Accutane and Dry Lips: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Zac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For Acne "This medication has given me a love-hate for it, I had horrible cystic acne all over my face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back! I have been on the medication 3 weeks now and have seen a drastic improvement! I have tried other medications that yielded no results at all. If you want to start taking this medication for your acne, I recommend it, but be warned the side effects are nasty! I have the worst joint pain in my feet and ankles every morning, and it lasts for a few hours. Also, my lips have been very dry, and I have been applying way too much Carmex. My face has dry spots from where the acne is clearing up, and that doesn't look too attractive either. All in all, this medication works, and you will love the results, but the side effects suck."

• Art...
• February 24, 2020

For Acne "I'm almost finished with my third month of Accutane. I started taking Accutane due to severe body acne (chest, back, neck, arms, etc.). I first attempted doxy and topical lotion, but it did not seem to help. Therefore, my dermatologist recommended Accutane. I started out at 40 mg in the first month and am now on 80 mg during my third month. The first month was not bad with side effects at all. I simply noticed dry lips and a bit more dryness on my body. Month two was not too bad either, some headaches, and more dryness on the lips and body. Month three is when some of the emotional instability kicked in. I have been experiencing some anxiety and depression, but it's been manageable. The irritation and more anger have been the worst emotional side effects. I've also noticed thinning of the skin, more easily injured, and more noticeable veins. Overall, I still believe taking Accutane has been worth it. Yes, the side effects suck, especially in winter, but I'm so glad my acne is gone."

• 6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

For Acne "I recommend a lower dose of 40 mg if your acne is not that bad. I started out at 20 mg the first month, then 30 mg the second month, and 40 mg for months 3-6. I never had any nosebleeds. I was tired sometimes, joint pain, stiffness of hips, forgetfulness (for example, forgetting that I just took a shower and realizing my hair was wet and I didn't need to take one), possible depression, although I was a bit irate at times before taking the med. I did have a couple of bad nightmares. I had chapped lips through like the whole time taking it. I had the bad habit of biting the skin off my lips. The positive was no acne not too long after taking it, although it did flare up a bit about a couple weeks in after taking it. Hair not oily."

• sam...
• February 12, 2008

For Acne "I just finished taking Accutane 3 months ago. I was on it for 4 months, and the first 6 weeks were terrible, my acne got worse before it got better. But it worked really well, my face is so clear right now, and I love it. It really changed my life. I used to feel so insecure, I never used to go out, but ever since I tried Accutane, my confidence has just boosted. The side effects were not so bad. I had dry lips, but I always moved with a lip balm or Vaseline, and my skin was so dry, but I used an aqueous cream."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2015

For Acne "I'm on my second week of Accutane 40 mg. So far, no side effects or initial breakout. My lips are drier but easily fixable with Chapstick. I've been using jojoba oil as a moisturizer as well. I've had extremely minor pimples appear and then go away immediately and no scarring. So far, it's been great and hopefully continues to do so!"

• aut...
• February 13, 2019

For Acne "Before starting this medication, I had struggled with acne for years, had a history of depression in my teens, had no back pain or joint pain, and I had a full head of hair. Month 1: dry lips, and my acne got much worse. By month 3, the body/joint pain started. Month 5: I was taking Tylenol 4 times a day, every day for back pain, and every joint in my body was popping and crunching. Acne never fully cleared. Month 2 off of it, and my acne started coming back, and my hair started falling out. I'm 5 months off now. My hair is STILL falling out, and none of my doctors can tell me if/when it will stop or if it will grow back. My back still hurts, every joint in my body pops and is sore, and my knees and shoulders crunch with minimal movement. I haven't been myself in 8 months, always angry and depressed. If I had known in order to have mostly clear skin all I had to sacrifice was half the hair on my head, my personality, and my back and joints, I would not have done it."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2010

For Acne "I am 17 years old, and I have been going to a dermatologist for 3 years. I have tried almost every other type of medication they offered before finally going on Accutane. My acne was moderate, but it never showed signs of clearing, and my dermatologist said that going on Accutane would most likely be my only solution to clear skin. I have been on Accutane now for 5 and a half months, and I am done with the 6-month treatment in about 10 days. Going on this medicine was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. My skin is totally clear, and I haven't had a breakout in months. It has made me so much more confident, and now I don't feel pressured to wear makeup all the time to cover my acne. Side effects I have include dry skin and chapped lips."

• Izb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2015

For Acne "I have had acne ever since I was 10 and suffered really badly. My back was covered in spots to the point where it hurt to lean against anything. I had spots all over my face and on my chest. I am on my fourth month of Roaccutane, and my face is clear other than two small spots, my back is clear, and so is my chest. I have had a few side effects such as dry skin, dry lips, and my body ached. Those side effects I can deal with, however, my mood swings are bad. I will be really happy for a couple of days, and then I will have a few days where I am down and crying a lot. The medication has helped me find a new confidence in myself. I don't feel embarrassed to go out anymore, and I can even not wear makeup when I go out. It is definitely worth it!!"

