Acutane

[Kla]

My 20 year old son has not been able to get either of the dermatologists he's consulted to prescribe Acutane for his acne. He works under very stressful conditions which includes time in the great outdoors -primitive camping- you might say.  When I accessed the site FAQs regarding Acutane, I was at first reassured that the drug must not be too bad- but then- what's this about blood tests?  What exactly are the side effects and why might my kid not be able to get a prescription?  Thank you for your reply.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

KLA:

I'm not sure.  Accutane involves certain precautions, but in general these are not too burdrnsome in males.  The major worry, as you may know, is the need for effective contraception in women who might become pregnant, but fertility is unaffected in males.

Perhpas your son't dermatologists feel that his acne is relatively mild and therefore does not need Accutane.  If that is the case, he may want to discuss that with either, or to get another opinion.

He would need to take at least a couple of blood tests before and during the treatment.  If he is out of touch for months on end, that could be another sticking point.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[tracey]

I have been on Accutane since February and will be finishing my course in July.  I had to have three blood tests so far.  The reason for this is to check the amount of fat in your blood in order to ensure that it does not rise to a dangerous level as the Accutane can increase the normal amount in some cases.  They also check your cholesterol and do a lipid panel.  It is just a pre-cautionary.  My doctor told me that the rising of fat levels occurs in less than 10% of patients and that blood tests are done for the safety of the patient.  I have had wonderful results with this drug with minimal dryness and a few mild nosebleeds in the beginning.  Your son's dermatologist may not be prescribing the drug for a number of different reasons.  The doctors may not feel that he has a severe enough case of acne and considering some of the side effects of Accutane, your son may be better of with topical antibiotics or a milder drug like Tetracycline.   I would ask the doctors why they will not prescribe it if you want a more detailed answer.  Good luck!

[JLazlo]

I've heard there will be a new and improved version of Accutane available next year. I'm also interested in taking Accutane but would wait if there will be something as effective with less side effects. I haven't been able to get any info yet confirming this, maybe you could find out or maybe the doctor here could tell us if he knows.

[Jo]

I was on Acutane for a short period of time many years ago, and I wanted to share my experience briefly.  Severe acne is no fun and I know how desperate one can get to get rid of it.  My experience with Acutane was brief (just a few weeks) because I experienced severe burning to the face and mouth.  My mouth felt like it was on fire (it was very painful).  Even though my reaction was not common, be careful and pay attention to the warning signs of doing even more damage.
If your son was a girl, I'd HIGHLY recommend the birth control Ortho-Tri-Cyclen.  It was the only thing that lasted long term and kept my face free from acne.  I swear by it.  Maybe they have something comparable for men.

[[e-mail]]

Thank you!

[tyra]

I have been on Accutane for two months now. Some side effects I have experienced were several nose bleeds, drying of the lips, and mild back pain. I have thought about getting off Accutane because I wasn't noticing any major results but my dermatologist and others that have been on Accutane, told me to wait out the five month process. So that is what I intend to do. I started in April of 2000 and will be finish August of 2000. The reason why I wanted to stop the treatment was because around my menstrual cycle, my face would explode with bumps; not just two or three but six or seven. And they would not go away for about 3 weeks. My dermatologist insured me that my menstrual bumps would decrease as the course goes. I also am a compulsive picker which doesn't help the situation any. But I am not going to give up. I will continue the course to August and see how my face looks then. When that time comes, I will try to keep you posted on the results. My advice to anyone considering Accutane: If you have tried every over the counter drug and have been to what seems like every dermatologist in town, you may want to think about getting on it.

[Erin]

Tyra,
Stay on the Accutain!  I had the exact same problems that you are currently having, but now (2 years later) my skin is like porcelian.  I never thought that would even be possible.  Shortly after the clearup I became Miss Teen WI, and I know I never would have been possible without accutain

[nancy]

I am a 42 year old female, allergic to antibiotics, and had no success with any topical prescriptions.  I was on accutane for 5 months with immediate results:  my skin cleared up and was not oily like before.  Even my hair didn't get as oily.  The results were amazing!  However, my triglyceride level rose to over 600.  When I stopped taking the accutane my skin reverted back to it's oily, bumpy state with occasional breakouts.  After 20 years of fighting skin problems, I finally gave up.

