Isotretinoin and Dryness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2013

For Acne "I've had acne since I was 11. Nothing my doctor prescribed had any effect on my skin, so I started my course of isotretinoin when I was 17. In short, it gets worse before it gets better. My skin only started improving in the last month of my course. I still have acne, but it's not nearly as bad (and with my newly vamped-up skincare routine, it's getting better daily). As with most acne treatments, it was pretty drying (you'll need a good moisturizer and lip balm), but it's nothing permanent. I didn't find the pregnancy/blood tests a hassle either, at this point, I was willing to do anything to sort out my skin. I think it was totally worth it! If, like me, you've had acne for years and years, it's definitely worth a try!"

• All...
• May 28, 2018

Isotretinoin 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."

• 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."

• Cel...
• August 12, 2015

For Acne "I began taking isotretinoin in April, expecting a 5-month course. I stopped taking it a little after the 4-month mark because I felt I couldn't handle the side effects anymore. Overall, one month in, I began to see improvement. My acne, redness, and inflammation ceased. I would have an occasional hormonal breakout, but as long as I left them alone, they lasted only two to three days max. The dryness on my face, arms, eyes, nose, and especially lips was a nuisance, but I learned tricks here and there to deal with it. Other side effects I experienced were slight hallucinations, always being tired, easily angered, joint pain, easily bruising, blurred vision, and stomach discomfort. After these, I decided it was time to stop. But I felt it was worth it!"

• gri...
• February 6, 2011

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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."

• Ras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2013

Isotretinoin for Acne "A very good treatment for acne-prone skin, but I faced lip dryness a lot."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2010

Isotretinoin 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!"

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2015

Isotretinoin for Acne "I am now in my 10th week on Amnesteem, and my face is smoother than a baby's bottom! I feel great. Super dry all over, but it's worth it!!!"

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2009

Isotretinoin 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."