Isotretinoin and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

For Acne "I am on a 10 mg Oratane dose, one pill a day. I had very oily skin, mild pimples that would break out every third week, and lots of blackheads, which are gone and skin no longer oily. I am happy with the results so far in my second month now. The negative part about taking the meds is the side effects: sore joints, dry eyes and nose, very thin skin, and the worst, it has to be my lips, chapped, red, dry, and extremely sore. I even thought of quitting the meds."

• Kwh...
• February 28, 2014

For Acne "I'm just coming to the end of my fourth month on this medicine and it's worked a dream!! Before having this I cried every morning not wanting to go to school and every night before I went to sleep. I tried every single facial wash and tablet there was (prescribed and over the counter). Since being on the medicine, my life has turned around. I'm not afraid to take photos with family and friends and I only use light make-up. I'm not afraid to go out! I did have some side effects such as sickness, depression, nosebleeds, joint pain, dry skin, and chapped lips, however, the doctor dropped the dosage and now I'm back to my normal self! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

• Aan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2020

For Acne "The only drug that worked for my severe cystic acne. I had tried so many other topical ointments, antibiotics, and facial washes before finally trying this drug as a last resort. Eight years later, and my skin is still extremely clear. I was on this drug for a total of eight months and had side effects such as constipation in the beginning, some occasional joint pain when I would lie down or get up, a few styes, and very severe, frequent nosebleeds that were very annoying. I wouldn’t recommend trying this medication if you haven’t been on anything else before yet for cystic acne, but if you’ve already tried everything and you’re at the end of your rope, try it! It even worked for the body acne I had on my back. The severe, permanent lasting side effects are usually very rare and it’s more than worth the risk if your skin is really suffering."

• lin...
• December 12, 2014

For Acne "Dried up the acne after a few months, though side effects during the 12-week treatment included nosebleeds, peeling lips, sore feet, and joints. Worth it though, still get the odd spot, but feel normal again and don't hide away from the world anymore."

• lin...
• December 12, 2014

For Acne "Dried up the acne after a few months, though side effects during the 12-week treatment included nosebleeds, peeling lips, sore feet, and joints. Worth it though, still get the odd spot, but feel normal again and don't hide away from the world anymore."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2016

For Acne "I read the Accutane horror stories, so I turned down my dermatologist's suggestion of it. After 4 more years (25 now), the cystic acne has just been getting worse and worse. It was seriously impacting my life. I just finished a month ago doing a 5-month, 60mg/day treatment, and my skin is flawless. I cannot believe it. I actually have better skin than people who I once thought had beautiful, perfect skin. I experienced some joint pain the first month and dry lips the entire time, but I started seeing reductions in acne by month 2 and had no new cysts by month 4. There are still a few that are healing (yes, I would get some cysts that take 6-8 months to heal). I would highly recommend this. I have so much of my life back, not worrying about my skin."

• Zac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For Acne "This medication has given me a love-hate for it, I had horrible cystic acne all over my face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back! I have been on the medication 3 weeks now and have seen a drastic improvement! I have tried other medications that yielded no results at all. If you want to start taking this medication for your acne, I recommend it, but be warned the side effects are nasty! I have the worst joint pain in my feet and ankles every morning, and it lasts for a few hours. Also, my lips have been very dry, and I have been applying way too much Carmex. My face has dry spots from where the acne is clearing up, and that doesn't look too attractive either. All in all, this medication works, and you will love the results, but the side effects suck."

• 6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

For Acne "I recommend a lower dose of 40 mg if your acne is not that bad. I started out at 20 mg the first month, then 30 mg the second month, and 40 mg for months 3-6. I never had any nosebleeds. I was tired sometimes, joint pain, stiffness of hips, forgetfulness (for example, forgetting that I just took a shower and realizing my hair was wet and I didn't need to take one), possible depression, although I was a bit irate at times before taking the med. I did have a couple of bad nightmares. I had chapped lips through like the whole time taking it. I had the bad habit of biting the skin off my lips. The positive was no acne not too long after taking it, although it did flare up a bit about a couple weeks in after taking it. Hair not oily."

• aut...
• February 13, 2019

For Acne "Before starting this medication, I had struggled with acne for years, had a history of depression in my teens, had no back pain or joint pain, and I had a full head of hair. Month 1: dry lips, and my acne got much worse. By month 3, the body/joint pain started. Month 5: I was taking Tylenol 4 times a day, every day for back pain, and every joint in my body was popping and crunching. Acne never fully cleared. Month 2 off of it, and my acne started coming back, and my hair started falling out. I'm 5 months off now. My hair is STILL falling out, and none of my doctors can tell me if/when it will stop or if it will grow back. My back still hurts, every joint in my body pops and is sore, and my knees and shoulders crunch with minimal movement. I haven't been myself in 8 months, always angry and depressed. If I had known in order to have mostly clear skin all I had to sacrifice was half the hair on my head, my personality, and my back and joints, I would not have done it."

• Hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2016

For Acne "I've been suffering from acne from the age of 12. Ever since, I've been so insecure. At the age of 13, I started putting foundation to cover it up. It was really bad. Accutane/Roaccutane saved my life and my confidence in many ways. I'm 14. I've been on this medication for 3 months now. I've seen a lot of change in my skin. Really happy with my results. I really recommend Roaccutane. I started off with 20 mg, then 30, then 40. My side effects were nosebleed, dry lips, dry face, back pain, headaches, and joint pain, but it's definitely worth it. I took a before and after pic, and in these 3 months, I've seen a lot of difference, and now I can go out in public without makeup! I've tried everything and nothing worked except for Roaccutane."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2016

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!"

• Use...
• January 25, 2020

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."

• bel...
• July 31, 2014

For Acne "I've been on this medication for just over 2 months now, taking 40 mg a day. When I started on a low dose, the first 3 weeks I experienced severe dry skin, lips, and especially my nose and under my eyes even. The first 5 weeks my skin broke out worse. And from the beginning, I started getting severe back pain. Now in week 9, my skin has settled down and is a tiny bit better, but all my blackheads have disappeared. My skin is still drier than usual, but it's actually improved, and my lips are fine as long as I apply Vaseline 2-3 times a day. The only significant side effect I still have is my back and bone/joint pain. So far, I'm very happy with what I've achieved (the blackheads) and expect things to keep improving."

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2018

For Acne "I was prescribed Accutane last year and was on it from March 2017 to August 2017. I was 42 years old at the time and had been struggling with moderate acne for years. It seemed to be worse as an adult compared to my teenage years. Accutane was the best thing I could do for my skin. I had tried antibiotics, birth control pills, Proactiv, and other topical medications, but would only see temporary results. I have had a history of depression and was worried about trying Accutane. During the course of treatment, I had no depression, only very dry lips and minor joint pain in my knees. Now my skin is completely clear and I can go without makeup. I now feel much better about myself and would do it all over again if I had to."

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2010

For Acne "Accutane is not an easy drug to take, but it does work. I was 31 and had acne since puberty. I had large cysts, and nothing worked. I took it for four months, and it completely cleared up my skin. I did have significant dryness of my skin and had painful joints, but it was totally worth it to me. This was in 1990, and I have not had a problem with my skin since. I would definitely recommend it for severe cases of acne. It changed my life."

• Lad...
• May 18, 2015

For Acne "I am in my 5th month with this medicine, and my face is flawless, and I love it-but it did come at a cost. My side effects are bad-I have horrible joint pain, temper/anger issues, dry skin on my nose, chapped lips constantly, and patches of dry skin all over my body... The pain in my body is my biggest complaint-some days I can barely move, my feet and my back hurt the most with the 80mg dosage, and my ability to control my temper pretty much goes out the window... But I know I'm almost done, so I don't want to change a thing. But overall, my face cleared up in my 4th month, and that's all I wanted. I'm so happy with how clear it is-but I will be even happier to not be in so much pain."

• Vic...
• November 4, 2019

For Acne "In high school, I had horrible, painful cystic acne. I took Accutane from the fall of 2015 to spring of 2016. While taking it, I experienced extreme dryness, chapped lips, joint pain, and had problems with my eyesight at night (the drug causes eye shape to change). When the course was completed, my skin was perfect. A few months after being off Accutane, I developed severe anxiety, had panic attacks every day, and depression. My skin stayed pretty much clear for three years, but now my cystic acne has come back, although not as bad as before. I don’t plan on doing another round of Accutane because the long-term side effects aren’t worth it. For those thinking about taking this, please know it's at a cost. I truly cannot see in dark or dimly lit rooms, I have no night vision. I know at least five other people who have taken this drug who have also experienced depression and anxiety after taking it. My mind is constantly in a fog, and I can’t memorize anything anymore."

• mkg...
• August 4, 2015

For Acne "Had horrible cystic chin acne for 14 years and finally decided to take Accutane in my late twenties when everything else on the market failed. Completed 5 months of treatment about 1 month ago, and my skin is like it belongs to someone else. Not only do I not have breakouts, but my pores are smaller and there is no swelling. I did have some joint pain and chapped lips, but a very small price to pay for such dramatic results. I wish I had taken it earlier in life."

