Isotretinoin and Dry Lips: What Users Say (Page 4)

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

Isotretinoin 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. :))"

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2016

For Acne "I read all of the reviews, which scared me. I even had one of my friends tell me that she went mental on the medication and to not do it. Likewise, my beautician also warned me of the side effects, saying she felt 10 times older and your skin should be very bad before considering it. I decided to start regardless of the reviews on the basis that I could stop if it all got too much. I am 29, had perfect skin all of my teenage life, and gradually into my 20s I was getting huge cystic acne on my chin and cheeks. When one went away and scarred, another would form, and so the vicious cycle continued. I have had very minimal side effects! Dry lips, but seriously not bad at all. Do not believe the reviews! Go on it, it will change your life!!"

• CDH...
• November 7, 2014

Isotretinoin 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!"

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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

Isotretinoin for Acne "This medicine is amazing. I'm 28 years old and have tried a lot of different medications to clear up my acne, but nothing worked until I went on Claravis. I have been taking 40 mg once a day for 3 months now, and my skin looks great. I am experiencing a lot of the side effects, though: blood noses, extremely dry lips, and back pain."

• Sno...
• July 14, 2016

Isotretinoin for Acne "I've suffered from acne my whole life. Breakouts and black marks. I've tried everything over the counter, I've even tried Proactiv. Absolutely nothing worked for me. My derm prescribed me Claravis. I've been on Claravis for 2 1/2 months, and my skin has never looked this good. I love the outcome so far. It feels good to look in the mirror at pretty, clear skin. But my lips are terribly dry, and my body aches. But that's the side effects of the meds. At least it's not a lifetime thing like my acne would've been. I love my derm for getting me right."

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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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!"

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2013

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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! :)"

• mat...
• July 19, 2016

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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!"

• Sec...
• November 20, 2013

Isotretinoin for Acne "Before starting Accutane, I read through reviews online, and I got to say... most of them scared the poo out of me. Intense side effects and bad reviews. But let me tell you, I have been on 40 mg for 2 months once a day, then 40 mg twice a day for another 2 months, and it is a miracle. My face has cleared up so much; I am so grateful for this medicine. Yes, there are side effects; my lips have never been this chapped in my life, my skin is very dry, and I've had a minimum of 12 nosebleeds (pre-Accutane - never had one before in my life). I do have a month or maybe two to three left on it, my nurse said, but I believe it is all worth it. I have never experienced any horrible body aches or any of the other horror stories. Stick with it till the end!!"

• Use...
• January 25, 2020

Isotretinoin for Acne "My experience on this has been, on the whole, very good. I had suffered with persistent acne that no other drug would even make a dent on. I was also training near 7 times a week, so I was very unsure of the effects Accutane would have on my body and was in two minds about taking it. I'm currently 4 months in and do not regret it in the slightest. I have maybe 1 minor spot every 2 weeks that disappears in a day, and my oily skin has completely died down. The main side effects I experienced were dry lips (always have Vaseline on you), joint pain, especially with heavy lifting and bending down, and also a very dry nose. If you are going to drink on this, your limit will be severely reduced, 2 pints and you will be utterly wasted, and for some people, 1 pint will be the end. What I would recommend: in the UK, doctors tell us to take 1 tablet daily for 2 weeks to see how badly it affects us, then up it to 2 tablets a day (40mg) and go from there. This way your body isn't suddenly hit with a very potent drug."

• deb...
• January 6, 2008

Isotretinoin for Acne "My skin did improve a bit after taking it for a while, but it never was entirely clear, and the acne returned to pre-treatment levels within months. Also, when I was on it, whenever I had a breakout, there always was scarring (not usually the case before the Accutane). Had uncomfortable chapped lips (forget about wearing lipstick while you're on Accutane!)"

• Kyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2016

Isotretinoin for Acne "Amazing. I've suffered from acne since I was about 11, tried every spot cream, every face wash, and all antibiotics the doctor gave me. Finally, at 18, I was prescribed Accutane and have been on 40 mg a day for 6 months. I finish my course in half a month, and I do not have any spots on my face. I do, however, have hyperpigmentation on my cheeks where my acne was worst, but I'm hoping this will fade. Dry lips are a nightmare and occasional back pain, but honestly, I owe my life to this drug. I hope my acne does not return and that I do not suffer from any more pigmentation. It's so worthwhile, I'm sad I didn't go on it earlier."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

Isotretinoin for Acne "Accutane was overall a horrible experience. The first month went perfectly smoothly. I experienced dryness and chapped lips as usual. When my dosage increased during the second month, things got worse. Acne was starting to slowly improve, but my liver experienced extremely increased enzymes. While on this medicine, I avoided drinking alcohol. I took every precaution to be healthy. It just didn’t work, and I had to stop. Now I still have elevated liver enzymes, and I have to see a physician. This medicine affects everyone differently, and you must know that going in. Definitely a last resort medicine, as it works for people but hurts others."

• sar...
• December 9, 2013

Isotretinoin for Acne "Accutane has changed my life! I suffered from acne from the age of 14, and now I am almost 19. I started Accutane 5 months ago, and I have one month left on it. The first month on Accutane, my acne started to clear up slightly. The 2nd, 3rd, and beginning of the 4th month are the most frustrating times on this medicine. My skin started to break out a lot, and I saw no improvement. I am now on my 5th month of Accutane, and my skin is perfectly clear. I have no breakouts, and my skin is so smooth. I never thought I would have perfect skin, but thanks to Accutane, I do. The only side effect I experienced was dry lips, so I always carry a lip moisturizer on me! I am so thankful for this medicine."

• lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2015

Isotretinoin for Acne "I love Accutane! I'm starting my 7th and final month now (started on 10 mg a day, moved to 20, now on 40 for the rest of my treatment). I was scared to try the drug because there was so much negativity about it on the internet, but I was so desperate to get rid of my acne and blackheads. My skin was so oily, and my acne was leaving scars all over my face. The only side effect I got was really dry lips. I went through so much chapstick, and the skin on my face got a little dry occasionally. I found drinking a lot of water a day stops all those side effects, though. I highly recommend. The only minor problem I had was in my 2nd month on Accutane, I got mono, which was so weird. But it could be a coincidence. No clue. Either way, I love Accutane."

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

Isotretinoin for Acne "I've started taking isotretinoin a few months ago, and I had moderate acne. It cured my acne completely, I do now have like 2 zits, but that's the first time since I started the medication. I have to admit, though, the side effects are terrible. It does dry your lips to the point that you can't smile or talk, but that wasn't it. Since I started the medication, I've been suffering from severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I'd spend hours crying my heart out once I'm on the pill. And also, I'd have the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness to the point where the only possible thing to do is actually kill myself. I'm still on isotretinoin, though, because I haven't finished my course. My depression is just getting worse."

• Avi...
• September 23, 2014

Isotretinoin for Acne "LOVE this medication. It worked wonders on my back. I suffered from really bad acne on my back ever since 7th grade. Senior year of high school, the acne started to spread down my arms and chest, acne was becoming a problem too. My self-esteem went down because of how embarrassed I was and resorted to only wearing clothing that covered my back, upper arms, and chest, which gets difficult after a while. After my first visit to the dermatologist, she decided to put me on Claravis, and I was 100% okay with it despite all the side effects. The side effects are not that bad except for dry lips, but Aquaphor has REALLY helped. I'm still in treatment right now and get the occasional 1-2 small pimples on my back, but NOTHING compared to how my back was."