Accutane and Back Pain: What Users Say

• smi...
• January 25, 2020

For Acne "Honestly, I came into this drug thinking it would be really awful, but it has been easy. My acne was never severe in the first place, but I did have stubborn pimples. I'm on month 3 and my lips aren't chapped at all (thank goodness), and my skin isn't dry either. The only side effect is back pain, which is tolerable! The second I start to feel the Aquaphor on my lips go away, I apply it again (which is why my lips aren't dry, they don't get a chance to get dry). If you're thinking about taking this, DO IT. It's not as bad as people make it seem to be."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2020

For Acne "I was on Accutane for 6 months at 80 mg/day. I finished about 8 months ago, and my skin is still very clear. The 'it gets worse before it gets better' line is very true. My skin was bad for the first three months I was on Accutane but then slowly improved the last three months. My worst side effects were lower back pain, dry skin, and dry eyes. These side effects went away after I finished. I highly recommend taking Accutane. Although it is hard having your skin be bad for a couple of months straight, it is definitely worth it. One thing they don't really tell you about is the blood work and pregnancy test you have to do once a month before getting your new packet for that month. This was kind of annoying, but if everything checks out in the first couple of months, you don't have to keep doing it."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2009

For Acne "Today is my 11th day on Accutane, and I have already seen some major results. I had a small breakout the first couple of days, but now it has gotten so much better. I'm so happy because I finally have hope that my acne will go away. Because I don't even go out with friends anymore, and everyone at school makes fun of my acne. Yes, it's severe, and I'm glad this is working. Side effects I have are dry lips and a little bit of back pain, not much though. At school, I am so ashamed of my face, I try to hide it. All those who have severe acne, you are not alone, I understand how you feel."

• Hun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2021

For Acne "HORRIBLE. Left me permanently crippled with joint and back pain, irreversible damage. I now spend every day of my life suffering and in pain because of this pill that was pushed on me. It cleared up my acne fast, but all my acne returned worse a month after I stopped. Please never get on this. I am warning you. They never warned me. I've been dealing with the permanent side effects after being off of Accutane for 4 years now and the pain only gets worse. Worst mistake of my life. Save yourself, please."

• Fia...
• September 25, 2018

For Acne "I have just finished month two, and my face is the smoothest it has ever been. Fair-skinned people, you will definitely look like you have a sunburn in the first month, but it goes away. I did purge bad in the first three to four weeks, but it was manageable. This thing is a miracle drug, and the only side effect I have had is SOME lower back pain, fatigue, and SLIGHTLY dry skin and lips. I attest my lack of symptoms due to my one gallon of water I drink every day and unwavering moisturizing skills. Ladies, butter yourself up every day with that ultra repair cream and some rosehip oil, and you will be fine. I thought this would be really bad, but maybe everyone is sensitive OR I just got lucky. Anyways, I highly recommend this drug. Don't think you can still eat absolute junk and it will still work, eat as healthy as you can, exercise, limit stress, eat clean, and indulge every once in a while and let Accutane do its job."

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2013

For Acne "My daughter has been taking Accutane for 6 months now, and her skin is flawless! She is so happy! She has been complaining of back pain, but she is going to a chiropractor and getting adjusted regularly, which seems to help. At first, her lips were terribly chapped! But I bought some really good chapstick, and now she is fine. She is tired, but she is also a teenager, so that may come into play. She would not wear tank tops last summer because her skin was so broke out. Now I am planning my wedding, and she is only looking at strapless dresses! This has boosted her confidence, and I am thankful she was able to take this medicine!"

• 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."

• Kyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "Amazing. I've suffered from acne since I was about 11, tried every spot cream, every face wash, and all antibiotics the doctor gave me. Finally, at 18, I was prescribed Accutane and have been on 40 mg a day for 6 months. I finish my course in half a month, and I do not have any spots on my face. I do, however, have hyperpigmentation on my cheeks where my acne was worst, but I'm hoping this will fade. Dry lips are a nightmare and occasional back pain, but honestly, I owe my life to this drug. I hope my acne does not return and that I do not suffer from any more pigmentation. It's so worthwhile, I'm sad I didn't go on it earlier."

• 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."

• 17y...
• August 4, 2016

For Acne "PROS - completely clear skin after 4 months - during treatment my hair got much less greasy and barely needed washing. However, this stopped after I finished my course. CONS - dry skin everywhere, although was manageable with a lot of moisturizer and lip balm - eczema on arms, back of knees, and hands - severe back pain lasting the whole duration of the course, couldn't be helped by physiotherapy - (the worst side effect) irritable bowel syndrome. Severe pain while passing stools (to the extent of crying), constipation, and blood when I wiped. Was severely debilitating and made me afraid of going to the loo for 4 months. SUMMARY - despite the awful side effects, I do not at all regret taking Roaccutane even though I only had mild-moderate acne."

• bum...
• April 20, 2015

For Acne "On my third month of using Accutane, I must say it definitely works, but the lower back and side pain is getting out of hand. It's depressing because I've dealt with acne most of my life and have used everything under the sun, but the one thing that works, I can't use. I highly recommend it, but be careful with the side effects."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2021

For Acne "I started this medication 3 months ago, and today my doctor and I decided to stop taking it. 2 months into it, I developed severe depression, pretty much all of the side effects that it lists on the inside of the medicine packet. Aggressiveness, irritability, crying spells, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, the list goes on. It cleared my moderate acne very well, so I was very disappointed that I had to stop, but I didn’t know if the depression would stay with me in the long term if I stuck with it. In the first month, I took two weeks off due to it causing back pain. I also had a dry scalp, minimal lip dryness, and purging. Although this medication was not for me, my brother took it when he was a teenager, and he had great results. His face is clear, and as far as I know, he hasn’t had one pimple pop back up. Hope this helps."

