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 |
| 5 | acne | Very very dry lips (keep chapsticks all over the place!), sensitivity to sun but not terrible, very minor joint pain. | My daughter, age 14, just finished 5 months of Accutane/Sotret is the generic, (after four miserable years of every antibiotic and topical treatment, laser therapy and naturopathic remedies) - FINALLY her skin is CLEAR and she is thrilled with the results. Beforehand I had read askapatient.com comments plus other info and I was scared about hairloss, depression, jointpain, etc.so I was very reluctant for her, especially at her age, to go on Accutane. But after everything she had tried, she was so discouraged and selfconscious; her dermatologist said that she has treated patients with Accutane for 20+ years with very very minor problems,(it turns out the same ones that our daughter had), almost everyone was pleased with the results so we decided to go for it. Relative to everything else our daughter tried, this has been an easy treatment, (the real hassle is the FDA requirements of monthly blood tests and online questions which seem ridiculous). Her clear skin has made a huge differ | F | 14 | 5 months | 8/28/2008 | 4 | Mild but persistent acne | The most annoying side effect was the build up of bloody boogies in my nose. They would stick to the sides of my nose and when blown out, would tear the skin and cause bleeding. Then that bleeding would cause a scab and it turned into a bad cycle. I had NO mood swings from Accutane, this might be because I started a Vitamin B-Complex, which is supposed to help with mood swings. It was annoying that I couldn't get my eyebrows waxed during my Accutane cycle. I tried once, and it ripped off my skin. Of course, I couldn't go anywhere without chapstick the whole time I was on Accutane, but I could still wear make-up on my face without flaking skin. The MIRACLE lotion is Cetaphil -- get the one for the body and use it on your face, trust me. It didn't irritate my skin and provided enough moisture. | I would recommend Accutane to everyone suffering from acne. My acne was not severe, but persistent. I would get a few big zits every month, and I had BACNE, which was gross. The Accutane cleared everything, but not until the 4th month I was on it. So be patient. I was obsessed with Accutane the first month I was on it, but then I just got used to taking it every day and barely thought about it. | F | 26 | 5 months | 8/27/2008 | 1 | acne | In the Roche pamphlet it is stated that the EXACT mechanism of isotretinoin is unknown. This information isnĄŻt all wrong, but the truth is that the mechanism of isotretinoin is pretty well known. It just hasnĄŻt been proven 100 % by lab essays. Well here are the hypothesis on how Roaccutane gets rids of acne. IĄŻll try to keep such a complex thing as simple as I can for everyone to understand. Roaccutane (isotretinoin) is a synthetic retinoic acid. The body uses retinoic acids to regulate gene expression!!. Gene expression!! means the way that cells are created (simplified a lot). Cells to be created needs transcription and replication of DNA. To put it simple, itĄŻs like making a cake. You need the ingredient list to be able to make the cake. The body needs DNA to be able to make the cells. Retinoic acids comes in this process by regulating the gene expression!!. It means that retinoic acid is a part of the creation of the cel | In the Roche pamphlet it is stated that the EXACT mechanism of isotretinoin is unknown. This information isnĄŻt all wrong, but the truth is that the mechanism of isotretinoin is pretty well known. It just hasnĄŻt been proven 100 % by lab essays. Well here are the hypothesis on how Roaccutane gets rids of acne. IĄŻll try to keep such a complex thing as simple as I can for everyone to understand. Roaccutane (isotretinoin) is a synthetic retinoic acid. The body uses retinoic acids to regulate gene expression!!. Gene expression!! means the way that cells are created (simplified a lot). Cells to be created needs transcription and replication of DNA. To put it simple, itĄŻs like making a cake. You need the ingredient list to be able to make the cake. The body needs DNA to be able to make the cells. Retinoic acids comes in this process by regulating the gene expression!!. It means that retinoic acid is a part of the creation of the cel | | 8/20/2008 | 3 | Cystic Acne | Dryed out skin, lips, dehydrated | I took this drug when i was 15 