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Accutane (Isotretinoin) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Accutane (Isotretinoin) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 44 ratings/reviews, Accutane has an overall score of 7.73. The effectiveness score is 9.05 and the side effect score is 6.27. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Accutane review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne and scarring
Dosage & duration:   50mg a day taken everyday for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   comedones
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   cleared the face of acne and some improved appearance of scars
Side effects:   skin peeling and dry and chapped lips
Comments:   I took 50 mg a day for 4 months as a last resort for acne. was quite effective with moderate side effects

 

Accutane review by 30 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne/oily skin
Dosage & duration:   30 mg per day taken once a day for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Skin cleared up immediately - the first time.
Side effects:   Dry lips.
Comments:   I took this drug twice - both times for 3 months at 30mg a day. The first time I took it my skin cleared up in 3 days. Not only did my acne disappear but my excessively oily skin turned normal in 3 days as well. Things were great for the time that I was on the medication but about 1 month after finishing it my skin returned to its old self - moderate/severe acne and extremely oily. I took the second course of this medicine about 1 year later. The second time was the same dose and time - 30mg per day for 3 months. It had absolutely no effect on my acne or oily skin the second time around. I am still battling this problem 10 years later.

 

Accutane review by 28 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   serve acne
Dosage & duration:   2,5mg capsule taken one capsule per day for the period of 1 month
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Serve Acne has turned to middle
Side effects:   Painfull muscles, problems with seeing at night
Comments:   This drug is highly teratogenic ,females must take contraceptive tablets,so I did. I didn't experience any serve side effects.It helped but the cost of therapy is horrible I resigned when I was told some of patient commited suicide maybe becouse of that drug.

 

Accutane review by 53 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   160 twice per day (dosage frequency: orally) for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   large pores
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The accutane dried my skin and it was not oily like before I took the drug. It helped in newly developing acne and cleared up the acne I already had.
Side effects:   While it helped my face, it consequently dried out the skin on my whole body as well. This was the third time I had treatment with accutane. I still have some under-the-skin bumps but they are not as severe as they originally were.
Comments:   This was an oral treatment and the regimine was twice daily. I had to constantly use a moisturizer and my lips became the most dried and cracked than they had ever been before.

 

Accutane review by 21 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   25mg taken once a day for the period of 6months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   benzoil peroxide (topical)
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   immediately stopped getting acne.
Side effects:   red skin, dry skin
Comments:   took pill every day and applied benzoil peroxide topically everyday for about six months.

 

Accutane review by 36 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   30 mg a day taken daily for the period of 2 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My skin dried up and the acne went away. This was extremely effective.
Side effects:   My face skin got a bit too dry, but manageable with lotion and drinking lots of water.
Comments:   took 30 mg daily and had my blood work monitored frequently.

 

Accutane review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg daily taken 20 mg 2xday for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Permanently: cured of cystic acne. Temporarily: eliminated blackheads, smoothed skin texture, skin appeared "poreless".
Side effects:   Dry skin and lips, increased susceptibility to developing blisters on feet if walking long distances without careful attention to socks and shoes. Stupidly used "Biore" skin strips early in the treatment to speed up removal of the blackheads and pulled all the skin off my nose.
Comments:   I am 43 now but took Accutane back in my early 20's for moderate cyctic acne. I took a second course in my 30's for mild/moderate non-cystic acne which was probably hormone related. I absolutely loved taking Accutane and wished that I could take it again at a milder dosage to treat blackheads and have that smooth "poreless" skin again. It seems to speed up skin cell sloughing and I didn't need to exfoliate, just use a good cream. After years of taking antibiotics and using awful creams that made my skin dry and red, Accutane was a godsend. My older brother and sister have terrible deep scars from cystic acne (my sister had dermabrasion many years ago before the age of laser) but I do not have one scar from my cyctic acne.

