As stated in the title, this thread is here for people who had a POSITIVE experience with Accutane.

It would be helpful to know the length of your course(s), your dosage(s), and when you started or finished. Please make just one post describing your experience, and edit/update it as necessary ... this will make it easier for readers to follow each person's story.

Please do not post until AFTER you have finished your course. Feel free to keep coming back to update your story.

Many or most people do experience some unpleasant side effects, so feel free to expound on those. But on the whole, if you are glad you took Accutane, this thread is for you.

Please do not post links to other sites. This thread is here for personal stories of Acne.org members only. It has been pinned so that it will not be lost in the shuffle.

Neither this thread nor the "negative experience" thread should be regarded as definitive proof of anything, pro or con, about Accutane. This is by no means a scientific sampling and we are not checking up on anyone who posts here. It is simply a place where people can tell their stories and keep them up to date in a simple format that is uncluttered and easy to follow. Arguments, flaming, and off-topic posts will be invis'd.

This thread is here for people who had a NEGATIVE experience with Accutane. If you are sorry you ever took this drug, this thread is for you.

Please make just one post describing your experience, and edit/update that post as needed ... this will make it much easier for readers to follow each person's story.

It would be helpful, of course, to know the length of your course(s), your dosage(s), and when you started or finished. Please do not post until AFTER you have finished your course.

Please do not post links to other sites. This thread is here for personal stories of Acne.org members only. It has been pinned so that it will not be lost in the shuffle.

Neither this thread nor the "positive experience" thread should be regarded as definitive proof of anything, pro or con, about Accutane. This is by no means a scientific sampling and we are not checking up on anyone who posts here. It is simply a place where people can tell their stories and keep them up to date in a simple format that is uncluttered and easy to follow.

Something to keep in mind when reading this thread: quite a few people do get directed to Acne.org from anti-Accutane Web sites for the specific purpose of posting their negative experiences on this board. It's usually pretty obvious who these posters are (lengthy posts, one-time posters, etc.). However, this is a very open forum, and so long as these people stay within our rules and guidelines, we welcome them.

Arguments, flaming, and off-topic posts will be invis'd.

This thread is to be used ONLY to post the links to clinical studies on Accutane. It is here as a resource for everyone in the forum.

Linking to sites OTHER than clinical studies is not acceptable.

Please post any questions or discussion topics elsewhere so that this thread does not get unnecessarily cluttered.

ABSOLUTELY NO FLAMING WILL BE TOLERATED.

Posts that do not follow these guidelines will be invis'd.

Frequently Asked Questions - Accutane/Roaccutane

Disclaimer: The information below is provided as a courtesy to address general questions. As we are not medical professionals, we cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information. By reading this information, you agree not to hold us liable for any damages that may result in your use of this information. This information should not replace information that your Doctor or Plastic Surgeon provides you. Please keep in mind that this is for general information only and results will vary for each individual.


Firstly, if you are interested in the actual chemical makeup of accutane and the medical terms in which it is likely to be discussed, please read this excellent thread by m.d.student, http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Accutane-Info-t31242.html which details all of the information you will need about the exact nature of the drug itself. It might be an idea to print it off and familiarise yourself with it.


What is the difference between ‘accutane’ and ‘roaccutane’?
-These are essentially two different names for the same drug. Both are manufactured by Roche, but ‘roaccutane’ is distributed in Europe, whilst accutane is distributed in North America. Both will give the same results and both have the same risk of side effects.

Do I need accutane?
-Accutane is only usually prescribed for acne that is scarring and not responding to other treatments, such as antibiotics and topical creams such as retinoids and Benzoyl Peroxide. Dermatologists usually see accutane as a ‘last resort’, and consequently, it is typically prescribed for severe, cystic or nodular acne. The general consensus of opinion among members of acne.org is that you should think very carefully before deciding to take accutane, and that it should be a ‘last resort’ treatment.
-If your dermatologist decides you are suitable for accutane treatment, you will be assessed to your suitability through blood tests. The results of these may mean you cannot take the drug, in which case you will have to look into other avenues of treatment.

What is the normal dosage for the drug?
-In the UK, the maximum dosage in mg’s relates to your weight in kg’s. Accutane dosage per day in mg should not exceed to your corresponding weight, i.e.: for a person weighing 70kg, accutane dosage should not be higher than 70mg per day. In certain cases, it can be slightly higher than this, but if your dermatologist were putting you on a course where the dosage is considerably higher than your weight, it would be advisable to discuss this with them.

How long will my course last?
-Typically, accutane courses last from 3-6 months, at high doses. However, if the acne has still not been suppressed by the sixth month, the course may last up to 9 months. This can cause complications, however, and if you were still on accutane by 9 months without success, it would be advisable to discuss ending your treatment with your dermatologist.

