Anyone have experience with Accutane?

[JerseyBallerina]

As a last resort, my doctor has recommended Accutane for my ance. However there are a lot of potential dangerous side effects that make me leary. I was wondering if anyone had experience with Accutane. I just had some questions:

How long did it take to see results? Did the acne get worse before it got better?
How bad were the side effects?
Once stopping the medication, did the acne return? If so, how long after going off?
And this might seem like a stupid question, but I have issues with swallowing pills. How big is the Accutane pill, in relation to an Advil gelcap?

I appreciate any help or advice. Thank you.

 

[amarberry]

I took accutane a long time ago...around 12 years ago, I think. For me, the side effects were pretty bad. Your face definitely gets worse before it gets better. My face basically felt like one big cystic pimple underneath, but on the surface it was raw and cracked. It's been a while, but I still remember pretty vividly that it was unpleasant. I also had a lot of nose bleeds and was pretty emotional (maybe cause my face hurt constantly... ).

I wish I could tell you that after all that my skin was perfect, but it's not. I'm 32 and I still get acne from time to time. I think it made things better for a while (a year or two), but I was never 100% acne free. Overall, I was pretty dissapointed with accutane, but it seems like a miracle drug for others.

 

[CheshireVal]

I went on Accutane when I was 22. I had been suffering from acne since I was 12 (not horrible cysts or anything, but just constant breakouts.) I had tried EVERYTHING else for years and had been to 3 different dermatologists, and nothing seemed to help. I got to the point where my self-esteem just couldn't deal with it anymore. I was so self-conscious, it was horrible. So I asked my dr. for accutane.

To me, it was a miracle drug. I'll try to remember enough details to answer your questions:

1) I was on Accutane for 3 months. I saw results probably after a month on the medicine.

2) The only really bad side effect was the dry skin, mostly around the mouth/lips. It was REALLY REALLY dry, but I was desperate, so I didn't let it bother me too much. I have had friends who said that Accutane made them really depressed. I experienced some of that, too, but I don't know whether it was the drug or that certain time in my life (that was pretty rough-- graduating from college, having a hard time finding a job).

The biggest risk is for pregnant women. I had to go on the pill and also take a pregnancy test every month while I was on the treatment (mandatory).

3)No, my acne never returned (I'm 31 now). I get a pimple maybe once every 3 months or so, usually around that time of the the month. For someone who was constantly broken out from the age of 12 to 22.... that's a big deal!

4) I can't remember how big the pill is.

Hope that helps!

 

[Wishing on a star]

From a recent thread....
This was on CNN and ABC news.


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[salmoneous]

Wow, this brings back memories. I was put on accutane over 20 years ago - I think it had just been approved for acne. Despite all the warnings of side effects, I had nothing other than some dry, slightly uncomfortable skin. Kinda felt like I was getting over a mild case of sunburn at times.

But 90-95% of the acne cleared up within weeks and never returned.

 

[Rollwithit]

Are you currently on birth control pills? Sometimes BC can clear up acne, it did for me waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when. It does involve swallowing a pill, but it's a very, very small pill.

 

[laurajetter]

I took accutane and ultimately all my acne did clear up. Mine was not as severe as I have seen pictures of, it's just that the acne I did have didn't respond to other medications for years so we resorted to accutane.

As far as side effects go, I had 2 nosebleeds, which caught me offguard. They stopped relatively quickly, but just make sure you are prepared with tissues in case it happens. I was at the library during college when one happened, not near a bathroom and had no tissues, not a pretty site!

The side effect I hated the most was dryness of my eyes and nose. My eyes would get dry very often, and I couldn't stand it. It just really got on my nerves. Eye drops helped for a short time, but wore off quickly.My nose would get really dry inside and normal nasal secretions would sort of get caked inside my nose. Sometimes I would need to apply vaseline with a q-tip to coat the inside of my nostrils for relief.

I am happy with the results, however to this day I still have the dry effects from time to time and to a lesser degree. It is annoying, and sometimes I wonder how my acne would have ended up if I didn't take the accutane and just stuck it out. I know I probably would've ended up with unsightly scars, and if that's the case, I am glad I took it.

The pill size wasn't too bad for me, but I don't know if they would be for you. Could you maybe cut the pill in half first?

I honestly can't remember if my acne got worse before getting better.

Please remember, DO NOT GET PREGNANT while on this drug. Severe deformities will result. Don't even take a chance.