• ken...
• November 6, 2015

For Acne "Since I was young, I have suffered from cystic acne. I think it is hormonal because sometimes my face is clear, and sometimes it is not. Now that I am 35, I decided to go with Zenatane because my dermatologist recommended it. I am on 30 mg twice a day. I have been using this for one month. Now I am on my second month, and the side effects are horrible: dry lips, eyes, sleepiness, and the worst joint and muscular pain in my upper middle back, neck, chest, knees, hands, and hips. I am not exaggerating, I feel like an old lady with how stiff I feel, especially in the mornings. I also have some stomach discomfort and mild heartburn. I don't want to continue, but my skin, just in one month, has improved a great deal."

• Eth...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2015

For Acne "So I'm currently on my 2nd month of Accutane, and I'm taking 40mg a day. I have to say I'm quite impressed. I'm 15 and have been dealing with mild but persistent cystic acne since I was 11, and I still have a few whiteheads and 4 cysts that I'm waiting for them to dry up, but I have noticed that my nose, which was once covered in blackheads, is clear!! The side effects are annoying but bearable. (dry skin, dry lips, joint pains, dry hair) It's going to get worse before it gets better, trust me. If you're dealing with cystic acne, I definitely recommend this miracle pill."

• Jua...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2023

For Acne "PLEASE READ. For anyone out there suffering greatly from this painful and humiliating condition, don't let bad reviews deter you from taking control of your life. I had terrible cystic acne for nearly 15 years. Reviews that all seemed terrible and life-threatening caused me to try everything available without success, ignoring Accutane/Isotretinoin. At the age of 28, I could no longer deal with cystic acne on a daily basis. I spent hours in the bathroom daily trying to heal my acne naturally, with topical creams, etc. After 3 months of my 9-month treatment of Absorica (another brand name like Accutane), I was fully healed. I had only two symptoms: dry lips and pain in my joints, which I resolved by taking four gel capsules of high-quality cod liver oil, which lubricates joints well. Please do not waste any more time. Take control of your life and take this medicine. Nothing else works. The medicine does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it won't affect mental health."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2016

For Acne "I was on Accutane (Claravis) the first 2 months, my acne actually got worse, but after that, my face started clearing up. The reason I'm not giving this a full 10 is because I had more negative effects than I did good. Granted, my acne did go away, but only for it to come back 2 months after I was done. I didn't experience a dry face, which is a very common side effect, but I did get horribly dry lips. My hair would fall out in clumps throughout the day. I gained 20 pounds while on this medication, made my heart get irregular palpitations, and I also experienced shortness of breath. My cholesterol levels were also all whacked out. Horrible joint pain! All of this for my acne to end up coming back. Think twice before putting your body through this."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

For Acne "I am 32 years old and have struggled with acne since high school. I was completely freaked out about taking this medication after reading all the horror stories online, but after talking to my doctor, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I am in my 2nd month of taking the medication, and I have seen dramatic results. I have not had any bad side effects so far. I have had dry lips (to be expected), but they have not been bad at all (thanks to Aquaphor Lip Repair - I constantly put it on). My skin is dry, which is also to be expected. I wear contacts, and my eyes do get dry at times, but no drops help. I do notice joint aches at times, so I take Tylenol or Advil, and it helps. It's nothing severe at all. BEST MEDICATION EVER."

• Gaw...
• May 30, 2018

For Acne "I went on Accutane in 1982. I had chronic acne on my shoulders and back. My lips and nose immediately dried up, cracked, and bled. My eyes got so dry I constantly had to use drops. My joints started to ache constantly. My thick hair and eyelashes started falling out. My arm hair, underarms, and legs stopped growing. My eyebrows decided to almost disappear. My hair on my head never returned to its original thickness, nor did my eyelashes or eyebrows. The hair on my arms, legs, and underarms all but disappeared. I got extremely tired for a full year. It did clear up my acne issues. My biggest complaint is joint pain! I still have it 36 years later. I would joke that I felt like a cancer patient going through chemo, so tired, losing hair. I never knew it was originally for chemotherapy treatments until 2016. I discovered others were having joint pain 20 to 30 years later also. Wish there would have been some kind of recognition that joint pain is a permanent side effect from Accutane."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2008

For Acne "I have been on Accutane for a little over two months now. My acne was terrible before taking this. I had been on everything on the market. In the first few weeks of treatment, my skin got worse, but now it is fantastic with few bumps. My skin isn't very dry, just my lips. I play a lot of sports and experience joint and chest pain in many of my matches. I'd rather experience little physical pain over the emotional and physical pain of having acne."