[heather]

I have only been on Accutane for a month,  and I really think that my face is doing alot better. Although in the first couple weeks my face did get worse, but now it is starting to clear up a little. It is now becoming very dry and is peeling. I am hoping that the peeling won't last much longer. But some advice for anyone with bad acne problems like me, if you REALLY want your face to clear up and stay cleared then I think that it is at least worth a try.

[tracy]

I have been on Acutane for only a few days and am very hopeful that it will be of some help because my problem is over-active oil glands.  I take a shower at around 7 am and by 10:30 am it is all oily again.  I have had acne since I was about 13 years old and now I am 25!  I am not going to worry about the side effects because I am willing to do ANYTHING to get rid of this. If they told me to chew off a pinky to cure it I would at this point.  So far I haven't had a single side effect and am waiting for the dry lips thing to start.  Could anyone tell me when the drying out phase begins?  I WANT my skin to get dry. Thanks and good luck to everyone...in a few months we are all going to be knock-outs!!

[Lauren]

Where can I find information on Acutane.. how to purchase it etc.

[chris]

I’m currently 16 and on my second round of Accutane. My previous therapy lasted for roughly 5 months from the age of 14-14.5. Within 2 months of taking Accutane my face had begin to let up and was nearly clear. I experienced most mild common side effects of taking Accutane( dry skin, chapped lips).

I choose to take Accutane for a second time because my acne condition has worsened steadily over the past 6 months. As I reach my hormonal peak I can’t see my acne condition letting up anytime in the near future without medical help.

As far as side effects go I’ve been experiencing mild headaches which I’m currently in the process of discussing them with my doctor. However they may be do to Luvox an SSI which I take for OCD which I was not taking before.

At any rate I believe Accutane to be the only true drug to effectively kill acne and keep it liked for awhile. I would have to recommend it to anybody with moderate to severe acne.

Chris

[chris]

I’m currently 16 and on my second round of Accutane. My previous therapy lasted for roughly 5 months from the age of 14-14.5. Within 2 months of taking Accutane my face had begin to let up and was nearly clear. I experienced most mild common side effects of taking Accutane( dry skin, chapped lips).

I choose to take Accutane for a second time because my acne condition has worsened steadily over the past 6 months. As I reach my hormonal peak I can’t see my acne condition letting up anytime in the near future without medical help.

As far as side effects go I’ve been experiencing mild headaches which I’m currently in the process of discussing them with my doctor. However they may be do to Luvox an SSI which I take for OCD which I was not taking before.

At any rate I believe Accutane to be the only true drug to effectively kill acne and keep it liked for awhile. I would have to recommend it to anybody with moderate to severe acne.

Chris

[chris]

I’m currently 16 and on my second round of Accutane. My previous therapy lasted for roughly 5 months from the age of 14-14.5. Within 2 months of taking Accutane my face had begin to let up and was nearly clear. I experienced most mild common side effects of taking Accutane( dry skin, chapped lips).

I choose to take Accutane for a second time because my acne condition has worsened steadily over the past 6 months. As I reach my hormonal peak I can’t see my acne condition letting up anytime in the near future without medical help.

As far as side effects go I’ve been experiencing mild headaches which I’m currently in the process of discussing them with my doctor. However they may be do to Luvox an SSI which I take for OCD which I was not taking before.

At any rate I believe Accutane to be the only true drug to effectively kill acne and keep it liked for awhile. I would have to recommend it to anybody with moderate to severe acne.

Chris

[chris]

I’m currently 16 and on my second round of Accutane. My previous therapy lasted for roughly 5 months from the age of 14-14.5. Within 2 months of taking Accutane my face had begin to let up and was nearly clear. I experienced most mild common side effects of taking Accutane( dry skin, chapped lips).

