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Isotretinoin for Acne User Reviews (Page 5)

Brand names: Accutane, Claravis, Zenatane, Absorica, Sotret, Amnesteem, Absorica LD, Myorisan

Reviews for Isotretinoin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Tra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 11, 2014

"I went on Accutane twice in my early 20s. It cleared my skin. I suffered from mild to moderate acne, not extreme cystic acne. Afterwards, everyone commented on how amazing my skin was. It's an amazing medicine. The only side effect I had was dry lips, which I dealt with by buying Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Accutane has a powerful anti-aging effect as it wipes out a lot of the photoaging you have suffered up to the point you start taking it. I am now 45 and look 10 years younger. I credit Accutane for the fact that I look so much younger than my years. It is a great medicine."

10 / 10
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  • Tre...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 1, 2019

"For people who are thinking of taking it and are worried, I wanted to share that I'm lucky enough to have NOT experienced half these effects, so you may not get them yourself! I went through private health, and the first dosage was 30mg, then 40mg, and currently I'm on month 3 at 60mg. I could see that my skin immediately started to clear up, but since then, the results have stagnated a little and I haven't noticed much change. Side effect-wise, I get really dry lips, and it's a bit dry inside my nostrils... But that's it! No headaches or anxiety, no aching joints (still go to the gym 3-5 days a week), haven't noticed any particularly bad breakouts (just not clearing up), and had slightly sensitive skin on my face in month 2. I do have mild eczema anyway, but it definitely hasn't made it worse. And one thing that's great while you are on it, you never get greasy hair! So if acne is really affecting you, go for it. For me, it's worth the side effects."

8 / 10
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  • jan...
  • August 24, 2019

"I struggled with a lot of small acne and redness on my face. The doctors diagnosed me with keratosis pilaris (KP) on my face, arms, and shoulders (which is not curable). I tried many topicals and home remedies, they all made my face more red and left me feeling helpless. Accutane was my last resort, and mark my words, I wish it were my first. Everything, and I mean everything, is gone. No more redness, no more bumps on my face, arms, or shoulders. Dermatologists just say things sometimes, maybe I didn’t even have KP. This drug works wonders, it took me until my senior year to finally use it. Don’t waste your time with acne when you can have beautiful skin. Use this treatment!"

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Ash...
  • March 10, 2015

"It is incredible. It really makes a difference to your skin. Yes, it gets worse before it gets better, but once you get past the painful stage of breakouts, all you see week by week is improvement! I highly recommend it to those with severe acne. Before you know it, your skin will be perfect!"

10 / 10
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  • Zar...
  • November 14, 2016

"I'm just finished my second month on Accutane, and I have never been happier about my skin! I have tried topical creams and antibiotics, which did not help at all. When my dermatologist prescribed Accutane for my severe acne, I was doubtful after being prescribed unhelpful drugs. But I was wrong, and Accutane is working great for my skin. It's been a long struggle with acne, and I am finally seeing results to clearer skin. The results you get from this medicine overpower the side effects... trust me, it's worth it."

10 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 5, 2017

"I want to thank the people responsible for the creation and distribution of this product! I am so, so, so happy and satisfied. I want to share my story with the world. I want to show my pictures of my results to everyone! This product is a true blessing, and I do not regret taking a single pill. My skin looks fabulous! Thank you!"

10 / 10
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  • joe...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 2, 2014

"Accutane saved my life, plain and simple. I've tried the facial burn and peel method, but only attained severe blistering and sunburn. Before that, I'd tried everything, and I mean everything. After I'd literally burned my face off to no avail, I'd basically given up on trying to get rid of my acne. Sometime later (and after about 7 years of living with alternating moderate to severe acne), I had accepted that I was going to just have to live out my life with acne (my mom is still struggling with hers). But after trying Accutane, I couldn't be happier. If you have stubborn acne, you need to try this."

10 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Rai...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 9, 2013

"My daughter has been taking Accutane for 6 months now, and her skin is flawless! She is so happy! She has been complaining of back pain, but she is going to a chiropractor and getting adjusted regularly, which seems to help. At first, her lips were terribly chapped! But I bought some really good chapstick, and now she is fine. She is tired, but she is also a teenager, so that may come into play. She would not wear tank tops last summer because her skin was so broke out. Now I am planning my wedding, and she is only looking at strapless dresses! This has boosted her confidence, and I am thankful she was able to take this medicine!"