Will I experience an initial breakout whilst taking accutane?
- Unfortunately, most people feel that this is the case. The initial breakout may be quite severe, as your body adjusts to taking the drug. However, it should have subsided significantly within 1-4 months.

How long before I start seeing results from accutane?
- You may not start to see your skin improving for several months. Do not despair, though; in the vast majority of cases, the skin WILL improve eventually.

What are the possible side effects of accutane?
-Possible side effects are many and varied. The most widely experienced side effects are: dryness and peeling of face and lips, increased redness of skin, rashes on hands and arms, dry eyes, muscle aches, back pain, headaches and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
-Other side effects that have been reported include hair loss, yellowing of teeth, blurred vision, bone changes, depression and other mental health issues.
Females taking the drug should MAKE SURE THEY ARE USING EFFECTIVE CONTRACEPTION AT ALL TIMES UP TO 6 MONTHS AFTER THE TREATMENT. ACCUTANE IS LIKELY TO CAUSE SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS IN FOETUSES.

I am worried about becoming depressed on the drug. Will this happen?
If you are prone to depression, you SHOULD NOT take the drug. If your depression is related to your acne, your dermatologist will probably allow you to take the drug, but your mental state should be monitored closely by a friend, family member or doctor. Many people do not experience depression when taking accutane, but you should not take the risk. There have been people who have committed suicide possibly linked with taking accutane, so IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TALK TO SOMEBODY IF YOU BEGIN TO FEEL VERY LOW.

Is it okay to tan/use sun beds whilst on accutane?
No. Your skin will be much more sensitive to sunlight, and will most likely burn very easily. You should wear a high-factor sun block throughout the course and for 4-6 months afterwards. Good sunscreens are recommended in the ‘tips for accutane users’ section.

Is it okay to exercise whilst taking accutane?
-Generally, yes. You may experience more muscle aches and pains after strenuous exercise, but there should not be any more serious complications. If you aches are severe, discontinue exercise and speak to your dermatologist.

Is it okay to take vitamins whilst taking accutane?
-You should not be taking vitamin A in any form whilst on accutane, as this may interfere with the drug, but other than this most other vitamin supplements should be fine to take.

Is it okay to drink alcohol whilst on accutane?
-It is not recommended, but the majority of people find they can have occasional drinks without any problems. However, since accutane impairs liver function, it is not a good idea to tax your liver with any other harmful substances, such as alcohol. If possible, avoid it.

I have heard several horror stories about accutane. Could the things they are speaking of happen to me?
-Unfortunately, there is a chance that you could experience such side effects. The drug affects people in different ways, and whilst cases of severe, permanent side effects are rare, they can happen. You have to assess whether you are willing to take the risk. Bear in mind that the horror stories are always more highly publicised than the success stories, and that people who have had success with the drug do not usually post as much on message boards, hence the amount of negative stories circulating on other accutane message boards.

Will accutane cure my acne?
-Dermatologists claim that typically 90% of patients’ acne is put into remission through use of the drug, and 60% is completely cured. It is possible that your acne may return after a course of the drug, but it is likely to be much less severe.

Can accutane leave me with permanent damage?
-There is a risk of permanent side effects, such as ongoing dryness, reproductive problems, and internal organ problems, but permanent side effects are relatively rare, and typically, normal bodily function resumes within a few weeks to a year after finishing the course.

I have seen accutane for sale on Ebay. Is it okay to buy my drug here?
THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. ACCUTANE IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DRUG AND IF YOU ARE TAKING IT YOU SHOULD BE MONITORED BY A QUALIFIED DERMATOLOGIST TO AVOID COMPLICATIONS.


Is it okay to go on a second course of accutane?
Many people take this option if their acne returns significantly. There are no added problems with this, other than the risk of the same side effects again.

Is it okay to go on a long-term course of accutane but at a low dose?
This is not generally recommended – some people have found themselves on this kind of course for well over a year, and this can have a detrimental effect on your body. Personally, I would rather have stronger side effects, knowing that the drug will be out of my system within a year, than suffer milder side effects for years. Essentially, it is up to you and your dermatologist what sort of course you take, though.

Will accutane exacerbate my scarring?
-Many people feel that accutane did aggravate their scarring. This may be due to the fact that accutane usually causes a significant flare-up in the patient’s acne, initially, and to the fact that it makes the dermis more fragile. It can also impair the functioning of the liver. However, it is highly unlikely that accutane actually CAUSES scarring. If you have been left with scarring, please check out the scar forum of acne.org for more information.

Is it okay to undergo scar procedures whilst on/after accutane?
NO. The things you can use on your skin to help with scarring whilst on or immediately after accutane are mild topicals such as copper peptides and amino-plex spray. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD AN INVASIVE PROCEDURE SUCH AS DERMABRASION OR LASER RESURFACING BE PERFORMED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF TAKING ACCUTANE. Also, you should not be using any form of acid peels until at least 4 months after finishing your course of acne.

