Isotretinoin for Acne User Reviews (Page 4)

• Cec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

"Please do not take this medication. I know you are struggling and have tried everything to clear it, but the side effects of this medication are not worth it. Did it clear my acne? Sure, but I had horrible dry skin, had to layer Vaseline on my lips before I went to bed. There were days I couldn’t open my mouth because the corners of my mouth would crack and bleed. It sent my cholesterol through the roof, and the monthly blood draws are a hassle. I ended up in the ER with severe abdominal pain after 5 months on the medication. I had a CT scan and colonoscopy, and I was only 19 years old. The scans showed my intestines were severely inflamed, and of course, I had to stop the medication immediately. Now, many years later, my acne is back, and I still suffer from digestive issues that I attribute to this medication. I can 100% understand your need for a solution to clear up your acne, but please educate yourself on ALL of the potential side effects."

• kb1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

"I am so thankful that I eventually tried Accutane. Literally tried everything before this and am so glad I did! I had horrible acne, even some cystic acne that was so painful ever since I can remember. Started Accutane, and aside from the extremely dry skin, I even got a rash sometimes, the side effects are tolerable and it cleared my skin up 100%! I started it when I was 19 years old. I took 6 months of it, and my face was officially clear. It’s been almost two years now, and I haven’t had a zit. NOT ONE. My skin went back to normal and not dry. Highly recommended! It’s hard while on it, but the results are so worth it."

• Sha...
• October 20, 2014

"I am a 38-year-old female who has had acne since I was 10 years old. I have tried every over-the-counter medication possible for acne from 1986 to 2012. After years of constant painful acne, my doctor finally decided that my case was severe enough to qualify for this medicine called Accutane/Isotretinoin. There's a long list of side effects which may seem scary at first, my only side effect was minor dry skin, which was curable with a good moisturizer. I completed my treatment in January 2013, and this is now October 2014, and I am still acne-free-longest period in my life ever to not have acne. I was on this for approximately five months, but I first started seeing results in a month. I haven't worn makeup on my face since then."

• sca...
• February 22, 2015

"I've been using it for 8 weeks now, and my skin has cleared up tremendously. I still get a few cystic acne (my dermatologist says it's normal as Accutane is working to push out all hidden blackheads under the skin), but no new whiteheads or blackheads. Skin is also much less oily. I take about 40 mg a day."

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2017

"There are so many scary and terrible reviews on this drug. Before going on this drug, I read reviews and became stiff with anxiety. I actually took the brand name Zenatane, which is the same thing, just a little cheaper. LIFE SAVER. I had to come on here and write a glowing review for everyone who was in the position I was before starting. My flare-up began the summer of my senior year of high school and got so terrible when I moved away for college. It was so bad, and I was so embarrassed that I moved back home. Huge, hard cyst-type zits all over my face with redness. No amount of makeup could hide it. I finally made the choice to just do this treatment. It's the best choice I have ever made. I have actually been off of it for almost two years now and still don't get much... a few every now and then but small and hardly ever. The side effects-NOT THAT BAD. Yes, I had very dry eyes... but nothing some good drops couldn't fix. I also had a dry nose, but nothing some good spray couldn't fix. Towards the end of my treatment, I even started my outdoor college soccer practices. I was in the sun, I was running and out of breath, but everything was just fine! The worst part about this drug for me was taking the pills. I have a fear of swallowing pills, but I did it with some yogurt, and it's no big deal. Here's the thing... FOLLOW THE RULES. My sister took this before me. She ruined it for herself. She decided smoking while taking it is no big deal... wrong. It ruined her breathing to a point where she had to stop the drug... and her skin was much worse than mine. Five years later, she is on it again and doing great. So don't listen to all the scary reviews. You will be fine! You can manage the side effects. You can get more help from your derm. YOU GOT THIS."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2013

"Accutane is the best medication on the market, in my opinion. Not only am I a pharmacist, but I have taken this medication myself. It WORKS... Before taking Accutane, I had the most oily skin. You could literally fry a chicken on my forehead during a hot summer day. By approximately month four, my skin had never looked better. Everyone who is struggling with acne should highly consider this medication."

• Ada...
• February 4, 2013

"I started Accutane when I was 14. My skin looked really bad. I had pimples on my face approaching the size of dimes. The acne went over my shoulders, down the front of my chest, and down to the bottom of my back. I tried all the creams and fancy products, and nothing worked. My doctor finally put me on a round of Accutane. The first dose I was on for a couple of months didn't do much, so the doctor doubled it. Within six months, my acne was almost all gone, and I stopped treatment. Within 18 months, I had zero acne and zero scarring - my skin was utterly flawless and still is. I am now basically cured of acne - less than half a dozen pimples in ten years. Miracle."

• smc...
• December 21, 2007

"I started taking Claravis two months ago. I have this acne on my chest, and everything I used just didn't work. I finally went to see a skin doctor, and he started me off with just 20 mg, which, reading about all the side effects, scared me a little, but so far, so good. Right now, I am on 40 mg twice a day, and the only problems I am really having are the chapped lips (Aquaphor will become the love of your life). I am already seeing good results from Claravis, and I still have 4 months to go."

