3 replies to this topic

[jammie_t]

I'm half way through my course and am experiencing very very dry/red/sore eyes and have a second eye infection (conjunctivitis) in two weeks. Despite stopping wearing my contact lenses, taking antibiotic eye drops and using large amounts of eye drops my eyes feel and look awful and very painful

I have an appt with the derm and am due back at the opticians tomorrow, and am considering stopping the course.

Could anyone please advise on the following ...

1. If I stop the course now rather than continue is the risk of permanent side effects reduced ?

2. How long does it take for tane to competely leave your system ?

3. How long would it take for the side effects to diminish (if they are going to) ?

Thanks

[Yvette2]

Hi Jamie,

I'm in month 4 and on 20mg day and wear contacts. Yes, eye dryness is common on Accutane and keeping the eyes lubricated is important. What dose are you on? Can you stop wearing contacts and wear glasses for the rest of the course? I re-wet my eyes/contacts often and at night I use Systane eye drops after I take my lenses off. I haven't had a problem - just that my eyes do look more red than normal, like I'm tired all the time. I know it's a tough decision to stop treatment, you have to weigh the pro's and con's doing so. For me, I would just wear glasses to the end of treatment. Accutane has made a big impact for me and I know it's the best chance for me to get rid of my mild acne for good.

PS> I read Accutane is out of your system in 7 days or so. I would think your eyes would heal back fine, but I did read that side effects can be permanent, but this could be a disclaimer for everything since legal issues pop up. Many here have said their side effects went away after stopping treatment.

Good luck.

[JR86]

1. If I stop the course now rather than continue is the risk of permanent side effects reduced ?

i don't know, but i'm almost positive an eye infection wouldn't be permanent anyway. you can maybe take a break from the accutane until your eye clears up and then resume your course.

2. How long does it take for tane to competely leave your system ?

8-10 days.

3. How long would it take for the side effects to diminish (if they are going to) ?


probably in a few weeks the majority of the side effects are gone, but it can take a couple months. i have been off accutane for probably 4-5 months and have no more side effects at all.

[jammie_t]

thanks guys, on the advice of my derm this morning I am being reduced from 60mg to 40mg per day and am seeing her in a weeks time

I don't mind not wearing my lenses as often for the rest of the course its the fact that i have heard tane can cause these side effects permanantly which really worries me

I'm gonna give it until the 15th when I next see my derm and take advice from her then