 

Accutane review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   high (dosage frequency: daily) for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   hair loss, dry mouth, increase in acne
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   eventual reduction in acne
Side effects:   made it worse before better, left me with scarring, dry mouth and hair loss
Comments:   daily tablets

 

Accutane review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   60 mg taken 2 per day for the period of 6 mo
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   birth control
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The benefits were having clearer skin between month 2 and month 6.My skin did clear but i did still experience some smaller cystic breakouts, which was disappointing.
Side effects:   the side effects were minimal and consisted of dry, cracked lips. Aquafor did help alleviate that situation. My mood was mildly affected. I did experience some mood swings from time to time. The other downside was having to go do the monthly bloodwork. Not having insurance and a tight schedule at work made it a little inconvenient and certainly expensive.
Comments:   Overall it was helpful but there is alot involved in being on the drug and the side effects are tolerable overall. I wish the benefits had a longer residual effect or there were some other long term treatments for cystic acne that were effective

 

Accutane review by 34 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ACNE
Dosage & duration:   NOT SURE (dosage frequency: 1 pill/day) for the period of 5 MONTHS
Other conditions:   NONE
Other drugs taken:   NONE
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   REDUCED AMOUNT OF CYSTIC ACNE
Side effects:   BALDNESS, SENSITIVITY TO SUNLIGHT, NIGHT VISION BLURRINESS
Comments:   TAKE 1 PILL A DAY, BLOOD TOXICITY TESTS EVERY TWO WEEKS

 

Accutane review by 29 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne vulgaris
Dosage & duration:   1 kapsule (dosage frequency: every day) for the period of 4 month
Other conditions:   good health
Other drugs taken:   non
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The problem, Acne Vulgaris, did disappear
Side effects:   Some days of severe depression, extremely dry skin
Comments:   In the first few weeks I couldnīt see any changes in my skinīs condition but dryness. Then, after ca. 6-8 weeks the skin became more and more clean and soft. The treatment lasted about 4 month and was highly effective. No Acne after stopping to take the Accutane. The skin would remain drier than usual several years after the treatment had been finished and it would be clean. I can recommend it to people who have severe Acne vulgaris.

 

Accutane review by 30 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne vulgaris
Dosage & duration:   6 tablets taken daily for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   Nil
Other drugs taken:   Nil
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Detoxing effect by pushing out the system through the skin. Initially, toxins will come through skin in the form of acne/pus. Then, toxin is supposed to be expelled through bowel movement. The total duration treatment is 3 months.
Side effects:   Hairloss, extreme dry skin, itchiness, raises cholestorol level, damages liver. Patient must drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Patient must not go out in the Sun during treatment period. Patient must not eat fatty food as Roaccutane increase cholesterol level. Patient must not consumer alcohol as it will definitely and possibly permanently damage his/her liver.
Comments:   Treatment period is 3 months/12 weeks. Dosage is 2 tablets after meal, 3 times per day. Patient is to have a blood test every 4-6 weeks to monitor liver function as well as cholestorol level amongst other side effects.

 

Accutane review by 36 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Severe acne
Dosage & duration:   40 MG taken twice daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   Birth Control Pills
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My skin cleared up and my pores shrank significantly. My skin looked flawless. My pores have remained smaller long-term (5+ years post treatment).
Side effects:   My skin got very dry, including my lips. I had to use a significantly heaver moisturizer and lip ointment to keep my skin/lips from cracking.
Comments:   I had monthly lab work and doctor's visits to make sure I was having no ill effects, which I did not. I suffered no psychological symptoms or depression, in fact I felt less depressed because my skin looked so much better. I would encourage patients and doctors not to be so frightened of this drug. It's a serious drug and bears monitoring, but lots of drugs are. I tried Retin-A and that made my skin look and feel horrible, as did other topical treatments. The benefits to your skin and your self-esteem make Accutane worth consideration if other treatments have not been effective.

 

Accutane review by 37 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Cystic Acne
Dosage & duration:   2pills one day/1 pill next day taken every day for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   complete cessation of my acne....effects lasted for about 2 -3 years
Side effects:   very dry skin, bloody nose
Comments:   took accutane orally aswell as applied certain creams to my face

 

Accutane review by 35 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   .5mg taken twice daily for the period of 2 rounds of 4 months
Other conditions:   sensitive skin
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   After 20 years of visiting dermatologists and trying every topical and oral treatment available accutane is the only medication that COMPLETELY cured my acne, improved skin texture, pore size, and minimized the mild pits/scarring I had. It has been 10 years and my acne never returned.
Side effects:   dry lips solved by lip balm mild dry mouth; solved by drinking more water
Comments:   I was started on a low dose, which cleared my acne in a couple of months but my doctor then had me repeat another 4 month session to make sure the clearing of my skin was permanent. I know there has been a great deal of controversy about this drug and its side effects. But for me, it is the one medicine that I have taken that made an enormous difference in my life.