I have heard about liver flushing as a recommended treatment to cleanse my body after taking accutane. What does this involve?
-Liver flushing is quite a serious procedure that you can do yourself at home, but which requires careful preparation to avoid complications. Please check out the diet/holistic health forum for more information.

GENERAL TIPS FOR LIVER HEALTH FOLLOWING ACCUTANE TREATMENT:

-Avoid processed food, alcohol and additives.
-Eliminate fizzy drinks – they are loaded with phosphates and interfere with digestion.
-Eat fruits and vegetables which nourish the liver: apples, black grapes, carrots, blackberries, blueberries, asparagus, celery, cucumber, lemon, beetroot, romaine lettuce, seaweed, watercress, sweet potato. These balance the flow of emotional and physical liver energy.
-Try taking one of the following supplements for 1-2 months: soya lecithin, milk thistle, burdock root, alpha-lipoic acid, Chinese bitters, tejaswini.



USEFUL LINKS FOR ACCUTANE INFORMATION

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/accu...cationguide.htm- FDA Accutane Medication Guide, with particular emphasis on side effects for females.
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/accutane/default.htm - FDA hub page for accutane.
http://www.rocheusa.com/products/accutane/ - Roche website - info on accutane.
http://www.accutaneaction.com/ - Accutane action group. Hard-hitting site that details some of the worse cases of side effects from the drug.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm- Chemical and scientific descriptions of accutane, for those interested.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm - Accutane info. from drugs.comhttp://accutane.poweradvocates.com/ - 'The Accutane team' website - a group of lawyers dealing with accutane cases. Again, very hard hitting, with details of cases with extreme side effects.
http://www.roaccutane.com.au/ - Australian website that contains a downloadable PDF about the drug.

*MORE TO BE ADDED SOON*





Top Tips For Accutane Users

These tips are IN ADDITION to the information that is provided on the instructions with the drug, and are in no way intended to replace these. The tips are merely recommendations based upon my experience on a seven month course of Roaccutane (the UK version of the drug) along with past comments made by other users of the drug. There is no need to follow the advice here rigidly, but some of the tips may help make your experience on accutane a little more pleasant!
The first and most important tip I could give is to take accutane or roaccutane under the supervision of a qualified dermatologist who will be able to monitor your physical and psychological health Accutane is a powerful drug and you should not be taking it unless you are under close supervision.


1) It is highly recommended to use an intensive moisturiser whilst on a course of accutane. Without a moisturiser, your time on the drug can be extremely uncomfortable and you may suffer permanent skin damage. The use of an effective, non-comedogenic moisturiser will not inhibit the results you will get from the drug – do not assume that ‘drier is better’. Watch out for certain ingredients in moisturisers – in particular avoid synthetic lanolin and stearic acid, as these can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Recommended moisturisers are: Emu oil - available from Ebay or Skinbiology.com, Eucerin Daily Renewal, Cetaphil SPF 15, or Living Nature's manuka day cream - available here
Here is a thread about moisturisers: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/forums.html...wtopic=1477
Here is an article about moisturising. Sourced from skinbiology. http://www.skinbio.com/quickmoisturizers.html

2) Some people have advocated washing only with only water or even not washing at all whilst on a course of accutane. I would NOT recommended this. Just because you are no longer getting spots does not mean that your skin does not need to be washed. However, cleansers can leave your skin feeling very dry. A gentle cleanser is recommended. The following are very good: Puredeming's castille bar, Cetaphil gentle cleanser, Living Nature's purifying cleansing gel and most 'Simple' cleansers.

3) Use of a high factor sun block whilst on a course of accutane is highly recommended. Your skin will be very fragile and will burn more easily, so unprotected exposure to sunlight should be kept to a minimum and sunbeds/solariums should be avoided. Arguably the best total sunblock on the market is Total Block spf 65. Available here
However, I have also found Green People's SPF 15+ http://www.greenpeople-organic-health.co.u...sp?Pc=G001&cc=G and Aubrey-organics' SPF 15 http://www.aubrey-organics.com/ to be effective. Sorry for how expensive these products are, but good quality sunscreens are usually $20 and upwards.

4) Your lips will be extremely dry whilst on accutane, so use of a good lip balm is essential. Vaseline is highly effective but can be pore-clogging on some people. Members have had good results with use of Carmex and Puredeming’s Gilead Lip balm (available here: Puredeming)

5) Try to keep yourself hydrated whilst on accutane to combat dryness. There are several ways you can do this. Firstly, consume plenty of water. This may sound obvious, but your body can become more dehydrated by the drug. Try to keep your intake to 8-10 glasses a day, more if exercising. No additional benefit is gained by drinking more than 12 glasses a day and excessive consumption can be dangerous. (for more info on drinking too much water, see this website:
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/hlive/eat...88681-2,00.html )
Also try to increase your intake of essential fatty acids (EFA’s) whilst taking accutane. This may alleviate some of the dryness and can help keep skin supple. Good sources are all types of nuts (especially walnuts) and oily fish.