I choose to take Accutane for a second time because my acne condition has worsened steadily over the past 6 months. As I reach my hormonal peak I can’t see my acne condition letting up anytime in the near future without medical help.

As far as side effects go I’ve been experiencing mild headaches which I’m currently in the process of discussing them with my doctor. However they may be do to Luvox an SSI which I take for OCD which I was not taking before.

At any rate I believe Accutane to be the only true drug to effectively kill acne and keep it liked for awhile. I would have to recommend it to anybody with moderate to severe acne.

Chris

[annonymous]

Acutane can cause side-effects including depression and mood changes.  It can also cause a person to become highly irritated by little, seemingly unimportant things.  If you are in college, I would not recommend Accutane, unless you have severe cystic acne; try other options first.

[Beth]

I took Accutane for 7 months.  When I went into the Dr. she took one look at my face and said you are a perfect canidate for Accutane.  Within 30 minutes of applying my makeup, I would be like a grease pit.  I had huge cyst under my jaw and on my face.

My biggest problem, and the reason I had to stay on for 7 months, was my fat levels.  They went sky high so I could only take 1 pill per day.  I had to watch carefully what I ate.  Which my Dr. gave me guidelines.  No Fat basically.  I lost weight which I needed to do anyway.  

I had blood test monthly.  Sometimes twice a month.  

I had minimum drying - mainly the lips - because I was sooooo oily.  It's the best thing I ever did.  It's really the pits to be 39 and huge cysts on my face. But the drying did clear up all my oil.  I no longer shine 30 minutes after I apply makeup.

I did experience a lot of fatigue but it was worth it.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  I had some headaches in the beginning but these went away over time.

My Dr also gave me the a topical ointment - Tazorac - to spot treat while I was still breaking out.  This helps to clear them up faster.

One other thing, use lots of sunscreen, every day on your face.  And if you plan on being in the sun, you need to use it all over.  If you don't you'll notice sun spots on hands, arms, everwhere.  I started on it during the winter but since I had to be on it so long it ran into the summer months and it really makes you catch the rays if you don't wear lots of sun screen.  I found the best sunscreen for me was the MD Forte environmental protection sunscreen.  It also helped my face smoothing and just making my face look better.  It did not make me oily at all.

I finished the Accutane July 2,00 and have not had a single breakout since probably May.  Now I'm using the Obagi NuDerm skin care and I plan on having a blue peel this fall.  My pores are decreasing slowly.  Good Luck!  

[gWise]

I took acutane 16 years ago and have been free of acne ever since.  I had all the same side effects as everyone here--  dry skin, joint pain (that's my biggest complaint), nosebleeds, and dry red skin.  All of that disappeared within months and now the only side effect I seem to still have is the joint pain.  I don't know if acutane caused it, so I'll have to reserve judgement--feels like arthritis to me, but I've had it since my 20s (which seems a bit too young to start feeling those effects).  The joint pain may have also been caused by all the contact sports I did in high school as well, who knows.  The benefits of acutane to me were instant and awsome.  My severe discomfort about my face was finally gone and I was able to feel confident again.  It made a huge difference in my self esteam and I am SO glad that I did it!  My face today doesn't show any scarring or redness.  People tend to get a bit paranoid about taking drugs, but from every study I've read, both then and now, it seems that acutane works wonders for the vast majority of those who take it.  If my kids have bad acne like I did, I will not hesitate to put them on it under the guidance of a good dermatologist.  I'm curious, however, to know if anyone who has been off it for many years now have experienced joint pain as well.

[mandy bright]

I took accutane over one year ago, my experience was great, I had very little side effects, now I am getting the same old cysts that I used to, I don't know if I need another course of accutane or not.  I was on it before for almost a year.

[stephen]

Ive been thinking about going on acutane ive tried everything including those expensive info=mecials that claim they will be gone in 3 days.  Nothing worked so i was wondering, as a 16 year old male in good shape & being a swimmer, would it be healthy for me to take it and still swim about 3-4 hours a day for practice?

