Im a 24 year old male, started getting acne when i was about 15. I took 1 20mg tablet of accutane twice a day for 6 months. Im about 95kgs so I think that is quite a low dosage. Thankfully I didn't really suffer from an initial breakout. Got most of the usual side effects: dry lips, nose bleeds, painful joints, red face but none of these where that bad and were certainly bearable. My face started clearing up after about a month, strangely my back acne and large pimples on my neck which had been gone for about a year and a half before i started the course then began to return. By about 3 months my face was totally clear with no new pimples. I finished the 6 months about 1 month ago and my face is still clear, the moderate back acne remained for the whole course but seems like it is starting to disappear now I am off the meds. Just got to wait now and see if they come back, not sure how long until I can be sure but for now I would defiantly recommend this drug. I played around with all kinds of creams and antibiotics for almost 10 years none of which had a positive effect for more than a month or so. My recommendations to anyone taking this drug would be to ask about taking a longer course of lower dosage, research seems to be showing that it is just as effective and you are much less likely to suffer from bad side effects. Also from my experience the less you do to your face the better, no face washes etc, I just wet my face when im in the shower and nothing else (think people are calling it the caveman regimen), my face never got flaky dry and I didn't ever use moisturizer. I think you are either going to get an initial breakout or your not and scrubbing your face won't change that, it'll only dry your face out. Cheers

I am finishing up my fifth and last month of treatment and felt strongly about writing a review and tips because blogs like this really helped me prepare and offered good advice when I was starting. I had suffered from acne for over 10 years (I'm 23) and had constant zits and ones that physically hurt. I tried every cream, antibiotic, and wash and nothing worked. I never went anywhere without makeup and felt uncomfortable constantly. Accutane treatment is expensive between the pills, monthly lab work, and monthly doctor visits, but it is so worth the money. Honestly it is an investment in yourself and your happiness. Worth every penny. So I started with 40mg once per day then increased to 60mg once per day and now I alternate between 40mg one day and 80mg the next. After my second day of treatment I developed a rash on my fore arms and started to freak out but the blogs and my derm just said it was dry skin so I slathered on Aquaphor and lotion and it went away literally the next day. So don't freak out if this happens. I didn't really get dry throughout the process. My lips were really the only thing that was consistently affected. I just learned to always have Vaseline or Aquaphor with me. I didn't try any other lip products because those two worked very well. You get used to constantly having to carry lip products. I also started moisturizing in the AM and PM. I used Olay with SPF in the AM and at night alternated between Cetaphil lotion and Olay night crème. My scalp got a little drier than normal (I started to only wash it 2-3 times per week) so I switched hair products and use Ren Pure Cleansing Conditioner to wash my hair and Aquaphor Baby Wash for my body. Occasionally if my hair feels really dry I use V05 oil treatment or just olive oil on my scalp and wash it out. Your hair won't get oily so it isn't necessary to wash it a lot. So some weird symptoms that I had, sorry if it is TMI but it would have been nice if I saw other people got these as well. There was like a two week period in my 3rd month that the bottoms of my feet were so dry I could peel a whole layer off. I wore socks to bed with Aquaphor slathered all over my feet. In my 4th and now 5th month, the inside of my nose is really dry (no bloody nose). In my 1st month it hurt to have a bowel movement because that area was so dry. Told you TMI, anyway I just put Aquaphor down there and it got better. So some tips: drink lots of water. Like a lot. Be kind to your skin, if you use proper care you can prevent it from getting dry. I used a Clarisonic before treatment twice a day and now I use it every couple weeks when I think my skin needs a deep clean. Your skin and routine is going to change so be willing to purchase new products to see what works. Overall, I'm extremely happy with my results. My skin is not perfect though. I don't have any zits but my skin tone is red and splotchy which my derm said can even out after treatment. Accutane really has changed my life, it's been amazing and the 5 months have not been bad at all. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Good luck and enjoy your new skin! ☺

