Isotretinoin and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Lin...
• February 26, 2010

For Acne "Accutane is wonderful. I first started the medicine when I was 15. I am now 21, and still to this day, I do not have any acne! I had horrible acne, and after I took Accutane, it was all clear and still is! Within the first week, all my pores cleared out and all the blackheads on my nose would literally peel off. The side effects I experienced were very dry lips, my skin on my back would peel and shed, depression and crying spells, backaches, and migraines. When I look back, I wouldn't change it for anything. I have not had to be seen by my dermatologist in 7 years, because my skin is still super clear, and it's been 7 years since I've been on Accutane. Would highly recommend it!"

• Emi...
• July 30, 2013

For Acne "I've been on Accutane for almost 4 months now. My skin is getting better every day, and I'm really happy with the physical results. However, Accutane began to give me depression during the first week, and it has stuck with me since. Although the side effect has not gotten worse (and won't, I've asked my dermatologist). It's definitely not good, and I've read that it won't go away until a few months after I have finished my course. NOTE: I had already suffered depression before beginning the course, and it is hereditary in my family."

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

For Acne "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, flaky 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 heartbeat, fatigue... Hopefully, after a few more months, my skin will get clearer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2017

For Acne "This drug is dangerous. I am a healthy 22-year-old guy. Around 2.5 months into a six-month course of 60 mg/day Roaccutane, I developed severe depression, anxiety, and psychosis. I have no family history of mental illness and had never been depressed in my life before this. Everything caused me to panic, I couldn't leave the house or even talk to my parents. It felt like the drug had taken control of my mind. I shook uncontrollably and couldn't eat or sleep. For a week after stopping, I could barely function without breaking down. This drug will improve your skin, but trust me, it's not worth it, however desperate you feel. Think carefully."

• BW ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2017

For Acne "Helped with acne, although not the 'miracle' we hoped for. However, he did experience severe psych issues at month #4. A college kid with absolutely no previous psych issues, became very depressed. No specific incidents or issues occurred, just a depression over nothing. Tears and sadness with no links to anything. Couldn't eat or sleep. We immediately stopped."

• BW ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2017

For Acne "Helped with acne, although not the 'miracle' we hoped for. However, he did experience severe psych issues at month #4. A college kid with absolutely no previous psych issues, became very depressed. No specific incidents or issues occurred, just a depression over nothing. Tears and sadness with no links to anything. Couldn't eat or sleep. We immediately stopped."

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

For Acne "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 a 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."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2009

For Acne "I think this medicine is a wonder drug. When I was 15, I took this medication for severe cystic acne, and within 5 months, my acne was completely gone except for the redness that eventually went away. I only experience dryness of my skin, lips, and hair, and very mild depression (but hey, who isn't depressed when you have acne that bad). Now I am 27 and have some minor breakouts, but I wouldn't go back and change my decision to take Accutane for anything in the world. It changed my life for the better in so many ways."

• kat...
• May 14, 2013

For Acne "In high school, I had beautiful skin and rarely had any breakouts. Then, when I was 19, I started breaking out terribly! I literally think I tried every acne medication, gel, antibiotic, tea, and pill under the sun. FINALLY, I decided to follow my doctor's advice and try Accutane. IT WAS A MIRACLE! My only regret is that I wasted so much time being scared of the side effects and didn't start it sooner. I was on it for 5 months. My acne got a TINY bit worse during the 2nd month of Accutane, but after that, it got better and better! I experienced some crying spells, depression, and dry skin, but those things truly weren't that bad, and you really can't put a price on your self-esteem/clear skin - and that is EXACTLY what Accutane will give you."

• 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."