 

[lucyanna girl]

DD has taken Accutane on two separate occasions and ended up using the generic version of Pro Acne to stop her acne.
After using other methods to control her constant out breaks that began at age 11, the Dermatologist recommended Accutane. Even tho the side effects could be serious, her acne was bad enough that we decided to use it because the Dr. told us it would end her problem for good. She had bad back aches and her lips got so dry they cracked and bled, but it seemed to work wonders. Six months later the acne was back - as bad as ever. Dr. told us that of the thousands of patients he had prescribed Accutane for a few had to take it twice. So, she did. Once again the results were wonderful, for about six months. Same side effects, by the way.
Dr. said he had only had one patient have to use Accutane three times. DD was NOT ready for a new round of horrible back aches and bleeding lips that no lip balm seemed to help. I was in Sam's Club one day and noticed a produce called Acne Free. DD started using it in September of 2005 and the results have been great. She very occasionally has a blemish, but nothing like before. She is also not putting such a strong medication into her body, no blood tests and no peeing into a cup and no questions of "have you been depressed?" or "have you considered suicide?"
I guess summer will be the real test, but so far we are VERY pleased with Acne Free and would sure try it before the Accutane if I were you. I wish we had.

 

[antsss]

I was on accutane about 15 yrs ago. Had really really bad cystic acne all along my jawline, so I was game for anything. Can't remember the size of the pill. My results were amazing. This stuff cleared up my skin beautifully! Now I just have the occasional normal zit.

 

[momrek06]

It was a MIRACLE pill for BOTH my sons. They had horrible acne in h.s.! They are now 23 and 20! The 23y.o. had some severe issues with his liver all related to taking Accutance. You have to have your blood drawn EVERY month and then they check your blood counts. After he was on it only 4 months, we went for the routine blood work and the counts were through the roof ALL at the same time he is complaining of severe stomach pains....well S**T hit the fan and he was terrible sick. Had to STOP the accutance and we all said "your miracle drug has let you down"!! He got over his issues with the liver (he was actually YELLOW for several weeks) and NEVER went back on the Accutance BUT his skin remained FLAWLESS despite only being on it 4 months.

Then DS #2 was next with horrible acne AGAIN like his big bro and all the usual stuff was NOT working, we decided to give the Accutance one more try with DS #2 and once again it was DS' MIRACLE drug. Working wonderfully, we monitored him so carefully and NO side effects like big bro but DS #2 had some bloody noses and his skin was really dry. I would COVER him in CETAPHAL's ($$$) skin creme every single night, esp his back and the backs of his arms.

I would consider it as my boys were devastated with they way their faces looked. After-all they were in h.s. meeting girls etc etc! They wanted this acne to GO AWAY!!!

If you have tried everything and nothing has worked, give this a try and see if you like the results.

GOOD LUCK!! P.S. To this day, since stopping the Accutance, neither boy has haad any return of the acne AT ALL!!! Oldest DS was on 4 months, youngest DS was on 6 months.

 

[Snowysmom]

My older DS was on Accutane for 5 months. It cleared up his acne really well. Nothing else worked. He has had a little recurrence which the dermatologist said might happen but he did say 1-2 more months of Accutane should take care of it for good. DS did need to use a lot of chapstick and moisturizer for his lips and skin. Younger DS is responding well at this point to antibiotics so we are staying with that for now. Bloodwork is necessary too to look for any liver problems as one poster mentioned.

 

[trip]

My daughter had great results but it did take two rounds. She tried antibiotics first but developed an allergy to pencillin.

 

[Tine731]

I was a fan of accutane.I took it for a 3-4 month period when I was 30 (now 36) and loved the results. My acne problems did not return and it changed my skin type. I had oily skin and now do not. It also changed my hair texture. I always had oily hair and would sometimes have to wash it twice a day. Not anymore. I can go two days without a wash. I did not have the problems with dry mouth or eyes. I was however on a very low dose and my acne was not severe. I was just tired of trying all these medications, topical and pills, and not seeing any results. If they can put a man on the moon then they can clear up my skin! I am very pleased with the results. Do you have insurance? It is very expensive prescription if you do not. I hope you have sucess with it if you decide its for you.

 

[RadioNate]

I have two stories. One of my roomates in college took it. I seem to remember the pills being rather large but I'm not positive. Anyway after one night of heavy drinking he came home and completely freaked out. The only way I think I could describe it would be similar to steroid rage. He was violent and out of control, our neighbors called the police and he was arrested. He hardly remembers any of it. So warning #1 from me is to never drink on it. In addition to the liver problems momrek06 mentioned there is the rare 'violence' side effect.

The second case I know of is a girl who is now a model. She was on it for over a year. She said her face would crack and bleed. Not just her lips but her cheeks would peel and be raw and nasty. All in all though she is glad she took it.

At 30, I have worse acne than I did as a teen and have thought about accutane throughout the years but I am not through having children and I read somewhere that you should wait at least a year after stopping accutane just to be sure.

I want DH fixed and me on BC just in case if I ever decide to try accutane.