Accutane and Dryness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Acne "I’m honestly not someone to ever write a review, but with Accutane being the most life-changing thing and reading all the horrible, scary reviews on here beforehand, I thought I wanted to so people could know the truth. People will always write horror stories, especially when taking 60/80 mg per day. My skin was very bad, acne-covered, and I started my treatment 6 months ago. I started on the lowest dose, 20 mg, and my derm kept asking if I wanted to up the dose to get treatment done quicker. I didn’t want to rock the boat as I was doing so well and am 6 months in and decided to stay on 20 mg. Honestly, yes, there is dryness, especially at first, but nothing some strong moisturizing cream wouldn’t fix. My lips have always been extremely dry from the beginning, but lip balm Eucerin works a treat! Yes, this medication has its downsides, but anyone struggling with the heartbreaking effects of acne, don’t hesitate, it will be the best thing you’ve ever done."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2016

For Acne "I am 24 and have had moderate-level acne on my face for many years, and more recently on my shoulders. I started Accutane in March 2016 at 20 mg. In April, 30 mg, and next week - May, 40 mg. Symptoms in March: chapped lips, dry face, body aches, blurry vision, new oil pimples. In April, my symptoms changed to: eyes sensitive to sunlight, heartburn with greasy foods, body aches, dryness, dry hair/split ends/thinner hair, and my skin has a slower healing process now, so any pimples I have touched will stay for weeks. Also, I have noticed that on the days I do drink one gallon of water or more, my symptoms go away. I also eat healthy, and I try to take daily vitamins. Choose a reputable dermatologist!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2012

For Acne "I first took this medicine in high school and was only on it for 2 months because the side effects were so bad. Now, approximately 4 years later, I've now been on it for 4 months. My side effects are much reduced. I have experienced dry, peeling lips and dry eyes. Suspension for 1-2 weeks allowed my lips to heal, and I resumed the medication. This occurred about 3 months in. After 2 months, after much debate, I did get a tattoo which healed beautifully, quickly, and with no color degradation. I highly recommend this medicine only if you have consistently struggled with acne and no other medicine has worked. Some side effects you just have to tolerate."

• mel...
• July 25, 2011

For Acne "I was prescribed Accutane when I was 17 years old for the first time. In the beginning of the treatment, it got worse, but after that, it just got better and better and better. I am on another 4-month course. I am currently on my 6th week, and my skin has just gotten bad breakouts, but I know it will all clear up. Accutane is the best thing anyone can ever do for themselves. It does have its side effects, but so does everything in life. For the dryness, I use Blistex medicated lip ointment and Clinique moisturizer. Stick it out. It is all worth it at the end of the day. I love Accutane."

• All...
• May 28, 2018

For Acne "Oratane - 20mg, first 2 weeks one tablet a day, 2 tablets a day (40mg) until further assessment. I have seen improvements where I would normally have cysts (lower jaw, cheeks, and mouth) BUT I'm breaking out all over my forehead, lips, and shoulders, which I have never experienced before. I have seen my derm yesterday, and he prescribed me Panafcort (Prednisone) 25mg, 2 tablets once a day for 4 days. It is a strong oral steroid treatment that, within 7 hours, I have already seen a difference! SIDE EFFECTS: Headaches up the back of my neck and in my eyes, dryness (moderate), nausea, dry scalp - solved with slathering my scalp and hair ends in coconut oil, massaging it in, and sitting with it for 20/30 mins! Do not DO NOT drink alcohol in excess. You will be terribly sick (vomiting) and hungover."

• gri...
• February 6, 2011

For Acne "My 17-year-old daughter is now on Claravis, as her family doctor and a licensed dermatologist both stated she needed to go on this drug for cystic acne that was severe. We had exhausted all other drugs for acne, from doxycycline, Retin A, to Differin, and spent hundreds of dollars for treatment with little or no success. I was very hesitant to do the Claravis program, but felt I was between a rock and a hard place. Very concerned about stopping the scarring on her back and face. One month into the program, and we both noticed an improvement. The dermatologist is moving her from 40 mg daily to 30 mg twice daily, as he is not seeing the degree of dryness he feels is necessary to be successful. We will see how that goes."