6) Try taking high dose supplements of Vitamin E in addition to accutane. There is some evidence that taking 400IU (around 300mg)– 800 IU of Vitamin E can help alleviate some of the side effects of accutane.

7) Avoid eating foods high in Vitamin A such as liver and pate on a regular basis, as this increases the risk of side effects from accutane such as potential liver damage. Instead, consume foods rich in Beta-carotene, which is only converted to vitamin A in the body if the body needs it.

8) It is quite likely that you will experience flare-ups in your acne at some point which may result in an increased risk of scarring due to the fragility of your skin. To combat this, I found using manuka honey on the active acne and wounds helped with the healing process. Manuka honey also contains anti-itching agents which can help to soothe your skin. An excellent product is Living Nature's honey and oil antiseptic gel: available here or you can buy pure manuka honey from Manukahoneyco.uk and Comvita

9) Make sure that at least one person close to you is aware that you are on the drug. This is especially important for young people going away to university/college. You should let a family member or friend know that you are on the drug and inform them of what the side effects can be, so that they will be able to keep an eye on you and ensure that you are not becoming too isolated or depressed. There are many people who go through a course of accutane without suffering from depression but it is best to be on the safe side.

10) be realistic with your goals whilst on accutane. Be prepared for flare-ups and redness which may last for several months. Do not expect instant results, but remain positive by thinking that despite the fact that your skin will usually get worse before it gets better, it almost certainly WILL get better.

Good luck to all people taking accutane or considering taking it. Please do not hesitate to post your experiences on this thread or add further tips of your own. Also, if you have any questions, feel free to send me a Private Message and I will try my best to answer.
Take Care,
Paul.



Last edited by Rossignol, 5th July 2005 - added links to useful accutane/roaccutane websites. (finally!)

Hey y'all! BeenThereDoneThat and I (as resident Post-Taners) compiled a great Accutane Advice list. This basically covers everything you need to know from real human beings who have taken Accutane. If you have taken Accutane and see something we missed, please PM me and I will add it to this list! I want to keep the topic closed, however, because I don't want it junked up with posts that belong in the forum below. Good luck with your course and don't hesitate to ask questions!


FIRST AND FOREMOST: DO NOT TAKE ACCUTANE UNLESS YOU ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED DERMATOLOGIST. Acne.org does not recommend or condone self-medicating with any prescription drug, ESPECIALLY Accutane. This drug is FDA-monitored in the United States for a reason - a treatment of Accutane, as with most prescription drugs, can be dangerous or fatal if taken improperly or unmonitored.


ACCUTANE ADVICE LIST


-Don't expect to be clear in a week, or even a month. Accutane takes TIME to work. Every single day there are people posting about how they've taken Accutane for 3 days with no results. People need to understand that it takes time, sometimes people break out through their entire course and don't clear until the course is over. It's unusual to clear quickly, not the other way around.

-Never go ANYWHERE without chapstick! Ever...ever...ever...ever. It SUCKS. I recommend anything from Bath & Body Works or Burt's Bee's because they all taste yummy, aren't super shiny, and have awesome staying power! Those are recommended for lips that are only chapped, not wounded or cracked (the peppermint oil in Burt's Bees can actually do more harm to those with cracked/wounded lips). Dr. Dan's Cortibalm and Aquaphor also come with highest recommendations because they can heal open wounds on the lips from peeling or cracking.

-Wash with a very gentle cleanser (Dan's new cleanser does an excellent job!) - time duration: just long enough to lather your face and rinse off. ~10-15 seconds! Don't overdo it because your face gets irritated so easily.

-Oil of Olay Complete with SPF is a great moisturizer - not greasy, and has sunscreen - your skin gets extremely thin and sensitive while on accutane! Don't skimp on SPF!

- For the generalized redness that sometimes occurs (often called "Tane-burn") BTDT used Clinique's Exceptionally Soothing Cream for Upset Skin with good results (subbed it for moisturizer).

-Baby yourself on accutane - get lots of sleep, drink lots of fluids, eat food that is good for you. Treat yourself like you have the flu for 6 months! Your body is under a lot of stress.

-Keep yourself hydrated! Accutane is dehydrating, and the early effects like minor headaches are almost always caused either by general dehydration or by dry eyes. Your eyes can be dry without actually feeling dry to you and that can cause piercing headaches. Get some good eyedrops and put some at home, some at work, some in your bookbag, whatever. BTDT liked Refresh Liquigel. TG liked Visine Tears for mildly dry eyes.