9 / 10
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  • Oie...
  • October 20, 2016

"I had struggled with moderate acne for 4 years. I tried every lotion and potion possible on prescription and every medicated facial wash available for acne-prone skin. Nothing worked. Finally, after a year of waiting for an appointment, my dermatologist prescribed 30 mg of isotretinoin (Roaccutane). It has taken about 3 months to start to see an improvement, and now, almost 6 months in, my skin is completely clear. It has really helped my self-confidence. The good thing is my clear skin will be permanently clear and the dreaded acne will not return. Other than severely dry lips and quite a few nosebleeds (although not as many as I thought), my side effects have been minimal. Stick with it, it definitely works, you just have to be patient."

9 / 10
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  • Rya...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 8, 2020

"Yes, there is some dryness and sensitivity. I applied various lip products hourly, and I found myself putting Vaseline up my nose. But, I've been dealing with cystic acne since high school (I'm now 37), and my skin is finally clear and smooth."

9 / 10
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  • Ant...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 12, 2017

"I started getting bad acne in my sophomore year of high school, and it got progressively worse. I was at the point of depression and anxiety, I didn't know what to do. I took Proactiv and Retin-A, but none of it helped. Finally, when I was 19, I started using Accutane and had to get blood samples every month because it was so potent. It worked like magic, though, and all the bad acne went away and never came back. I experienced no side effects, and my face has been clear ever since."

10 / 10
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  • Ej1...
  • September 9, 2013

"My acne was severe before Accutane. I was at the point where I wouldn't leave the house, I had no social life. It was so horrendous it was emotionally awful and physically painful too. I felt suicidal, it was that bad. I felt like a monster, tried so many ways to get rid of my acne from the age of 13, nothing worked. It just got worse, turned cystic, and then when I turned 21, I decided to take the plunge and go for Accutane. Not joking, the first two months were hell, and I felt like giving up. But I carried it on, and yeah, the side effects, like dry skin and lips, were bad, and I was moody, but all I regret is not taking it sooner. My skin is perfect now and glows. I look like a different person, I'd advise this 100%."

10 / 10
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  • ACN...
  • October 31, 2013

"I was on this drug for 6 months, the process was horrible. I had dry skin, muscle aches, and the worst thing, no visible improvement. The very last month, I noticed my skin was a little more clear than usual, but still not acne-free. Then, in the last week of my medication, I cleared up, and after I stopped the medication, I was pimple-free. It has been a year now, and I hardly EVER have a pimple! I went from severe acne to nothing! Stick with it till the end! Your self-confidence will thank you in the future."

10 / 10
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  • Nik...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 3, 2022

"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."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • poo...
  • May 26, 2013

"Accutane changed my life, and I promised myself that I would share my experience with the world if this worked for me, and yes, it did! After I had my baby, and even before, I had chronic cystic acne all over my face. I couldn’t bear to look in the mirror. My face would hurt from just touching it. I had used everything you could think of until one day, while in my doctor’s office, I read about Accutane. My doctor advised me to talk to my dermatologist, which I did, and here I am 8 months later with POSITIVE results. Accutane really worked for me. Yes, there were side effects, but for me, it was tolerable. Now I can look people straight in the eye without feeling ashamed of how I look. My gynecologist even commented on how my skin looks. Everyone has been asking what I did because I have this sudden glow. Try ACCUTANE because it works!"

10 / 10
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  • Gol...
  • January 12, 2008

"Accutane seems to have saved my skin. Before taking Accutane, I tried about everything on the market, and NOTHING worked. I started taking it, it sucked with the constant dry skin, lips, and everything else, but it worked. I do have some pockmarks on my face since I had acne for so long. But it looks a lot better than that UGLY acne!"

9 / 10
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  • Vba...
  • February 2, 2020

"After 3 years of trying every possible acne product and visiting multiple dermatologists with no results, I hesitantly allowed my 15-year-old daughter to go on Claravis. She is heading into month 3, and her skin is definitely improving. The cystic acne has almost disappeared, and some scarring is beginning to subside. She still has minor non-cystic type acne outbreaks, but nothing like she was experiencing. As for side effects, there have been some, but nothing too bad. The worst has been the sides of her mouth getting cracks from dry lips and then getting mildly infected. She uses Aquaphor constantly, which helps. She has experienced some backaches, but she plays sports, so that probably doesn't help. I constantly tell her that if things get too bad, she should end the meds, but she loves the results after years of being made fun of at school :( or feeling self-conscious about her acne, so she says she's not giving up. Eager to see how much better her skin gets in the next few months."

8 / 10
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  • eca...
  • March 22, 2008

"I had cystic nodular acne on my face, back, and chest. I've tried every acne medication under the sun! Accutane worked great and I could tell a difference within a month of using it. It's been 3 years since I took it and I'm still all clear. I would recommend Accutane to anyone with acne."

