Isotretinoin and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2017

For Acne "I suffered acne breakouts during summer that caused severe acne on my face. Before, my confidence was extremely low. It came to the point that I was not going outside of our house and afraid that someone could see my face, and the baddest part of it is I was very depressed and I attempted suicide. Isotretinoin really helps me and my brother to gain back our confidence and make our faces clearer than before. I just need to finish this course and boost my confidence and help me to make my face clearer than before."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2011

Isotretinoin for Acne "I have really oily skin and would get the big cystic pimples all over my face since I was 12 years old. I was prescribed Accutane when I was 16 years old by my dermatologist. I noticed results after a month of taking it. I took Accutane for 6 months and my skin cleared up beautifully with no scars. I did get depressed, really moody, had some stomach aches, and really dry lips. But 2 years later, my acne came back with a vengeance! My skin did calm down after a couple of months, but then once again it came back badly, and now I have really bad scarring. I'm 21 years old now and I'm thinking about going on another round of Accutane because nothing else works for me."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2022

For Acne "I was prescribed this medication at 20 mg per day. I took it for 10 days. The side effects were really strong: dryness, especially of the scalp and vaginal area. I used a lot of lotion. I used special lotion to help with the scalp, and nothing helped. The lips were dry and cracking. I was covered in dandruff, so it was impossible to carry on with daily activities. Also, mentally, I felt aggressive and depressed. That was even worse than dryness. I spoke with my derm and decided to give it another try by taking it every other day - same severity of side effects, just not at once. I am not sure if it was me being overly sensitive to it or if it is a very powerful drug. I have never had side effects that strong with meds before. For me, the side effects outweighed the benefit, but I am also on a mild and not severe acne side. What helps me is topical isotretinoin and benzoyl peroxide, using unscented face wash and lotions and cosmetics."

• Dr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2015

For Acne "Excellent drug, most side effects I experienced were dose-related, and a reduced dose made the drug tolerable. I experienced disturbing depression at higher doses but was able to ameliorate this by reducing the dose and extending the treatment period. I needed two courses of treatment. Overall results excellent."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2011

Isotretinoin for Acne "While I was on it: I was on it for one year. My skin was beautiful, it was dry, but I just used Cetaphil cream to help that, Chapstick for the dry lips. I did feel a little down (in mood) sometimes, but it was not very bad and I would get over it in about 5 days. After I was off it: The first month was okay, a pimple here or there. The second month was a little worse, maybe 3 or 4 every week. And then it was more to about 8 per week, and now it is back to about 10 to 15 pimples per week. I know it works differently on different people, for example, my brother was on it when he was a teen and his acne was worse than mine before he was on it, and now he has only had about 5 pimples total since he has been off (it has been 20 years since he has been."

• bik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2013

For Acne "Yes, it works, but... I am a 31-year-old Hispanic/Latin female. Had very large, deep, painful cystic acne on my upper neck, jawline, and cheekbones. It was pretty severe and began around age 29. I had always struggled with acne, but not to that extent. I went on this medication after trying just about everything and seeing many doctors. It is very harsh and traumatic for the body. I experienced anxiety and mild depression. I do not recommend this if your acne is not severe. I experienced 10 large cysts at a time, all the time, and worse during PMS. I started seeing fewer cysts after about 1 month, and in month 3, it was drastically improved. It has been about 6 months since my last pill, and not 1 pimple."

• zan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

For Acne "So far, I am on month 3 of treatment. My breasts are HUGE. I have gained about lbs, I have NO sex drive, I am very irritable, and my depression is worse than ever. The doctor is worried about my kidney function right now, but all in all... my face looks great. I am using a redness and dark spot lotion to start helping with that from Clinique. I would recommend this medication, but do your research first."

• Lew...
• November 27, 2015

For Acne "I was skeptical at first, reading quite a few bad reviews about depression and suicidal thoughts, but I had no choice, I couldn't take it anymore. The first few months on the small dose had little effect and little side effect, so they increased my dosage, and my acne, day by day, disappeared. Spot by spot. I used it for 6 months, and I was done, it's been a year, and I've not had one spot since. I got very bad dry skin and a little bit of depression whilst on the drug, that's now gone as well. If you are thinking about this drug but are hesitating like I did, I say you go for it. It changed my life, without sounding clichéd."

