Accutane for Acne User Reviews (Page 4)

• Chantel
• 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"

• Dryeyes
• 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."

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

"Please before you take Accutane really consider the side affects. Some of these reviews kind of down play them but some are actually very serious. I have been on Accutane for 1 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 in 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."

• anony...
• 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 on 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 2nd 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 mean time I'm using African black soap and its like accutane it gets worse before it gets better. Acne sucks!"

• Marle...
• 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 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 DOESNT KILL YOU IF YOU WANT GOOD SKIN"

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

"I was on accutane for a little over 6 months. I started at 30mgs/day, but became suicidal and had severe joint pain so my doc dropped me to 20mgs/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."

• Feelee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2015

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

• danye...
• 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 2nd 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 bad 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 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 eg. Staying on a lower dosage for longer on one round, I gradually increased on one round and on the 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."

• LordF...
• 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, salycilic 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 is. 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."

• brows
• June 6, 2013

"I have moderate acne and its really annoying to be honest. I tried everything from over the counter medicines like Clearasil scrub and wipes, Oxyface wash, tea tree oil, clean and clear and none of improved and 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 with 2 years ago and it cleared my acne up for about 20 months but then they come back again, so I went to the dermatologist he prescribed me Accutane 30mgs and 20mgs prednisone after 1 month there were little improvement but then it got really bad. I'm currently on months 3 and its still bad. I've had my dose moved up to 60mgs. 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 four 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 different 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"

• Review
• 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 perscribed too high a dose. I experienced thoughts of suicide (extremely out of character), depression, VERY dry skin, aggrivated 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 s/b monitored closely while on this."

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

"This medicine did wonders for my acne. However! This result was no where near worth the mental anguish I went through with the side effects. Horrible night terrors, depression, and several anti-depressant 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2021

"I'm on a 40mg dose and into my 4th month, skin still breaks out in spots but no cysts yet, but my hair has broke off dramatically"

• Goldi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2021

"I started this medication 3 months ago and today my doctor and I decided to stop taking it. 2 months into it, I developed severe depression, pretty much all of the side effects that it lists on the inside of the medicine packet. Aggressiveness, irritability, crying spells, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, the list goes on. It cleared my moderate acne very well so I was very disappointed that I had to stop, but I didn’t know if the depression would stay with me in the long term if I stuck with it. In the first month I took two weeks off due to it causing back pain. I also had dry scalp, minimal lip dryness, and purging. Although this medication was not for me, my brother took it when he was a teenager and he had great results. His face is clear and as far as I know he hasn’t had one pimple pop back up. Hope this helps."

• ultim...
• May 31, 2020

"I’m excited that I finally joined this party. I was cycling through antibiotics and retin-a/adapelene for all of high school and college and it was fairly ineffective and miserable. I came to accept myself in college and for awhile I thought it was immoral/dangerous to risk accutane because I had depression in high school. However, over the years I learned that several of my classmates and my own cousin had taken it and look normal. When I started my first job while living at home right after college I decided it was time to roll the dice with accutane. I’m in a special category of people because I decided that I was willing to own the risk just for the chance to try this drug and see if it opens some doors for me. I also wanted the assurance that this was something I could recommend to my future child. In terms of symptoms I got the dryness, a few nosebleeds, joint pain, itchiness, hazy eyesight, peeling skin and I took 60 mg a day for 6 months."

• Joe
• February 23, 2020

"About over two years ago I started my accutane treatment, I was 15, on a low dose with acne surrounding my mouth and my forehead which is generally known as the T-Zone. As I began the treatment, my skin inflamed and had an intense breakout which lasted about 2 months which had managed to get rid of all the acne and all I was left with was dark hyperpigmentation spots. However as the months continued in my treatment, I began to develop cystic acne around my shoulder and back, so bad in fact that they would burst and bleed causing agonising pain for the best part of 3 months. These cysts would later leave me keloid scars I still have to this day. However after my course, it seemed to be too good to be true, for about a year and a half I was clean, enjoying my life, until 6 months ago when I began to develop acne again around my cheeks, jawline and back of my neck. To me now, depressed and full of pain, I would have never have took it if I knew what would have happened to me now."

• Charl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 10, 2019

"I've had acne for 6 years. I’ve been on Accutane for 6 months now, first I was taking 20mg, my skin got so bad to start with, then went back to how it was before I started my course. Now I am on 40mg and still no improvement. As for side effects, I have bleeding lips every day, flakey scalp, joint pain (I cannot exercise it hurts my knees too much), I am incredibly moody, also very depressed for no apparent reason (besides having acne), I have an irregular heart beat, fatigue...Hopefully after a few more months my skin will get clearer."

• Vicky
• November 4, 2019

"In high school I had horrible painful cystic acne. I took accutane from the fall of 2015 to spring of 2016. While taking it I experienced extreme dryness, chapped lips, joint pain, and had problems with my eyesight at night (drug causes eye shape to change). When the course was completed my skin was perfect. A few months after being off accutane I developed severe anxiety, had panic attacks everyday, and depression. My skin stayed pretty much clear for 3 years but now my cystic acne has come back, although not as bad as before. I don’t plan on doing another round of accutane because the long term side effects aren’t worth it. FOR THOSE THINKING ABOUT TAKING THIS PLEASE KNOW ITS AT A COST. I truly cannot see in dark or dimly lit rooms, I have no night vision. I know at least 5 other people who’ve taken this drug that have also experienced depression AND anxiety after taking it. My mind is constantly in a fog and I can’t memorize anything anymore."

• OJano
• October 21, 2019

"i have bad closed comendones all over my face. A LOT of them. I first tried Retin A cream & tried tazorac didn't work I brought up accutane to my new derm & told me it would go away on 6 month course. I started 40mg a day and had bad headaches the first couple weeks but it stopped. The side effects of dry skin isn't too bad I had oily skin prior so no oil now - the dry lips suck! My corners crack & always peeling. I finished month 2 a few weeks ago. I do believe in purging process. I never had red bumps often up until last week they are coming up about everyday. I have found 1 other person on the internet with this issue .You can not just cover these with makeup. the wrong lighting can make them look 100x worse & you should not pick at your face while on it. Your skin is highly sensitive & it will be red for weeks or leave scarring. But I never had depression & don't really have it now other than getting upset about my face not clearing. Symptom wise is good right now. Hope to update with a clear face in a few months."

• luv2b...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

"I have cystic acne…was shocked to learn my doctor recommended accutane. From monthly nose bleeds, to severe dry lips, severe dry skin, scalp, and major joint pain in my feet, upper back, forearm and knees…all which caused me to have a torn meniscus in my knee! So not worth it! I am now struggling to stand/walk and even lying down is just painful. I personally wouldn’t have gone thru this hassle since it made things worse for me. I do have acne scars now more while I was on it…but the redness/flair ups have calmed down during my hormonal monthlys. I don’t see much of a difference. Getting drug filled was a pain since pharmacies don't know how to fill this drug probperly…they don’t check the ipledge first before filling drug so it screws up the status. I am a bit worried about the long term side effects and not even sure if the acne really cured me."