Accutane and Dry Eyes: What Users Say

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Acne "I promised myself that if this worked, then I would write a review to hopefully help other patients out who are hesitant about taking Accutane. I have been taking Accutane (40 mg/day) for 4 months now. I am 5'5 and 138 pounds. I can say that Accutane works better than any other acne medication (the other medication I tried was Spiro, which helped my face acne by like 75% but did nothing for my back/chest acne). I have tried, and I had minimal side effects (dry skin, some fatigue, increased sun sensitivity, dry lips, dry eyes), but that is all. It was all worth it though. It not only got rid of my cystic acne but also got rid of my closed comedones and the sebaceous filaments on my nose. My ONLY regret is not taking this sooner. If you have pitted scarring or your skin scars easily, please take this. I have nothing but positive things to say about Accutane."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2020

For Acne "I find that Accutane is one of the most life-changing experiences. Started to notice a huge difference in my skin on month 2. Treatment is very harsh with many side effects. Dry and thin skin, breakouts now and then, very dry eyes. I tried all types of Blistex lip balms, which did not help. Baseline Blue Seal works wonders on the lips and even on dry areas of the skin. I apply sunscreen every day with Nutraderm lotion to hydrate my skin. I also find that it really helps to have at least 3 liters of water every day. I'm currently in the middle of month 3 of treatment, and the past few weeks have been the hardest. Skin and lips are drier than ever, and there is a loss of hair. Some days depression kicks in, so it is important to keep your loved ones around you just to have some positivity. This treatment is quite costly, but it is all worth it in the end. A few months of side effects and paying the price for lifelong great skin and confidence."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2018

For Acne "I had to take two courses, genuinely think this drug saved my life. I had beyond severe, painful, bulging, cystic acne everywhere that nothing worked for while in high school. I had to wear undershirts because I would bleed through my shirts. I had to quit sports because any contact would cause bleeding, not to mention pain. I was essentially bullied out of high school due to the severity of my skin. I literally, to this day, have never seen anyone with as bad of acne as I had. It completely cleared up my skin after the first course. After a few months, it did come back, pretty harshly by most people’s standards, but literally nothing in comparison to what it was. I took another course, and I have clear skin to this day, 6 years later with minimal scarring. The only side effect I had was dry everything - skin, eyes, nose, lips. People say it causes depression, I think having severe acne is much more likely to cause depression than Accutane."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2020

For Acne "I was on Accutane for 6 months at 80 mg/day. I finished about 8 months ago, and my skin is still very clear. The 'it gets worse before it gets better' line is very true. My skin was bad for the first three months I was on Accutane but then slowly improved the last three months. My worst side effects were lower back pain, dry skin, and dry eyes. These side effects went away after I finished. I highly recommend taking Accutane. Although it is hard having your skin be bad for a couple of months straight, it is definitely worth it. One thing they don't really tell you about is the blood work and pregnancy test you have to do once a month before getting your new packet for that month. This was kind of annoying, but if everything checks out in the first couple of months, you don't have to keep doing it."

• Nic...
• March 20, 2014

For Acne "I'm on my fourth month of Accutane and can honestly say this has changed my life. Four months ago, my confidence was literally non-existent. I couldn't look people in the eye, I hid away from everyone even my family as much as I could, I hated going out in public. My acne wasn't severe or cystic but when you have pimples on your face, you feel like that's all people are looking at. After reading so many scary things about this medicine I was really hesitant about going on it. But I couldn't be happier that I did. I've experienced only dry lips, skin and eyes which is pretty easy to control with a good moisturizer. I sometimes (rarely) experience minor back pain. But it's so worth it, everything is worth it. I finally have my life back!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

For Acne "I am on a 10 mg Oratane dose, one pill a day. I had very oily skin, mild pimples that would break out every third week, and lots of blackheads, which are gone and skin no longer oily. I am happy with the results so far in my second month now. The negative part about taking the meds is the side effects: sore joints, dry eyes and nose, very thin skin, and the worst, it has to be my lips, chapped, red, dry, and extremely sore. I even thought of quitting the meds."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2015

