www.fda.gov

www.accutaneaction.com

Don't take accutane!

I did for half a year and nearly every side effect possible arised. Now three years later i feel quite ok again. During medication i stopped smoking, alcohol, unhealthy food, ... because i felt so weak . The acne is gone but if i could choose again i wouldn't use it. Read the brochure with the side effects...

I suggest you buy a drug guide or read the side effects on many of the medications you may take. Some of the most common medications have horrible side effects but you probably take them with out a second thought. Many antibiotics have side effects such as nephrotoxicity (damaging to the kidneys), ototoxicity (which can lead to deafness), or depression. There are alternative treatments for infections just as there are for acne--it is not always necessary to take antibiotics. There are also many medications that can cause serious birth defects if a woman is pregnant while taking them. Like accutane, when taking these medications two forms of birth control must be used to prevent pregnancy. Also, adverse effects of most medications (elective or necessary) are rare. Accutane is as safe to take as most other medications.

im on it right now for three months now and i have never felt better, the only side effects that i have is dry lips and i am thirsty. If you believe that the drug will make you go crazy and kill yourself you will. Honestly most of the side effects is a bunch of shit

Dude, you make it sound like acid. like, don't think about it too much or you'll go keraaazzzyyy!!! C'mon, you are obviously kidding yourself. ANY medicine can cause a wide variety of side effects. Think about people who are allergic to such benign medications as milk or nuts. Do you think the company would put warnings about suicide and hearing loss if people weren't actually experiencing these problems.

The bottom line, is that it is all about statistics. Sure, maybe only .1% of people show serious side effects. But if 10,000 take the drug, that means -- for you mathematicians out there -- that 10 people will come down with something.

And if you are pregnant, it is GUARANTEED to fuck up your baby. Didn't you see the picture? I didnt make that up... that's in the brochure they gave me.

C'mon, you're kidding right?

Accutane is a wonderful medication!! I had such severe acne that I became very depressed and withdrawn. After 4 months of taking Accutane my face was clear. I have now been free of acne for 7 years. The only side effect I ever had was dry skin and a clear face.

If you do not want to risk Accutane's side effects than don't take it. Otherwise, do not ruin it for the thousands of people who could benefit from it. I would not be the happy person I am today if I still suffered from the acne I had as a teen.

Relax, sister. Nobody is ruining anything. It's not like we are the FDA and we are trying to ban it. Not one person here has mentioned banning the stuff. In fact... let people take whatever crap they want.

All I'm saying is that you should be aware of the side effects. And don't forget, these sorts of medications often have cumulative and/or long-term side effects.

It's not just cynics like me... the people who make Accutane have pointed out the fact that a certain percentage of people are GUARANTEED to have serious side-effects. There are people on this post right here who have had serious side-effects.

What part of this don't you understand?

Long term side effects, do the research. Check out
drmirkin.com/morehealth/G200.htm. Research has been done on long term side effects.

All I can say is I don't trust accutane. I took it 2-3 years before getting pregnant with my daughter and she has a rare birth defect! I think it stays in your system for a long time or screws someone up! I will be looking more into this. Oh yeah, I am NOT the first to complain about this..I read of other people having children with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia after taking accutane.

My daughter started on acutane last year (2002) in August. By September she had a huge ovarian cyst that caused considerable pain and finally burst nearly sending her to the hospital. We did not connect it to the acutane until this year when she once again she started on it in August and by October 9, 03 she had several ovarian cysts. Coincidence? I think not I took her off the acutane. I would rather she have a few blemishes and be able to keep her female organs!

I took Accutane for six months, three years ago. I was fourteen and went into a serious depression. I really felt crazy. My mom felt it was just normal for a teenager so we never sought help. Then, last year I went into another depression and started getting bad anxiety. I still have anxiety and suffer from mild depression. I just wanted to know if this came from Accutane, or just a chemical imbalance in me.

Nicole...

First of all, if you are suffering from either depression or anxiety you should speak with a counselor and/or a medical doctor. There are different types and levels of depression. It is important to identify your symptoms and then compare this to what people have experienced after taking Accutane.

If you stopped taking Accutane and the symptoms persisted, it is probably not the Accutane causing your depression. But the bottom line is that if you have ANY doubts about Accutane, you should not take it. No amount of acne is worth going through depression or anxiety to get rid ot it.

There are a lot of ways to deal with depression/anxiety, from counseling and therapy to medication. I would focus on dealing with that first and worry about the Accutane later. Good luck!!

My son just finished taking a six month dose of accutane. He had chapped lips, palms, and the soles of his feet as well. His nosebleeds were horrendous at times too. But he was not depressed and he was determined to try and get rid of his acne.
His face is somewhat better but now (just days off the accutane) he is so depressed that it is frightening. This is totally out of character. Could it be withdrawal from the accutane?

Amom...

Depression can be caused by many things, and also occurs naturally. But depression may also be a side-effect of Accutane. If you have any concerns about Accutane... DO NOT TAKE IT. Acne is not a life threatening condition, but depression IS.

Anyone who suffers from clinical depression (i.e. recurring and/or prolonged depression) should seek the advice of a psychiatrist.

Good luck!!!

I have had a headache for a week now. I thought it was coming from my allergies so I took clartin-D for a week but my headache want go away and I can't get any sleep. Is this from Accutane?

Im 46 and have a disease called hidradenitis suppurativa. For those who dont know what that is i'll tell you. Its chronic dibilitating abscesses of the sweat glands in the groin/and armpits. Ive had it for 19yrs. Well, i started Accutane, 30 days so far and all i see is that my lips are chapped and the HS is worsening. Does acne get worse on accutane before it gets better? Thats what ive read. I take 40mg's of prozac along with the accutane to help with the depression from it, and accutane DOES cause depression. Im kinda tired of fighting, you know. I thought accutane was supposed to be the best for severe acne prob's. How long should i keep taking it before i decide enough is enough? Lavonna

HELP!!!!!! I have severe adult acne inversa or (hidradenitis suppurativa) which causes severe abscesses in the armpits and in the groin. I started Accutane 40mg, and its been 5 weeks of the stuff and my condition is WORSE!!!! Got 2 abscesses in my armpit, which i didnt have before the accutane and one on my butt. Why is this happening? Should i stop the drug. Im 46 now, i have this disease for 19 long years. What to do?? Lavonna

If you have trouble with a prescription... CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!!!

Maybe you shouldn't be fucking with Accutane if the the side-effects are worse than the original symptoms. I would have thought this was obvious. But apparently some people will do anything to rid themselves of acne.

I think if someone feels the risk of possible side effects is worth it, and having clear skin is that important to them to be willing to accept those effects should they occur, the least we can do is support them and not scrutinize them.

Everyone has different things that are equally important to them, yet very different. Just because someone is willing to sacrifice something for a cause you don't agree with doesn't mean that either of you are wrong!

Furthermore, in regards to the comment about the excessive warnings being clear evidence and acknowledgement of certain doom to all who take it, consider this: you remember the lady who tried to sue McDonalds for making her kids fat? Yes. Sure you do! People are sue crazy these days, and while I agree that the side effects being life threatening should be enough for anyone considering taking this med should be very informed, I do not agree that the meer mention of the possible effects on a label indicate a mortality rate. If that was the case, then what would you say to the Vidal Sasoon corp. who put labels on their hairdryers warning "Do not use while sleeping!". Darnit, I must have been sleep styling again! *hehehe*

Just because something is clearly labeled as a precautionary measure doesn't mean it is something to cry wolf about. Be informed, by all means. Assess your priorities, and then if it is right for YOU, go for it.