• Kyr...
• November 23, 2019

"I am currently a week into my third month of treatment and have suffered from acne since the age of 19. I am now 24 and have finally decided to bite the bullet and go on Accutane. My derm initially prescribed me 40mg of Accutane once daily, she upped my dose to 60mg, and when I say my skin has become beyond dry and sensitive to the touch, I mean it. Not to mention the initial purge is something I am dealing with, breaking out on parts of my face that I normally don’t break out. There are red, inflamed bumps that take weeks to dissipate. At my last appointment, she lowered my dose back to 40mg. She stated that I am just one of her patients that she needs to ease into the process with. I was on prednisone during month two as well because my skin had flared up so bad. I am really hoping there is a light at the end of this nightmare of a tunnel. If anyone has gone through anything similar to this with their treatment, I would love to hear your experience because I’m losing hope and am trying to be patient."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2014

"I was 49 when I began taking Accutane for moderate acne. My insurance company only approved 5 months' treatment. My dermatologist generally recommends 8 months, but I was satisfied with my results at the end of my 5-month course. I had the common side effects of chapped lips and dry, itching skin. It's been 4 months post-treatment, and I'm still clear of bumps. I don't regret my decision."

• Liz...
• February 20, 2019

"My sophomore and junior year of high school, I took Accutane for a 6-month period. I took it again my freshman year of college, but for a shorter period of time. My skin was excessively dry, I experienced frequent nosebleeds, and my lips were appalling. As a result of taking Accutane for a total of around 15 months, my health changed, and so did my confidence. They warn you of potential side effects, but they refuse to discuss healthier alternatives with you until it’s too late. As a result of this medication, I now experience GI distress and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I am 20 years old, and I firmly believe this medication is the cause. Despite making lifestyle changes, I still experience horrible episodes of constipation, and my acne has come back worse than before. My confidence is lower, and sometimes I feel hopeless. I am writing this review because I feel passionate about encouraging those considering Accutane not to go through with it. It’s not worth it!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2020

"Taking Accutane for my acne is one of the best things I’ve done. It has literally changed my life, and I have become so much more confident. I am so much happier with how my skin is and my appearance now than I ever have been. People comment on how I look happier and healthier because my skin is just glowing! I am just in my last month or so, and I am looking forward to when it finishes. I struggled with severely dry lips and patches of skin on my face to begin with. My skin started to cope more, but my lips are still as dry as ever, this is something I will not miss. Occasionally, I may feel down, however, as long as you tell your doctor the truth, they can deal with this and possibly lower your dose, etc. (one of the positive side effects is my hair is nowhere near as greasy!) To anyone who is wondering whether Accutane is for them, I would say it is life-changing, and the side effects are manageable for such a positive outcome at the end!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2013

"This is now my fourth month on Accutane. I had moderate acne on my T-zone (chin, upper lip, nose, and forehead). But I had terrible acne on my back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. It was so embarrassing, I was so worried about what shirts I could wear that I could wear my hair up. Shirts that were too short on my arms or v-necks. I hated it, and it's so bad for your self-esteem. I tried everything: topical creams, face washes, and antibiotics. NOTHING WORKED. I visited my dermatologist, and he prescribed me Accutane. At first, I was very skeptical with all the pregnancy tests, blood tests, and the whole I-Pledge system. After three weeks, my face was so clear, my back, chest, and shoulders were so clear except for some scarring."

• Mom...
• January 4, 2014

"My 17-year-old son has had severe acne on his face, chest, back, and very oily hair for several years. He started taking Claravis two weeks ago, and the results are amazing already. The acne on all areas is clearing, and his hair looks great. We are noticing changes in his self-confidence already; wanting to fix his hair, will shave face (wouldn't shave to hide acne), and smiling more. The only negative is pain in his elbows. So far, we love this medicine. One last thing, I took Accutane 25 years ago for acne and haven't had a problem with it since."

• Fia...
• September 25, 2018

"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."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2014

"I've written a review on here a couple of times, first when I had first started on Accutane and second when I was on my fourth month. I just finished my last pill last night, and I'm hopeful that my face will stay clear. I still have dry lips and dry skin, that will eventually go back to normal, but otherwise my skin is completely clear and I'm not scared to wear less makeup, before, I would literally look like a cake face. All I have is a lot of leftover marks and discoloration, but my dermatologist and I have already talked about chemical peels within the next month or two. I know Accutane sounds scary for everyone who hasn't tried it and read some reviews, but it's not. Acne was messing with me mentally, and I was willing to try anything! Go for it."