-Always take accutane with a fatty meal - it is a vitamin A derivative which is fat-soluble, and it absorbs into the body much more efficiently when it has fat to bind to. In fact, if you read the insert it will tell you that taking the pill without food decreases absorption up to 50%. Recommendations - olive oil, nuts, avocado, oily fish such as salmon, and dairy products

-The Olay in-shower moisturizer is great because you don't have to wait to put on your clothes since it rinses off.

-Don't exfoliate any part of your body more than once every week or two. Your skin can't handle the microabrasions. Actually, I would avoid exfoliating at all costs because it is so traumatic to your skin, but if it is absolutely necessary, don't do it more than once every two weeks.

-If you get little weird dry patches on the skin (often on the backs of hands) they are probably Accutane-induced ezcema. Use an over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the patches until they seem like normal skin again (this should only take a few days), then use a normal moisturizer to prevent it from happening again. If you moisturize properly from day one you can prevent it all together.

-Fish oil supplements seem to greatly ease Accutane-induced joint aches.

-Keep lots of bandaids - your skin is going to crack, peel, tear, and otherwise become damaged extremely easily. Expect this side effect!

-Keep a photo journal if nothing else, even though it can be painful to look at the pictures - you won't believe how far you have come.

-Be aware that you might get an initial breakout. Most derms won't tell you this because it is disheartening to think your skin will get worse before it gets better. (It will likely get oilier before it gets drier also!) BUT ... it will be all over with in just 2-3 weeks!

-Don't add too much to your regimen - if you let it, accutane will do its job!

-DO. NOT. WAX. NO WAXING. Be hairy, depilate, shave, do threading, pluck - just do not wax. It will destroy your skin - I have heard horror stories to the nth degree. No salon will wax you if they know you're on accutane. What happens is the skin is so paper-thin that when the wax strip comes off, so does the skin.

-No tattoos, microdermabrasions, or surgeries while on tane or up to six months after without specifically talking to your dermatologist first.

-Don't go to the tanning bed. TG went to the tanning bed a full 4 months post tane, was there for only 10 minutes, and burned so bad she peeled for a week. It was AWFUL. It is just NOT a good idea. Being pale for a few months is a whole lot better than being in THAT much pain. Mystic tan seems to do a really great job.

-For an itchy scalp, Neutrogena TGel is recommended to soothe the itching and get rid of the dandruff.

-A common side effect is decreased ability to focus in school. Be aware of this before attempting to start Accutane within a difficult semester. For a generalized list of side effects see www.rocheusa.com or www.fda.gov

Here is a link to the Acne.org before and after accutane photos list:

Before and After Accutane Photos

If you want or need an acne prescription, see a doctor and get it legally. If you get prescriptions illegally online you could easily hurt yourself or waste your money.

- Independent studies have been performed on the sale of Internet-bought prescriptions. Often the prescription contains no active ingredient, little active ingredient, or in a worst case scenario toxic amounts of active ingredient.

- Drugs bought without a prescription can actually be a completely different compound from what the buyer intends.

Acne.org prohibits the illegal trade of any form of drug or prescription drug. If you see a post from someone selling a prescription, please report it immediately. Thanks.

So i am not sure if this has already been done.. but I always see people asking when accutane started to clear other peoples faces. (I am also one of those people who are curious)

So i thought I would start a simple thread that people can easily look at when others started to clear

Answer the following questions in a post.

1)How long was your course

2)How bad was your acne?.. scale 1-10

3)When did accutane START clearing? (Stopped getting acne)

4)When did your skin get completely clear? (No new acne and old acne had healed)


Any other information would be great also.

So today is day 22 on accutane... i would say my acne is mild but persistent ...yea its early but the acne is definitely effecting me.

My dad just walked into my room and asked me if i went out last night. I said "No" and he asked me why I haven't gone out with my friends for the past week or so.

I didnt even realize till today how much the acne that I do have is def effecting my social life.

I always had smaller acne, few whiteheads or small papules.. ever since accutane ive got quite large papules on my cheeks they are really red and inflammed and stand out pretty well. (no they they are not cysts because if i just tap them they dont hurt, only if push down.. naturally that would hurt)


I just want some hope... i keep reading people start clearing in first two weeks.. (well thats not me)... others after month 2, others not till they are done.

I DO NOT mind the pink marks because those are covered with facial hair haha...

but when did people actually STOP breaking out?

is there a way to moisturize skin without moisturizer? Every moisturizer i've used has broke me out then I have to wait a week for it to clear up again. On 20mg a day skins pretty much clean just dry, I know i'm prob sounds whinny and should be grateful its just so close but so far away....if that makes sense...