Jessica-Marie

jessica...

first of all, no one said anything about sueing anyone. you seem a little defensive here. and if you'll remember, i was offered accutane and simply reported on the brochure that was given to me by the doctor. that isn't exactly "crying wolf". none of these people are crying wolf either... did you miss the part about their symptoms??

i'm not suggesting anyone sue the makers of Accutance. much like your mcdonalds example, i am simply pointing out risks which appear to be fairly well documented.

I am not telling people to avoid Accutane. Honestly, I don't care if people go and blow their heads off... that's none of my business. What I am saying -- to those who are trying to figure out whether they should take Accutane -- is to keep things in perspective, ESPECIALLY if they start to experience possible side effects.

What would YOU tell someone if they started getting suspicious sypmtoms and asked YOU for advice?

Acne is almost always a cosmetic issue. You can still work a job. You can still play sports. You can still have sex (although maybe less =). And you certainly won't die from acne (unless you get acne ganggrene).

Like you said, it's all about risks and benefits. But anytime you consider risking your basic health to achieve cosmetic results... you are taking an UNNECESSARY risk. Got it?

In our society, people very often try to change something about themselves, when their real goal is to change the behavior of others. From plastic surgery to body building, people often torture themselves to "fit in". With the most extreme cases of acne -- esp. painful acne -- it is certainly worth the risk to seek out a medical solution. Accutane clearly helps many people. But it does have potential risks, and a very wide range of them.

Honestly, I think it is YOU who are spreading false information and essentially reverse-wolf-crying. I have cited official documentation from the manufacturer of Accutane. The warnings about pregnancy are VERY serious, much like fetal alcohol syndrome. And if you think all those warning are on there because someone guessed what the side-effects might be... you are sorely mistaken. Do you think they guessed that people might commit suicide? No.

Anyway, thanks for the lively discussion.

Heres my problem. I went on accutane for a about 2 days and was fine. i smoked some laced weed and now i get panic attacks, doc says hes 99 % sure it was from the weed not the accutane becuz the accutane takes longer than 2 days to fully get in ur system. he perscibed me Lexapro an anti-depressant/ anti-anxiety thing. the thing is i am not depressed at all. the only thing that i get really depressed about is my acne... the thing is the mental side effects of this medicine make me really nervous. i duno sometimes when i think bout the side effects i say to my self oh its not worth it, but than i look at my face and i say i gotta do sometin. i duno im really torn between the choices. but if any of you guys could tell me your advice i'd appreciate it . thnx.

I'm not sure of any expertise here but I am devistated at what decision to make for my 16 yr old. He has severe acne on his face and more recently on his back. The dermatologist first precribed and antibiotic and topical wash, toner, and antibiotic ointment. I don't think I have ever known a teenager to be more dedicated to taking care of their face. He doesn't over do it but never missed a beat and there was absolutely no improvement. So the doctor wanted to put him on Accutane. I too read the insert and even after filling the script I decided not to put him on it. My theory was I rather have him with scars and healthy than without and something bad happen. This decision came especially easy after an associate of mine who blinks all the time and has poor vision told me it was caused from Accutane many years ago. So now I am desperate. He has used Proactive now for 4 months and although it seems to helped even more than the dermatologist treatment he still has what is severe acne. He has scars on top of scars and I feel terrible because I want to help him and don't know what to do. Do you know of any other treatment or is there anything anyone has used that has helped? Thank you for any advise you may have.

Also for the person that has the abscesses, have you tried antibiotics? Do they get better with antibiotic treatment? Have you been tested for MRSA? If you get tested for MRSA make sure you go to someone who is really familiar with it. I had the same type problem for about 6 yrs and every doctor I visited did not treat my problem correctly. Now I am free of this problem. I understand the pain. If it is MRSA like mine was any type of Methicillin drug will be absolutley useless! Clindamycin is the most effective. But what got me clear of this bacterial infection permanently was following a lifestyle change that my family doctor proscribed after I broke down in front of him asking what else we could try. He's Chinese and also believes in alternative treatments. Good luck.

donna the truth is acne can totally ruin the way a teenager feels about himself. i know because i am 15 and a half i have been suffering from acne since i just turned 14. i tried everything all the antibiotics, proactive, creams,etc. the truth is the dont work for people with really bad acne. accutane is the only real cure. accutane has some messed up side effects and depression being one of them, throughout these years that i have had acne i have never been so depressed in my life, i am afraid to hang out with my old friends fearing that someone will say something, i dont talk to girls, and i stay in my room most of the day doing random shit like writing this post to you! well i go to the derm in like 2 weeks and i hope i am prescribed accutane. i believe it will totally change my life and no kid deserves to have to feel the way i do including your son. if your sons acne doesnt bother him or make him inactive / depressed accutane prolly isnt the answer. but if his acne makes him really sad like to the point where he doesnt want to go to skool some days because of the way he looks ( like i do ) do him a favor and let him take it. pz out.

To the anonymous author who responded to my post,

While I thank you for your response, your attitude really dissappoints me! Shame on you for trying so very hard to make me feel saddened for sharing my opinion. I hope nobody ever does that to you, honestly. It doesn't feel very good, and while internet hostility is about the equivalent of road rage, I am sure you are a nice person in the "Real world". Positivity is so much more enlightening, and you'll feel better too.

I am not just spreading information to whom ever should be intrested; I am in my 3rd Month of treatment. That is why I came to this site to begin with, to gather information. I am opened minded and research the good aspects of treatment as well as the bad. For me, Accutane has changed my life, and is very worth it. I can't see how sharing that deems me a "spreader of false information" as you accused me of being. I too, have visited the FDA website for my own intrests before starting treatment, and I am in school to become a Dermatologist. Lets just be nice to eachother, being so hostile over trying to HELP others is so rediculous and immature.

Good luck, and best wishes.

Jessi-Marie Barriere
Nermalkiki@burnerkitty.com

I have had bad acne since i was 15 but ever since i turned 17 I have had severe acne and I can't just take it anymore because all the time that I go to school I just want to not be there as much as I want to do good in school and get good grades I just dont want to acne has completely taken over my life and completely destroyed it i am in the process of taking accutane and when I take it I am sure it will clear up and I will be that happy guy I used to always be and joker now IM just the odd man out I dont participate in anything for those of you opposed to accutane are completely ignorant and full of shit!!! Because you dont know what us people that have it go threw we just wanna die!!! But no we have a solution and if you are oppossed to accutane u can SUCK MY DICK

It's crazy what people do to get clear skin. I mean if I had bad acne and wasn't looking to get pregnant, hell then maybe I would take Accutant! My friend took Accutant for 3 months and her skin is looking great. She had minor side effects. Dry skin, dry lips, very thirsty, and couldn't go into the sun for a long period of time. But she doesn't regret taking it at all. If you want to get pregnant, or keep your child after you find out your pregnant, you have to step up, and be responsible. Your caring for two now. If taking Accutane is going to cause problems for your unborn child, why do that? Your obviously not responsible enough to be a mother. It's just about three months before you deside to get pregnant, and until your done breast feeding, then you can go back on it. That is not a long time. But a life time of problems is a long time. So think before taking Accutane while being pregnant!

dude the whole suicide thing with this medication is a bunch of B/S, the only reason that there is so many so called side effects is becuase of little weaklings who call up and say this happen to me it hurts, and then they cry about it, so much of this shit is made up and is not true, ive been on accutane for 2 months now, after the first two days my face was not oily at all , after 1 week I didn't get a break out, after like a month it was just redness, and now im almost completely clear in TWO MONTHS, i know that these results probable won't be the same for everyone else but it just shows that this medicine works, also with every side effect of this medicine there is always something small you can do to prevent it,, chapped lips? chapstick,,dry skin?? moisturizer,,dry eyes?? tears(brand of eye drops),,heres a tought one.. sunburn??? sunscreen , its all pretty simple and most of those weird side effects no one really gets except those estranged people who live out in the middle of no where.BUT U MUST LISTEN TO THIS ONE VERY IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECT THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HEAR AND CONSIDER...........*HAVING NO ACNE* I KNOW THIS CAN BE HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE BUT YOU WILL GET OVER IT.

