Isotretinoin and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2021

Isotretinoin for Acne "Accutane is amazing. 10/10. Not just does it fix the acne, it also fixes the stretch marks on the skin. I got stretch marks years ago due to methylprednisolone and dexamethasone abuse. The stretch marks amazingly improved on Accutane. Yes, there are side effects: dry lips, delayed skin wound healing, and joint pain. I lick my lips every time I need to keep them hydrated, I take chondroitin, glucosamine, and collagen supplements for the joint pain, and everything is just fine then. Took and taking 100 mg a day (50 and 50), having 125 lb (55 kg) and 6 ft (185 cm). Please note, the delayed healing side effect is amazingly annoying. While taking Accutane, I am unable to do any blood tests. It just won't work. The vein spot will swell like a balloon. Also, a big acne spot which ended can still be visible on the skin for up to 3 months while taking Accutane. Do not panic or something. It is a normal process. I also take omeprazole 20 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg for stomach acid control. Also, calcium 500 mg."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2018

Isotretinoin for Acne "Female, struggled with cystic hormonal acne on chest, back, neck, jawline, and face for 9 years. Side effects on Accutane: dry lips & small blisters on lips (occasional), extremely dry red eyes (no contacts after 1st month), abnormal hot flashes, face flushing, night vision decreased, nosebleeds, occasional blurred vision, fatigue, joint aches, headaches, fragile dry skin, dry hair, dry nose & throat, stomach pain and cramping (month 6), hemorrhoids, itchy skin & skin rash on hands. Side effects I have now are: dry eyes (I can wear contacts now but took 2 months after stopping meds, and my eyes are still much drier than before. I have to use eye drops at night and in the morning), dry lips (not bad), occasional joint pain in hands, hair loss/rapid hair shedding, itchy skin. All other side effects went away after ending meds. Worth it! 4 months after Accutane, and I have no acne! Not a single cyst! I have normal skin and occasional tiny zits here and there only."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2018

Isotretinoin for Acne "Female, struggled with cystic hormonal acne on chest, back, neck, jawline, and face for 9 years. Side effects on Accutane: dry lips & small blisters on lips (occasional), extremely dry red eyes (no contacts after 1st month), abnormal hot flashes, face flushing, night vision decreased, nosebleeds, occasional blurred vision, fatigue, joint aches, headaches, fragile dry skin, dry hair, dry nose & throat, stomach pain and cramping (month 6), hemorrhoids, itchy skin & skin rash on hands. Side effects I have now are: dry eyes (I can wear contacts now but took 2 months after stopping meds, and my eyes are still much drier than before. I have to use eye drops at night and in the morning), dry lips (not bad), occasional joint pain in hands, hair loss/rapid hair shedding, itchy skin. All other side effects went away after ending meds. Worth it! 4 months after Accutane, and I have no acne! Not a single cyst! I have normal skin and occasional tiny zits here and there only."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "I used Claravis for my first course, and everything went well. The side effects that I remember were extremely chapped/dry lips, dry skin, dry hair (which I didn't have to wash for a week), joint pain, headaches. I repeated the treatment because some acne was reappearing, but nothing compared to the beginning, so I took a much lower dose. The second course was with Amnesteem (because it was the one available at Walgreens at that moment), and everything was going well until my liver enzymes were elevating each month, and I had to stop the medicine. When I recovered, I went back to Claravis, and liver enzymes got normalized. My doctor said that he experienced the same side effect with other patients."

• Mya...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2020

For Acne "So I basically got on Accutane because, at 28, I was still experiencing really bad breakouts, and my face was covered in blackheads and tiny bumps under the skin. Every time I went out, I felt like that’s all people were staring at, and my self-esteem was at 0. I’ve tried everything, literally everything you can think of. The dermatologist prescribed me Accutane, and my skin literally got worse for five months. I thought it wasn’t working, I had cystic acne that covered my face, and not to mention some days I couldn’t walk because of the joint pain. On the sixth month, my skin literally became clear. It’s still not perfect, but it’s 98 percent flawless! I would totally recommend it, the side effects are horrible, but the end result will last a lifetime, and I’m so thankful for finding this drug! Saved my life!"

• Eae...
• September 4, 2017

For Acne "Medication works great! But I got severe joint pain all over my body, especially on my feet! It got so bad I couldn't walk! I had no choice but to stop, I only took it for 1-1/2 months. It's been 3 months since I've stopped taking it, and my feet are back to normal, I can walk again! And I haven't had an acne breakout yet!"

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2019

For Acne "It's been only 20 days since I started the treatment. My acne has decreased, but my face is dry, my lips are cracked, so I need to use moisturizer several times a day. I experienced a headache twice, followed by vomiting. I started to have joint pain (back and knees). My hair loss is increasing. It's supposed to be a 6-month treatment, but I believe I will only try for 2-3 months."