[Joy]

Can someone who has had a good experience with acutane please email me at ***@****?

[Julie]

I took acutain for 6 months last year.  At first it was terrible, this didn't start clearing up till about the 4th or 5th month.  My acne wasn't even that bad before I started but I was so sick of worrying about it that I really wanted to take it.  by the 6th month it was better than month 1 or 2 but wasn't a ton better than when I started.  I ended it and felt like I just went through six months of hell for nothing.  Now its starting to get bad again and my derm wants to put me on it again.  I would just like to know if anyone out there has gone on it a second time and it cleared alot more than the first?  thanks,
Julie

[kevin]

does any one out there have any information on the side effects
accutain. I am looking for information pretaining to joint
problems.

[kim]

I am considering going on Acutane.  I am wondering what possible dangers or complications that can arise during pregnacy well after going off of Accutane, if any.

Thanks!

Kim

[Alison]

I took two rounds of Acutane in my late teens.  Immediately following both cycles, my face got better.  I'm now 26 and my face is back to it's old ways.  Is there anything else I can take or do????  I'm married and don't want to risk possible birth defects if I were to become pregnant accidentaly. I'm also a little scared of taking it now if we should decide to get pregnant in the next few years.  My face is constantly broken out and it's embarassing as a professional business women talking to clients, attending meetings etc.  Does anyone feel my pain?  I eat well, I'm not depressed, I take care of my skin..what's wrong.  Has anyone had any sucess using anything else?  Ortho tri cyclen makes me sick and I've taken Tetracylclene and all the other mild prescriptions.

[sucess on acutane]

i don't know exacly what the blood tests are for or any of that jargon, but i do know i just finished 5 months on acutane and i am cured!!! i am mid 20's male, and the 3 doctors i saw while i was on it all seemed to be pretty mellow about a male taking it.  not to big of a deal if you are a guy.  hte dremologist that i saw along with the two regular Dr.s did made sure i got my first blood test, but after that one came back fine, they said that the rest are usually always fine as well.  (i got them anyway).  few sideffects that are tolorable.  i recommend it to anyone.
today alone i flurted with 4 women (all on the tennis team mind you.)  confidence is flying high.
good luck

star wars part IV should have been called acutane

[me]

I THINK YOU'RE ALL INSANE

[hunter]

I'm a 47 year old female.  I had a slight case of perioral dermatitis over the years for which I took antibiotics at times.  Then, during the summer of 1998, my face erupted--some on my forehead and even cheecks, as well as the usual areas I'd had milder breakouts--jaw area and chin.

My dermatologist had given me a brochure on Accutane about 5 years before, and I had tossed it because the side effects seemed so severe and frightening in relation to my distress.

But when I turned 45 and had this major reaction I decided to try it, as I had a friend who it had really worked for.

I finished my 6-month course in February of 1999 and until now, October of 2000 have had skin which has been flawless.  In the last few months I've seen a little more oiliness than I have since the treatment, and once in a while a very small blackhead or pimple but still my skin is generally almost perfect.

During the course, I always carried water and had chapstick or lipstick on my lips at all times, as well as a moisturizer at night.  I moisturized my face with Cetaphil cream and still do.

I know people's bodies and reactions vary, but my experience was positive.  The only thing I regret at this point is not using it sooner--I probably would have avoided the few slight scars I got from the experience at age 45.

[Bob Mack]

I am 15 yrs. old and have been on Actuane for 3 months now.  I am experiencing servere joint pain.  It is causing me to limp.  Interested in knowing if this is common with anyone else using the drug.

[Bob Barker]

Maybe we should just have an island for all the people with zits, and then it would become uncool to not have them there. Everyone with acne can fall in love with eachother and spawn pimply children.