For Rosacea "Just hitting one month on Accutane. Don't forget, this is a review for rosacea, not acne. I gave it a 9/10 for acne, and on rosacea, I will give it an 8/10 so far. I will update the review over time. I was so hesitant to try Accutane with the horror stories, but you have to remember it is for less than 1% of the people that take it. I struggled with depression and have had ZERO depression episodes. Dry eyes and dry lips. Hair thinning a bit, but I am not losing any whatsoever. Vivid dreams. That is all. I only had two headaches (minor). This and CeraVe Cleanser, CeraVe Moisturizer has made my rosacea go COMPLETELY away. The redness on my face is gone. It is amazing to me. Good luck to all who go down the Accutane road! Everyone is different."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2014

For Acne "This medication is the only thing that has removed acne from my face and back. The side effects are horrible, but bearable. The side effects that I experienced during my treatment were: throbbing dry lips, itchy skin, dry eyes, blood in nose, severe joint pains, lethargy, darkening of face (temporary) and headaches. My dosage was from month 1 to 6: 40 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 80 mg. (Body weight 88 kgs). If you suffer from cystic acne, I would definitely recommend this medication. It really works and although the side effects are severe, they are temporary! Really worth it in the end."

• Rex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2018

For Acne "I've had acne my whole life (age 29). Face was always oily, and I'd pop pimples all the time. Started Accutane in January. Face and lips started getting really dry. Eucerin lotion and Aquaphor worked very well, but needed to apply several times a day. Eczema on the top of my hands, wrists, and upper arms (small red bumps that I've never had before in my life), so more lotion was required. By the middle of the second month, my acne was gone. I had dry eyes that required artificial tears at least 8 times a day. After 3 months, my doctor told me I can discontinue taking it. It did not hold me back from being active and traveling through a few countries either. The side effects had disappeared except for a few small bumps only on my upper arms. It is November now. Still haven't seen a single pimple on my face! Had mild depression and anxiety, but I've also had a long history even before taking Accutane. Different people will have different results and side effects. Best of luck to everyone."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2022

For Acne "Don't take this drug, I'm warning you. I had very bad acne on my back, chest, and face. I took Accutane for 6 months, and it really cleared my skin, however, the permanent side effects are much worse. My acne came back to the same state as it was before, but now I also struggle with very dry skin, dry mouth, dry eyes, eczema, and others. Trust me, I'm telling you this for your own good, don't take it."

• Lai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

For Acne "I started getting acne when I was 13 when I first got my period. At first, it wasn't that bad, I would have whiteheads that wouldn't come back after I popped them. Then it started to get bad when I was 15 to the point where it would leave dark marks (hyperpigmentation). I used Cetaphil, which burned my skin and made my acne worse. So, we went to the dermatologist and decided that it would be best to go on Accutane. I'm 3 months in now, and my skin looks good. Before, I would get these deep pimples that would be very painful and leave huge marks. But there are side effects that you should be aware of, which are nosebleeds, possibly depression, dry eyes, and dry skin. And the monthly pregnancy test (if you're a woman) and blood tests. To moisturize your skin, I would recommend CeraVe facial cleanser (it has hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin), Isdin micellar solution, Vanicream lite lotion, and round cotton pads."

• All...
• December 21, 2013

For Acne "At the age of 30, I still dealt with breakouts. After trying all sorts of over-the-counter products that just hurt me, I went to the doctor. We took the steps of prescription washes and antibiotics. Still had breakouts. So I decided to try Accutane. I'm currently starting my fifth month, and I haven't had a breakout or a single pimple in over three months. My side effects were dry, peeling lips (nothing Carmex can't fix), dry eyes, very sensitive skin (though working in a hospital doesn't help). So far, I am so satisfied with this medicine. Yes, it is a hassle to get, but worth it."