To Tamera:

If your daughter is suffering from acne as well as multipe cysts on her ovaries, you may want to seriously consider looking into PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Both acne and multiple cysts are symptoms and she will need to see an Endocrinologist or maybe a Gynecologist who is really trained in treating PCOS.

Here's my theory on the Accutane/Depression thing. Say you have horrible acne. You look like a monster. You hate the way you look, and you will quite happliy sacrifice your health so that you can face yourself in the mirror. So you take accutane. The last resort. It doesn't work for you, or you get discouraged because of the flair ups that happen when you first start taking the medicine. There's no hope. May as well be dead.

I think Accutane is great. Having acne makes you feel like shit. As for the suicide bullshit, if you decide to take Accutane,you know about all the risks involved. I dont think it causes you to have depression or committ suicide, these people were already fucked up in the head b/c they were so depressed already b/4 getting on Accutane. If youre willing to deal with a few side effects for a short period of time, then its so worth it. Ive been on Accutane for 2 months so far, and my face is completley clear. I love Accutane. The side effects arent that bad either, people just like to cry and make people feel sorry for them!!! Accutane is the shit! And the birth defect thing, it says not to get pregnant! So dont get pregnant and there wont be any problems! if anyone has a problem with what I say I really dont give a fuck!

hey eric I also wanted to say that you sound like a little bitch to me like when you respond to peoples comments like you have an attitude problem...since you never took it b/4 why did you waste all this time creating a website just to be like Yea I think its funny that people get on this blah blah blah...I dont understand why you think you can have an opinion about it when you havent even taken it! The point is Accutane works, youre gonna have a few side effects but who cares? And yea it causes birth defects so dont get pregnant! Duh! Oh, I havent had any night vision problems and I havent read about anyone else either, that was probly just people wanting to cry about something...Anyway eric, shut the hell up bitch :)

I have been on Accutane for 1 month now. And to tell all of yall the truth i was scared to start taking the medcine. My advice to all of yall is to not let the massive amount of side effects go to your head. I love accutane. It has already made a major improvment on my face. I have never been so happy in my life. The only side effect that I have had so far is dry lips, dry skin, and some headaches. Its really not bad.........and so worth it!

Good Luck!

Totally agree w/ ya katie!!!! Accutane is the best. I now have the perfect face i have always imagined. The side effects will not kill ya. I have survied and so has 10 of my other friends!

Good Luck peeps!

Has anyone had permenant dry eyes from accutane? I have, I took a dose of eighty milligrams perday. It totally dryed my eyes and skin out. Oh I have totally withdrawn from my friends and family do to this piece of shit drug. If I could, I would walk into laroche labortories with a huge gattling gun wasting every fucking chemist that created that shit. They dont realize how many people they have hurt and nor do they give a fuck!They just keep prescibing the shit to make their little fucking business grow. Its all about money in this society and whether it hurts people or not they still want their doe. THis society is really going to hell! I feel sorry for most of those people that have had severe trauma with this horrible drug. Oh not to mention the ones that have lost their lives!

Its down to the individual if they want to take Accutane or not, if they are fully aware of the side effects and they are still willing to go through it then thats their decision. Eric you may not agree with it but thats your opinion and your entitled to it as is everyone else. I've got to the stage where i would take anything if it meant i could have clear skin, hell if they said donkey spunk was the miracle cure for acne i'd go smear myself in it! Perhaps that sounds stupid to you but not everyone is as comfortable with their appearance as you are....sad but true.

Donkey spunk is surely a miracle cure.

I have been on Accutane for a week now so far so good. I hope it works for me. I am 41 years old and I'm tried of acne.

Eric, I find it extremely interesting that you would be THIS interested in the side effects of a drug you have never and by the sounds of it, will never take. It just baffels me... ( Do you have something to tell us ? )
anyhow, I am 41 year old female, fairly attractive but with a mild case of acne since I've been around 18 years old. I am on about day 15 of Accutane, and have been experiencing very dry lips , headache ( which I plan to call my doctor about today ) and being thirsty and tired.
I would just like to thank you for your concern about this medication and for you website, I find that most people ( according to your website comments ) who have taken accutane are pleased with the out come, it seems to me that most of the people ( again , according to the comments posted on your website )who are concerned about the side effects are the people who have not taken it.
Thanks again, I appreciate the information and candid views by all of the posted messages.

jackie

Jackie...

Here is what I have to tell you...

I think you may be experiencing side effects. In addition to the dry lips, headache, thirst, and fatigue you describe... you may also be experiencing paranoid delusions. Whatever you do... don't watch Jacob's Ladder! It is about someone getting exposed to an Accutane-like substance, while on a hunting trip in Asia. Please, get some help!

i just wanted to say im sorry for being such a little bitch about this whole thing. truth is im a flaming faggot and i put the pills up my ass instead of taking them normally. then i let my dog search my hole with his tongue until he got the pills out. my dog has the cleares skin of anyone i know and i am jealous of his success. please forgive me for being such a faggot little bitch.

The lousy grammar and self-deprecating email address elucidates the pernicious nature of my imposter. But I ain't mad at ya! Honestly, I'm amused. Keep em coming!

i jus have a ques. i am considering getting on accutane but the only thing that is holding me back is the question whether the side effects like dry skin can be covered up so no one can notice it. i am not worried about the major side effects that much becayse i kno my body and i will kno if something is wrong. can the side effects like dry skin be unnoticiable and do u get really red while ur on it?

Please ask your doctor. None of us are dermatologists. You might go crazy and kill yourself. And then I would feel bad. Er, wait... I would probably never find out if you died from it, would I? In that case... go ahead just take the Accutane. If your skin gets dry... go to the store and buy some moisturizer. But make sure it has extra Vitamin E, aloe, and donkey spunk.

I spoke with my derm about the side effects of Accutane, and she says that most cases are due to high dosages being wrongly prescribed. For example, she says she'd like to put me on 40mg for 5 months, as most of her patients have had great success with lower dosages over a slightly longer period of time.

I have been on accutane for 2 months now. I can't believe how nice my skin is. Yes my lips are so chapped that I have a split that bleeds! But they are getting better.I see the doctor this tuesday to get my third month supply.

Accutane is GUARANTEED to F you up. all you liars who say you are fine after taking the medication are all doped up on PCP anyways you don't know your ass from a hole in the ground

just wanted to say i took accutane for only about a month i got scared after reading so many scary reviews so i threw it away. almost two months later i have had only one pimple, so i would have to say accutane does work(and i use to have break outs all the time)the only side effect i have had was a few bad headachs,even though it seem to clear my skin in such a short time i will never try this dangerous drug again.

well good for you... i took it for at least 6 months when i was younger- i never had any headaches or suicidal thoughts and my skin definetly cleared up. a lot of drugs have side effects i dont know why everyone is making these such a big deal.

How many times can I explain the nature of statistics. Even if a very small percentage -- let's say 0.0001 -- if the number of people taking the drug is large (as it is true with Accutane) then it is a sure thing that many many people will have adverse reactions. This has less to do with Accutane, and more to do with the nature of statistics.

Take bathtubs... a bathtub appears harmless. But put millions of children in them every night and many of those children will die (every year, over one thousand children drown in bathtubs).

OK... you need more statistics...