[Teresa]

I am 44 years old, and have made an appointment to see a dermatologist. I have been researching acne medications, so I will know the side effects ahead of time.  My acne is not severe, bet I have had very oily skin and clogged pores which result in blackheads and whiteheads since I was in my 20's.  This past summer, my son got married, and due to the stress, my skin broke out in terrible little red bumps.  I have been using 10% benzol perozide solution, but it isn't helping.  After reading all the things that I have about acutane,  I have decided I will not resort to using it.  It is amazing to me how dangerous this drug is, and people are still using it.  Especially since, from what I understand, a 6 month treatment does not cure, only postpones the acne.  Thank you to all of you for you experience.  This is one person who is listening

[charlene]

I have been on acutane for 4 months & my face has cleared up i dont think that ill get off of acutane for another couple months or so but i really love the results that i have received. The only side effect i got was dry lips.

[debbie]

Nancy, I am also a 42 year old female.  I started severe cystic acne between age 18-20.  All of my 20's was miserable because of the sight and pain of the acne on my face.  In the beginning stages they did not come out with Acutane.  I simply had to be on Vitamin A and often get shots of cortisone into my cysts to make them smaller.  I have been fighting this battle for over 20 years and have been on Acutane therapy twice.  The dermatologists had even thought of putting me on it a Third time.  My face is far from porcelain or peaches and cream and I don't know what the two therapies has done to my internal organs or bones (I don't believe they know enough about it to let you know the damages it may have caused - but I am sure I'll find out 20 more years up the road)!!!  I believe my next step would be to try the "pill" you suggested Ortho-Tri-Cyclin as after all this time in and out of dermatologists offices - one did suggest that it could be hormonal (and oh yes, I have been to Endocrinologists too!) So I as many of you, will try anything to make it go away for good!  If there is a doctor out there that likes a challenge I AM IT!
Good luck to everyone!

Debbie

[QQ]

I was on Accutane for about 6 months.  If you take it, count on being a wreck physically and emotionally because

1. you will look like hell - everyone kept coming up to me and asking me if I was ok and/or telling me I looked terrible

2. you will feel like hell - little things will set you off. You might want to prepare friends and family for the rollercoaster.  If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, they may wish to go on vacation for 6 months while you go through it.  Also, they will annoy you by telling you that you look like hell constantly.  If that isn't bad enough, your lips will crack and bleed because they get so dry.  Drink LOTS AND LOTS of water.   I can certainly understand why some people get depressed while on Accutane, it drains you.

It does work as advertised but I wonder what the long term effects of that drug are...  I took it long ago when I was 18 and didn't really evaluate anything very sufficiently. I wonder if I'd have made the same decision today.

[QQ]

I was on Accutane for about 6 months.  If you take it, count on being a wreck physically and emotionally because

1. you will look like hell - everyone kept coming up to me and asking me if I was ok and/or telling me I looked terrible

2. you will feel like hell - little things will set you off. You might want to prepare friends and family for the rollercoaster.  If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, they may wish to go on vacation for 6 months while you go through it.  Also, they will annoy you by telling you that you look like hell constantly.  If that isn't bad enough, your lips will crack and bleed because they get so dry.  Drink LOTS AND LOTS of water.   I can certainly understand why some people get depressed while on Accutane, it drains you.

It does work as advertised but I wonder what the long term effects of that drug are...  I took it long ago when I was 18 and didn't really evaluate anything very sufficiently. I wonder if I'd have made the same decision today.

[tasha]

Yoa all will one day regret this drug. My exbofriend is taking it and we are now broken up. He has noticed all of these symptoms and I finally discovered what caused them. His attitude towards life has changed. I noticed our love crumbling almost the day he started on accutane. This man worshipped me one day and now I doubt he thinks of me much. I left him and begged for him back but this damn pill has wrecked my life. I've been doing research for about 3 hours to get to the bottom of accutane and I'd like to thank the only two people that mentioned the results I was looking for. I'm truly hoping that your comments will heal this broken heart.
Thanx...goodluck to everyone and I would recommend another alternative for acne.

[kc ***** ALL READ THIS RE: ACCUTANE***]

While having the convenience of working for a derm., in 1994 at the age of 24 / female, having mild to major acne (major run on sentence), anyway....I begged my doc. to be put on Accutane.  