• Chr...
• September 16, 2015

Isotretinoin for Acne "I started taking Accutane because I wanted super clear skin, my skin wasn't bad, just had a few here and there. Accutane did help clear my skin, but something worse happened! I was a very confident person, outgoing, loved to talk to everyone, and always having fun on the weekends. In the middle of my progress with Accutane, I started getting really bad chapped lips. The worst side effect of this drug is that it made me depressed, I stopped talking to everyone, and I felt so self-conscious about myself. I felt like people were always talking about me. I'm still not the same to this day. I didn't even finish my cycle :("

• Mio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2023

For Acne "Not had a single spot since. Been over a year since I came off of it (now Sept 2023). I have PCOS and I tried everything: birth control, creams, all the antibiotics. Anyway, started Accutane in March 2022 and finished it in August 2022. My acne got worse and didn’t get better until a month after I came off of it. The purge one month in was the worst, and because your skin doesn’t heal as quickly on this drug, you CANNOT pop any spots from the purge because A. too painful and B. you will scar permanently. This also makes the process of the purge worse as it feels like none of the spots are healing. I also got terrible eczema everywhere: hands, inside of elbows, dry eyes. Eyedrops every 10 minutes. I was also the most depressed I’ve ever been in my life and felt so low and fatigued I couldn’t do anything. It was definitely worth it, but not for the weak-minded as I didn’t want to be alive, but I never told my doctor and I wanted to finish the course and get through it for my skin."

• kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2016

For Acne "So I have cystic acne. I don't break out a lot, but any pimple I do get scars on my face and does not go away. I had tried almost everything from prescription creams, Neostrata, Proactiv, to minocycline and doxycycline, but none of it did anything, and I had a terrible reaction to a lot of the creams and pills. I had been prescribed Accutane years ago and read all the side effects and threw it in the garbage. But after talking to a couple of doctors and trying almost everything I could think of, I decided I would give it a shot. I had tried everything else, and the reviews were pretty promising. The first 10 days I had the chapped lips that never stopped, and my skin was inflamed to the point it looked like I had a sunburn. The fact that I work in a potash plant didn't help matters. It was like having salt thrown on your wounds, and having to wear a respirator was unbearable. Fortunately, I had holidays for the next 10 days, and being away from work made it easier. My job is very physical, so already I wasn't sure this would work. I noticed I started to get a bit depressed, which I knew was a side effect, but grew increasingly more concerned when I read it can potentially be a permanent side effect even after discontinued use. Three weeks in, I started to get chest pain, and it was bad, it would come and go, and that bothered the hell out of me. The first time I didn't worry about it, but then it happened again and much worse. I became very concerned for my heart and stopped taking the pills altogether. At that point, I was only three weeks in and was just hoping I would be okay. After stopping, I still had chest pain a few days off and on. Then the other pains started with my back and my feet. At this point, I was at work, and it was killing me, especially my feet. They hurt so bad I wouldn't leave the couch when I got home after work, and I would just hurt to the point of tears. Painkillers did nothing for me, which was highly unusual. I started to do some research about the foot pain, and some of the reviews I came across scared the hell out of me. People that had taken Accutane only a short few weeks like myself had been in pain constantly ever since. Others who had taken it could no longer work or do anything. This became terrifying for me, as I had not considered that three weeks of Accutane could possibly cause me horrid pain for the rest of my life. With all the pain and fear, I also became increasingly depressed. I spent a lot of time hating on myself, and the reviews I read were equally terrifying. I was so scared that this was the worst thing I had ever done to myself. Did I mention you absolutely should never drink on Accutane? I was on holidays and had one drink and instantly regretted it. I was in bed the rest of the night. After a month of all this since I had stopped the pills, the pain finally went away, and I have never been so grateful. I hoped every day that the constant pain would not be a permanent thing, and fortunately, I got very lucky. I would also like to add that none of my acne cleared up, not that I was surprised. But I now no longer care. That was the stupidest thing I ever did in thinking that I would not be affected by the horrible side effects of Accutane. No one thinks it will happen to them, but obviously, it happens to some people, or they wouldn't be listed as side effects, and these bad reviews wouldn't exist. To those of you still suffering, I hope that your pains go away. I got lucky, and for that, I am thankful. If you are thinking about taking it, I wish you the best of luck. I only lasted three weeks, and even then, if I could go back and not take them, I so would."

• Ali...
• December 24, 2009

For Acne "I have been on Accutane for 4 months and this is my last month. I only had moderate acne but my friends had really bad acne. They used Accutane and then had beautiful skin. They just used water when washing their face and I was using Proactiv, Clean & Clear. I went to my doctor, my mom was worried because you can become depressed, have thoughts of suicide, and other worse symptoms. I was depressed before Accutane. I think it was because my self-esteem was so low and I never wanted to leave my house. Ever since Accutane, I have been so happy. I'm 16 years old and I should not be in the house, not wanting to hang out with my friends. Not having to put on face makeup feels so good. Accutane was my miracle, it should be yours!"

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

Isotretinoin for Acne "Daughter, age 15, took an overdose of Accutane in an attempted suicide. Treated in the emergency room and admitted to a children's psychiatric hospital for one month. Treated by psychiatrists into young adulthood. There was no definitive linkage made and no investigation to find one. This took place in the early '90s, and the risk of depression and suicide might not have been well known. Anyone using this drug should be extremely vigilant, especially if the patient is a teenager."

