Accutane for Acne User Reviews (Page 4)

• Jor...
• December 7, 2017

"I wish people were more aware of the long-term potential side effects of Accutane. I feel like my doctor failed me, and I failed myself by not digging into what an insanely harmful drug this often is. I really mean OFTEN! Do your research before taking this stuff! There seems to be no end to the side effects and the lives it can ruin. Quality of life is affected by so much more than those pimples on your face. You'll realize that when you're 25 and have brain fog and memory loss of a 60-year-old who's gone through chemo. If I could do it again and spend more time and money on finding a natural alternative for my acne, you bet I would have. Educate yourself for your own sake."

• Hij...
• April 6, 2017

"These will mess you up. I stopped after a round of treatment because my life was falling apart around me, I couldn't get up out of bed and was severely depressed and agoraphobic. Years after taking them, I still don't feel like myself and wish I had never taken these."

• Acc...
• April 1, 2016

"Don't risk it, it's not worth losing yourself in the process of clearing your acne."

• BbB...
• April 25, 2015

"I started getting spots when I was about 12, and it was pretty bad acne by around 15. I went on the pill and probably every type of antibiotic, which each worked, but only for a limited time. At 23, I realized the only thing left was Accutane. NHS was slow, so I went private (1 appointment - £120), and the dermatologist prescribed me 4 months of 40 mg/day (I only weigh around 100 pounds). Best thing I ever did. Only side effects I noticed were dry lips - I recommend Aquaphor - and dry inside of my nose. 100% worth it, and my skin is amazing and spot-free now! I've just come off the medication, so fingers crossed it lasts a long time. Very happy, I definitely recommend."

• jen...
• December 18, 2010

"I took Roaccutane 9 years ago at the age of 30. Although I didn't have cystic acne, I had had persistent facial acne since the age of 12, and nothing helped. Initially, the drug helped a lot, with the major side effect being severely chapped lips and dry skin. After several months of treatment, my dose was increased. Within days, I was depressed and miserable, with crying spells. It took me a while to put 2 and 2 together and consider the medicine as a likely cause. I dropped the dose down again and I quickly improved. However, I feel the damage was done and I gradually became more and more depressed and ultimately was taken off the medicine. For the past 9 years, I have suffered from depression and anorexia nervosa."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

"I took Accutane twice to have little to no improvement for my moderate acne. It made my hands and feet completely dry, even years later, however, my acne is no better, and my face and scalp are still completely oily."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2021

"I took Accutane 20 years ago and have had extremely dry skin since. Dry mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, dry nose. My nose has a constant scab in it from cracking. Bleeds occasionally. The price of vanity is large. Be careful and good luck."

• Dry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

"I took this horrible drug 35 years ago and still have dry, red eyes. I have virtually no oil left in my skin, so wrinkles come quick. I'd give anything to have normal eyes."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2019

"I have been on Accutane now for 3 months. I was started on 30 mg by my dermatologist-may I say they have been so, so helpful and supportive. Within 3-4 weeks, my acne was severe, it was so painful I couldn’t sleep on it or even touch it. With weekly visits to my dermatologist, she suggested comedo extraction, I had this done twice, still no improvement. I then was dropped to 20 mg a day, but that still did not assist the extreme acne which Accutane caused! I did not go on Accutane with acne this severe, if I knew this would happen, I would never have started it. I am now on my third month and only take 10 mg daily as advised by my dermatologist. Unfortunately, still no improvement, and I feel this is not normal. All the reviews I read state by month 3 I should be seeing improvements and should be on a higher dosage! Can anyone give me advice, e.g., was yours the same? Or did you go through the same experience? I really don’t want to give up on Accutane!"

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2018

"Please, before you take Accutane, really consider the side effects. Some of these reviews kind of downplay them, but some are actually very serious. I have been on Accutane for one month, and I started to lose hair on my temples (like my hairline is receding), and I’m only 18. I’m really scared that it may not grow back, and from what I’ve read, that might be a possibility. I’m telling you, don’t go on this drug unless you have extremely severe acne. If it is moderate like mine, just try to accept it, the risk is not worth it."

• ano...
• October 19, 2016

"I have always had horrible acne, as long as I can remember. I had tried every product, and nothing worked. I was put on Accutane in September 2015, it got worse before it got better. After 4 months of being on Accutane, my skin was beautiful and glowing, not a single zit or scar. I was also cleaning my face day and night. I was so happy. In September 2016, my acne came back with a vengeance. But this time, it's worse. I will be going back on Accutane, but if it doesn't work the second time, I have no idea what I'll do. For some people, it's effective and lasts. But for me, it didn't. Hopefully, the acne goes away forever! But in the meantime, I'm using African black soap, and it's like Accutane, it gets worse before it gets better. Acne sucks!"

• Mar...
• June 4, 2016

"Review part 2) Took this medicine for 6 months. No side effects until I was off the medication and ended up with acne returning and a dry scalp and face. (Really bad) This medicine was not worth it. Never was. Believe all the warnings, and this is coming from one of the lucky ones. Best believe, at 17, I had everyone asking me what I was doing and saying my skin was equivalent to that of a toddler's. But now I'm 22, and this has gone away. Little reward for a high risk with long-lasting effect... MAKE ANOTHER DRUG THAT DOESN'T KILL YOU IF YOU WANT GOOD SKIN."