While on Accutane, I had similar symptoms as mentioned above; severely chapped lips, a bloody nose or two, dry chapped skin on face, bruised and chaffed easily and joint / back / muscle pain, easily sunburned (no doubt).  I took blood tests as prescribed and had no significant problems.  When I first completed the med's, I had pure milky skin with slight rosey cheeks, got a few compliments on the nice skin.  As I am beginning into my 30's, I feel the oily skin coming back.  Actually, just last year.  I do not have the acne that I once had...:^)...yipee.  Hopefully, it will remain this way.

Working in a derm. Office gave me a great learning experience.  As a medical assistant, I would room the patient, obtain the patients current medical situation, regarding current medications, side effects, blood test results, etc.  

When the patients on Accutane came in, we would get very excited to see the results.  Their files were 3" wide (including mine, due to all of the blood tests), there were blood tests that had to be obtained prior to the Doc. seeing the patient.  The most exciting thing is this...no other way to explain except by example .....

Say Bobbie comes in with his / her mother....Mom says to the doc. Bobby and I are interested in getting him started on Accutane.  The doc. looks the chart over and sees that we have tried all other meds on Bobby, to no avail.  (And only if we have tried all other med.’s does he consider Accutane, due to all of the side effects..Some as listed above).

Doc says, alright, let's do the med. counseling and get the first blood test, here's a starter RX, we'll see you back in 2 weeks to see how you're coming along and we'll look over your blood test results at that time.

2 Weeks, test results fine, patient seeing no results, the rx is upped a dose, we'll see you back in 2 more weeks w/ blood test results again.

A couple of weeks later, Bobby and Mom are back, the acne is worse than before, skin is irritated, mouth and lips are dry, and skin is bruising and bleeding with what would have normally have been just a scratch.  (Aquaphore & Neutrogena samples provided for lips, oil of Olay and other noncomedogenic moisturizers for face provided / recommended).

A few months or so later, Bobby is coming in for his follow up visits without Mom, a little improvement in the acne, still chapped lips and irritated skin, seems a little more self confident though.  Still cuts bruises, irritations, headaches...joint pain..etc.

OK...to make a long 5 months short (or 6, it's been a long time for me..I forget if it's 5 or 6).

After about 3-4 months of Bobby coming back for follow up visits with dry, red chapped skin on his face & lips, cuts and bruises, due to sensitive skin from the meds & limping or back pain, only a little...guys are wimps.......I notice....Bobby is looking me in the eye now when I ask him questions regarding his meds, instead of looking at Mom (Whom, as I said prior, doesn't even come in with him anylonger).  (Not that she doesn't want to ...she's prob. begging to go to the doc. w/ Bobby...to find out the truth about the blood tests and the side effects...but, Bobby is too cool now....).  The confidence is there, there are no problems w/ the blood tests or Mom would know from the doc..

I think, from my experience on Accutane, and from my experience in seeing female and male patients on Accutane, this drug is a great thing.  It helps start / restore self confidence in teens and adults, and in most cases minimizes the result of acne and future scarring.  As long as blood tests are continually performed throughout the cycle of the treatment, I believe Accutane is AWESOME in all aspects.

It kills me to see the Accutane ads in magazines that show only male teenage photos with acne problems that say "See your doctor for more information on this med".  It makes it sound like female's can not take the medication, which is not at all true.  Responsible female's or responsible families with females that are on birth control / or other...will be fine, as long as they are responsible & receive the appropriate advice and counseling from their derm.

Regarding all of the "crazy" side effects, if you do some research in a handful of people doing anything from A-Z, you will see "crazy" side effects in some but not all.  (This includes everything,*****including Accutane****().

[Erik]

Thank you!

[Christine]

all i got to say is that this better fricken work becuz it seems like evrything i try never does. it pisses me off when all of my friends have perfect skin and are like well just try this and that and it works. YA OK MAYBE BECUZ THEY HAVE NO FRICKIN PIMPLES
mine arent that bad but bad enough to take acutane i could care less if it makes me depressed!

