, neck pain, anxiety. I practice aerobics 3 times a week, all of my bones/cartilages started to crackle even after the exercises, i was very scared. Started to research and found a lot of bad stuff about it at PubMed and here. Bone changes, chronic diseases, psychiatric stuff..so i quitted. It felt like poison, a very bad feeling. Didn't want to expose myself. Now i returned to contraceptives and my skin is great. I know it's harmul either but a lot more safer than Accutane. | Stop if you feel something is not right. This is not for every person. Stop before it's too late. | F | 32 | 12 days | 7/10/2009 | 4 | moderate acne | very chapped lips, dry skin, mood swings, dry eyes and mouth, blurred vision, bloody noes. After effects: dry skin and face, dry eyes, hives/rashes, itchy skin, muscle pain. | Accutane deffinatly cleared pretty much all my acne; afterwards i did have the casual pimple or two.. but nothing like i use to have before. i do recomend this for people with sever acne if you have tryed all other possiblities and have considered the sie affects and longterm afters of accutane. i tryed everything you could possibly thing of to rid of my acne, but nothing truely worked, which left my with the choice of accutane. | F | 15 | 6 months | 6/30/2009 | 3 | tried other products, to no avail | dry skin on my face & scalp. chapped lips. kind of hurts to open my mouth. | just continue to consult with my dermatologist about the symptoms & he's helping out a lot. prescribing certain soaps & lotions. | F | 19 | 8 days | 6/29/2009 | 3 | severe acne since the fourth grade | nothing yet...but i balm my lips like crazy in haste to experience anything undesirable! | i've just started the 'program' or whatever you want to call it yesterday.:D so im hopeful. tripping about the earlier posts but hopeful. nothing risked, nothing gained. just keeping positive & preventive. i guess all you really need is a strong mind set & healthy life style. then again, you need that to live in this world anyway. i've been through a lot with this persistant & irratably stubborn acne. it's hereditary for me & i've tried more products/drugs that i'd love to forget. im a dictionary now. lol. so here's to clear,healthy skin. | F | 19 | 2 days | 6/25/2009 | 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 | 2 | severe acne, cystic acne | dry lips, fatigue, sadness, decreased libido, pain after ejaculation | Started 40 mg of Accutane 7 days ago. Difficulty with ejaculation. For an odd reason, an urge to defecate follows right after the orgasm ceases. Girlfriend got worried! I am stopping taking it immediately. My sexual health is not something I would give up for clear skin. | M | 21 | 7 days | 6/9/2009 |