"According to FDA statistics, nearly 2,000 women are known to have taken Accutane while pregnant between its approval in 1982 and the year 2000. Of the 383 live births recorded among this group during that time, 162 resulted in infants with birth defects."

I got more if you want them.

This is my second time taking Accutane, the first time was back in 98 and my face was clear way up until 2003, I just finished my six month prescription 10/04 and I look good, If you have an acne problem the best way to go is with accutane. My only side effects were dry skin (use Aveeno Lotion) chapped lips (get some blistex) and problems with the sun. If you are an outside person use accutane during the fall season and your good to go. Accutane does not just clear up acne but it gives you a glo..it completely changes the complexion of your skin and 99% of the time you will not have any breakouts for a very very long period of time. Acne is hard to deal with it and it does depress you and no matter what people say, people treat u different. Get the accutane and get your blood work each month, if your doctor reccommends it obviously they feel you need it, don't listen to the haters believe me you will be glad you tried it..it's the best!!

I'm doing my final project in chemistry over the side-effects of Accutane. I have found all of your postings to be quite interesting. I have a moderate form acne and have thought about tring the medication. After seeing the postings, I doubt I will continue my interest in Accutane. I value my life and my future children too much to take a risk for my skin. Thanks again for the helpful advice from everyone!

i just started accutane on 11-26 20mg. I have had SEVERE joint pain. So severe that I wake myself up at night crying because it hurts to move. My bones feel like they are going to crumble to the ground. It is so bad that my boss brought me a power wheelchair so that I could go to the ladie's room. I cry of pain. I walk like I am 80.
I stopped the medication for 4 days and called my doctor to tell them I was experiencing severe side effects. My doctor was frustrated and said I had no other alternative! To take one that day (monday) and then go every other day.I took it that night. I couldn't walk tuesday. Past monday was my last pill!I AM STILL IN A LOT OF PAIN!!!!!
I went through the phone book and looked for a doctor who would not prescribe accutane. I figured that this doctor has had to have severe acne patients and must have a course of treatment. I found one, I seen him today and I was given a liquid nitrogen treatment on my face. He said I would need more. I didn't see results today, but he said I would after a few. The good thing is it was not painful. I will try anything at this point, as long it is NOT accutane.
I would not reccommend this drug to anyone as it didn't give me a good experience. I would say, why risk it?

OK, ERIC- First of all, do you even have the experience to say this kind off stuff about a drug that you have never been formally educated about or have even been on yourself? I don't think so. Also, you don't have the knowledge to answer people's posts suggesting that they are experiencing side effects from the drug when you aren't even a doctor.
Secondly, when you go to the dermatologist ALL of the possible side effects are made VERY clear, and female patients are required to sign documentation saying that they understand the risks for birth defects, and that they are on the Pill. The drug isn't given to the patient unless they have a negative pregnancy test AND are on the Pill.
In the end it becomes a personal choice, and obviously you didn't think the drug was right for you, which is fine, but there are thousands of people out there who have had great outcomes from taking the drug and it has made their lives that much better.
Also, it's unlikely that your dermatologist would prescribe accutane for your acne without trying oral antibiotics first. Accutane is a powerful drug and it is only given to patients with severe acne that doesn't respond to any other treatments.

1. My initial post contains no medical advice. It is strictly anecdotal, although the picture is from an Accutane brochure.

2. Numerous people have come here looking for advice. I tell them to be careful and get 2nd opinions. Do you have a problem with that? That said, I guess I did suggest donkey spunk as an alternative to Accutane. You might consider that medical advice.

3. Anyone who goes to a hip hop website for medical advice should get their head checked by a certfied DJ or MC.

Dear Eric and others, I took my eleven year old to have her acne checked today and the doctor wants to immediately put her on Accutane. I read your entire site and am totally confused. She does have a severe problem and the thought of saving her years of problems is tempting. But after reading your letters, I am thinking maybe let her make her own decision when she can understand the risks. Thank you all.

You are missing the point entirely.

YOU NEED TO GET A SECOND OPINION!!!

And when I say "second opinion", I mean a certified dermatologist, not a hip hop website. Don't leave the decision to your daughter. It is YOUR responsibility to get a second, professional opinion.

Dear Eric, I will be getting a second opinion and hopefully starting her with less severe methods. I amazed me that a doctor would want to go immediately to this level on an eleven year old. And, if nothing works, I will wait until she can make a decision about the risks.

Good call. Take heart, acne sometimes goes away after puberty. I hope you find a healthy solution. Good luck to you and your daughter!

I have finish my 6 mos of Accutane it was hard with the chapped lips but after I got off the drug my lips cleared up. I'm really happy with my results. I feel that it depends on everybody's body how the drug effects. I had only one severe effect and that was my lips. I feel I would do it again! Thank you Acctane!!!!!!

FINALLY, A REAL SOLUTION.

There are side effects and possible horrible things associated with any medication. Accutane is obviously not for everyone. But for those of use who have suffered the humiliation of horrible skin our entire teenage and adult lives, this medication is a god send. I've been on accutane for 3 months now, granted dry lips are a bit annoying, the rest I am so incredibly thankful for. Finally a solution. Be thankful if you've never had to deal with it, or if your very mild skin problems don't bother you. Really, terrible acne is incredibly depressing. No one deserves it. And personally, I really couldn't care less what it could do to a fetus as I will never be in that position (it is truly not difficult to make intelligent decisions). There are requirements set in place to prevent such things, along with personal responsibility.

i took accutane with a relatively high dose for a couple months int he fall last year...lips were very chapped, but it worked, until I was done.

then it was just like i had never accutane, but i got prescribed some more, and i just finished that maybe a few weeks ago. now my skin is breaking out again

my experience is that it works when I'm taking Accutane, but things go back to normal when I'm off it. =\ has it been this way with anyone else? with how expensive this stuff is, it's obviously supposed to be a permenant solution

Jonathan,

It has happened once. I got one big one on my check and the doctor shot me some medicine with a needle cleared it up in just a few days. what are you using on your face when you wash it?

ACCUTANE IS BAD BAD BAD!!!

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG.

IT HAS SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS.

Melee...

Maybe to you accutane is bad but for me and my friends it has worked miracles! Im 16 yrs old and i had suffered from moderate/severe acne ever since the age of 13. Throughout my teenage years i had always had my friends joking around with my acne and i told my mom that ive had enough. I went to the derm and he prescribed me accutane. After 3 months i felt like a new person. My confidence had skyrocketed, i could now talk to the really hott girls and i noticed i was getting a lot more attention from the ladies. THANK YOU ACCUTANE! Not only did it help me but i have 5 friends that have done the same thing.... and the result has been astonishing, clear skin and no more acne!!! The only side effects was the dry lips and skin, but just throw some moisturizer and some lip balm( A LOT OF LIP BALM lol) and your good to go. ACCUTANE IS AN AMAZING DRUG!!! IF YOUR SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT JUST TALK TO YOUR DERM ABOUT IT. If you have any questions about accutane feel free to e-mail me, Sincerely,
Anthony

Hi Everyone my name is stephanie and I am 18 years old i have had little acne from 14 to 17 and all of a sudden it worsened. I have been taking acutane for two weeks. I have the regular symptoms chapped lips, dry skin, dry scalp, dry eyes, and loss in appetite. I have been reading what everyone has been saying and most of it is bad. I am very disappointed, because I was told by many people who have taken Acutane before that it was wonderful. I have hope that it is going to work, and i am going to continue to use it. I hope that others will not get discouraged either because having hope that your face will be clear for once is the best feeling ever.