First off I have finished 2 months of YAZ and 1 month of accutane. My periods worked out kind of perfectly so that I started my first pack of YAZ on May 1st, and I started Accutane on June 1st.

The first month I was on YAZ I started breaking out almost immediately and continued to break out continuously through May, especially along my jawline. The second month I was on YAZ, I was *also* on accutane. I still broke out, but not as much, and my jawline has almost completely cleared up *knock on wood*.

My question is, at the end of June I came to the end of my 2nd pack of YAZ and my skin broke out incredibly badly, over my forehead and cheeks mostly. I am wondering if this breakout was due to YAZ or accutane.

Have any other girls taking YAZ noticed very bad breakouts when they get to their inactive pills? Were the breakouts just along your jawline (where hormonal acne often occurs) or was it all over your face?

Thanks anyone who read through all this and responds.

I went to my dermatologist and my eyeballs nearly shot out of their respective sockets when he told me he wanted me to take 40mg every day and then step it up to 80mg after a week , taking two 40mg pills a day. I'm about 127lbs, and to me, this seems a bit high, especially considering the fact that my acne isn't even at all severe compared to what it was formerly. I don't even have a single whitehead at the moment, and only really two blemishes on my cheeks, not counting the healing ones and the small ones. My forehead is a different story, but it's still better off than it's been. He seemed insistent upon this though, and I think his generous dosage may be some sort of misguided attempt to show friendliness, because he seems to somewhat enjoy my visits. Anyhoo, should I talk to him about lowering the dosage or is this actually reasonable? Perhaps I look a lot heavier than I am, but i'd really rather not accept that as a possibility :(

Hey everybody,

I have a quick question about whether my length of course is abnormal or if it is a bad sign. I am 5 and a half months in to my 60mg a day treatment. My face has seen a massive improvement to what it was when I started. My cheeks stopped breaking out about 2 months ago, but my temples and neck still break out a little, but are getting less frequent. When I saw my derm yesterday she told me I had completed my recomended dose for my body weight, which is 64kg.....but she wants to keep me on the medication for a further 2 and a half months taking my course to 8 months overall. Is this normal? Or a bad sign?

Thanks for the help

Danny

First off I would like to say thank you lionqueen for making thoose two pinned threads. I think it is great.

However, I can see why some say people with negative experinces are biased against.

The thread for the negative experinces says please don't post any links from other sites.
The postive doesn't state that.

So, someone has already in the postive experince pinned thread area flamed and express thier opinion against us with negative experinces and posted links.

Thier opinion on negative people only signing up here to scare people away from accutane. I for months have had side effects and never once signed up here to try and scare people away, in fact I was out focusing on getting better, so I could live my life. I only had to sign up to defend myself since I was not a member and someone choose to bash me in thier post. I also only sign up to defend others that were attacked and didn't believe my story.

So, if the rules aren't the same and people don't abide by them it may start a debate on either pinned thread and ruin the real reason why they were started to begin with, thus causing moderators more work that is not needed.

I hope all of you are doing well.

p.s. I will post in the pinned area soon.
*Moderator addition - in the interests of preserving debate that has overtaken other threads and obscured the original poster's question, the moderators are reserving this thread as an 'Accutane debate placeholder thread,' where ONLY the back and forth debates will reside.*

I just started taking accutane today (woo day 1!), and for to those who are either farther along in the treatment or have already finished, I was wondering if there are any products you'd recommend on using for the duration of the treatment?

I've also heard that taking some kinds of vitamins help alleviate some of the possible side effects...

Any useful product tips will be much appreciated

I'm having a flare up, and I'm sick and tired of this Aveeno calming face wash I've been using. What face wash has been good for you?

My derm told me to start doing preventative care, since I'm almost finished, but I'm nervous to start going back towards acne products.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hey Guys!,
I just started taking accutane 3 weeks ago. My acne at first got really bad, but is a lot better now. But one of the side effects I been dealing with is Body/Joint Pain. Its gotten to the point where, when I just sneeze it hurts. I was wondering is there anything I can take to help reduce the pain and is this something that will go away once i come off the treatment. Thanks in advance!

finished my 4 month course, 4 days off accutane, and i broke out on my left cheek, it feels itchy like a rash, same rash ive been getting on my arms... is that normal?

Yesterday afternoon I started experiencing some tingling in my upper shoulder. It has started traveling down my back, but still centralized in the shoulder blade.

I was adjusted by my chiropractor today and it stopped, but now it's back. I'm thinking it's a side effect of accutane. Could this be serious?

I went to my doctor today with a printed list of questions about Accutane hair loss. Here they are, with the answers in bold.

How does Accutane cause hair loss? What is the cause of TE? Lack of sebum? Damage to the hair follicles (interruption of keratinization)?