 

Accutane review by 18 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg/day taken daily for the period of 8 months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Completely eliminated my acne while I was on the drug, however acne did return once I stopped, though not as bad.
Side effects:   Dry skin, which was easily taken care of with a moisturizer. Dry lips. I didn't experience any of the other side effects often mentioned such as depression.
Comments:   I would take 2x20mg pills daily. I needed to moisturize my face once a day also. When i began I weaned myself onto the drug -- take 20mg for the first week before stepping upto the 40mg dose.

 

Accutane review by 15 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   1.0 mg taken twice a day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   dry skin
Other drugs taken:   n/a
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The acne cleared up for the most part for about 6 months to a year afterwards. Then symptoms returned and there was no difference in the severity of the condition prior to treatment.
Side effects:   Chapped lips, dry skin, sensitivity to light.
Comments:   I was started off with a .5 mg dosage once a day then after two weeks twice a day then after that I was bumped up to 1.0 mg twice a day until 6 months of treatment was completed

 

Accutane review by 20 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Nodular acne
Dosage & duration:   0.5 mg taken 2x daily for the period of 25 weeks
Other conditions:   no other related conditions
Other drugs taken:   no other medications
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Within one week of treatment superficial acne lesions were visibly reduced. Sebum production which had been excessive before beginning was significantly reduced (after course of treatment level increased to a more normal level). After one month of treatment no new acne lesions occured. By the end of treatment no new acne developed, and old lesions had healed.
Side effects:   Side effects included moderate to severe dry skin. This condition was rectified by the topical application of "Aquafore" moisturizer.
Comments:   Drug was taken in gelatin tablet at 0.5 mg per day. Drug treatment was carried out with bi-monthly visits to physician. After 25 weeks ended treatment successfully finished treatment. No recurrence of acne.

 

Accutane review by 24 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg/day taken 1/day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   birth control pill
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   When taking the Accutane I noticed a decrease in the amount of acne I had on my face over the course of the treatment.
Side effects:   My skin peeled greatly, praticularly around my lips and ears. I did use lotion in large amounts to combat this so it wasn't too much of a problem. I also had to stay out of the sun to avoid serious burning during the use of the drug.
Comments:   I took one pill per day for 6 months, at the end of which I noticed a marked decrease in my acne. I could not get pregnant during the treatment because of the high risk of birth defects. I remained on birth control throughout the treatment.

 

Accutane review by 37 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   unknown (dosage frequency: twice daily) for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   acne
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Completely cleared up my acne b/4 my wedding.
Side effects:   Very dry mouth, nose and skin. It essentially dried up the acne. It worked amazingly well and the effects lasted for probably a couple of years after a one time 6 month treatment. I wouldn't take it again however, b/c I wanted I to have babies and did have trouble conceiving years later but, it is unknown to me if this was a result of the acutane. I do have one biological son and one adopted son.
Comments:   2 capsules daily and lots of chapstick.

 

Accutane review by 21 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken 2x/day for the period of 5 months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Completely cleared up mild to moderate acne on face, neck, shoulders, back, and arms and should continue to stay clear for some length of time.
Side effects:   Dry, chapped lips and dry, flaky skin especially after showers. Both were completely treatable with chapstick and good lotion. No serious side effects, and no alarming changes in liver function or triglycerides on blood tests. No depression as well.
Comments:   I had slight to moderate acne that was just really annoying and was not fixed by any type of treatment, so I finally gave in and went on Accutane. After reading all the online horror stories I was scared out of my mind. However, I had a great experience on it. I took 80mg/day for 5 months and weigh 200 lbs (90 kgs) so it was about 1 mg/day/kg, which is a moderate to high dose I was told. My lips were pretty dry and cracked if I didn't put on chapstick all the time. I also had really dry skin if I didn't put lotion on my shoulders, arms, back, and face after showering. Everything else was 100% fine though. No nosebleeds, no depression, no hair loss, no unbearable side effects. These horror stories are overblown and rare, and tons of people have great results on it. My acne is gone 100% from all over my body and it is such a relief to not have to deal with it. On completion, my dermatologist told me he has prescribed it for 10 years and has never once had a case of depression and only 2 people have had bad blood tests. If you're tired of acne, give Accutane a shot. If the sides are too rough in your case then you can go off of it, but it's such a great drug if it works for you the way it did for me and many others like me.