[Greg]

I am thinking about using acutane and I would like to know if anyone experienced stunted growth. Please email me at ***@****

[Greg]

I am thinking about using acutane and I would like to know if anyone experienced stunted growth. Please email me at ***@****

[Travis Anglin]

I took it two years ago and it worked great. My acne was gone. Before, it was so bad my face was just a big red bumpy mess. It wasn't just my face that was bad, my self-esteme was pretty crappy too. I remember having suicidal tendencies and always feeling bad about myself and I was only 15yrs old. During the process it wasn't much better, in fact it was a lot worse. I remember going to class and having people look at me funny and trying to get a girl friend was dam near impossible. My doctor never told me to use lotions for my face so it looked like my face was flaking off. After the 6 month process I was all better and my self esteeme sky rocketed. That summer I had girls on me like flys on ****. It was great! BUUUUUUT 6 MONTHS later I broke out again and I had to go back on it. It was like going through hell all over again but this time it has worked, so far. It has only left me with some scares on my face. But that I can deal with. Once again the girls are at it again and I'm loven it. I'M GETTIN MAD BOONDA BOOOOOOOYEEE!!!!!!

[Learning new info]

I am 21 years old and I took Acutane when I was 15. I only recall being on it for 3 months. At the time I had exhausted all other drugs. So the doctor decided that this would be worth a try. I was told that I had to stay out of the sun because the medication made it easier to burn. I didn't have much problem with that. I do remember having chapped lips and sore joints.

But right now it's the long term effects I've been dealing with. As well as learning more about. I ran track and cross country throughout High School. Two years after being on the medication i became very ill and missed an entire cross country season, after starting out running with the guys. (It should have been a good year.) I became very depressed. Among other things. The last cross country season, and two track seasons for High School went ok. Definitely not where they should have been.

I'm now in my 4th year of college. I ran track for 3 years. But was only able to compete for 1 because of my fatigue and weakened immune system. My mother and I had suspicions that a great deal of this was caused by being on the accutane. We went to many differnt kinds of doctors over the years. I was diagnosed with Candida, which is a yeast overgrowth in your intestines. One cause being on an antibiotic for a prolongued period of time. The only long term antibiotic I have ever used is Acutane.

I'm still fighting with this and it's been a heck of a battle. I've dealt with: extreme fatigue, depression; causing lack of motivation, memory loss, irritability, severe mood swings. And really the Actuane didn't do what i had hoped it would. The odds of being cleared up for good aren't all that great. I think now i'm just starting to grow out of the acne stage a bit. But even right after my treatment was up my face never was like porcelin.

If anyone knows about some of the new information that is being learned about Acutane and it's untold side effects please email me at ***@****. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!  (By the way the woman who wanted to know about pregnancy, it's only supposed to effect you if you take it while your pregnant. I am not aware of any long term effects, I was told there were none.)

[Learning new info]

I am 21 years old and I took Acutane when I was 15. I only recall being on it for 3 months. At the time I had exhausted all other drugs. So the doctor decided that this would be worth a try. I was told that I had to stay out of the sun because the medication made it easier to burn. I didn't have much problem with that. I do remember having chapped lips and sore joints.

But right now it's the long term effects I've been dealing with. As well as learning more about. I ran track and cross country throughout High School. Two years after being on the medication i became very ill and missed an entire cross country season, after starting out running with the guys. (It should have been a good year.) I became very depressed. Among other things. The last cross country season, and two track seasons for High School went ok. Definitely not where they should have been.

I'm now in my 4th year of college. I ran track for 3 years. But was only able to compete for 1 because of my fatigue and weakened immune system. My mother and I had suspicions that a great deal of this was caused by being on the accutane. We went to many differnt kinds of doctors over the years. I was diagnosed with Candida, which is a yeast overgrowth in your intestines. One cause being on an antibiotic for a prolongued period of time. The only long term antibiotic I have ever used is Acutane.