I always had perfect skin as a child and teenager, right up until I was 18 and I went on the contraceptive pill. After 2 years on the pill I came off as I found that it made me very edgy, plus I wasn't in a relationship anymore and felt no need to continue with it. 6 months later, at 21, I had my first ever acne breakout and it was bad. It started with a few spots, then it covered my entire jawline (classic hormonal acne) the top half of my face was clear, the bottom half was covered in spots that kept coming back again and again. I took antibiotics for a year and tried various topical lotions, used expensive skincare products and herbal remedies, I even tried acupuncture but nothing worked until I went on Roaccutane. I am lucky that I have had an amazing dermatologist throughout the whole of this who has been able to shed some light on the situation; to cut a long story short - the contraceptive pill f**ked up my hormones resulting in adult onset acne. He was swift to get me onto a 3-6 month (it was 5 months in total) course of Roaccutane so as to avoid any deep scarring of the skin. He was strict about skincare products (I can only use oil free cleaner and moisturisers and avoid makeup, using mineral oil free matte powder and blush but no foundations or concealers) and I keep to this routine and try to avoid 'messing about' with different products too much. Roaccutane has been a harsh and difficult journey, I felt like sh*t when I was on it. The dry lips are a distant memory now, but I remember how awful they were (mine sometimes split at the sides and I reapplied lip salve, what felt like, once a minute!) I haven't suffered from any depression but I would feel a tiredness that I have never ever felt before and I can see how people become depressed by this, especially younger acne suffers (I was 23 on my course and felt strong enough to cope.) My whole body ached and I felt completely knocked out. I would come home from work eat and get straight into bed to just lie there or nap for hours and hours. I love the gym, and I found that my knee joints played up (I remember going for a 6 mile run, which would be a normal thing for me to do pre roaccutane, but 2 months into the treatment and I couldn't walk the next day after the run, a pupil at school helped me up the stairs like a woman four times my age - scary) so be prepared to have to completely take it easy and essentially live in a bit of a haze for the months of treatment.... My life was a weird blur during those 5 months, but I could see the light at the end of the tunnel as my skin improved quickly. Once off the drug, the redness, tiredness, chapped lips and joint pain all went away within 2-4 weeks. My honest advice would be - try other options first, research the drug, read up about it, talk to a dermatologist, think about the root of the problem not just a quick fix and be prepared mentally and physically for the treatment. I wish you all the love and luck in the world. Be strong.

Long story short, I am 25, male and have tried every single prescription and topical drug. I even went onto extreme diet and exercise plans and numerous vitamin supplements and herbal medicines. Certain things improved my acne a LITTLE, but essentially I wasted thousands of pounds over the years for no reason at all. My profession means I am required to be in TV, magazines etc and so my derm prescribed it as a last resort. Though my acne was mild/moderate, it was completely resistant and so I've spent 10 years fighting it, and dealing with the physical and emotional side-affects. Cue Accutane. I was highly sceptical as I thought how can mild/moderate acne be so resistant, surely it must be a different problem, perhaps an allergy. No. Accutane cures ALL. I found this out first hand. I've just finished my course, and it took 5 and a half months for me to stop breaking out (I guess I was unlucky it took so long) - the last two weeks of the course I had no new blemishes, and now 2 weeks off the course (4 weeks clear), my skin is 100% clear with next to no scarring. You MUST finish the course, even if you clear up sooner, or else you will relapse. Acne is from WITHIN, not external, and Accutane shrinks and destroys unnecessary oil glands (I've done extensive research). Even if you don't have oily skin it will work, because even unnoticeable amounts are too much for the skin to deal with - I am an example of this. The side affects for me were manageable. But even if they were more severe, I would happily go through it all because I am now 100% clear. No face wash, supplements or anything else will do as well as this drug. I can now forget to wash my face in the evening, eat fast food, drink alcohol etc and not have one single pimple, not even a small one. This is my first and last review, and I hope it can change some lives like it has mine.

After developing severe cystic acne, I turned to my last resort, which was Accutane. The drug was extremely effective in my brother's case, so I figured I would I should at least try it. You have to realize, IT GETS WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. The side effects were terrible. During the first month of treatment, my cysts worsened and became extremely itchy and irritated. Looking back now, It is almost as if the drug was "pushing out" all the cysts at once in order for my skin to get better. Then, the dryness set it. My hands and lips were ALWAYS chapped and I was constantly applying lotion/chapstick. FOR ATHLETES: During the second month, my joints locked up and I had to stop running for the remainder of the treatment. (Mind I am a cross-country/track athlete so this was the most difficult side effect of all.) I think it would be smart for any athlete to strongly consider starting treatment during the off-season just in case any side effects affect your performance like accutane did for me. I became depressed and had a lot of anxiety., which lead to a short attention span and insomnia. I did 3 months of treatment and even though I had a large amount of side effects, I would still recommend accutane. It was AFTER I finished treatment that I really saw an improvement in my skin. It was been 4 months of being off the medication and the redness of my skin is only now leaving. BE PATIENT. From what I know, you will not see results right away. You will get frustrated, but I strongly advise you wait it out unless it is really affected your health or your doctor tells you to quit. It is worth it, my confidence has gone up and ALL the side effects left within 3 weeks of treatment. Also, after I finished treatment and all the cysts were gone, I began using bio-oil to heal my scarring. Bio-oil has helped my scarring immensely, I strongly recommend it! Don't give up, you are all beautiful!