• ASa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2018

For Acne "I was in my mid-20s when I took Accutane after what seemed like a lifetime of acne that wrecked my self-esteem. I had tried everything else out there: creams, ointments, antibiotics, etc. Nothing worked! As with any drug, there are side effects. I experienced very dry, flaky skin on my face and lips, and yes, depression. I thought the depression was due to the flaky skin (not fun going to work with a lot of skin peeling off your face), but turns out it was a side effect. I only took it for approximately two months, and all acne was gone! For good! Here we are about 20 years later, and it has never come back! I love my face now! If you can withstand the side effects, it is the best drug for severe cystic acne."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2016

For Acne "I am on month 5 of it, about to be on six, and my skin feels a lot better. The only downside is your skin will stay tinted red even without actual zits or bumps until the medication is out of your system. My acne was cystic, and now my face is very smooth but red. I highly recommend not drinking alcohol on this, you will get the worst hangover of your life. Carry a travel-size lotion and lip balm with you 24/7, as your skin and lips get extremely dry. I use Cetaphil lotion every day on my face and elbows so I don't get that 'flaky dryness' look. All in all, amazing product, bad side effects, i.e., abdominal pains, headaches, nosebleeds, blurred vision, and depression."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2015

For Acne "After suffering from persistent acne for 7 years, I asked my GP to refer me to dermatology (after trying everything from my docs). I first went in October 2014 and was put on doxycycline. Not sure why, as I had already tried this from my GP, but the dermatologist was adamant not to put me on Roaccutane as I had suffered with depression for years! Had my review 2 weeks ago, and I saw a new dermatologist as the previous one had left (thank God!). She wanted to put me on Roaccutane with no hesitations. Had my blood test done 20 minutes later, then picked my prescription up the next day :) So happy already! I'm already seeing results, and I'm just about going into my second week. My face is so much clearer. I would recommend this treatment up to now x."

• Liz...
• October 24, 2013

For Acne "I was on Accutane for six months, and I couldn't believe how clear my skin got just in two weeks. I never had the beginning breakout. Over the months, almost all of my acne was gone. I used to have over a hundred bumps on my forehead and big, puffy ones on my cheeks. I am now done with the treatment and still have blackheads and scars on my cheeks, and I'm disappointed they didn't go away because it was such an expensive hassle to go each month for appointments and blood work and making sure you pick it up in the time frame. The side effects were severe chapped lips, nosebleeds, and depression. That was the worst, but I went through it, and it all goes away."

• Kel...
• January 12, 2016

For Acne "I was super worried about trying Accutane. I heard how strong it was and that it made your skin super dry, and the side effects of nosebleeds and soreness in joints scared me a lot. But I decided to do it because I had horrible acne on my back, shoulders, and chest and just about anywhere you can name. It was so embarrassing, and I had tried everything: peels, pills, you name it. Within the first month, my skin was the best it had ever been. No oil whatsoever. The only side effects I did have were a few nosebleeds, which freaked me out, but in retrospect, they were totally worth it. I did get a little depressed, but that didn't last for long. It changed my life, and I hope you give it a shot. I am so happy now :)"

• app...
• April 25, 2012

For Acne "Well, it worked well for me. I took it back in the early '90s as a young teenager with moderate acne. The side effects are bad though, really bad. My skin was so dry, as were my lips and scalp. I was sick, had a lot of pain and anxiety, and then depression. I took a 6-month course, and it was recommended that I take a second about a year later, but I couldn't face the idea of the side effects. It did, however, do miracles for my skin, it has remained clear some 20 years later."

• My ...
• April 8, 2018

For Acne "I had to stop taking isotretinoin after 3 months to save my relationship with my fiancé and myself. At first, I was prescribed 60 mg daily (F, 107-112 lb, 25 yrs old), clinical depression and fatigue hit me. I mean, I dreaded taking showers because it was too much work! My doc lowered my dose to 50 mg daily, and I cried every single day for the next 2 months. The medication changed me completely. Anyways, I am so glad I got over my stubbornness to “stick it out for clear skin” for the sake of my mental health. I feel happy again!"