Hair follicles are not damaged. A change to certain chemical receptors - none related to hair loss - makes them more responsive, and this causes a "shock" to the body. Lack of sebum is also a factor.

How long does hypervitaminosis A last? In other words, how long does the excess vitamin A remain in my body? Does eating foods containing vitamin A prolong the hypervitaminosis?

2 months. Eating foods with vitamin A does not make a significant difference. To that point, women are allowed to get pregnant six months after Accutane.

Does Accutane decrease the amount of biotin produced by the liver? If so, do biotin supplements help?

Possibly. I was advised to take mega-doses (2.5mg) of biotin. She also recommended protein drinks!

In general, does Accutane accelerate MPB? Is miniaturization a function of time or of physical cycles?

Yes, Accutane can accelerate MPB by prompting the growth of new, crappier hairs after the old, good ones are shed. MPB is a function of time. One does not progress toward MPB with each new cycle, but generally through one's lifespan. In other words, at a specific age.

My hairs are fine all over my head, not just on my crown. To what extent does Accutane miniaturize hair follicles? What about "hair abnormalities"?

No clear answer. "Hair abnormalities" does not specifically refer to anything.

Explain in general the relationship between Accutane hair loss and MPB.

By shedding anagen hairs originally destined to remain in the head for 2 to 6 years, one begins growing new hair that is affected by MPB. In other words, by shedding hair through telogen effluvium, one's hair jumps forward to a cycle affected by MPB.

How many patients have you seen recover from Accutane hair loss?

All of them. She has had only six patients out of hundreds lose hair.

In terms of months, what is the shortest and longest amount of time of recovery?

Shortest amount of time: 6 months. Longest: 8 months.

My scalp is itchy and flaky. Why?

Dandruff! Caused by Accutane dryness. She recommended anti-dandruff shampoo.

My face has become slightly more oily recently. Does the extra oil indicate the effects of Accutane are wearing off? If so, is this the initial sign of hair recovery?

Yes!

My nails have pits on their surface. Could this be alopecia areata?

No.

So: The hair should grow back. Guys with hair loss in pattern areas might be predestined to suffer MPB, but not necessarily. If MPB concerns you, as it does me, Propecia and Rogaine are the treatment options. I urge men to investigate Propecia's side effects: not only impotence, but possible breast enlargement [!] and changes to the shape of one's penis [!!]. My doctor said that none of her many patients on Propecia have suffered these side effects, and that the drug is a really safe one.

Yeah. Like Accutane was safe.

Hope this helped!

After four months of treatment on Accutane, my doctor took me off after lab tests showed my cholesterol level was too high. He prescribed something to lower my cholesterol level to work with my Accutante treatment. This lapse in treatment will be one month in addition to a week the doctor took for a vacation. Has anybody been in a similar situation and know the results of being off of the accutane for one of the months? Does the accutance treatment have to be started all over again from the first month once the doctor puts me back on a prescription? How many months of treatment on accutane is effective and does it have to be consecutive months?

I'm finally starting accutane tomorrow... XD albeit around two years overdue I reckon. I've just got some questions for people who are on accutane or have been on it in the past. I know this information is probably out there, but it's kinda comforting to feel that you're getting personalised help.


1) My derm is covering the first few months of accutane with Erythromycin 500mg twice a day to curb the initial breakout. Has anyone had experience with a similar strategy?

2) Which cleanser is best for use on accutane? Something moisturising, but that won't break me out.

3) Similar question.. which moisturiser is best for use on accutane? Something really simple with few ingredients which could break me out.

4) I've been told that topicals are a no-no on accutane. How true is that? Could I still use some Duac here and there?

5) Will omega-3 capsules with added vitamin E be of use as people are saying? I take them anyway, but was considering taking two or three a day, rather than just one.

6) What is the general timescale for accutane? My preconception is that it gets worse in month 1, improves in month 2 and by month 3 the acne starts to disappear for good. How right am I?

7) Once the acne's disappeared, how do you go from post-acne skin to perfect skin? What I mean is.. how do you go about removing red marks and all the other crap that acne leaves behind?


Please respond, thanks!!

i heard that you could get similar results from vitamin A if you overdose it of those you would get from accutane.
has anyone ever heard of this?

Hi everyone!
Necessary boring preamble: I'm new, my name's Jo, I'm nineteen, I live in Melbourne, Australia. I've had moderate but very persistent facial acne since I was twelve and body acne since not long after. Earlier this year I began developing cysts for the first time too, so I finally got serious about treatment options. I'm a recovering anorexic and due in part to my relatively low body weight I have very low resistance to medications but my derm gave me what I understand is a low dose (20mg/day for 3 months). By a quick mental calculation I am on day 35.