 

Accutane review by 15 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Cystic acne
Dosage & duration:   1mg/kg body mass taken 3 10mg capsules, twice daily for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:   N/A
Other drugs taken:   N/A
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Almost complete removal of all existing and future acne. I took this drug with meals and could not be happier. Accutane changed the whole composition of my skin, changing me from very oily to normal/dehydrated in just over two weeks. The remainder of the dosage resulted in secureing my clarity and allowing my skin to look and feel better.
Side effects:   Mild to moderate dryness on the lips and face. Mainly on either side of the face. I noticed very dry lips but peppermint beeswax lip balm seemed to fix the problem. Dryness seemed to be non existent with no blemishes but as soon as a cyst became visible it annhilated the surrounding area in dryness.
Comments:   After trying topical treatments, subscription products and tetracycline for many months, and with no decernable difference, my family doctor put me on a cycle of Accutane. I was thrilled with the results, and could see the medication working almost instantly. The side-effects dimished after about 3 weeks. I used, and continue to use, 5% benzoyl peroxide gel cleanser and spot treatment (both Panoxyl brand) while on the medication.

 

Accutane review by 32 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   don't remember (dosage frequency: daily) for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The primary benefit was a reduction in acne. I would note that my acne returned several years later and I did a second course of Accutane. Since then my skin has been pretty clear (but I still have occasional breakouts).
Side effects:   Extreme skin dryness and redness.
Comments:   Was prescribed a course of Accutane. Took daily for 6 months. Was very effective.

 

Accutane review by 37 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   not sure (dosage frequency: 1 pill per day) for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Clear skin is priceless, to wake ach day confidant, self esteem in tact and out the door with out "needing" makeup..I would do it again.
Side effects:   AWFULL! shedding skin,cracking lips,dry eyes,nose bleeds,depression,splitting cuticals,bad breath(from dry mouth0.The worst was the bone? pain. All my joints,knees,hips,wrists,fingers felt like they were grinding? I was in my 20's when I was taking Accutane & working as a bartender. From the constant washing of hands,peeling-squeezing of citrus,alcohol spilling on them; the cuticale dryness/cracking was torture-but paled in comparision to the aching pain in my hands & hips at the end of a shift.
Comments:   I am know 37,STILL have great skin and(maybe time has fuzzied my memory of how truly bad it was..) I would take it again. I wonder if being on it has any connection to the IBS I developed a few years later? Have read articles connecting the 2? AND STILL, I would take it again. It really did work amazing

 

Accutane review by 21 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken twice daily for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   great treatment
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I have suffered from acne for 10+ years, and let me tell you, Accutane is the only thing that's worked for me. Improvement in skin in days... clear skin in a couple weeks. I have tried almost every treatment out there, and no results have compared to those I got from using Accutane. Take it from someone who's suffered a long time: try it and you won't be sorry. Be wary of some of the possible side effects, though. I didn't experience anything too drastic, but everyone's different.
Side effects:   Dry skin and lips. Just keep lotion and chapstick handy, and you'll be fine.
Comments:   the doctors started me off on high dosage and gradually reduced it. usually, it's two or three pills a day with meals. also, one drawback is the monthly blood tests and dermatologists visits. they are time-consuming, but worth it.

 

Accutane review by 25 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   20 mg taken once daily for the period of four months
Other conditions:   Depression
Other drugs taken:   Birth Control Pill
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Eventual Acne reduction.
Side effects:   Dry skin and eyes, flaking skin and bloody noses. However, the most pertinent side effect was depression.
Comments:   After struggling with acne throughout my teens, I was put on accutane with promises of a 'miracle drug.' My acne eventually cleared, but severe drug-induced 'flare-ups' of more acne were common, as well as feelings of depression.