I had severe nodular acne for my freshman and sophomore year in high school. It made me feel so withdrawn, that I didn't want to go to school. My junior year I took it for about 8 months. Besides having to use aquaphor(petrolatum) for my VERY dry face and lips, having back aches when I would lay down, somewhat decreased vision at night, sometimes bad headaches, it has worked miracles!!!! I'm very happy I took it. But looking at all the things that COULD have gone wrong...I wouldn't necessarily reccomend it to everyone, and anyone who has a problem they can't handle, needs to stop the meds and talk truthfully to their doctor.

I took when I was 14. It really does work but I don't know if it's worth the side effects.

It's been 8 years since I went off it and I still have chapped lips, dry skin and eyes. I constantly have to use chap stick.

Also, depending on how bad your acne is, mine was pretty bad, if your acnes bad you WILL get scars. Though now theres creams you can use that will probably help decrease them.

Accutane also stunted my growth. Both my parents are 6'+ and i'm 5'7".

I've also developed acute pancreatitis, it's not certian that it was caused by accutane. It's pretty coincidental that it started when I took accutane and it's a side effect...which wasn't known about when I started taking it.

Take it at your own risk.

Oh and i've also been dealing with depression on and off for the last 8 years..right around when I started accutane..hmmm.

Roaccutane (Accutane) is found to result in alterations of brain function in all subjects that were scanned. Mice exposed to the toxin have experienced measured significant cell losses in the brain. The retinoid signaling is found to be involved in the regulation of deep sleep. Accutane is a retinoid administered in a toxic 100 times overdose.

For further information:

www.max001.proboards42.com

See picture of effects in the brain after exposure:

ajp.psychiatryonline.org

Read one of the studies of effects in the brain:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I took accutane for 4 years before the strict labeling laws went into place and before many of the side effects were known. I thought it was a miracle drug -- cleared up my acne ... didn't have many side effects other than the usual chapped lips and rosy colored skin. NOW -- I am looking at a life-time of medical complications. Three surgeries so far. The connective tissue in my joints has nearly turned to mush. Please -- really consider the long term consequences of taking accutane. Pharmaceutical company's need to be held accountable for producing drugs that do not have far reaching consequences such as these. Until we say no to this drug -- there is no motivation for them to develop something better for acne without the horrendous side-effects.

I took accutane for 4 years before the strict labeling laws went into place and before many of the side effects were known. I thought it was a miracle drug -- cleared up my acne ... didn't have many side effects other than the usual chapped lips and rosy colored skin. NOW -- I am looking at a life-time of medical complications. Three surgeries so far. The connective tissue in my joints has nearly turned to mush. Please -- really consider the long term consequences of taking accutane. Pharmaceutical company's need to be held accountable for producing drugs that do not have far reaching consequences such as these. Until we say no to this drug -- there is no motivation for them to develop something better for acne without the horrendous side-effects.

what are the worst case scenario problems you can run into.. I heard of stories of rectal bleeding and chron's disease

I have a few concerns regarding my sister. About 8 years ago, both my sister and I went on Accutane for sever debilitating acne. I must say, it did work wonders for the both of us, it changed our appearance, in turn boosting our self-steam. We, as many of you, have suffered through all the common side effects like dry skin, constant and sometimes horrendous nosebleeds, dry chapped lips, etc. But for us, it was more the worth it. We were told of the more serious side effect and yet we were also told that the chance of them occurring were next to nothing so we decided to take the risk and to this day I am glad I did. I haven't had a reoccurrence of my acne problem but unfortunately my sister has, and it is as bad as it was back then, if not worse. But other things have been going on with her that aren't described by any web site, like boils and cysts in the groin area, for which she has had two surgeries already, but they keep reappearing. Now, she has a lump the size of a marble in her eyelid, one on her neck and yet another in her groin area. After consulting a co-worker of hers, who has also been on accutane in the past, she as discovered that her co-worker also suffers from the exact same symptoms. I guess my question is, is this just a coincidence, or have others had the same side effects? Is it a side effect of Accutane that just hasn't been documented or looked into yet? We just don't know and neither does the doctors. Can Accutane cause this?

Again, consult a knowledgable physician!
If your doctor cannot refer you to a specialist... you need to see another doctor. Find a doctor who specializes in Accutane side effects. Unfortunately, the reality is that there may be no definitive answers, but Accutane has an established pattern of side effects in numerous categories.

From the beginning, Roche has stated there is a wide range of side effects, many of which have nothing to do with skin. I will assume there have been and will continue to be many class action lawsuits against Roche. You may be entitled to compensation.

ANY BODY THINKIN ABOUT TAKIN THIS MEDICATION PLEASE FOR UR SAKE WATCH OUT!.. i just barely finished my 5 months of accutane, yes i have no acne, all i have left are scars.. but i am telling u. it completely changed my personality and for the worst, i feel completely different .. like a different person. i stopped it last sunday .. wanna know why? CUZ I WAS ADMITTED TO A MENTAL INSTITUTION... i kid u not. im 17.. it caused me serious.. i mean SERIOUS mental problems (phycosis).. to the point i attempted suicide and landed my self in the emergency room.. when i first started it i was aware but i thought "ive always been mentally strong, i doubt anything will happen"... well i was wrong.. i woke up one day and felt completely destroyed, (if u wanna go through life not being able to enjoy having no acne u much better off going through life with acne and able to enjoy) i couldnt enjoy anything inlife ANYTHING, i spent christmas on my bathroom floor crying cuz i had no joy wat so ever, it even screwed up my relationship with boyfriend, it gave me mixxed feelings which is odd cuz ive never had them EVER, now im off i still havent recovered and im getting very scared that im stuck permanently like this. I had a mental break down on this medication.. its not something u can describe but only feel. and right now at this moment i am feeling the side effects and im telling u.. its not worth it! theres nothing i can do to get rid of this, but im telling u right now.. a life living like this isnt worth living at all and thats why there have been suicides .. i now understand.. please for ur sake .. dont end up like me... ACCUTANE HAS RUINED MY LIFE

first of all have you ppl ever been put on antibiotics for your skin????? Im sure you have and you know what take some time and check out what kinds of side effects they can cause...BIRTHDEFECTS! YES BIRTHDEFECTS they almost have the same side effects as accutane and taking antibiotics for a long period of time can give you unrinary trac or bladder infections and when you get really sick your body might not be able to fight it off because its so used to being on antibiotics that they dont work anymore. I was on accutane once before and it saved my college years i would have been so antisocial and depressed it i had to live with the horrible acne I had and althought it did come back im glad that im having the chance to go back on it again. If your experiencing anything bad with any drug you just go off it ITS NOT THAT BIG A DEAL!

Okay "Eric"...until you step on accutane you can't comment on it. I started taking accutane 3 months ago, and my face is completely cleared up and i had bad acne. The only side effect i've experienced is chapped lips dry skin around the mouth and nose, nothing drinking some more water and blistex/moisturizer won't handle. Every drug on the market has risks and minor side effects, minor and major. Accutane is listed to have major side effects because of its prolonged use without any significant changes to the drug since its creation in 1971. Few people claim they've had suicidal thoughts while on Accutane, whos not to say that they weren't going down that road anyway? In this case there was never a proven case of Accutane related suicides but for legality issues the drug was REQUIRED to avoid major lawsuits like Merck did with Vioxx, one of the largest company's in the world was seriously hit hard with lawsuits. When it comes to birth defects in children, it shouldn't be a problem. Don't plan on having children while on the drug? Hmm? That aviods a hell of a lot of problems now doesn't it. And for the vision problems at night, its listed to be <1% develop them along with hearing problems. <1% for 35 years of the drug on the market and hundreds of millions of people using it. And as for death, its another legality they have to put it there because someone taking the drug dies for some unknown reason, its smart for Roche to put "might cause death" possibly saves them a few pennys. Want to increase your risk of death? Go drive a car.

Norfolk.

