Solodyn and Acne: What Users Say

• Lyn...
• October 22, 2014

For Acne "My acne was terrible. I felt like I had tried everything and that my next option was going to have to be Accutane (something I really did not want to try!). I tried like 4 different dermatologists before I was finally recommended to try Solodyn, and within 2-3 months, my acne began clearing and not coming back. I took it for about 6 months, and I had a few pimples (but they were nothing like the ones I had before) and some scarring. I started slowly going off the Solodyn by taking half a pill every day and then every other day until I just totally stopped. It's been about 6 or 7 months since my last Solodyn pill, and my skin still looks great. I usually will have one or two small pimples, but I usually just spot treat with Epiduo."

• azi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2014

For Acne "I am 16, and I have been on Solodyn for about a year and a half. The first month I started taking it, my skin cleared way up, but then it got bad again. Now, if I stop taking it, I break out worse than before, so it is really just keeping my acne somewhat controlled, but it had not cleared up my face at all."

• Ivy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2020

For Acne "Solodyn made my son's acne worse, and he ended up with pitting and scarring. His pediatrician suggested a milk-free diet due to his Latino heritage. We gave that a whirl, and it really did the trick. No more outbreaks. The same thing worked for my grandson. He had terrible back acne, so we eliminated the milk. Voila, it cleared up. No drugs disrupting the gut biofilm."

• Joe...
• September 26, 2016

For Acne "In March 2016, I went with my friend to Rome. Within days, my face was covered in acne. I was extremely depressed and self-conscious, I have never had acne before. I went on 80 mg, and the first 1-2 months, I didn't notice changes. After the trial period, it cleared up, and I've been off for two weeks. I have a few pimples, but it's basically nothing. I wash my face and use a topical. It worked, but unfortunately, it does take time. I'm basically 100% clear now, minus some blemishes, which will go away in time. Stay with it and stay positive."

• Joe...
• September 26, 2016

For Acne "In March 2016, I went with my friend to Rome. Within days, my face was covered in acne. I was extremely depressed and self-conscious, I have never had acne before. I went on 80 mg, and the first 1-2 months, I didn't notice changes. After the trial period, it cleared up, and I've been off for two weeks. I have a few pimples, but it's basically nothing. I wash my face and use a topical. It worked, but unfortunately, it does take time. I'm basically 100% clear now, minus some blemishes, which will go away in time. Stay with it and stay positive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2012

For Acne "I'm 26 and have been on prescription acne treatments for 16 years. My acne was pretty well controlled in my 20s until a flare-up a couple of years ago. My DR prescribed Solodyn. It took the full 12 weeks to see results. I believe the first 2-4 weeks my acne was even worse. From weeks 12-16, it got remarkably better, and then I phased off of it. It's now a year later, and the flare-ups are starting, so I'm trying another round of Solodyn. I have learned that for some of us, there is no miracle cure. Solodyn isn't a miracle worker, but it has helped me keep my acne under control, and I'm very satisfied with that. My Dr. has me use a gentle cleanser (I use Clinique) and topical gel (Epiduo) along with the Solodyn."

• Sso...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2016

For Acne "Worst drug ever -- I am usually not allergic to any drug, but I just took it for 2 days and have the worst body pain, muscle soreness, and feverishness. The list of long-term side effects from this drug is appalling. As a scientist and cancer biologist, I usually take extra caution as to what drugs I consume, but the side effects of this drug are scary, and having experienced it firsthand, I am stopping it just after two days of use. My face is still dry and has acne, and I am close to 40. Hopefully, a topical cream will help - definitely not Solodyn!"

• h24...
• August 28, 2014

For Acne "This medicine leaves me feeling undecided and confused. First off, it made me break out badly, and in a type of way I never did before. I had huge cysts all over my back. My doctor said that it 'gets everything out of your skin then clears you up.' I did clear up after 4 months on it. It wasn't until the last month it improved. The problem is that it scarred me everywhere from the cysts. I never broke out on my back like that before, and it actually hurt. I'm hoping the scars become less dark. Bottom line: It broke me out badly for 3 months and then cleared up, and I'm left with scars. My skin is much clearer, but I'm still getting small pimples on my shoulders and face."