10 / 10
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  • Smi...
  • April 8, 2015

"Yesterday, my dental hygienist asked me how I got my skin so clear. I almost cried because no one has ever complimented me on my skin before. My skin was the source of a great deal of unhappiness, anxiety, and stress in my life prior to Accutane. Thank you, Accutane, for giving me back my confidence and life. As for side effects: very minimal. No changes in mood. The biggest pain in the butt was iPledge and monthly tests. I'm a very busy person, so finding the time to run out of work in the middle of the day was difficult. But so worth it. Don't focus on all the negative stories! I wish I would have ignored the naysayers and gone on this drug years ago! Good luck :)"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 9, 2009

"I'm 27 and have had cystic acne since age 11. I took Accutane my sophomore year of college, and it worked pretty much instantly with good results and no side effects (maybe dry lips, but I barely remember that). The acne came back though about two years later, and I took a second cycle. About four to five years later (now), it has come back slowly, and I am considering a third round. I've used Proactiv for over a year, and that was working, but has seemed to stop working and severely dry out my skin. I'm nervous about the side effects with a third round, but the first two cycles I had no issues- so I'm hoping this round will last longer!"

8 / 10
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  • Kir...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 8, 2013

"DON'T BE PUT OFF BY A BAD REVIEW! I took Accutane when I was 18. I held off taking it for a while because of all of the reviews. My friend and I were both on it, she suffered with dry skin and nosebleeds, but it's nowhere near as bad as it sounds. I never even noticed her dry skin, and if you're good and slap moisturizer on, you'll be fine! I worried about the dry skin, and I tell you, I didn't have one side effect. I just remember loving life! No more makeup sliding off my face due to oiliness either. The side effects depend on your dose, I was on 30 mg, but my friend was on 80 mg and had side effects. You can take a lower dose, but you'll be on the treatment for longer as you're given a certain amount depending on your weight."

10 / 10
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  • Tim...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 10, 2014

"For those suffering from chapped lips from this medication, I have to recommend Dr. Dan's Cortibalm. It is usually behind the counter at your pharmacy, you'll have to ask for it. It saved my life while taking Accutane."

9 / 10
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  • Joh...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 9, 2024

"Accutane literally saved my life 21 years ago. In 2003, I was a depressed 'pizza face' teen boy literally contemplating suicide because of how disfigured and ugly I felt that my severe acne made me look. In the prime of my high school years, and I was missing out on everything my friends were enjoying because of my severe acne, which caused anxiety and depression too. I leaned toward not taking Accutane for the longest time because of the side effects, but eventually I decided any side effects were worth trying it because otherwise I felt like my life was over. Well, it was over. Because I was REBORN as a new person after this miracle drug completely cured my acne, giving me glowing skin and a better complexion than some of my friends who never had acne. My worst side effects during the treatment were dry lips, and it's possible my night vision was affected, but not significantly. 21 years later, the acne has still never come back. Best decision I ever made in my life on August 21, 2003."

10 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 31, 2016

"I've had bad acne since I was in middle school. I didn't do anything about it until around the summer of 10th grade because I started to get cystic acne on a regular basis. My dermatologist put me on Doxycycline. At the time, I was not always regular with taking pills, and when my acne did get better and started to go away, I thought I was fine. The acne just kept coming back, and I took antibiotics and creams like retinol and Epiduo and all sorts of benzoyl peroxide washes, but nothing worked. So my dermatologist finally convinced me to get on Accutane. As of right now, I'm 5 months in, and my skin has never been better, it's amazing. My side effects were dry eyes (I have contacts), dry face, dry lips, and nosebleeds. I honestly wish I did it sooner!"

10 / 10
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  • Mal...
  • December 16, 2019

"My back and abdomen acne became severe in the last year when I started receiving testosterone replacement therapy. After 6 months of Accutane treatment, my back and chest are 99% clear. From a cosmetic point of view, I am delighted. HOWEVER! Yes, I had dry lips, skin, and nostrils. Some days/weeks I would get incredibly low. I know we all get down at times, but this was a much lower, persistent feeling. In addition, I started getting massive lymph node swellings in my armpits, on my stomach. I had to go to the doctor on two separate occasions because of the size and pain of the swellings. My doctor noticed I was clearly depressed. She recommended coming off Accutane, but my stubbornness made me persist. I observed noticeable improvement in my skin after 3 months. It was probably only in the last month when I stopped getting acne completely. However, be careful of your mental health. The medication changed my personality, and I became very anxious, deeply depressed, and tired."

7 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

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