Isotretinoin (Accutane) Reviews

I've tried everything under the sun. My last resort was Accutane for my moderate acne. I was twenty three years old when I took it and I had one good year of clear skin. However, it has come back two years later....Side effects were horrible. I lost my libido, major headaches, and cranky. It pays a toll on your body. I wouldn't reccommend this treatment unless you have SEVERE acne.

I was on Isotretinion for only 6 days but had to stop due to severe headaches and pain in my right eye. Stopped taking the medicine and I haven't had a headache since.

I was very bummed because I know this medicine is probably my only chance of having clear skin, but the pain for the headaches and all the asprin I had to take, it wasn't worth it. :-(

I am about to start my third treatment of accutane. This is the only drug that has every worked. I have heard that doctors will only give you three treatments of it, so I am hoping that the third time is a charm. Is there anyone who can verify that you can only have three treatments? Has anyone else had three treatments and still had problems?

When I went on Accutane, I broke out so much worse for the first few months. My DR. told me in the beginning I would be on it for 5 months, but wound being on it for 7 months because I was still breaking out. I was crystal clear for about 2 years, but am breaking out again. I considering doing another round of Accutane but not sure if I can handle the body aches and hair loss.

When I was on accutane it worked really well.. except that I had a sore back alot, VERY chapped lips that hurt alot..(i made sure to always carry chapstick!lol) and i also had dry skin . HOWEVER.. i did not get any pimples.. and i didnt get any for months after and i think it was very worth it! plus my drug plan made it free! but now a couple months of being after it , im getting pimples again, my friend who went on it however isn't getting any. i guess it just depends on the person. if i keep getting pimples tho, im going to go back on the pill. for me, its been the only thing thats worked.

i started accutane about 2 and a half months ago. i had really bad acne all over my face (cheeks mainly, chin, and forehead). After 2 months, my chin is completely healed but i still have some on my cheeks and forehead. Is this normal? when are they all gonna go away? answers would be great

I have been on previous courses of Accutane and felt it was the only thing that was ever effective, though after time my skin would revert back to oiliness and microcystic acne. Recently I started a course of low-dose (two 40 mg pills once per week only). I convinced the MD to up it to two 40mg pills twice per week. I still experienced the chapped lips, etc. but my skin remained a bit oily vs. previous courses. When I started to experience joint pain I got scared and stopped. About 6 months later I still have joint pain - tailbone, elbow, shoulder and some fingers. I cannot say for certain if there is direct cause and effect. I was taking the generic forms most recently and having worked in the biopharma/drug development field I know scientists that will not take generics, though I have MD friends who think that's ridiculous. Bottom line, for anyone with stubborn acne, I think it's well worth a try, just be aware and monitor yourself and the latest research carefully. If feasible, think about paying extra for the Roche Accutane (non-generic version). Personally, I had no problems w/ depression or worse. Good luck.

I have been on Accutane for 3 months and have had great outcomes of my skin. Although it helped clear my acne I did experience muscular pain and have developed cyst's on my ovaries because of it!

I was on the various forms of Accutane for about 6 months (40mg twice a day), and it took awhile before I saw results (about 3-4 months). At first my skin cleared up on Sotret, but then I took Amnesteem and Claravis and those didn't work for me. Finally I had a change in insurance and the brand Accutane was available to me for the same cost as the "generics" and I took that for the rest of my course. THAT'S when my acne finally cleared up completely. I had it on my back, chest and face, and it was the painful, cystic kind. I developed this acne almost immediately after going off the Pill and now it's gone, due to the Accutane. Strangely, the acne on my back and chest disappeared almost immediately, but the stuff on my face took much longer and required much more patience (it was worth it).
I experienced few side effects, only some dry skin and lips. I could wear contacts just the same as always and had no other medical or cosmetic problems resulting from Accutane. I'm finally done, so my doctor gave me the parting gift of a lifetime prescription for Retin-A Micro (.04%) and told me to call him if anything came back or my skin became irritated. It's only been a week since I went off the Accutane and everything is fine. I use the Retin-A Micro regularly and have had no bad side effects (maybe some slight irritation and itching). My skin is rather used to being dry and irritated though, so I don't expect anything weird to happen. I hope my bad acne doesn't return, but if it does, I'm willing to go back on Accutane...it's good stuff = )

Hi, i was just wondering how serious your acne has to be before you can get prescribed roaccutane? I ALWAYS have spots on my face, although it is not that serious. However, i have tried tonnes of other mediacation, like minocin-MR (minocyline), zineryt, stiemcylin solution and benzoyl peroxide, and my skin is still not clear, or any better after taking these. I really want perfect skin to improve my confidence, as sometimes i do not even want to go out, as i dont want people to see me with bad skin...if i expalin the psychological affects that acne is having on me to my doctor and a dermatologist, will they prescribe me it?