• h24...
• August 28, 2014

For Acne "This medicine leaves me feeling undecided and confused. First off, it made me break out badly, and in a type of way I never did before. I had huge cysts all over my back. My doctor said that it 'gets everything out of your skin then clears you up.' I did clear up after 4 months on it. It wasn't until the last month it improved. The problem is that it scarred me everywhere from the cysts. I never broke out on my back like that before, and it actually hurt. I'm hoping the scars become less dark. Bottom line: It broke me out badly for 3 months and then cleared up, and I'm left with scars. My skin is much clearer, but I'm still getting small pimples on my shoulders and face."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2011

For Acne "Only on my second week of treatment, but it's not looking so good. I got it to treat some cystic acne on my back, and my skin cleared up quickly the first week. However, I'm tired all of the time, and the cystic acne's coming back with a vengeance. Just broke out with a line of huge pimples down my lower back, which has never happened, and some on my face, all of which are very painful. I'll continue the treatment for a few more weeks, but so far, things aren't looking good."

• lin...
• April 10, 2013

For Acne "I am 26 years old. Never had acne problems, even as a teenager. Started breaking out badly due to starting birth control. Tried different brands... all the same. So went to the dermatologist. Started taking the Solodyn 65 once a day. First few months, no real change. Actually, it unfortunately got worse before it got better. First month, the worst. I was very embarrassed. But good news. Stick with it. It's now been four months, and I finally see a change. It's been four months exactly now, and I am just now feeling comfortable not wearing a ton of makeup. I still use a dab here and there, but nothing like before. Only con is that the pimples I developed while on Solodyn seemed to linger."

• ily...
• November 3, 2010

For Acne "Solodyn worked so well for me. My dermatologist prescribed it, and now I don't get acne at all. The only bad thing is that when I run out, I almost immediately break out. Oh well. It's probably just 13-year-old acne. It'll go away when I'm older."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

For Acne "At 24, after struggling with hormonal chin acne (that flared before my period) and occasional breakouts in my T-zone, my derm prescribed 65 mg Solodyn, and Retin A in conjunction with a cleansing routine 2x a day using Cerave followed by Simple Smoothing Toner. At first, I did not see much improvement. Then, at the one-month mark, all hell broke loose; I broke out like crazy for 2-3 weeks, huge zits in areas of my face that were not previously a problem. I was embarrassed and ready to call it quits, but after reading about it getting worse before it got better, I ordered my refill and decided to give it time. Suddenly, 1.5ish months in, success! No new breakouts (fingers crossed), and I even just started my cycle. Patience is the key with Solodyn."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

For Acne "At 24, after struggling with hormonal chin acne (that flared before my period) and occasional breakouts in my T-zone, my derm prescribed 65 mg Solodyn, and Retin A in conjunction with a cleansing routine 2x a day using Cerave followed by Simple Smoothing Toner. At first, I did not see much improvement. Then, at the one-month mark, all hell broke loose; I broke out like crazy for 2-3 weeks, huge zits in areas of my face that were not previously a problem. I was embarrassed and ready to call it quits, but after reading about it getting worse before it got better, I ordered my refill and decided to give it time. Suddenly, 1.5ish months in, success! No new breakouts (fingers crossed), and I even just started my cycle. Patience is the key with Solodyn."

• rnt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2016

For Acne "I took Solodyn a few years ago. I was on it for about 2-3 years. Like another poster on here said, I didn't have horrible acne like some cases, but it made me uncomfortable, especially as an adult. It did clear my acne (hence the rating of 3 instead of 0). But when I tried to come off of it, OMG! It became one of those cases. I broke out like I could never imagine. I wouldn't look people in the eye, wouldn't let my husband ever see me without makeup, my self-esteem went in the tank. I had to go on Accutane to get off of Solodyn. I did it during the summer (I am a school nurse with summers off). It was the only time I could go off Solodyn for the 2 weeks I had to, to go on Accutane."

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2012

For Acne "I began seeing positive results from Solodyn after just a few weeks. I get an occasional zit, but nothing like what I had just a few short months ago. Would definitely recommend!"