• Ama...
• February 5, 2016

For Acne "I'm on my last week of Accutane and have been taking it for 5 months. All of my acne has cleared up except for one or two pimples, but I still have acne scars left. My only side effect symptoms at first included dry lips, dry eyes, back pain, and blurry vision, but now I'm experiencing mood swings and depression. It is not severe, but I have noticed that I've been acting different for no real reason. I honestly can't wait to get off the drug just to return to my normal self and feel like I have more control over my emotions. Overall, I think the side effects are worth it for the results that I've gotten from Accutane, but I am worried that after I'm done taking it, my acne will return."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2016

For Acne "I'm 17 years old, and I've suffered with bad skin since I can remember. Been on lots of antibiotics, the pill, cream, and finally put me on Accutane. My skin was bad as I had it on my face, back, arms, and chest! My worst was on my arms, and now there are loads of dark scars. Accutane had really cleared up all the pimples and face spots I had within the first 2-3 months, which is great. Lips have been awful and have had a rash on my hands. My nose has also appeared more with whiteheads, which I remove with nose strips once a week now, which is great. I also have back pains from the tablets and feel tired most of the time, which isn't too great because I'm doing exams. I feel more confident as I can now show my face without makeup to people!"

• Taj...
• March 1, 2016

For Acne "I took Accutane for 5 months. My acne cleared, but I still have discoloration. The side effects were horrible. The back pain for the first two months was almost unbearable. The mood swings, headaches, and dry skin were terrible too. It was effective, but I never want to have to go through that for 5 months again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2012

For Acne "I have been on this for 3 months now and have noticed a massive improvement in my acne. The acne on my back is practically non-existent, and the amount on my face has dramatically improved. I got lots of comments today saying how my face has cleared up since I last saw these people 2 weeks ago. I now have much less acne on my face, and it is expected to all be gone in 3 more months forever. I am currently on 60 mg a day-one in the morning and 2 at night-and I am a 15-year-old female. I have had some back pain when I play my weekly sport and dry lips, but that is all the side effects I have had."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2009

For Acne "I have been on Accutane for a month and a half. I am not sure whether my acne was very severe, but it was bad enough. I was allergic to benzoyl, so my doctor put me on Accutane. Now, I am having a pretty bad flare-up of cystic acne, although I am clear on my back and chest. Lips are unbearably chapped, and I have bad back pains. Hopefully, it will get better."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2012

For Acne "My acne reached its worst when I was a sophomore in high school. When I went to the dermatologist, I was given Accutane and immediately went online to read reviews on the medicine. Almost every review I read said that it was ineffective, with awful side effects, and I almost didn't fill my prescription because of it. However, I will tell you that it was honestly the BEST thing that ever happened to me. It worked incredibly well, with lasting results. It was literally a miracle. Of course, I experienced some side effects, such as back pain, slight hair loss, VERY dry skin and lips, but six months of mild discomfort was definitely worth beautiful skin. I highly recommend it!"

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2011

For Acne "I'm just finishing my 4th month and going into my 5th out of 6 months of taking Accutane. But it's honestly the best thing you can do to help your acne. The only regret I have is that I didn't go on it earlier. My acne is almost completely gone (I'm 16 years old now, so my hormones are all over the place, which shows you how well Accutane works), and the only signs of it ever being there are some red spots and some scarring left over, but it was there before going on Accutane. The only side effects I have experienced were dry lips/face, my skin around my mouth peeling (just use a moisturizer for that), back and muscle pains, tiredness, and mood swings. But so far, so good."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2011

For Acne "I am 15 and a half, and I have been on Accutane for about one month now, and I have noticed my acne has gotten terribly worse. I'm breaking out all around my mouth, which was not my problem area when I was not on it. I have had bad back pains, but I am a dancer, so I don't know if it's from that or the medicine. I recently went to the dermatologist, and he upped my dose from 40 mg to 60 mg. Besides dry lips, I have not had any other side effects. My skin wasn't even drying out, which is one reason why my dermatologist upped the dose. I really hope my skin starts clearing up soon."

• Ash...
• July 15, 2011

For Acne "When I took Accutane, my acne did clear up after a couple of months. But the side effects were very annoying, including excessively dry face and lips and back pain. It actually came to a point that I couldn't continue dancing because of this back pain. I was glad to be finished with it after the allotted time I was prescribed, but then, six months later, my acne came back in full. My doctor said this is normal and usually goes away within weeks, but mine didn't. I'm still struggling with acne despite having taken Accutane."

• Lus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 8, 2021

For Acne "Well, I'm sure that each case is a case with this drug, but my experience with the drug was very good. The side effects were some back pain (only in the first weeks), and during the treatment (4th month), only dry mouth and eyes upon waking. I only use Hydraboost facial moisturizer and lip moisturizer once a week. My acne was not strong, but it was very visible with several eruptions in the T zone. In the first weeks, there was worsening with acne: 2 large acnes that I never had of this type, but from 2 and a half months onwards, it only got better (not that it hadn't worked before). Now, in my fourth month, my skin is intact and getting lighter. I still have around 4-5 months of treatment. Very happy!"