Hello, my name is Jeff and I have had "cystic acne" since I was about 13. I would get about 5 large/painful cysts per month and often they would leave scars. I started to take low doses of antibiotics at about 16, this helped, but didn’t solve the problem. I am now 23 and earlier this year I decided to kick the antibiotics and finally put an end to my acne problem. Of course, my dermatologist recommended “Accutane”.

I stated off taking 2 (40mg) pills a day and within about 7 days, my face had cleared. Since that day, I have not had 1 pimple/cyst. This truly was a miracle drug. After a month, my does was increased to 3 (40mg) pills per day and this is when I started to see the side effects (chapped lips, rash on the underarms, slight decrease in night vision). But nothing was that major and my face was looking great!

I had just finished my 16th week of treatment and went to the dermatologist to for my checkup and to get my blood checked. Even though my face looked great, my dermatologist decided to extend my treatment 4 more weeks to ensure the long lasting results of Accutane.

About 3 days after my checkup, my VISION decreased drastically. I know this for a fact because I play guitar and I have this poster on the wall that lists chords. I was practicing guitar that night like I always do and noticed that I couldn’t quite make out the poster. A few days later, my vision was still bad and I quite taking the accutane. Since then, I am still nearsighted. In addition, my night vision is basically shot, this is very noticeable, seeing that I am an avid fisherman and often go night fishing.

Basically, I wasn’t just losing my vision slowly and just noticed it. My vision went from 20/20 to 20/80 (I was recently tested). Months later, my vision still sucks and I now wear glasses.

Though my face still looks great, Accutane has ruined my vision and was not worth it at all. Please be careful on this drug!

Hey there, i've read most of the comments on here and it seems people are just looking at the negative issues of taking this drug.Norfolk i totally agree with you, Eric don't say anything unless you've gone through what we've gone through kid!!! I'm 18 and i've been on accutane and the pill for almost three months now. The only emotional issues i've had to deal with have been mood swings which i know are because of the pill. I took a 30mg dose for the first month and 60mg from that point on. My skin was never a huge issue with me, i would get like 1 cyst every couple of months, but then it went to 1 a week, which really began to effect me. I go to an all girls catholic school and image is a huge thing with teenage girls and people made bitchy comments which really got to me. We shouldn't care what people think but thats easy to say when you don't have any skin problems. I don't think people realise how big a deal acne can be, it is a complete confidence killer. The thing is i didn't really want to go on accutane at the beginning, but i was told that it would get worse and worse if i didn't do anything about it. I didn't suffer from spots ONLY cysts which scar the skin if not dealt with. My dad and my brother took roaccutane in the past and it worked wonders for their skin, totally flawless. I have their support behind me and they told me what to expect from day one. Of course accutane isn't going to clear your skin without a fight first. The first month was horrid, my skin was worse than it had ever been......but i had been told that this would happen so i didn't worry. The second month was better and now that i'm nearly finished my third month i'm happy enough, i can't complain as i haven't had ant cysts but i have had rashes and chapped lips and a mild dry nose, but thats it. I can put up with the dry skin but the rash is beginng to really piss me off at the moment because i am going to Spain for all of June and i'm worried i'm going to have to cover myself from head to toe in case the rash gets worse, sooooo i am pretty stressed out about that, but at the end of the day the rash will go as soon as i come off the tablets so i can't complain really. This depression issue really annoys me because i can tell u i was depressed about my skin way before i went on the drug and if my skin hadn't made any improvement at all i would more than likely be well depressed now. the fact that i have seen a difference makes me way happier coz i know im on the mend. If you are going to go on accutane you have to be prepared for the worst and in the end you'll find it's not so bad. IT'S ONLY SIX MONTHS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!! I think for anyone going on it, the best advice i have is its important to know the side effects but don't read into them too much because they name every side effect under the sun, i mean people have said they experienced blindness as a result of the drug, but i mean that could have been something they were going to get regardless of being on the drug,, so don't worry too much. Go with the flow and let the accutane take its course and I gaurantee you will see a difference and a positive attitude really helps!!!
****dee******

dee,

I'm not saying don't take accutane. I'm saying, if you do take it, don't ASSUME that you are an exception to the side effects. Some people have side effects... some don't. You won't know until you take it. Of course, some side effects won't go away.

The other thing is that if you look at drugs approved by the FDA, Accutane has one of the biggest lists of side effects, and quite a few that are irreversible or will not go away. Believe what you want to believe, but the studies suggest that there are risks.

First of all, I'm 21 years old and i've been struggling with my acne since I was 14. I would say that my skin condition has been the single most debilitating, and depressing thing in my entire life. It makes me feel so bad about myself that I can't even express it with words and after 7 or 8 years I just feel like i've reached the point where I cannot take it any longer. I’ve been using various different kinds of oral antibiotics and creams/jels/faicial wash, etc. and seen countless dermatologists. I don't have bad physical scaring, but I know it's doing lasting damage to my psyche, and I just can't continue to let that happen. To anyone who has never had to deal with acne before let me tell you…looking at yourself in the mirror can be the most painful and depressing thing imaginable. The thing with accutane and depression is it's such a catch 22 though because if an individual has acne severe enough to the point that they are on Accutane to begin with, than they have been dealing with acne severe enough to cause them issues with depression in their life previously to taking the drug.I am heavily considering going on Accutane within the next week and it seems to me that the people who end up suffering long term/serious side effects from this drug are the people who are inaccurately prescribed too high of a daily dose for their body weight and also people who stay on it for longer than 4 months duration. (such as some people posting here saying they stayed on it continuously for 3 years straight, what the fuck? That is not right) as well as people who are unaware of what is happening to their bodies...such as hearing and vision damage, for fucks sack as soon as you start noticing any major problems, STOP PUTTING IT IN YOUR BODY IMMEDIATELY, and discontinue the Accutane from your life, you are not forced to complete any given period of time on it just because you have started. Regardless, it is a very difficult decision…very difficult if you are a person dealing with the atrocious reality of severe acne. One needs to be very cautious and aware, I personally am at the point of doing anything to free myself from this nightmare, I just find it very unfair that some people are faced with the burden of having to make this heavy decision while so many others just don’t, and it’s all so seemingly “unknown”. You’d think someone would figure it out by now and maybe even come up with a better alternate solution and makes millions of dollars.

anyone may feel free to contact me.

I was on accutane (20g) in 1994. I took one per day for around three months. I didn't experience any side effects at all! Seriously, My acne cleared up (I had a one-sided rashy type of acne on my right cheek) but it came back within two years time. I haven't been on accutane again because here recently in the past few years, I have been hearing all of these new side effects that I had not heard of before back in '94. I knew about the pregnancy risks, but I just took my birth control religously and that was that. I had a beautiful healthy little girl in '96 who is ten years old now, and is a model student, with absolutely no birth defects at all.

I don't want to put anyone down for speaking out about the side effects of this drug, but frankly, I think that with prolonged use of any drug, you're bound to experience severe side effects. I totally loved the way the drug made my acne go away and like I said, at 36 years old, still facing acne problems, I am really considering another round of the stuff.

Does anyone know if it would be dangerous to get it from overseas? They will sell it to you without a prescription for $64 over at mastersproducts.com.

I'm sorry it's not mastersproducts.com, it's mastersmarketing.com. It is sold under the chemical name isotretinoin.