• Sun...
• July 17, 2015

For Acne "My acne erupted at 23 with moderate cystic acne. I took many topical treatments and antibiotics for 2.5 years and experienced little impact on my facial acne and developed gut issues from antibiotic use. Anyway, I've been on Claravis for nearly 2 months now, first 80 mg (dry skin, lips, severe joint pain, and fatigue), my dermatologist reduced it to 60 mg daily for the second month (dry lips, slight joint pain, conjunctivitis in both eyes). I have had a noticeable slowing in my acne lesions, although the pitted scarring seems to be here for good. I look forward to the 6-month result and plan to stick with it! Make sure you take care of your eyes with artificial tears daily, my double eye infection is still healing after 3 weeks. Good luck, you guys!!"

• Sun...
• July 17, 2015

For Acne "My acne erupted at 23 with moderate cystic acne. I took many topical treatments and antibiotics for 2.5 years and experienced little impact on my facial acne and developed gut issues from antibiotic use. Anyway, I've been on Claravis for nearly 2 months now, first 80 mg (dry skin, lips, severe joint pain, and fatigue), my dermatologist reduced it to 60 mg daily for the second month (dry lips, slight joint pain, conjunctivitis in both eyes). I have had a noticeable slowing in my acne lesions, although the pitted scarring seems to be here for good. I look forward to the 6-month result and plan to stick with it! Make sure you take care of your eyes with artificial tears daily, my double eye infection is still healing after 3 weeks. Good luck, you guys!!"

• Lun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2019

For Acne "I'm in my 7th month of isotretinoin for acne, and my result is that my skin has been really clear since month 6. At first, my skin got worse, and for the first 3 months, there were no improvements. Then slowly, in months 4 and 5, it started getting better and better. The only side effects I have are dryness: dry lips, eyes, and skin. Sometimes I have back pain or other joint pain, but it could also be due to weightlifting. I will stop taking it in about a month from now, and I'm currently on 20 mg (I started with 10 mg). I had moderate acne vulgaris before, and now my skin is extremely clear with a few acne scars. But I honestly don't know if it's gonna stay away or come back in a few years after not taking it."

• Lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2023

Isotretinoin for Acne "I started experiencing cystic acne all over my face in 2019 due to lockdown and PCOS, etc. Tried every single topical cream, and nothing worked. My doctor started me on Zenatane last October, and I’ve been purging since month one to mid-month five. I was hopeless at some point and wanted to give up. I also experienced blurry vision, dry lips, dry skin, a dry nose, and rashes. But after five months of use, my acne is cleared. I have five more days to go and have one hormonal acne on my jaw that is almost healed, but I can’t be happier. Zenatane cured my hair loss, and my hair texture is so great. I think it’s due to the healthy fat I’ve been eating every day with my meds. Use lip balm every 10 minutes, moisturize, and drink lots of water with a bit of salt so your body can intake the water. Take fish oil so you don’t get joint pain, and use eye drops every day, and you will be fine. All I need is to heal my scars now."

• Emb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2018

Isotretinoin for Acne "I took Isotretinoin for 27 days from December 2017 to January 2018. At the time, I was 21, and I had exhausted all other options. After a brief consultation with my GP, who assured me that the drug was safe and the listed side effects were uncommon, I was placed on 40 mg a day for 6 months (I’m a 5-9 male, 160 lbs). The side effects that I experienced at first were as follows: dry lips, dry skin, light sensitivity, and slight joint pain. In week 3, I suffered from a major nodular breakout (which is to be expected), severe brain fog, and short-term memory loss. Terrified, I quit the medication, as my memory is my most prized possession. Three months following my drug refusal, my short-term memory came back for the most part, and I was 100% clear. At month 3.5, I encountered an SE: a virtually non-existing libido and general numbness in the phallic region. In September 2018, my libido slowly came back, and I started breaking out again with mild to moderate acne on my face and scalp."

• 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!"