 

Accutane review by 30 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken 2x day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   n/a
Other drugs taken:   n/a
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Finally clear skin and less oil! Prior to accutane I HAD to wash my hair daily it was so oily but now I easily an go a day or two. My face and back were perfectly clear.
Side effects:   I would have spent my last $2 on lip balm, even if I hadn't eaten in a week! Talk about dry and flaking! Don't even THINK about waxing. I didn't know that you couldn't wax (it was 12 years ago and there was less information about it then) it ripped my skin right off! Scary. About 4 ear after my first round I did another go with accutane because my acne had returned and now, 12 years later my skin is one again pretty bad. Unfortunately not bad enough for accutane. I mus say however, I have never been as bad as I was before my initial treatment and my back has stayed perfectly clear since then.
Comments:   You have to really want it to get it! For females it is a pain because you have to do two initial pregnancy tests and then continue ever month to get a refill. They also monitor your blood for possible liver toxicity and your hdl levels. It is one pill 2x daily.

 

Accutane review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   1 (dosage frequency: 2 x day) for the period of 3 mo
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had the Accutane treatment in 1997 and the short term results (6 months - 1 years) were fantastic, with the exception that the treatment left a big scar on my face and there is nothing I can do about it. After a year I began to have acne breakouts again. Now, six years later, I am also having breakouts in my back and in new places like my neck, chest, behind my ears and (believe it or not!) some in my belly. When I when back for another opinion, they wanted me to have a second Accutane treatment -- no way! Also, after the treatment I can't live without chapstick... My lips are always very dry. Hope this helps somebody out there! Bea
Side effects:   none
Comments:   I had the Accutane treatment in 1997 and the short term results (6 months - 1 years) were fantastic, with the exception that the treatment left a big scar on my face and there is nothing I can do about it. After a year I began to have acne breakouts again. Now, six years later, I am also having breakouts in my back and in new places like my neck, chest, behind my ears and (believe it or not!) some in my belly. When I when back for another opinion, they wanted me to have a second Accutane treatment -- no way! Also, after the treatment I can't live without chapstick... My lips are always very dry. Hope this helps somebody out there! Bea

 

Accutane review by 37 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   60 mg taken once daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had cystic acne, however within the first month i the acne reduced significantly! By the time i was at the 6 month point i had no acne at all. The only down side were the side effects... i felt joint pain, extreme dryness- esp my lips, very dry eyes. I was uncomfortable, however i have been 1 1/2 year without it and i barely get a little zit anymore.
Side effects:   pain, extreme dryness- esp my lips, very dry eyes. There is a great deal of monitoring with this drug... so you really have to be committed to using it (i.e., blood work, frequent dermatology visits, one month waiting period for women to be sure you get on oral birth control, monthly phone questionnaire with the company).
Comments:   I began the medication at a dose of 30 mg once daily and it was increased to 60 mg... which became the maximum i could handle without significant discomfort.

 

Accutane review by 29 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   the strongest dose (dosage frequency: 1x a day for a few months) for the period of 5 months
Other conditions:   nothing else
Other drugs taken:   birth control
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My acne went away. I had horrible cystic acne and it finally went away. It took a bit, but thats fine.
Side effects:   Extremely dry skin. Almost reptile like as i started the cycle. Really dry eyes and lips, had a problem wearing contacts.
Comments:   I would go to dermatologist, he would look over face, would do some sort of vaccum facial to clear pores. He would ask how i was doing. I would cycle on and off the pills. Once done with pills I would come in a few times and have the vaccum facial that he had at the office. I loved that part!

 

Accutane review by 30 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   20mg per day taken daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   n/a
Other drugs taken:   n/a
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had tried every single thing to help my acne yet nothing worked. Then my doctor prescribed me Accutane and it seriously has been a miracle. Within a month my skin was almost completely clear. It felt so good to not wake up in the morning with a huge pimple on my forehead. This treatment has completely changed my life.
Side effects:   None - I took accutane and it changed my life for the better...I've had none of these side effects that are sometimes reported. My nephew and best friend also took accutane and couldn't be any happier with the results...I'm not depressed, I don't have joint pains or headaches or whatever else is being reported...
Comments:   I started with a low dose, then increased the dose after several weeks. The length of the treatment course was 6 months. I had tried every single thing to help my acne yet nothing worked. Then my doctor prescribed me Accutane and it seriously has been a miracle. Within a month my skin was almost completely clear. It felt so good to not wake up in the morning with a huge pimple on my forehead. This treatment has completely changed my life.