I have been on Accutane for 2 weeks. So far I have had dry lips and one nose bleed. I notice my pours getting smaller and it is beginning to clear up. My Derm said it would get worse at first but so far nothing has happened. No headaches or anything serious. Anyone with bad acne should try this, because I know that acne is a horrible thing. It makes me want to hide in my room forever, and it makes me shy, and it makes me cry. People don't understand how it can ruin your life, so fuck anyone that thinks people are overreacting.

kan someone tell me wuts accutane?

i was on accutane in the 80's.
it was a miracle drug to me at then time unfortunately i have suffered due to the fda and ama and all the other motherfuckers who suppressed the true nature of this drugs toxicity from us . if you think its safe-you are merely misinformed, ignorant to the labels warnings and your doctor is not really worried about you-he wants to get his free samples so a good response on its tratmet of an individuals acne is all he cares about. if you are female and have acne go to a real doctor(holistic based medical doctor) who will treat your acne with compassion concern and natural vitamin food based alternatives. acne is a result of deficiencies of the skin-minerals not readily avalable in most foods people consume on a daily basis. we are toxic due to shit food and poisonous snacks. think im crazy???fine , thats yor opinion but at 43(today) i still have a low grde condition that is kept in check by my adherence(or lack therof) to a solid dietetic base and virtually no fastfood-prepared food or snackfoods. i also dont consume soda and assorted drinks as i did in my teens and twenties-occasional breaks for the sake of having fun. try a holistic approach-sorry for the weird verbage-doing too many things at once-late-NOT LINDSAY.

Mark, your fucking retarded.

I took 3 8 month courses of Accutane. I have horrible cystic acne that was unresponsive to treatment since I was 11. My first time taking accutane I was 22. By the end of the first WEEK (yes, week) my skin was totally clear. And stayed that way for the entire coure, with the only side effect being some dry lips and some night blindness that would adjust in a few minutes. But the minute I stopped taking it, the acne was back with a vengence. The following year, I started my second course, and the same thing happened. Clear skin in a week.(God I was cute!!)But again as soon as I stopped, the acne was back, and worse than ever. By the third course, the accutane had stopped working. I noticed these strange cysts that were under my skin. They would swell up and go down but would never go completely away. This went on for years after I stopped taking the third treatment, and I know that it was because of the accutane. It pinches off the pores and the shit gets clogged in there leaving huge scars. It is 7 years later and I still have acne. Accutane is no wonder drug, just very expensive. I now take something called Vilantae that is suppose to be the natural equivalent. You have to take huge ammounts of it. I see a mild difference. I am very diligent in my routine using B5 powder and zinc also. I would try this combo before the accutane. It works great while on it, but the results don't last. I would consider it maybe before a wedding or vacation.

He I want to try accutane .I am not sexually active and I really don't plan to be for a long while .I want to know how accutane will affect me .My mom really doesn't want me to take it because it scares her is there a pill that works like accutane but isn't so risky or dangerous to take ?? thank you !
Britany

I took accutane 15 years ago and did not have any problems other than dryness which went away after treatment. It was the best thing I ever did because for 15 years now, I have not had any problems. I think the media heightens the fear of taking it and as long as you abide by your dermatologist, you should be fine. I HAVE NO REGRETS!!!

I have suffered with acne since my sophmore year in HS. I am now graduated and still have pretty bad acne, anyone who doesnt have acne should keep their fuckin opinions to themselves becuase you will never understand. I have recently been prescirbed on accutane and i dont think its any different than any other drug, hell alcohol is legal and it kill millions of ppl everyday , suicidal and bad health or cancer due to beer, so i think this drug is really a last chance drug because if you have bad acne nothin will solve it maybe accutane , but i dunno, but is there anyone out there who has takken accutane and have no relapse of acne since?????? pleez anwser thank you?!

I've been on accutane and so far I haven't had any adverse side effects. Unless you count a pain in the ass- from all the hoops you have to jump through to actually get the stuff if you are a female capable of child bearing. I think they list every possible side effect so that they can't be sued if there are adverse effects.

I have had terrible acne since i was 10. I am 14 right now. I've tryed everything for my skin, antibiotics, birth controle, proactive, and more medicated creams then i can list off. All of them helped a little, but nothing to the point where anyone but me would notice.I want to try accutane because my acne is bringing my self esteem down and leaving scars on my forhead and back.
My mom dosen't want me to go on accutane because she fears that it would bring back the psychotic symtoms i had experienced in the past. i have not experienced any sever symtoms for a very long time. i see a councelor who would catch any sighn of change in my mood, and my GP (who is aware of my past mental illness) has suggested accutane before to me. what should i do?

first of all, i want to say that i am a college student and have no radical hate / love for this type of medicine at all. i have been frustrated by severe cystic acne for a while. note: my symptoms while on accutane were dry lips and nosebleeds

i took accutane when my face was only moderately bad. since taking it, my acne worstened considerably. my dermatologist said that out of 4000 accutane cases, he had rarely seen accutane achieve negative results, and never seen as negative a result in my case. When the accutane was combined with the drug sulfa, my face cleared up, but the acne that had accumulated on my cheeks from the accutane period was so deep, it will probably never resolve. now, about 8 months since accutane, i am using retin-A (to minimize scaring), benzacline, and doryx (an antibiotic), but my acne still persists and i fear that the emerging acne will only impede the fading of my scars. i fully support people trying accutane. acne is a serious thing, and it is terrible to wake up in the morning with deep, embarrasing, painful nodular acne. all the anti-medication people should first think about how their son or daughter would feel getting stared at for their severe acne. severe acne is not trivial. i also would support going to a dermatologist for antibiotics, or topical creams before resorting to acne. if accutane is causing severe negative effects, i would recommend stopping taking it.

*2nd to last sentece should end with "... before resorting to accutane"

My son was 13 years old and 5' 9" when he started taking accutane in December 2005. Due to sports injuries in 2005 (before he started taking accutane) he has x-rays of his left knee and both wrists. All show his growth plates were all wide open. In early March 2006, after being on accutane for about 3 months, he had a pitching elbow injury. The orthopedist took x-rays of his elbow. The first thing he said to my 13 year old son, who was still 5' 9" is "Well you're done growing".

I'm 6'. My wife's brother is 6'2'. Based on my son's size as a toddler he was expected to reached 6'1" or 6'2".

Since then he has reinjured one wrist and his knee. Both were x-rayed again. Both growth plates are now closed. My son remains 5'9" and is done growing.

His dermatologist never said anything about accutane halting growth. I went back to the accutane materials and reread the warnings. After the lengthy and detailed warnings about birth defects and depression/suicide, the materials begin to list other and what appear to be more minor side effects. For example there is a paragraph about how accutance may cause stomach aches.

After stomach aches there is a paragraph on joint and bone aches and pains. Buried in this paragraph is one sentence that says something to the effect. ( I don't have the exact language in from of me) "Studies show accutane may arrest long bone growth." It then goes on to talk about other joint aches and such.

Stunting growth should not be buried behind stomach aches and disguised as stopping "long bone growth". It should be at the front and prominently displayed.

I believe this warning is deliberately worded and placed so that it will be missed and misunderstood by prospective accutane users. Had my son (or anybody not fully grown) been told accutane may cause him to grow no more he would not have taken it. Just think of what would happen to Roche's profits if adolescent boys were made fully aware they may not grow anymore if they took this drug. Shame on you Roche!

Please email me if you are aware of any lawsuits or claims against Roche arising out of stunted growth. I'm also interested in hearing from others who feel their growth was stunted by Accutane.

hi. i have been experiencing acne for about 3 years now. it started when i was 17 and has gotten gradually worse every year. i have tried pro active, eryacne, differin, dermalogica, clinique, antibiotics, levlen, juliet, jazmin, etc, you name it and i have tried it. i have gotten to the point where i am losing my patients and will try anything. i would really like to know when the out breaks of pimples start once im on accutane. i am going away for christmas to see my boyfriends parents and want to make a good impression! i dont want to get over there in a month and have a face full of spots. if someone could just tell me how soon they saw results or if your skin got really bad ( so it couldnt be covered up with makeup)within that first month. i would also like to know if accutane works for black heads as well as those little tiny lumps under the skin. it would be great if someone could share some light before i go to the dermatoligist. thanks

Accutane is amazing. i tried everything to clear my skin and nothing worked, i'm on month 3 and my skin is clear with minimal side effects, just dryness. i would take accutane again in a second if i had to. Accutane is a great medicine as long as you can manage not to get pregnant for 6 months.