• tho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2015

For Acne "I am starting my second month on Accutane. I did a lot of research before and watched tons of YouTube videos and searched for the products I needed before going on this. As a woman, you have to do extra steps, like blood draws and pregnancy tests, but it is all worth it to me. My skin looks amazing. I don't need hardly any makeup. I have minimal side effects: of course my lips are dry as hell, but if you stay on top of this from the very beginning and never let them start cracking, you should be good. I am on 60 mg per day. I use lanolin and Bite Beauty Agave lip mask for my lips, and these are amazing. Best staying power out of the many things I've tried. Also, I have hard stools :( (TMI, sorry). But other than that, I am very happy!"

• OnT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2016

For Acne "I had painful and extreme cystic acne in isolated areas on both sides of my chin when I was in college. I underwent accurate treatment at 23 right when Accutane was approved by the FDA. I took the treatment for 3 months, and the side effects were very dry lips, sometimes splitting. It totally eliminated my acne, and my self-confidence, social life, and career soared. I tried everything before this treatment, and nothing worked, and I was extremely happy with the results. At about age 35, my acne cysts reappeared, although not as severe. I underwent another 90-day treatment and haven't had any recurrence since."

• Iro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2016

For Acne "I, like everyone, suffered from acne for the longest time. My face was so gross it hindered my self-confidence and faith in myself. Like everyone, I tried a million creams and pills and washes, none worked, and a lot made my acne worse. Accutane is the nuclear option. It cuts off all moisture to your face, and your face basically presses the reset button and figures out that sending all that oil isn't a good idea. Of course, that means your lips are chapped, your face is dry, and you'll probably get nosebleeds. To me, that was more than worth it. If you think there are other routes to stop your face from looking like a pizza, try those, but if you've tried everything and are ready to nuke your face and try again, Accutane worked."

• Hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2016

For Acne "I've been suffering from acne from the age of 12. Ever since, I've been so insecure. At the age of 13, I started putting foundation to cover it up. It was really bad. Accutane/Roaccutane saved my life and my confidence in many ways. I'm 14. I've been on this medication for 3 months now. I've seen a lot of change in my skin. Really happy with my results. I really recommend Roaccutane. I started off with 20 mg, then 30, then 40. My side effects were nosebleed, dry lips, dry face, back pain, headaches, and joint pain, but it's definitely worth it. I took a before and after pic, and in these 3 months, I've seen a lot of difference, and now I can go out in public without makeup! I've tried everything and nothing worked except for Roaccutane."

• CDH...
• November 7, 2014

For Acne "I suffered a severe form of acne from around 15, and after being prescribed countless forms of antibiotics over the years (which had little or no effect), it was seriously affecting my self-confidence and social life. My GP then decided to prescribe me for a 6-month course of Accutane, starting at 20 mg/day. At first (months 1-2), the improvements were small, the only effects being dry skin and lips. But then, there started to be gradual improvements from months 3-4 when I was taking 40 mg/day. In months 5-6, my dosage was increased to 60 and 80 mg/day respectively, and the improvements were incredible. I can honestly say this medication has changed my life and would recommend it to anybody considering it!"

• Lak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2016

For Acne "I am a 31-year-old single lady and have been suffering from cystic acne for almost two years. I have tried everything, but nothing really works until my dermatologist recommended Acnetrex 50 mg 3 months ago. My lips had been very dry, but who cares? I am now acne-free. :))"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2018

For Acne "My son was on Accutane. We put it off for years because of things we read online. He had bad cystic acne. We tried everything, and nothing worked permanently. This went on for 6 years until we were so desperate we agreed he would try it at age 17. It worked! He has been off now for 5 months and is still clear. I wish we would have done it sooner because now he has some scarring from the many years of cystic acne. He did not have any major side effects, just dry lips. I would tell parents not to be scared of this medication like we were. It is worth it."

• tas...
• January 17, 2016

For Acne "I've had cystic acne for 15 years and was finally prescribed isotretinoin at the age of 27. I went to a private dermatologist who prescribed the medication, then I switched to the NHS. I'm currently on month 5 out of 6 and acne-free at 70 mg per day. It was month 4 when I became free of acne, so it does take a while to fully kick in. Side effects - severe eczema on my hands, very dry eyes and lips. My only regret is I didn't get on this medication 10 years ago, which would have prevented scarring and emotional issues. I am SO ANGRY with the NHS for refusing me this medication back in 2007."