 

Accutane review by 22 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   40 mg/day taken once daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Quick decrease in amount of acne; improved skin texture. Overall, the action of the drug was quite quick and effective, and my acne was resolved within the first 2 months of treatment
Side effects:   I experienced dry skin like many other users of this drug, as well as some joint pain. Part of my treatment period was during the winter, during which I was also prone to nose bleeds and fragile skin.
Comments:   I took two 20mg pills daily following a meal with a moderate amount of fat (more than 10 grams). The time of day I took the medication varied depending on when I would be consuming a moderate-fat meal.

 

Accutane review by medical professional caring for 31 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   10mg/day taken each day for the period of one year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   improve the skin appareance making it thicker and more resistent to enviroment agressions besides acne lessions for those who suffer the disease are drastic reduce making even the skin apereance looking it softer and radiant
Side effects:   lip and eyes dryness
Comments:   10mg each day taking pill over dinner or taking it every 48 hours

 

Accutane review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   cystic acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken 1 pill per day for the period of approx. 6months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   birth control
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The drug cleared my skin and even reduced some of the redness and scarring from the acne. This was my first and last treatment.
Side effects:   severe sexual side effects began about 2 months into the trial including pain during intercourse, soreness lasting as long as 24 hours followed by periods as long as 2 weeks or more where intercourse was impossible due to intense pain upon penetration, vaginal dryness, and the inability to have a vaginal orgasm. I also had overall skin dryness, but using a daily moisturizer and medicated chapstick made this very manageable.
Comments:   treatment began with two 40mg tablets twice a day, but was reduced to once a day after the first month due to extremely dry skin. When sexual side effects began in month 2, my dermatologist suggested using a personal lubricant during sex (which was never needed before treatment began) and that the problem would clear up once I was finished with the treatment. I began the treatment in Febuary 2007 and finished September 2007. The problem with dry skin cleared up rapidly, but I continue to struggle with the sexual side effects (as of June 2008). I have been treating the vaginal dryness with an over the counter product called Replens since January 2008 and this has helped considerably, but it causes constant vaginal discharge. I am now able to have sex about once ever 2-4 weeks, but have yet to experience a vaginal orgasm.

 

Accutane review by 15 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Moderately Severe Acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken twice daily for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   N/A
Other drugs taken:   N/A
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Oily skin & hair reduced, clear skin, long lasting results!
Side effects:   Very dry skin, sensitivity to sun, red/dry eyes, severe dry lips, frequent nose bleeds and rashes, minor depression, back pains, and easily worn out.
Comments:   I am only 15 and wanted to not have to fight acne for the rest of my teen years. I have tried multiple amounts of acne medications, but were all ineffective and I suffered more than I did on accutane. Yes, the side effects were odious, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle. The worst was probably the dry lips, in which I soon discovered that the classic Cherry Chapstick was sent from heaven (and must be applied consistantly). I got a lot of bad sunburns & rashes, and my face was constantly red and peeling. I had to get a quality moisturizer and apply throughout the day, and even that wasn't efficient. I eventually had back pains and wore out easily, red eyes, nosebleeds, and minor depression. In addition, IPLEDGE and the monthly blood tests are a hassle. But from the first week I started to clear up continually without initial breakout until now I am 100% acne free. I used to have very oily skin and hair, which now I don't have to worry about. I know results differ from each individual, but I wanted to spread the word that it can work, and I have a lot of friends that have benefited from this product also. Acne is not the end! Accutane can really boost your self confidence. I would recommend on giving it a try. It could change your life forever!