I am a 26 yea old female and Im getting married in 3 months. Lately I devolped cystic acne and my dermatolgist recomended I go on Accutane. I would like to start trying to get pregnant next year, my doctor told me it takes about one month to clear ur body of Accutane. But I am skeptical and I really dont want to wait one whole yea to try to have a baby. what should I do?

hey, peep i think this medication is only for severe acne for those people who got few zit specially before their period please please I advise dont go on accutane. Like what happen to me my derma put me on accutane and to my surprise after 20 days of taking it God help my face, this is the only words i can say. And i saw several people whose taking it, really the zit flare ups for the entire face will really cause depression. I advise during the 1st & 2nd week u r taking it and u started to feel all the side effects right away like excessive dryness of lips, nose bleeds, back pain, then u got cold & flu it is better for u to stop using its because your body immune system cannot fight against this powerful drug. (based from my own experience)
What i did i went to a pharmacy bought myself;
Vitamin E 400IU
Vitamin C 500
Diane 35 (for hormones and oily skin and ive been taking this for 4 months before i was put on accutane)

After taking this for a week the dryness, nose bleeds, body pain were all gone and i even got better from having cold & flu. Then i went to another derma for a 2nd opinion and she said what i did was right and she gave some topical creams & solution for some zit flare ups that i still have because of accutane;
Neostrata Spot Cream (for over night)
Dalacin T solution (for morning to dry the zit)

Today i can see all the remaining zit were all dry and peeling and i feel so happy...
After a week or 2 i will post here again for the outcome and im planning to have a facial within this period (which u cant do even after a month off from accutane bcoz u have to wait for alomst 1 yr to avoid scar, yes 6 months or 1 year dont believe those people who are saying only after a month or 2 they are all liars)

Till then God Bless us all!!!

Does anyone know anything about Vilantae? It's supposedly second to Accutane with hardly any side effects. I was precrisbed to accutane and i'm supposed to start in a month. i was really excited and suddenly optimistic just at the thought of having clear skin. i knew about the possible side effects but i didn't pay much attention. i was overcome with relief and hopeful for the end of acne, and now my stress and pessimism has rushed back after reading this website. i'm scared to take it now and i dont know what to do. i have moderate acne and it takes over my life and prevents me from doing what i want.

hi elizabeth DONT EVEN THINK OF TAKING THAT CRAZY DRUG.
U said u have moderate acne right now. Does you and your derma knows how many more pimple hiding under your skin and soon will come out, of course nobody knows. Accutane is a crazy drug because instead of killing the bacteria without hurting the first layer of your skin Accutane will first burst out all those pimple hiding under your skin so uncontrollable. Then after all those pipmle will come out u cannot do anything because Accutane makes your skin so sensitive as in super sensitive in which you & your derma will have a hard time finding what kind of topical treatment u will use. Then Accutane will give you lots of scars and the only way to fix ur face is thru laser resurfacing which can only be done after 6 to 8 months out from Accutane. I will not tell you about the side effects anymore just think if u r willing to sacrifice your entire face, your back and your chest.
Im telling you this based from my experience i can say i have mild to moderate acne and i was put on Accutane by this stupid derma, and imagine i just took it for 20 days and you know what happen the right side of my chin were full of big and painfull pimples which i never experience in my entire life. See how crazy that drug.

If I were you, find a derma who do noninvasive laser treatment and glycolic peel. Ill tell you how it works:
the laser treatment will target and kill those bacteria hiding under ur skin (Dermis) without hurting your upper skin (Epidermis) and the same time gives birth to new cells/collagen to protect your epidermis from scaring.
and about the glycolic peel, i can say this is the fastest way to shred or remove the current epidermis/skin of yours with pimples and scars.

You will need more than one treatment based from your case. But for sure it will work without giving you any hassle. At the moment, im in this procedure just last Saturday, 16 December, i had my first laser treatment and you know what ive notice i didnt have any new pimple coming out. The only pimple i have on my face are those i have because of accutane. My derma is preparing my skin for this glycolic peel by giving me this cleanser and lotion with glycolic acid, just using it for 2 days and i can see that my skin started to peel specially the side of chin with full of pimples. Now I cant wait for next appointment which is on 26 Dec and i will have my 2nd laser treatment and glycolic peel. Now i can say thanks God that im out from a nightmare cause by accutane.
See below some sites were you can read more about the laser treatment and (chemical)glycolic peel.
www.aad.org
www.totalderm.com
www.cosmeticskin.com

Hope this information will help you.
God Bless you and advance merry christmas!

I Have just finnished a 6 month course of roaccutane and my skin has cleared up really well. I have had about 5 friends go through it as well, and they have all been fine. Be sensible with the dose and discus this with youtr dermatologist. Its a big decision to make but it can do an unbeleivable amount of good for a lot of people. Try and remember that no matter what happens things will eventually get better. I was depressed before i took it and now i am starting to feel a lot better, though i was really worried about what the stuff can do to your body.

trust me getting rid of acne is worth the small risk of side effects. The effect of acne on a teen's confidence and self image is far worse than anything accutane could cause.

i've stoped taking roaccutane for a month now. the only side effect i had was dry lips, but now i have constant sweaty underarms which i've never had before...
is this linked to accutane??

Elizabeth,

I am on my second course of Accutane treatment. The first course turned out fine. I am starting a second course because I went through a particularly stressful period in my life and my acne came back. Like yours, it was moderate. Before deciding to go on it a second time, I read a bunch of message boards about Accutane and almost got scared away from taking it, even though I knew how it affected me (only dry skin). It is really easy to find tons of negative information about Accutane online because anyone can post. Most of the time, only people with negative experiences will post and they play to your fears because they seem the most drastic. Your doctor is trained in prescribing Accutane and you are very closely monitored throughout the process. If you do have side effects, most are reversible. You can always start the medication and stop it if you have anything go wrong. I am a propronent of Accutane and know what it is like to be the only one in my group of friends who suffers from acne. I had moderate acne and after being on my second course for 2 months now, my face is clear...no more breakouts. I think you should do it, and don't continue looking up message boards about it. You will only find negative information. Trust your doctor. He/she went to medical school and knows much more about your health than any dramatic person on this site.

Good luck!

I took the drug for like 7 months and yes it cleared my acne but at a TERRIBLE pricetag.

I started taking the drug when I was like 19 years old. My dermatoligist didn't even warn me about any serious side-effects. Because if I would have known them, I wouldn't have taken the drug at all. The acne didnot interfere with my life whatsoever. Until that point, I was a headstrong person; had everything sorted out. I was quite a popular guy despite my acne at highschool. While on the drug, I experienced the regular symptoms like bloodnoses, dry lips. Those werenot really big problems. The real BAD-ASS side-effects came months later. Starting to feel emotionally unstable (just like Erika experienced) which was certainly not me. I was known to be headstrong. But this drug really messes up your brains. It induces a depression. It isnot a depression in the sense that it is caused because of external emotional problems(like girlfriend is breaking up). No it is really something beyond your control. The drug causes it biochemically. @those who think those suicides are caused because acne-people were already depressed due to being insecure: WRONG!!! What you, people think is largely a fairy tale to make yourselves feel good; to keep the reputation of this drug high. But t