This medicine worked like a MIRACLE for me, i have no words to describe how much it helped me regain my beautiful clear face. :D I am 17 years old and i had acne for about a year, no other prescriptions or treatments worked and i was finally put on a moderate dose of accutane by my doctor- 20mg for 1st month, 30 mg for 2nd, 40mg for 3rd, 50 mg for 4th and 60mg for the 5th month. These five months changed my life, from a pimply unevenly toned and ugly face , i got a perfectly clear face, a face i couldnt even dream of :D Yes guys, this drug changed my life, after these 5 months, not even one pimple or not even a scar is left back on my face. i have a face which everyone dreams of having- glowing, clear and smooth. This Drug changed my life, it boosted my confidence, it made me handsome :D it enhanced my self esteem and more importantly it made me happy because after all every person who has acne , his/her dream is to have a clear face. i would strongly recommend everyone with acne problem to go on an isotroin prescription. Very often you hear people having acute side effects such as joint pain, suicidal thoughts, loss of hair, appetite, etc..All those are rare side effects and only happen to one person out of a thousand, this shouldnt stop you from taking isotroin as it is a life changing drug :D Precautions and Tips: - you may get more pimples initially , but dont worry as they will soon fade out along with the old pimples. - youre skin may become more exposed to the sun, hence wear a non - greasy and non-codomedic sunscreen lotion while going out in the sun. -use CETAPHIL CLEANSING LOTION as your face wash and CETAPHIL MOISTURIZER -USE URIAGE BARIDIERM LIP BALM. -Stay POSITIVE and HAVE FAITH int he medicine as the results will start showing properly only in the 4th months onwards. -Visit your dermatologist monthly to seek his advice and suggestion. THIS MEDICINE GAVE ME A PERFECTLY CLEAR FACE, I AM SURE IT WILL WORK FOR YOU

I tried so many things before I went to the doctors and they recommended me accutane. At first I was thinking "why would I want to go on a treatment that can cause suicidal tendencies and can give you such health problems?" But I went on it and honestly I can say it is the best decision of my life. I was so unhappy with my skin before and now my skin is so clear, it's actually unbelievable! Yes, it was a hard six months because you're constantly applying moisturizers and I had to give up sport because I just felt too weak and it sometimes hurt on my joints, but after the treatment was up, it was the most rewarding thing. I have had maybe 3 spots since the treatment ended 8 months ago and I have never been so happy with the way my skin is. Yes, it's still a bit dry and I do have to apply a LOT of lip balm, but I genuinely think it's worth it and hopefully these remaining side effects will subside within the next couple of months or so. It is a horrible treatment to have to endure and I definitely wouldn't want to go through it again, but if your acne is so bad that it's making you upset etc, then I really do strongly recommend this treatment because the likelihood is that you'll never have acne again after taking the accutane course. Also, I read a previous review saying that the accutane caused them to burn severely; I went to Greece for 2 weeks about 3 weeks after my treatment ended, was on factor 20 sun cream and not once did I burn; I actually came back with the best tan I've ever had! I guess it goes to show that for certain skin types it works differently. So, don't be scared off by the bad reviews because if you really can't handle the treatment, you can always ask the doctor if you can stop the treatment. Seriously, it was the best decision I've ever made and I really recommend it.

Accutane worked wonders. I have been off of it for about two and a half years and I barely see any acne whatsoever. The occasional zit here and there, but other than that, I'm completely clear, and my face is not oily either.

NOW, I think the reason why it worked so well for me is because the doctor gave me very low doses of this, 10 mg, and told me that I could continue taking Roaccutane for 8 months, when my acne would've completely gone away OR take it every other day when my skin is clear. But anyway, I had acne on my cheeks and 90% of it cleared up by 2 weeks. It's been two months so far and I have completely clear skin. My suggestion : LOW DOSE OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME = LESS SIDE EFFECTS. There is research on the benefits of low-dosing as opposed to high-dosing. Look it up, it's not just coming from me.

i've been on 20mg accutane for about week and my face has totally new layer of skin. I dont have cysts, red marks or blemishes anymore... i cant believe it!! i can wake up in the morning with dry skin.. no more oil! This works like a wonders for me! And people who claim the side effects - At this point i didnt give a poop what chemical or poison i would take to get my skin to look normal. I didnt even knew how i looked with clear skin. This is like a steroid for my skin.. in one week... i was effing crater-face. TAKE IT! if you do not want to take accutane then your acne isnt serious to bother you. But im gonna keep taking accutane for sometime, nobody want this thing to come back. Oh yea, ive done eery possible diet, antibiotics and masks there are available. i just wash my face 2x a day with special soap, sebufed. God bless you all!:)