 

Accutane review by 16 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   60mg taken once a day for the period of 5 months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Contraceptive Pill
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Eventually Cleared my moderate acne. Had recieved antibiotics etc previosly which reduced it from severe to moderate, but then accutane completely cleared my skin after 5 months
Side effects:   Hair loss! Not so much from my head, but other places such as arms etc. Dry lips were the worst, tried many different products but eventually carmex solved that. Dry skin slightly, not too much of a probelem. Depression was bad, would have no motivation to do anything and hated everything around me. After stopping the drug this discontinued and i deem it acceptable to have, for the results of clear skin.
Comments:   I can't remember ever having the initial flare ups/breakouts other people have reported. I was warned about this by my dermatologist but i can't say i remember it. I noticed no difference in the first few months and became very frustrated at this. It was only towards the end of the fourth month that it started to become noticablly clearer with only a few spots. By the end of the fifth month i was clear, and remained clear for a year. However the oilyness of my skin has returned and i would now class my skin as having mild acne, but it only affects the areas around my nose, unlike before where i had it all over my cheeks. If you notice any spots return, contact your derm to be put on a second course of accutane as i am, otherwise it can return more serverly and undo all the progress you have previously made.

 

Accutane review by 19 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   80 mg taken twice per day for the period of Four months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Accutane cleared up my skin immediately. During the first month, there was no noticeable change, but after about 5 weeks, my acne slowly disappeared and has not come back.
Side effects:   Dry lips, dry skin, dry hair, dry eyes and sensitivity to sunlight.
Comments:   With breakfast and dinner, every day, I would take a 40mg pill of Accutane. Every month, i would have my blood taken to check for liver function and overall heath, and a check-up with my dermatologist as well. Easy to do, and fantastic results.

 

Accutane review by 23 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Pimples
Dosage & duration:   20 tabs taken 20 days for the period of 20 days
Other conditions:   scars
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   softer clearer skin. noticed skin got worse in the beginning but then it go better. Skin got fairer.
Side effects:   excessive dry skin. would feel the heart racing sometimes. noticed skin got worse in the beginning but then it got better
Comments:   tok one tablet a day after lunch. a 10 mg tablet. Had side effects like chapped lips, dehydration, dry hands, peeling skin on finger tips. Also had to avoid being in the sunlight and apply a good moisurizer.

 

Accutane review by 24 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   20 mg taken 1x a day for the period of 8 months
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Acne no more after 8 months of use. I have yet to ever have another break out of acne, much less a more than one flare up of more than one pimple at a time, and that is once in a blue moon.
Side effects:   Dryness of the skin and mouth, peeling/flaking. Seemed like my acne was getting worse, but I was told, my skin was purging the acne out, and that is exactly what it did!
Comments:   I went once a month to see my dermatologist, which he would look at and then prescribe me another refill of 30 pills, one to be taken everyday. I had no insurance, so at the time I was using Accutane, it was $90.00, for a 30 day supply. I had to go once a month for a blood test, to make sure all organs were working properly. I had to go to the hospital, because the dermatologist I used at the time, did not have lab testing equipment, that could be done at his office. The only other thing I used and that was advised to me was to use a mild moisturizer, and the was Oil of Olay, they now call it Olay, and to use Dove soap. I drank like a gallon of water a day, because I got cotton mouth, but that came and went, and was never constant. (I was never told to use sunscreen!) After, about the end of the 2nd month of using Accutane, my face was just about free of any acne. By the third month, my acne was just about gone. The rest of the following months, I was free of acne. The following months my face stayed dry all the time, and I just used Olay, in the morning and in the evening. By the end of the 8 months, I was taken off Accutane, and have never had acne since. It was the best thing that has ever happened to my skin. I fought acne from the age of 14 to the age of around 24. 12 years later, I am still acne free.

 

Accutane review by 25 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   100 mg taken daily for the period of 8 Months
Other conditions:   Psoriasis
Other drugs taken:   Birth Control Pills
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Clearing of acne.
Side effects:   Headaches, dry lips, dry skin, elevated triglycerides.
Comments:   Had severe cystic acne. Went to dermatologist and received prescription for Accutane. Took 100 mg (?) once daily. Had check ups once a month and blood drawn once a month to check for any possible adverse effects. Did have raised triglycerides due to treatment. Acne began clearing halfway through treatment. Skin looked wonderful once treatment was completed!