• cav...
• June 25, 2017

For Acne "Do not take this drug. It cleared up my acne, but it destroyed my mind. I became severely depressed. I've never had depression before. I would cry all the time. I began having severe panic attacks. It felt like I lost my mind for those 6 to 7 months. It was the darkest place I have ever been in my life. After stopping the medication, the damage was done. The depression went away after about 6 months. But I continued to have anxiety issues, heart problems, and social anxiety. I took this medication 7 years ago. And it wasn't until about 2 or 3 years ago that I finally started feeling somewhat normal again. It caused anger spells and just does so much damage to your brain, and you can't control your emotions."

• UKm...
• April 10, 2017

For Acne "My face was horrendous before I used (ro)Accutane, to the point I couldn't see out of my left eye due to the level of spots/boils I had swelling up and becoming one. I noticed a difference on Accutane after a month or so, but the real improvements start after approximately 2 months depending on how bad you have it (mine was really bad and aggressive). I would definitely recommend reading the book of side effects you are given, I am 'lucky' as I only really suffered with depression, which as most of us know you do so if you have acne anyway. One recommendation is not going in direct sunlight until a month or so after finishing the treatment, and finding a very good face and lip moisturizer, and these 2 parts will become very, very dry!"

• Mik...
• December 17, 2013

For Acne "This is a miracle for clearing acne. I had a bumpy road, but in the end, it was great. Started on 20 mg, then bumped it up to 30 mg, then 40 mg, but the 40 mg was too high and formed cysts, and then he bumped me back to 20 mg, then worked me back up to 30 mg. I was on it for 2 years, but it does mess you up psychologically, well, me personally, although I have also had a couple of concussions because of sports, so that could be the factor, who knows? Sometimes randomly I'll get depressed, but it usually only lasts like 1 night. It's weird, but I do recommend this."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2023

For Acne "I was 14 when I started with acne. My doctors spent 4 years prescribing me pointless antibiotics and creams, etc., so when I say I have tried literally everything, trust me, I have! Acne was making me depressed and gave me anxiety, which I still have now. Within a week of Accutane, I went from tons of spots to not a single one, and I am now 2 years clear of Accutane and still don't have acne. You'll get the odd spots, but that's normal. My advice is don't listen to all the doom and gloom stories, as it just seems like nonsense to me. I know 4+ people who have been on Accutane, and not a single one has died or experienced health issues, and my dermatologist, who has worked for the NHS for over 30 years, hasn't had a single person report major health issues. My advice is to go on forums like Student Room and look at real Accutane journeys. I have posted mine on there with updates every week until I came off. Wish I had started Accutane sooner."

• Kay...
• March 28, 2010

For Acne "I was reading a bunch of the reviews about Accutane, and it is great to hear that it has been successful for these people's cases. My acne was by no means a case to go to the extreme of taking this medicine. I agree that Accutane can effectively treat acne, but I, due to my personal experience, would take extreme caution. After the first couple of months of taking it, others close to me noticed a pretty big difference in my mood. By January 2009, the 5th month, I was clinically diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety."

• Sje...
• January 21, 2018

For Acne "This drug almost killed me, it made my acne go away perfectly, but after the 3rd month, I was forced to go off of it because I ended up in a very dark place. Don’t use if depression is in your genes."

• Zac...
• January 18, 2012

For Acne "I started taking Accutane about 1 month ago, and my big stick-out zits have gone flat. Although I still have a lot of red spots, my face is, for the most part, completely smooth. I would recommend this product to anyone who's tried everything and hasn't gotten an effective treatment. I'm a 14-year-old boy, and I've been dealing with acne for 5 years. Nothing helped. I tried so many different topical, oral, and store-bought products, it's crazy! I know how depressing it is to have acne in middle school, and I'm so thankful I found this before high school. But even with a great product comes a downside, such as chapped lips, dry eyes, dry skin, irritability, and depression. Other than that, I'm in love with Accutane!"

• mwa...
• July 25, 2013

For Acne "My face was bad and was on it for 6 months. Face was clear over time, but bad side effects: depression, nose bleeds, mood swings, dry lips, eyes, face, but it worked. Now my acne is coming back, thinking of going on a higher dosage."