• J-m...
• September 21, 2018

"I personally loved Accutane! I spent 8 years dealing with moderate hormonal cystic acne. Like most people on here, I tried everything else out there. I kept saying no to Accutane because of all the horror stories I had read online. Finally, my doctor said there was nothing left for me to do except Accutane. So, I did my research, and I prepared myself for the worst. My acne is completely gone after the 5-month course. I was one of the lucky few to have very little side effects from the medication. My face was hardly dry at all, and I only had some chapped lips. But nothing like I had expected. What I will say to the people questioning it is trust your doctor! Obviously, do your research, but don't get too caught up with the stories online. Know there are risks, and some people have had horrible experiences with it, but also know everyone is different. I think if you prepare yourself for the worst, it may not be as bad."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2008

"I had acne for almost half of my life. I'm 26 years old and like everybody, I tried every product on the market. Nothing worked, but Accutane is like a miracle. My face got clear in the first week. I didn't get worse in the first weeks. This is my last month; I did a 6-month treatment of 80 mg daily. Talk to your doctor about this drug; it's 100% effective."

• VM1...
• October 18, 2015

"Accutane saved my life. Although the dryness was sometimes hard to cope with, I highly recommend Accutane to those of you who have literally tried everything and nothing seemed to work. I had bad acne, and I tried every face wash, cream... you name it... and it did not work. Until I found Accutane and asked my doctor if I could try it, I was miserable. Having a clear face made me have so much more confidence. I really do owe Accutane everything. Thank you so much for making my life better."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2013

"I highly recommend this treatment. I had my second child at 33 years, and for the next two years, spent too much money fighting the worst breakouts I'd ever had in my life. I was at the point where I would not go out because I hated the acne marks. My doctor told me I was a good candidate for Accutane, and after consulting friends who had taken it in their teen years, I decided to take the treatment. No regrets! It is not an easy process. Treatment was for 6 months. My skin and lips peeled after the first month up to the 5th, and they were very sensitive to the sun. It felt raw. My joints were very tight when I woke up in the morning (like arthritis). But worth every discomfort. Treatment ended October 2011, and I have been breakout-free for the last 2 years."

• Tnt...
• February 7, 2017

"My son had severe acne. We tried every prescription and non-prescription topical cream and also the oral medications, minocycline and doxycycline. Nothing worked, and he was struggling for 2 years with self-esteem crushing acne all over his face. I was hesitant to have him try Accutane because of all the side effects, but I'm so glad we decided to have him try it. He started at 40 mg the first month and then switched to 80 mg for 5 months. His face is completely clear. I call this a miracle drug. It's not for everyone, and please realize there are some serious side effects for some people. My son mainly just had chapped lips and some peeling skin, but nothing that wasn't manageable with moisturizer and chapstick."

• Mea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 9, 2018

"I always told myself I was gonna post a before and after picture of my acne, but I never had enough balls, so here it is! I have had cystic acne for a couple of years now, and it put a huge damper on my self-confidence. After trying every single kind of cream, antibiotic, and diet (I even went vegan), I finally found a doctor who believed that I had been through enough and put me on Accutane. Although it’s a really powerful drug with some potentially hideous side effects, it has been a life changer. Don’t ever let someone with perfect skin tell you that 'acne doesn’t matter' or that 'your acne isn’t even that bad.' YOUR FACE IS THE FIRST THING THAT PEOPLE SEE!"

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2009

"My 19-year-old son has been on Accutane for 4 months now. His face is much clearer, but his 2nd-month blood test showed his blood triglyceride levels had jumped from 120 to 730 (that's really high and bad). It's a rare side effect that tends to happen to people who may be genetically predisposed to diabetes and high cholesterol. He changed his diet from mostly junk food to a low-fat, low-sugar one so he could continue on Accutane, and his doctor put him on medication. Two weeks later, and 10 pounds lighter, his blood triglycerides were down to 65. His face continues to improve, he feels great, and has learned to really enjoy healthy eating. Moral: get those blood tests. The life you save may be your own."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

"I started the medication a little under 3 months ago. My acne wasn’t as bad as most people have it. I would get 1-3 cystic breakouts about every week. I also had pretty oily skin, which is mainly what caused these breakouts. One week on the medication, my skin's oil decreased substantially. Week 2 came around, and I had probably the worst breakout I’ve had in recent memory. It took about a week and a half for my skin to heal from that, but I haven’t had any breakouts since. I haven’t even had tiny pimples or anything like that as well. Accutane has made my skin so much better, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The side effects aren’t anything to worry about either. The only side effects I’ve gotten were dry skin, chapped lips, and red hands (my derma gave me a cream for my hands, and they were fine a week later). With all of this said, I would highly recommend Accutane, although the side effects seem scary, I have only gotten the dryness."

• Nat...
• February 16, 2015

"In junior high, all of a sudden, my face just erupted in acne. You could tell people were staring. I hated looking in the mirror. It's remarkable how fast all the acne disappeared. This medication was a real lifesaver. My dad didn't have access to this medicine, and from 12 to 25, he was absolutely covered in acne. So grateful I have this stuff. Side effects to note: VERY dry lips, dry skin, back pain."