for however long the treatments are. (It was a while ago) The side effects were bearable, mostly just dried out and thirtsy, but my acne went away for the time being. After a few months of being off of it, my acne came back just as bad as before. The younger you are when you use the drug, the more likely the acne is to come back. This time around i have been prescribed bactrim and use differin gel on my face and i have PERFECT SKIN. I never thought i would be able to try anything else since i already had to resort to using accutane, but this works for me. I had to be patient as it got worse before it got better, but i have been on the new treatment for quite some time now and i will continue it forever to have the beautiful skinthat i do now. | F | 21 | | 8/19/2008 | 5 | severe acne. Last resort | Severely dry lips, dry arms and legs. Extremely dry on the back of my hands in the colder months but has resolved. Delayed wound healing. Moderate hair loss. Dry scalp and hair. Lots of moodiness, fatigue. Crying spells. Joint, muscle pain. Possible IBS. Decreased Libido. Easily sunburned. Headaches. Increased triglycerides, unconjugated bilirubin. | Ive got 10 days left of my 5 month therapy and I cannot wait to be done! My skin looks flawless and I'm psyched about that. My side effects feel endless, but I'm very hopeful and I'm staying positive. I have major issues with mood swings and taking it out on other people so that can be rough. And a lot of people don't understand that a medication can cause this. Believe me, I take responsibility for my actions, but the medication certainly inhances things. My hair loss is moderate. My resolution is washing my hair only 2-3 times a week. The natural oil keeps my hair less dry and stringy and I don't lose nearly as much. My libido has dropped tremendously and it's very frustrating. Any recommendations? Joint and muscle pain is rough. i feel 60! I can't wait to get back to the gym! | F | 25 | 5 months | 8/15/2008 | 5 | Cystic Acne | Dry peeling skin, nose bleeds, mild headache, chapped lips | It is a wonderful drug. I have been acne free for over 10 years now. | F | 30 | 6 months | 8/9/2008 | 1 | cystic nodual acne | dry,cracked lips, joint pain, weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, brain fog, very low cholesterol, depression, suicidal thoughts, | No longer have the same personality, self-esteem is low due to severe scarring, still have trouble sleeping and with IBS, grades in school were never the same again. For that reason, not sure if it was worth the risk. Would never put it in my body again. | M | 16 | 4 months | 8/5/2008 | 5 | Severe Acne | Mildly dry lips, some skin drying on face only. (I live in AZ, and experience the driest conditions in US, and I don't stay inside, I don't use a humidifier) | I think a lot of you are quick to blame the drug for unrelated events in your life. Accutane did not cause you to lose your job, lie to the IRS, get fat, wreck your car. Take responsibility for your own life, and stop blaming the other guy. | M | 22 | 6 months | 8/1/2008 | 3 | moderate acne | dry, cracked lips, rips on side of mouth, dry, flaky skin, some nosebleeds, hair loss | I am currently on medication, 80mg/day, finishing 2nd month, i have the typical dry lips, face, and some nosebleeds, but what I am most worried about is I am noticing some hair loss, thinning front mostly, even though not hereditary in family. I am scared it may be permanent, might stop now or by 3 months. Face has cleared up mostly and much less blackheads and oily skin for now, but not sure of long term results after I stop. Haven't been depressed so far and not too irritable, but noticed slight increase in irritability. Somewhat harder to concentrate studying and at work. | M | 23 | 2 months | 7/23/2008 | 5 | cystic acne | dry lips (not unbearable), dry skin around mouth at times, night vision problems (lights are brighter at night). | None of the side effects have been horrible. I'm really enjoying this medication. I only had 2 pimples (in the 1st month) during my treatment. My scalp is drier, so I don't have to wash my hair as much. My lips are dry, but I just use Aquaphor and forget about it. I try to avoid driving at night because lights are so much brighter. I would recommend this to others! | F | 27 | 3 months | 7/21/2008 | 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 | 5 | Lifelong Acne | Dry, peeling lips | Fabulous drug. Cleared up a lifelong acne condition