• TDS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2020

For Acne "Took Accutane when I was 14. Pretty sure it stunted my growth by closing my growth plates as I stopped growing during my treatment. I still have permanent dry eyes and brain fog and severe depression now 8 years later. It's not worth the gamble, I didn't even have the choice, I was just a kid that followed doctor's orders. Please ask yourself why you would want to give yourself or your loved one an extreme retinoid overdose. It causes widespread damage to the body that is permanent."

• lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2016

For Acne "I was on Accutane for almost 2 months. About a month and a half in, my eyes started to bother me. They were incredibly dry and it constantly felt like I had an eyelash in them. They were burning like crazy and hurt to move. I was worried I had an infection, so I went to my eye doctor. They told me both of my optic nerves were swollen and referred me to a neuro-ophthalmologist. I was immediately taken off Accutane. It has been a couple of weeks since I stopped the medication and my eyes have finally stopped bothering me. If I had continued the medication, I could've had permanent eye damage. The scariest side effects may be rare, and this drug may be a 'holy grail' for stubborn acne, but is clear skin really worth going blind, etc?"

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2015

For Acne "After hearing about the horror stories, I was hesitant to try Accutane. I tried Minocycline (Solodyn), Doryx (Doxycycline), and Bactrim DS. The only thing that was pretty good at clearing was Bactrim DS. Bactrim worked best but was not working anymore. I had no choice but to go with Accutane. It was a little drying with the eyes initially, and my lips still get dry. What people fail to mention is that your body adjusts to the side effects and that you won't have an initial breakout if you start low. I started at 40mg. Going to 60mg this month (my second month). Don't forget, Accutane takes between 2-4 months to see clearing. Good luck! :)"

• Bra...
• July 15, 2013

For Acne "Accutane worked great for me. When I quit smoking and started working out at the gym, I broke out on my cheeks and my back. Took Accutane for 4 months (80 mg daily) and had dry lips, dry eyes, dry face (moisturizer daily), very red and sensitive skin, and peeling hands. Made it through with a little bit of suffering, and I must say my face is 100% clear and it had been 2 months without it so far, and my back is about 80% better. Might consider another short treatment in the winter to try and combat my back a little more, but so far very satisfied with my results. I know I was worried sick and contemplated taking it for weeks after reading reviews and then finally took the plunge. Don't regret it for a second. A million times happier."

• Cel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2015

For Acne "I just started Accutane two weeks ago, 10 mg a day, and this is a miracle in a pill!! I had large, painful, inflamed acne along my jawline. After the first day, the inflammation was GONE! The second day, my acne basically fell out of my pores. I do experience dry lips, itchy skin, dry eyes, and hair loss, but it's worth it. Also, it is giving my skin a chance to heal, and I don't know why, but some report SCARRING, but for me, it made my scars and even stretch marks diminish. I think I'm the perfect candidate for the drug. If one has inflammatory acne, this is the drug to take."

• Xev...
• July 29, 2016

For Acne "I've been taking Oratane (off-brand Accutane) for nearly 6 months now. My dosage was 20 mg during the first month and then 40 mg for the remainder of my cycle. I'm a 24-year-old male (I was 23 when I began taking the drug) with mild (but irritating) facial acne and moderate acne on my upper back. I found that my acne cleared up towards my second month of treatment. The only side effects I've encountered are dryness - dry lips being the main one, but easily remedied with chapstick. My skin (particularly on my face) and eyes also occasionally get dry, these can be tackled with moisturizer and eye drops. Aside from that, everything has been smooth sailing. I recommend Accutane to anyone with severe acne or stubborn acne that won't go away."