• eli...
• January 6, 2020

For Acne "Took the medication isotretinoin for 6 months at the age of 21 for acne as it had such a high 'cure' rate. Side effects for me: eczema, joint pain, chronic red eye, and one bout of conjunctivitis, blurred vision at night due to extremely dry eyes, cracked bleeding lips no matter the amount of Vaseline. No acne at 2 months on treatment. Skin remained clear for 6 months post-treatment. Acne came back after 6 months and reached prior Accutane state at 12 months. Then had Accutane again at age 23, this time for 7 months and SAME again. 6 months post clear skin and then it slowly came back. I am now 26 and have the worst acne I have ever had. Please don't be disheartened to try this drug as some people really do either cure their acne for good or at least get a longer time in remission. But I do believe the cure rate is more like 60% not 80%."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2012

For Acne "My son went on isotretinoin for 6 months. He took 30 mg/day for the first month and 60 mg for the next 5 months. He tried every other acne medicine, and nothing worked until he started isotretinoin. His acne was clear by the third month. He had very dry lips and dry skin. The worst side effect was joint pain. He was 15, a runner and soccer player. It got to the point where, even with ibuprofen, he was unable to play soccer or run track without a lot of pain. This is a hard price to pay for a high school athlete, and yet now his skin looks great. The dermatologist has told us it is likely he will have 2 clear years, and then he may have to start over again. I look back at before pictures and am so grateful this medicine was available."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2011

For Acne "I went on Accutane the beginning of my freshman year of college. It cleared everything up, but I experienced extremely dry skin/eyes and became really prone to infections and had extreme joint/back pain. After I finished my sixth month cycle, it stayed away for a month, and then I experienced a rare side effect called folliculitis (basically a painful yeast infection all over your face). I went back on Accutane, and it cleared everything up. Went off it, and my folliculitis is back. I now also have a ton of intestinal problems/IBS. I am supposed to go back on it again to get rid of the folliculitis, etc. I have been on and off it multiple times for the past four years. I would take my acne back any day over having folliculitis/stomach problems."

• Sle...
• December 11, 2019

For Acne "Isotretinoin (Accutane) gave me confidence and helped my skin so much. I developed acne at the age of 12, and each year it got worse. Finally, at 20, I was put on Accutane. The side effects were awful at times but nothing unbearable. Unfortunately, after that 5-month treatment, my acne returned, just how it was before I went on my first dose. I went on it again (at 21), for about 5.5 months, and my acne was completely gone for 6 months, and then I slowly started to get more pimples, and now a year later my face at any given time has about 2-6 pimples. Besides breaking out, the redness in my cheeks has returned, and my skin is oily again. I'm grateful my skin isn't as bad as it was, but disappointed I'm breaking out again. Reading about the side effects scared me, but they really weren't terrible. The worst was joint pain. I had minor nosebleeds as well, and of course, extremely dry, sometimes cracked, lips, very dry hair, and skin. Of course, everyone is different, though!"

• Acc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2024

For Acne "On week 8, I am 68, have skin pores that cause oily skin that promotes acne with possible bacterial infections. So far, some side effects that have occurred are dry lips - using Cortibalm, and it works very well. Other side effects are sore muscles, joint pain, occasional headache, dry eyes, dry skin, some stiffness in the back of the neck, and moving slow. Not too terribly bad and not a deal breaker to discontinue treatment. See my doctor next week to determine the continuation of taking the drug. Wish I had done this a long time ago, but starting in October helps avoid being outside and overly exposed to the sun, which must be avoided with prolonged exposure. Bottom line is I am moving forward as prescribed. Hope this helps."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 17, 2024

For Acne "I have been taking isotretinoin for a while. It cleared up all my acne and gave me phenomenal skin to the point where it was perfect! It made my confidence go up, and I feel much better, although it might be making my joints feel clicky when I'm lifting heavy weights at the gym. But that does not happen very often. However, overall I am very happy with it! It works magic."

• luv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

Isotretinoin for Acne "I have cystic acne…was shocked to learn my doctor recommended Accutane. From monthly nosebleeds to severe dry lips, severe dry skin, scalp, and major joint pain in my feet, upper back, forearm, and knees…all of which caused me to have a torn meniscus in my knee! So not worth it! I am now struggling to stand/walk and even lying down is just painful. I personally wouldn’t have gone through this hassle since it made things worse for me. I do have acne scars now more while I was on it… but the redness/flair ups have calmed down during my hormonal monthlies. I don’t see much of a difference. Getting the drug filled was a pain since pharmacies don't know how to fill this drug properly… they don’t check the iPledge first before filling the drug, so it screws up the status. I am a bit worried about the long-term side effects and not even sure if the acne really cured me."

• sum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

For Acne "I have been taking this medicine for one and a half months. I have seen a lot of side effects as others do, like short temper, extremely dry lips, chest pain, joint pain, and irregular sleep. Apart from that, it does work on acne. When I started taking this drug, my skin was bumped with pimples and blackheads all over my face. Till now, most of them are gone, but they left deep scars and redness on my cheeks."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2009

Isotretinoin for Acne "This medicine has a lot of pros and cons. The pro is that your skin will clear almost completely, and the con is that you will have dry lips and palms and joint pain. But I think it's a fair trade."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2018

Isotretinoin for Acne "Horrible dry lips, hair loss, and joint pain still after 6 years off of the drug. Don’t take this poison."