• dan...
• May 19, 2017

For Acne "I just turned 22, and I took a course of Clarus back in high school when I was 15/16. In terms of reducing acne, it worked very well. I used to have severe acne with large cysts mainly on my back and face. To this day, I still get acne, occasionally small to medium cysts, so it didn't make me acne free. This medication can be very destructive to some, including myself, in that it made me very depressed throughout high school and up until maybe a year or two ago. I have chronic dry nose problems, often blood in my Kleenex due to this. I'm also left with permanent scars all along my face and back from how severe the swelling was in the first few months. Overall, it got rid of my bad acne but left me with horrible side effects that I'm left to deal with."

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

Isotretinoin for Acne "I was on this for 3 months and only got up to a 30 mg dose. My lips peeled, my face peeled, I got depressed, and finally, it made me want to die. I am a super positive person, and I don't think I could have felt so bad about myself. And on top of it, my skin did not change because I wasn't able to complete the treatment. Stay away."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2016

For Acne "A. The dermatologist told me that my diet doesn't affect my epidermis. B. Only tried giving me tetracycline, not even minocycline or doxycycline. C. When I was 15 and a half, I had to sign some paper about side effects, including major depression, suicidal ideation, psychosis, and early epiphyseal bone closure. My father majored in psychology but also signed the form for me to take the drug. D. Now I'm 18 and my acne is fairly bad again, I stupidly decided to take another 6-month cycle. E. I am now only about an inch taller and wear the same shoe size compared to when I finished the first cycle of isotretinoin, and have experienced major depression, suicidal ideation and attempts, manic episodes, and psychotic episodes. F. I wish I had never taken this drug."

• Han...
• August 29, 2019

For Acne "Life changing! This medication has awful reviews, and in some cases, people suffer some truly horrific side effects. However, I had a completely different experience. I did experience some unpleasant side effects such as extremely dry and sore lips (forever cracking), tiredness, lack of motivation, and moodier than usual. But other than that, my skin is perfect! It’s completely cleared up my acne. I experienced mild acne on the sides of my cheeks, and it was unbearable at times to leave the house. I felt like everyone was staring at me, it would bleed at night, and I was extremely sore! I tried everything. This was the only thing that worked. I was on 40 mg daily and then dropped back down to 20 mg. Overall, I was taking this medication for six months. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of commencing this medication. Just hope my acne does not come back."

• Cor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 10, 2013

Isotretinoin for Acne "1995-1996 I was on 40 mg of Accutane while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I was a go-getter soldier, but being on light duty 24/7 due to sun exposure, I suddenly became depressed. I carried my depression out to the civilian world when I left. Depression developed anxiety. My facial sweating was and still is profuse. I'm 38 years old, the oldest grandchild of 54 grandkids and the only one without a child of my own, I blame Accutane. I have 10% service-connected tinnitus from use. And I just found out last month that I have glaucoma stemming from the ocular opacities from the use of Accutane. I've been bloated ever since I left service in 1997, we are in 2013. I have esophagitis and have been scoped 21 times, also a colonoscopy at age 27."

• Tfr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "I am an uncommon person. I actually had an adverse reaction to the drug. I was honestly one of the most popular kids in my school. Known for good looks, etc. I was such a pretty boy that when I started to get even a mild breakout, I urged my mom to make a dermatologist appointment. My dermatologist prescribed me Accutane. It was the worst decision of my life. My face exploded with acne. For the past year and a half, I have struggled with depression, visited numerous doctors, surgeons, spent thousands of dollars on surgeries, and am only about 70% improved from the point that I started Accutane. I cannot express enough how much this drug has severely affected me in my life, and I ask you to use caution when using this drug. Please use caution."

• Hij...
• April 6, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "These will mess you up. I stopped after a round of treatment because my life was falling apart around me, I couldn't get up out of bed and was severely depressed and agoraphobic. Years after taking them, I still don't feel like myself and wish I had never taken these."

• Is ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "This medicine nearly finished my life. I got so depressed and lost, and the experience was horrendous! Do not take this medicine - your skin will improve, but believe me, it will cause you severe depression and mental illness. It's not worth it! Trust me. You become completely severely depressed."

• Nc9...
• January 4, 2018

Isotretinoin for Acne "Made my acne 10x worse. I now have horrible scarring that I would have never had without it. Made me depressed and really dark thoughts. Would not recommend."

• Ame...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 18, 2019

For Acne "My face is like a baby face now, but I got depressed on this drug. My skin peeled off. It is so dry. I used baby shampoo, oil at the shower. And I used Bepanthol, of course, and Madecassol."

• tc2...
• September 11, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "My acne was cleared. Extreme depression began."