• Gaw...
• May 30, 2018

For Acne "I went on Accutane in 1982. I had chronic acne on my shoulders and back. My lips and nose immediately dried up, cracked, and bled. My eyes got so dry I constantly had to use drops. My joints started to ache constantly. My thick hair and eyelashes started falling out. My arm hair, underarms, and legs stopped growing. My eyebrows decided to almost disappear. My hair on my head never returned to its original thickness, nor did my eyelashes or eyebrows. The hair on my arms, legs, and underarms all but disappeared. I got extremely tired for a full year. It did clear up my acne issues. My biggest complaint is joint pain! I still have it 36 years later. I would joke that I felt like a cancer patient going through chemo, so tired, losing hair. I never knew it was originally for chemotherapy treatments until 2016. I discovered others were having joint pain 20 to 30 years later also. Wish there would have been some kind of recognition that joint pain is a permanent side effect from Accutane."

• Sun...
• October 4, 2015

For Acne "I'm going into my 5th month on Accutane at 60 mg. The first 4 months yielded minimal, if any, results, and I got the biggest cystic lesion in my history of acne in the 3rd month. Now, my skin is cleared of acne lesions and congestion. My skin is red, sensitive, scarred, and hyperpigmented. My eyes are dry, and my lips require Aquaphor frequently. Overall, this medication has brought me confidence that I forgot I had. My derm said, 'Wow, look at your skin, it looks wonderful.' It made me emotional to hear. If you are considering this drug for persistent acne, then my recommendation is to make this decision with your doctor. You will not be disappointed. Nothing else worked for me, and I tried every med out there, topically and orally, hormonally."

• Ama...
• February 5, 2016

For Acne "I'm on my last week of Accutane and have been taking it for 5 months. All of my acne has cleared up except for one or two pimples, but I still have acne scars left. My only side effect symptoms at first included dry lips, dry eyes, back pain, and blurry vision, but now I'm experiencing mood swings and depression. It is not severe, but I have noticed that I've been acting different for no real reason. I honestly can't wait to get off the drug just to return to my normal self and feel like I have more control over my emotions. Overall, I think the side effects are worth it for the results that I've gotten from Accutane, but I am worried that after I'm done taking it, my acne will return."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 31, 2020

For Acne "I took Accutane at 17 years old. I was on 30 mg for 2 months and 60 mg for 4 months. I got rid of my cystic acne on my face, chest, and back. I still have scarring, but my skin looks so much better! Some side effects I experienced included dry skin, nosebleeds, and dry eyes. However, it was all WORTH IT! Accutane changed my life for the better. I've never felt so confident in my skin. I struggled with acne my entire life, and my only regret is not starting it sooner. I started seeing it work after only 10 days. I can't recommend Accutane enough. My advice is to advocate for yourself and keep asking for it over and over again until they give it to you. Accutane didn't change my life, it saved my life!"

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2011

For Acne "I had cystic acne and nothing worked until I finally tried Accutane. It's truly a life saver! I had lost my confidence until I tried this product. Only side effect was dry nose, dry eyes, and chapped lips. All of which is minor and worth the beautiful and flawless skin that follows! Four years later and it's still the best and only thing that works! I tried it all... cortisone shots in the face, Retin A, Differin, facials, scrubs, Proactiv, blue light treatment, etc.... nothing ever worked. Do yourself a favor and get this as soon as possible. I was finally able to give up wearing foundation too."

• muf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2014

For Acne "This is the best treatment for acne! I'm 23 and still had acne, though I had it primarily on my back and arms. I would never take my shirt off in public and was extremely self-conscious about it. I'm 4 months into the treatment, and I have NO new pimples (marks still there). I just hope the acne doesn't come back after the treatment. Side effects are manageable, I've had dry lips, eyes, and nosebleeds throughout the day, but the advantages of the treatment outweigh the side effects by miles!"

• jul...
• August 29, 2010

For Acne "Took Accutane for almost a year. My dermatologist made me complete the course to make sure that my acne does not come back. During the entire period, I had dry eyes, dry skin, and dry hair. I had to lotion, condition, and use eye drops and lip balm very frequently. However, my acne cleared big time. I still occasionally get smaller pimples but not the big ones that I used to have on my back or on my face. Not recommended for sportsmen. I had to double my application of sunblock because I am frequently under the sun, and while consuming Accutane, it is not recommended for you to be under the sun for too long a time."