• lea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2021

For Acne "I took Accutane a year ago, and I want people to know that skin maintenance after can be very complicated to find what works for you. I've been taking adapalene 0.3 percent since then to treat acne scars and potential new acne, and this leaves my skin very, very red, dry, and sensitive. It took me a year to figure out a moisturizer that would work for me, and that it was alright to use the moisturizer right after applying the adapalene. I've tried many, many products, and 'Rugged and Dapper Age and Damage Defense Facial Moisturizer' on Amazon finally does the trick (I'm a man). Good luck! Share your own tips!"

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2021

For Acne "Wish I had taken Accutane a decade sooner. Refractory to every birth control, topical treatment, antibiotic, diet. Several dermatologists recommended, but I had heard negative things and hoped it would disappear by my mid-20s. It didn't, and once I had a steady job with good health insurance, I found a conveniently located experienced dermatologist practice and started 30 mg daily for the 1st month (I weigh 135 lb), then 40 mg daily for 6 months. We discussed increasing to 60 mg, but I had good results and wanted to keep side effects manageable. The 1st month, a few more cysts on my back, after that, ~1 tiny pimple per month that resolved quickly. A year later, skin has stayed clear and scarring is lighter with topical acids. Triglycerides increased 1 month, likely related to labs not being taken fasting. First week dose increased, I had diarrhea, slightly tired and less social, dry (constantly drinking water and moisturizing), mild muscle pain toward the end, and derm mentioned poor wound healing can occur."

• Ari...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2022

For Acne "Accutane saved me… literally. I had painful cystic acne and small pimples on my face all the time. I was in a deep depression and didn’t want anyone to see my face when my skin was bad. I was on Accutane twice, and it cleared my skin after several months, you need to be patient. My skin definitely purged at the beginning, but at the end, it was so worth it! Made my skin look like a porcelain doll. It’s better to get on it sooner than later, as the longer you wait, the more scarring you are left with for life. It is very drying, though, and you need to make sure you’re seeing a good dermatologist who has you on the right dose, as too high of a dose for your body weight can cause serious health issues."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Acne "I'm 16 and currently beginning my second month of Accutane. Before I started, my acne was hardly severe, but it was there, and I wanted it gone. During the first month, my acne became the worst it had ever been, but I wouldn't give up, and it gradually began to clear up. I've experienced no severe side effects other than dryness everywhere. I now have about as much acne as I did when I started the treatment, but I'm hoping in a few months the results will be worth it."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2022

For Acne "I recommend you stay away from this toxic drug. I stopped birth control pills after 20 years and got cystic acne as a result. After months of dealing with stubborn acne, at a weak moment, I decided to give this drug a go, which I really regretted. In only 5 weeks of taking this medication, I lost around 50% of my hair. It also got really dry and looked terrible overall. Some hair also fell out from lashes and eyebrows. Horrific experience. I then lived with anxiety around the clock, not knowing how much more hair I was going to lose or if I was going to go bald. My scalp is still itchy and painful months later. The doctors did not warn me about this side effect, but many people go through the same experience I did. I consider myself lucky because there are even worse side effects than losing hair with this drug. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this drug!"

• Joc...
• June 12, 2013

For Acne "Accutane is awesome! Of course, you're going to be dry, but you will be clear and stay clear. Stick with it, the side effects are only temporary, but clear skin forever is worth it."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2010

For Acne "Accutane is the best thing that ever happened to me, and the only thing in my whole life that I regret is not taking it sooner. The only side effect was dryness, which is totally manageable!"

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2009

For Acne "Just starting my first round of medication, and the dry, flaky skin is making me crazy. Hopeful the end results will be worth it, but after several weeks, I have not noticed any significant effects."