 

Accutane review by 26 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   40mg/day taken 1 a day for the period of 5-6 months
Other conditions:   excess sebum. Very oily hair/skin
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Although it's a very powerful/dangerous drug if used while pregnant, or not monitored by your doctor, Accutane really helped my skin. I have tried EVERYTHING! THe benefits were it got rid of all my acne, it shrunk my pores, made my skin less oily, and my hair, smoother skin, brighter skin, even toned. On Accutane i didn't have to wash my hair for 3-4 days. Normally I had to wash my hair everyday because it was so greasy. I would never go without a day of washing when I wasn't on Accutane.
Side effects:   Some of my side effects were really dry lips, sensitive eyes,burning sensation on my face, sensitive skin (if I scratched my hand for example it woulds be sensitive and would scar easily. This time around i had less side effects. The first time on Accutane (10 years ago when I was 16 yrs old) I had bad side effects. I was taking too high of a dose in my opinion 80mg/day. I weighed 100-110 lbs. I had scabbed skin, dry eyes, stomach pain, slight depression, achy body, back pain, joint pain...
Comments:   FIrst treatment at 16 years old. 2 pills a day of 40mg. With food. At 26 years old and 105 lbs I took only 1 pill a day that was 40mg. Every month you need to do blood tests to make sure everything is ok. You must be on birth control because being pregnant and on Accutane causes birth defects. Taking Accutane was the only thing that helped me. Although my acne did come back years later from the first time taking Accutane, it significantly changed my skin for the better. The first month of treaatment, your acne usually comes all out, but after that, you're skin gets smoother and smoother and really makes such a difference. Accutane really affects people differently. I was lucky enough to not experience serious side effects . In my opinion, if you've tried everything else and nothing worked. Accuntane worked great for me and is a helpful drug.

 

Accutane review by 20 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   2 tabletts per day taken every day for the period of 6 month
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I had to wait quite a few month before Accutan had started to work but by the end of the treatment my skin was like a babies. Not oily at all even my pores shrank and there was no acne on my face. The down side was that after not taking the medicine any more after a couple of month with great skin the acne has started to come back.
Side effects:   Extensive dryness on the lips and skin.
Comments:   I have taken two tabless every day for half year.

 

Accutane review by 30 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken 1 or 2 pills a day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   nothing
Other drugs taken:   I had taken almost every acne treatment
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   cleared up acne with first treatment.
Side effects:   Very very dry skin. Lips were chaped and nose was dry. Eyes were a little dry as well.
Comments:   I was 15/16 years when I was on accutane. It's hard enough being in high school but having acne on top. I tried every acne treatment and my doc finally put me on accutane. It was a savior!! I definitely didn't get depression. If anything it made my life so much easier finishing out high school. I would've loved to have done an extra treament or a lazer treatment after just to take away the small scaring from acne on the balls of my checks. I still get break outs but not to the point that someone would say I have acne. I highly recommend accutane to someone with acne. It was the only thing that worked for me!

 

Accutane review by 35 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   cystic acne
Dosage & duration:   60mg taken daily for 6 months for the period of 6mo. for 1st treatment & again in 4 yr
Other conditions:   very oily skin. which vanished during tx.
Other drugs taken:   stool softener d/t accutane!lip balm!
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My oily skin vanished. The skin cleared up finally. the painful cysts went away for 4 yrs during each treatment. However they will come back (for me anyways) after 4 yrs with stress, mentral cycle, I get them on my jaw line even if i just hold a alcohol swabbed cell phone...Its from mechanical pressure. They last forever and scar me! So the benefits were great but so are the side effects...
Side effects:   DRY everything! LIPS & EYEs! intolerance to contacts! Hair LOSS! Spinal cord spasming and tightening from loss of joint fluid!!! Very difficult to lay down, must do it very slowly or spasms occur. Must take stool softeners to avoid a regular bowel movement or else trauma to rectum can occur with bleeding (usually mild) and possible hemroids. Sun light sensitivity. Major migraines due to increase pressure from synthetic vit A on the brain. Its much worse if you are prone to migraines. Monthly blood test due to toxicity of medication on liver and kidneys. must be on birth control at all times. Long term problems are still persisting...Good luck people... so the risks are crazy but this stuff works if you truly have severe all else fails cystic acne..BUT results may not last...I had to go through this again at 23! Also this stuff will put you in the poor house if not insured! Meds 7 blood work is a big expense! Hope this helps...
Comments:   Like I stated: Get ready for monthly blood work!To ensure damage to body isn't occurring NO Pregancies!!! Birth Control at all times!!!! use double protection! Stool softener Lip balm eye drops
 


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