• til...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2016

"I was on Accutane for a little over 6 months. I started at 30 mgs/day, but became suicidal and had severe joint pain, so my doc dropped me to 20 mgs/day. I was able to handle the dryness and sun sensitivity. Ultimately, I stopped taking it early because it dried out my lungs, and (although I can't prove it) I believe my new diagnosis of asthma is due to the Accutane. I suffered from horrible chest pain for over a month before figuring out it was the Accutane. Once I stopped, the chest pain went away, but the asthma has not gone away. It did completely clear up my skin, but I don't know if it was worth it. I've been off for 3 months now, and I have a little acne again, but it's not anywhere near as bad as it was before."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

"I have been on this drug for 3.5 months: first month 30 mg, following 2.5 months 60 mg. It has categorically made zero difference to my acne. If anything, it's made it worse."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2014

"I've suffered from acne for over 10 years. I went through two treatments of Accutane. It helped clear up my skin, but it didn't help clear up my blackheads. The second time I was on it, my dermatologist kept me on for 8 months, and it still wasn't a true success. I have been off Accutane for 2 years now. I still suffer from acne, especially blackheads. I don't break out nearly as badly as before, but it's still a struggle."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2011

"Please think twice about this medication. I struggled with cystic acne from middle school until now (I'm 35). I took Accutane, and it cleared up my skin for several years. It does seem like a miracle pill, and the results were impressive. However, the side effects listed are REAL and can happen years after taking the medicine. It is not worth it. I was diagnosed with colitis, and that is way worse than having bad skin. I wish I had never taken Accutane because now I will have to deal with stomach pain, bleeding, diarrhea, and taking medication for the rest of my life."

• Fed...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 15, 2021

"I felt it was important to share my experience on Accutane. I am a 24-year-old female and have had acne for over 10 years. I have been on Accutane 3 times. I first went on when I was 16, then again when I was 21 and again when I was 22/23. Each time my side effects have been the same: super, super dry skin, bleeding lips because they’re so dry, and big eczema flare-ups. There is a major purge phase, but you will get through it, and it definitely cleared my skin up each time. Unfortunately, my acne came back after 6 months all 3 times and is now back worse than ever. Each time the dermatologists tried different techniques, e.g., staying on a lower dosage for longer on one round, I gradually increased on one round, and I was on a high dose continuously straight away. It didn’t seem to make an effect on the effectiveness. Mood-wise: my acne caused my depression and stopped me from doing things I loved, so my mood was SO much better on Accutane as my skin was clear."

• jhd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

"I'm on round 2 of Accutane. The first time I took it, I didn't have a ton of side effects (dry skin around lips and nose) and was very pleased with the results. Six years later, my acne is back in full force. I'm super upset and depressed about it and not happy with doing six more months of blood work and doctor's visits (especially with useless insurance that won't cover it). Hoping this is the last time in my life I have to do this. I'm almost 40 years old and sick of this battle!"

• Lor...
• August 25, 2017

"The drug is honestly a hit or miss. It worked wonders for my brother, who had severe acne; he has had only a few pimples since his first and only cycle ended over a year ago. However, I did not have such results. My face was clear for about 2 months following my first treatment, and then it turned briskly into a battlefield again. I am now on my second cycle, at month 3, and acne is still everywhere. It's a cursed life, my friends."

• Jon...
• April 14, 2017

"Let me start off by saying - this drug works. For most, if not all of middle/high school, I had very bad acne that was resistant to doxycycline, minocycline, Proactiv, Murad, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and all the wipes I could get my hands on. You more than likely will be free from acne at least for a few years after treatment, and it's absolutely wonderful! Being able to walk around without having to check mirrors for a new red/white bump on your face is as great as you think it will be. Unfortunately, all this comes at a cost, which is why they're so serious and cautious when giving it to you. They still don't know exactly how it works - only that it's permanent. It doesn't just affect your acne, it affects your entire body."

• bro...
• June 6, 2013

"I have moderate acne and it's really annoying, to be honest. I tried everything from over-the-counter medicines like Clearasil scrub and wipes, Oxyface wash, tea tree oil, Clean & Clear, and none improved. To be honest, it made it worse. So then I went to the doctor, and he prescribed me Duac, Zineryt, tetracycline, and Differin. The Duac I was prescribed 2 years ago, and it cleared my acne up for about 20 months, but then it came back again. So I went to the dermatologist, he prescribed me Accutane 30 mgs and 20 mgs prednisone. After 1 month, there was little improvement, but then it got really bad. I'm currently on month 3, and it's still bad. I've had my dose moved up to 60 mgs. I hope it works, I finish my course next month."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2011

"While I was on it: I was on it for one year. My skin was beautiful, it was dry, but I just used Cetaphil cream to help that, Chapstick for the dry lips. I did feel a little down (in mood) sometimes, but it was not very bad and I would get over it in about 5 days. After I was off it: The first month was okay, a pimple here or there. The second month was a little worse, maybe 3 or 4 every week. And then it was more to about 8 per week, and now it is back to about 10 to 15 pimples per week. I know it works differently on different people, for example, my brother was on it when he was a teen and his acne was worse than mine before he was on it, and now he has only had about 5 pimples total since he has been off (it has been 20 years since he has been."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2010

"Causes dry lips-use chapstick often. Took several months to become effective."

• Rev...
• March 17, 2008

"I would rate this medication a 4. It did clear my acne for about 9 years. I took it while I was in high school. I am a petite, small female and may have been prescribed too high a dose. I experienced thoughts of suicide (extremely out of character), depression, VERY dry skin, aggravated acne, and scarring that was much worse than I ever had. This medication should be prescribed VERY carefully and should be a LAST resort. Patients should be monitored closely while on this."

• Gin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2022

"This medicine did wonders for my acne. However, this result was nowhere near worth the mental anguish I went through with the side effects. Horrible night terrors, depression, and several antidepressant medications after I completed the medication. It all around changed my personality. No one under the age of 18 should be legally able to decide if they are ready to face these very real and serious side effects."