• eri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2018

For Acne "I went on Accutane after trying a multitude of antibiotics and topicals such as Differin, doxycycline, some other cycline, and much more. I was a little hesitant to try Accutane, as my cousin who took it had bad side effects, and I personally have a history of mental health issues. However, taking Accutane is one of the best decisions I ever made. I did not have severe cystic acne, but my moderate acne with cystic on my chin was progressively getting worse and I decided to finally go for it. As an 18-year-old, I researched it and decided to try it. I definitely experienced dry skin and lips, as well as an allergic reaction type rash on my arms, which ended up being dermatitis. This was about the only negative side effect that I had, and overall the rash was 100 times worth it for the results I got. I have been off Accutane for about 3 to 5 months now, and I have not had a major breakout since. 10/10 would recommend!!"

• ren...
• December 18, 2013

For Acne "I have probably been off of Accutane for a good six months or so now, and I have to say it is a life changer and definitely worth your time and money! As a girl, it was tough and frustrating having to get pregnancy tests, blood work, and all of the appointments every month, along with the online portion, but it is SO worth it! I went to my doctor for a year struggling with acne before he put me on this medicine. I was upset he didn't do it sooner! Yes, there may be some side effects, the only side effects I encountered were dry lips, dry face, and very sensitive skin. I have a fair skin tone as it is, so during the summer, I could barely walk outside without needing to use sunscreen. But I recommend this product to anyone in need of it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2016

For Acne "My experience with Accutane was amazing! I have always had acne and have tried everything over the counter, but nothing worked. I did have some side effects including extremely dry lips, as well as pretty bad joint and muscle pain. My skin was also dry too, including my scalp. But I loved it because I could go without washing my hair for a week! It was great. These side effects sucked while going through them, but absolutely worth it for the results! After a few months of finishing, my lips, scalp, and skin were no longer as dry as they were while on the medication. My skin is definitely not as oily as it was before I started! I have no regrets about taking this med, and I would absolutely recommend Accutane to others!"

• mat...
• July 19, 2016

For Acne "Accutane is working wonders for me. I am an 18-year-old male who was skeptical at first because I had literally tried everything to clear up my cystic acne on my back and chest. I am now 1 month into my 5-month course and am already seeing a huge improvement. Other than the dry lips, I have no other side effects. Some people say Accutane makes them depressed and suicidal, but Accutane has actually made me happier and more energetic than I was. I feel so much more confident about my skin now than I ever have. It's summer, and now I am never wearing a shirt because Accutane has made me more confident. I strongly recommend this drug, as it has worked wonders for me so far."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2019

For Acne "Acne has been a part of my life for almost 8 years now. There has never been a day when I did not at least have one breakout. So, I finally decided to jump into isotretinoin (40 mg) twice daily after trying antibiotics and multiple topicals that did not help. My acne has, for the most part, cleared with one breakout in my 6th month of treatment. Although, the side effects are brutal. I am talking peeling layers of skin off my lips daily while using medicated chapstick the entire duration of treatment. I am talking bloody noses and dried scabs from constant bleeding. I am getting my nose cauterized because of how easily my blood vessels break from the repeated dryness. My eyes hurt after looking at classwork or the computer for an hour. The last big side effect was dry eczema on my arms. All I can say is I am glad to be completing treatment. Although everyone seems to react differently, so please understand my side effects may not equal yours."

• jes...
• September 27, 2019

For Acne "I suffered from acne for years and finally was at a point where I was fed up, and my only option was to take Accutane. I was so excited to start despite all the side effects and got so encouraged when I heard about everyone else's positive experiences. A week into 40 mg on Claravis, not much happened until a couple of days after I no longer had oily skin and my lips were chapped. Exactly 14 days into this drug was when things started to take a turn. I started to experience tightness in my chest, but during that time didn't think that much of it. The next day it was worse, and I was having shortness of breath and had to take at least 10 breaths before I could breathe. That next morning I fainted in my bathroom and was taken to the hospital later that day to get checked, and apparently everything was 'normal.' I obviously had to stop it, which sucked, but at this point the risks outweighed the benefits. Please think before you go on Accutane, especially since everyone reacts to it differently."

• ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2013

For Acne "I've heard so many bad, scary things about Accutane. Eventually, I came to a point where I was questioning all this bad press. What's the worst that could happen? I am glad that I looked past the negativity and gave Accutane a try. I have never felt so 'normal' in my life. The acne on my back is finally clearing up. I don't have to spend an hour in the bathroom each day messing with lotions, cleansers, creams, gels, whatever. I'm only a couple of weeks into it, but I'm not even getting chapped lips or dryness. Just clear skin. Thank you, Roche!"

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2013

For Acne "Accutane seriously changed my life. I never really had bad acne on my face, just a couple of spots and every once in a while breakouts, but nothing too bad. But my chest and back were terrible. I couldn't go to school without wearing shirts up to my neck. I couldn't even wear a bathing suit around anybody but my really close friends and family. My dermatologist told me to try Accutane. I was really scared at first because I heard it had some bad side effects, but I had tried everything. Within the first month, my acne on my back and chest was almost nonexistent. The only downsides are it makes your lips very dry. Carmex was the only thing that worked for me. I highly suggest Accutane. The pros overcome the cons by 1000 percent."

• 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! :)"