that nothing else helped. Well worth the minor side effects | F | 35 | 6 months | 7/18/2008 | 5 | bad acne | Dry skin, chapped lips, bloody junk in my noce (not completely sure if that one was caused by accutane). Dryness/chappedness at the corners of my mouth. | I had bad acne for years and I tried lots of stuff. It got better and worse but never went away. I hated it. It really made me less confident. I took accutane for 5 months and it really got rid of my acne. My skin is perfect now. I've been off of accutane for about 2 months now and everything is still perfect. I remember reading this website before I went on accutane so I decided I should definitely post now that I took it and had such good results. The side effects were annoying but are alll gone now that I am off the medicine. | M | 19 | 5 months | 7/14/2008 | 5 | cystic acne | dry lips that I contolled by using aquaphor on at night..and when I remembered to do that, I was fine! | Taking Accutane was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I am 30 now, and took it when I was 21. I had dealt with cyctic acne since I was a teen and when I heard about this medicine, I figured the benefits seemed worth the risks. It was life changing! ..and to this day, almost 10 years later, I never even get one small pin-head pimple..just doesn't happen. My confidence and self esteem have taken a 180. I don't feel like shrinking into a corner anymore when I know eyes are on me. | F | 30 | 5 months | 7/11/2008 | 5 | cystic acne on chest, back, face | dry skin and lips, tiredness, nosebleeds, dehydration, sun sensitivity, dry scalp and slight hair loss. Wounds, scratches, etc. take longer to heal. | I was on accutane for the first time when I was 22. It was sooo worth it. I had horrible acne all over my shoulders, chest, back and face. It completely cured me after 4 months. first month I was on 20mg a day the second 20 in the am and 20 in the pm. I was cured for almost 4 years. It all came back slowly. On it again for one month now at 40 mg per day. already cleared my skin, however, it made it much worse before it got better. It pulls it all out of your pores and almost gives you a "peel". Heavy duty medicine, but it changed my life and after the first time I never had any long term side effects. I think it is worth it! | F | 27 | 1 months | 7/7/2008 | 1 | mild acne | after 2 weeks, completely incapacitated, severe/extreme pain breathing, excruciating pain when sitting, lying, standing, impossible to sleep because of pain in spine, chest pain, severe joint pain, pain in ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists and spine. Worst headaches ever experienced, nausea and chest pains. Quit medication after only 2 weeks | Pain does not stop even though I have been off the medication for nearly a month and a half, developed a painful asthma type cough | F | 27 | 12 days | 7/2/2008 | 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 | 5 | Persistant Acne | Tired 24/7, redness & dry lips. | Only thing that worked, if it comes back i will take it again. Side effects not as bad as i expected. | M | 30 | 19 weeks | 6/24/2008 | 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 | 3 | moderate persistent cystic acne | eczema, severly dry eyes, dry lips, migraine headaches, sensitive to sun, rashes on hands, chapping skin around nails, vaginal dryness, mood swings, dry sinuses, constantly thirsty, decreased night vision, back pain | STILL IN TREATMENT, BUT HERE ARE SOME TIPS! i just started month 2 (20mg 2/day) and i hope it gets better, but the side effects have been pretty brutal so far. i've just been trying to live with them though, i've dealt with acne for so long, i'm ready for a change. for the side effects, i've found it really helps to sleep with a humidifier at night (live in co, air is extremely dry) this helps with the dry sinuses and i don't wake up feeling completely hung over and dehydrated in the morning like i was at first. using aquaphor by eucerin is a necesity for dry lips, the eczema and chapped fingers. body oil right out of the shower helps with the dry skin and eczema too. i use eye drops several times daily, and always keeping sunscreen on my hands helps with those hand rashes. i also take vitamin e and fish oil supplements. last but not least, make sure and drink enough water!! cut things like caffeine out, they will only dehydrate you more, but i've felt pretty good when i'm keeping mys | F | 26 | 1 months | 6/16/2008 |