I'm still fighting with this and it's been a heck of a battle. I've dealt with: extreme fatigue, depression; causing lack of motivation, memory loss, irritability, severe mood swings. And really the Actuane didn't do what i had hoped it would. The odds of being cleared up for good aren't all that great. I think now i'm just starting to grow out of the acne stage a bit. But even right after my treatment was up my face never was like porcelin.

If anyone knows about some of the new information that is being learned about Acutane and it's untold side effects please email me at ***@****. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you!  (By the way the woman who wanted to know about pregnancy, it's only supposed to effect you if you take it while your pregnant. I am not aware of any long term effects, I was told there were none.)

[ag]

My concern with accutane is directed at individuals with extreme acne. Or were severe acne runs in the family. Here is some advice; at present the medical community doesn't have much it can do for acne. All the treatments for acne can be related to a basket of eggs if you will. You must also look at it as being a long term goal, in wich every treatment will build upon the previous treatment.

Now, if your kid is getting severe cyctic acne at age 12, if you want to treat it with drugs, don't waste any time, put them on accutane for a 5 month cycle. Antibiotics are **** to them. Antibiotics are just as bad as accutane! Becuase you usually end up using them for more than a few days at a time for acne.

Accutane can CAUSE suicide. read that again. Yes that is why we are only looking at doing 1 5 month cycle in the teen years. If they start at 12, possibly another at age 17, and that is it. Then they can go onto a final all or nothing cycle in thier mid 20s. And who knows maybe more, but you look at the danger of this drug, and it is crazy to go on more than 2 cycles!!!

I have taken the drug, and known so many people who have gotten suidical from the drug that it is mind numbing. I am on anti depressants now. I got extremely depressed about 4 months into the treatment, and was thinking of suicide almost daily, but never to the point were I was actually planning it. I never was anywere near that before. I was bummed out a little from having zits, but not to a clinical degree. I will probably just start drinking a hell of a lot, or maybe other drugs. That makes me feel a lot better, no pun intended!

Get this; acne basically lasts from 12-22 if you get it. Maybe it is just best to let nature take its course? Think of how incredibly unhealthy it is for someone to start out on antibiotics and use them for a couple of years off and on, and do serious damage to your liver and kidneys, and god knows what else, then go on 1-3 cycles of a drug wich is one of the most crude and damaging drugs prescribed legally, only to basically be done with acne (on your own) by age 22? What if this depression lasts the rest of my life??????????????????????? How unhealthy is it to stay on antidepressants? What if the depression escalates? Friends its not worth it!!!

[VIC]

I just finished my Accutane treatments (6 months) and now my face is a lot better than it used to be, but I still get some little pimples.  Is this normal?  Oh, and for those of you thinking about quiting Accutane, DONT!  Yeah, I had the backpain and nose bleeds at awkward times, but it STOPS after treatment.

[Accumaster]

Hell, if the **** works why not stay on it forever? That sounds damn good to me.

As long as it doesn't shrink your ****, the side effects can't be that serious.

[trav]

I am 18, and have finished taking accutane.  My face is much clearer and because of that I have more self confidence.  Not only do I look better, I feel better too.  The dry skin was kind of bad but that has past.  I have recently seen some bad publicity of Accutane.  In these cases they say that a few teens are getting depressed because of it, but I wonder how many other teens had no problems and now are happier.  If you take Accutain and feel depressed then stop, if you don't feel depressed then keep taking it.  It's as simple as that.  Thanks

[trav]

I am 18, and have finished taking acutane.  My face is much clearer and because of that I have more self confidence.  Not only do I look better, I feel better too.  The dry skin was kind of bad but that has past.  I have recently seen some bad publicity of Acutane.  In these cases they say that a few teens are getting depressed because of it, but I wonder how many other teens had no problems and now are happier.  If you take Acutain and feel depressed then stop, if you don't feel depressed then keep taking it.  It's as simple as that.  Thanks

[jj]

How much does this treatment cost anyway?
Are we reading success stories by the upper class rich people?