Unfortunately, I have super super sensitive skin and hair (I have had since I was baby, I am allergic to all the usual chemical irritants and then some) and also suffer chronic eczema which is exacerbated by dryness and inflammation, and I've found that the products recommended in the official Roche Roaccutane literature (products by QV, particularly the lipbalm and body lotion, and also ego) have either caused massive allergic reactions (think chemical burns) or made absolutely no impact on the dryness. For my skin I have recently found Dermeze, which I am pretty sure is comodogenic as hell but it doesn't burn my face off so that's a plus, as well as Hamilton Skin Cream which is lovely, but I have yet to find a good lip balm, and my lips are cracked, blistered, and frequently split and bleed. It's painful and uncomfortable and I can't get an appointment with my derm for another 3 weeks, and I BADLY need to find something that works.

I understand Aquaphor is a perennial favourite on these boards, but I have yet to find a chemist in Aus that sells it, or even a pharmacist who understands what it is, and ordering it online looks like an expensive and complicated process. Does anyone in Aus know an equivalent that is available domestically, or a reliable source for ordering it from overseas? I know someone suggested Lucas Papaw Ointment in another thread but I'm unfortunately allergic to that too. I don't find that Vaseline is thick enough to make much of a difference, and I've tried Palmer's Cocoa Butter, all the Chapsticks, and Bert's Bees. I was thinking of trying the Body Shop for something more organic but I thought I'd ask here first.

Also, does anyone have recommendations of a typical Aus supermarket-brand shampoo & conditioner which is good for dry, fragile hair while on Tane? Or is it better to try a salon product? Again, any recommendations would be helpful.

Sorry this is so long or if this has been asked a trillion times before. I did a crawl but most of the previous threads were US-centric. Thanks to anyone who bothered to read it all and thanks in advance to anyone with any suggestions.

Peace & luck to all of you in your own Tane journeys!

How long were you on accutane, what dose, what is your weight, and what number course is it for you?


I am currently on my 3rd course of Accutane I've been taking 80mg a day(40mg twice a day) for 34 days...and continuing.
I am 20/M/67kg
I only get a few small pimples on my face...my trouble area is my neck where I get a few cysts under the jaw line and on the back of my neck at a time before accutane.
I am hoping since it is my 3rd course I will be on it shorter...I could do 3 months and be off around Aug 15th in time to go back to College and drink and go to the pool.
Any thoughts on 3rd course, high dose, finishing in 3 months???

I just read on the acne.org description of accutane and it saids that accutane works best with little or no relapse if you take 100-120mg a day. I was on accutane twice. Once at the age of 13, and once about a year ago. both times my acne got better, but still came back obviously. My last treatment my derm put me on a low-dose program, she told me that it works the same as a high dose program minus the all the side-effects. When i was 13 i believe i was on a pretty low dose program as well . I remember my derm being scared of prescribing me accutane at such a young age. With all this said I feel that if I take accutane again(this time take at least 100mg a day) my acne will be gone!!!!!! what do you guys think?

I took 5 months of tane and ended with 80mg daily about 2 months ago. Towards the end of the course, my hairline began receding. It still is receded, although I'm not sure if it's as bad as it was. I'm taking Biotin right now to speed up the process of regrowing. How about your outcomes? Post dosages and specific type of hair loss, such as receding hairlines.

Hey so I'm on my 2nd accutane course and just like the first one, no initial breakout and already 95% clear after 1 month.

But this time around I have actually started lifting weights (gained about 6-7 pounds last 4-5 months) but when I weighted in this month (first tane month), I saw I lost 5 pounds?!? My body still feels very good but I was kinda suprised at this. I'm guessing this is a tane side effect since I didnt change anything in my routine?

Hi, I am a 30 year old female who has been using Accutane (Claravis actually) for 4 months 2 weeks. Right now my face looks awful-WAY worse than it did before I even started my Accutane course. Has anyone ever heard of people breaking out this late? I am SO discouraged. I know that there is a chance that acne can come back after you finish the treatment, but I have never heard of someone not being intially cleared while taking Accutane. This sucks!!!

I try only to wear foundation when I need to go out, but there are times when I have to put on a full face (foundation + concealer) to look acceptable. I just realized last night though that using my liquid/gel cleanser and a cotton round together made my face STING like mad.

I've been at a loss when it comes to removing makeup for years, and do attribute some of my breakouts to poor makeup-removal. Thing is, I'm very sensitive to makeup removal products (so far have tried philosophy's Purity, MAC's cleanse-off oil, Neutrogena wipes and Olay's daily facials) and really hesitate to try new ones for fear of causing new breakouts.

Now that I'm on Accutane I need something gentle but very effective. Could any of you guys recommend anything? And for everyone who used Double Wear/Colorstay/etc. on Accutane, how in the world did you get it off? Thanks!