Accutane Side Effects Exposed: Side Effects of the Miracle Drug...

I took accutane as a teenager and it changed my life for the better...I've had none of these side effects that are sometimes reported. My nephew and best friend also took accutane and couldn't be any happier with the results...I'm not depressed, I don't have joint pains or headaches or whatever else is being reported...I've been off it for over 8 years and don't feel any different than i did before taking the treatment. These side effects represent a very small percentage of accutane users and maybe one should consider that these statistics coincide with a regular sample of the human population i.e. they would be depressed, have headaches, joint pain regardless.

Hi Greg, did you have chapped lips and dry skin though? I'm on day 11 and I don't have any definate side effects of any kind. It's 20 degrees outside, i'm 170 lbs on accutane 100 mg/kg/day, and I'm still using proactiv, and I don't have dry skin yet or bad chapped lips yet. My lips are semi-chapped, but it's winter here so they would be anyway. I know it's only day 11, but almost everyone else of this forum had dry skin and bad chapped lips at day 4! and I'm still using benzoyl peroxide twice a day! Maybe I'm one of the lucky one that doesn't have any side effects, but it's making me worry it's not working right. What was your experience with the more common side effects?

Have no fear. Your day shall come. I wasn't that dry either when I first started treatment, but the longer I am on it the drier I get. I can't wait for the days between running out of pills and going for my refill. My skin has time to rehydrate, if only a small bit, and the inside of my nose starts to heal. I will finish my 5th month in the middle of March, and I notice the longer I'm on medication, the more dry my skin becomes, especially my lips, nose, chin, arms and hands. I have quite a bit of dryness on my uppper thighs as well. It has been my experience that the total drying out and chapping of your skin happens slowly over time, with the exception of the lips. That was almost instant dryness.

Thanks Krisa, things have started to dry out for me after 4 weeks of treatment. It's definately working, but i've also up'd my dosage to 120 mg/kg, which is a lot, I know, but now I'm finally seeing some results. So...now that your almost done your 5th month, are you clear? If so, how long have you been so?

iv been on accutane for about a month. the only side affects of it that iv noticed is dry lips and occasional nose bleeds. I havent had any hariloss yet. And no depression i can say i have gotten happier taken this.. The drug isnt what causes deprsion its just the way ur brain plays it out. so far so good :D just live life and dont worry about acne

o and im on 30mg a day and ya my skin is definetally clearing up :). It also depends on what u eat and what u get for exercise. Cant rely on drugs to do it all.

I think the depression side effect is a little weird. I always found that if my skin is clear and I look good, then I will be much happier because all I really worry about are those zits.

Just passing this board on my personal accutane-crusade.

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 trust me on this one: accutane CAN cause suicide thoughts. So I amnot surprised at all suicides are linked to this drug.

This wasn't the only problem I got the deal with. I got "awarded" with a few others as well. First is the hair loss. Luckily that is almost gone now. Second, I sweat like a pig. I mean it. Up till a few months ago, I couldn't figure it out. When I went to parties, my T-shirts were all soaked up. When I was sporting, the same story. This was weird because normally before taking the drug, I never ever experienced such things. Accutane is known to mess with your oil glands. Third but not least: I got serious memory problems now. Difficulty with concentrating, memorising stuff, especially recalling things. I have got to deal with them and it ain't bloody easy.

Summarized if you even plan on taking this drug, be WARNED cuz there is a chance, albeit a small one, you get a fuckin "nice" list of side-effects.

I ain't pulling this out of my ass. Just my own experiences.

side effects vary from individual to individual. All side effects with these drug are clearly printed and if you are in any doubt you should consult your doctor and or stop treatment until your concerns are answered and you feel comfortable taking the drug. I think to say this drug doesn't cause depression would be wrong, i think there has been many studies to suggest that there is a connection with depression and this drug but on the same hand i feel that acne causes depression in the first place and to suggest otherwise is misleading, i'd argue that there is more studies to indicate depression linked with acne than with roaccutane linked with depression. Like i said at the start everyone is different and as such people will experience different side effects, it's hard to find any drug that doesn't come with some leaflet describing its side effects.
For me roaccutane has helped overcome acne and im currently on my 3rd month of treatment with clear skin and no spots but its taken a long time after all other treatments failed including other antibotics.
Its hard to comprehend the long term effects of roaccutane since it's relatively new treatment in acne, i know that i first took the drug when i was 20 and im now 27 and experiencing lower back pains and dry lips but i can't personally say i've been depressed at any point on this drug, infact quite the opposite, seeing ur skin clearing has given me a good boost in confidence. l can understand both points of views but from my experience these scary stories of suicidal thoughts are few and far in the large scheme of things but again thats no comfort to the familes that sons and daughters have lost. All i can say is i don't regret using the drug and have no problem recommending it to other folks who suffer from acne and wish them luck but with everything, read and know the facts before you take any drug.
all the best.

You should check www.rxlist.com for the side effects of accutane. It is a very dangerous drug.

I'm at the end of my third month and although my acne has gotten better I still have a lot of it. Has anyone else experienced this time frame for clearing? I thought I would see more results.

I'm starting my third month and I am still experiencing some acne too. I'd hang in there, each month should get better. I am having severe joint pains and I'm wondering if it is due to the meds or something else. Anyone else having ankle and elbow issues (sounds weird, but it hurts)?

Ankle pains! In the morning especially... when I get get out of bed, the first few steps are pretty sore.
I'm on my fourth month and although I had two months on the lowest dose, I really did think I'd see more improvement.
Oh well, month by month I guess...

Michael wrote:

Just passing this board on my personal accutane-crusade.
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 trust me on this one: accutane CAN cause suicide thoughts. So I amnot surprised at all suicides are linked to this drug.
This wasn't the only problem I got the deal with. I got "awarded" with a few others as well. First is the hair loss. Luckily that is almost gone now. Second, I sweat like a pig. I mean it. Up till a few months ago, I couldn't figure it out. When I went to parties, my T-shirts were all soaked up. When I was sporting, the same story. This was weird because normally before taking the drug, I never ever experienced such things. Accutane is known to mess with your oil glands. Third but not least: I got serious memory problems now. Difficulty with concentrating, memorising stuff, especially recalling things. I have got to deal with them and it ain't bloody easy.
Summarized if you even plan on taking this drug, be WARNED cuz there is a chance, albeit a small one, you get a fuckin "nice" list of side-effects.
I ain't pulling this out of my ass. Just my own experiences.

Eh by any chance, are those side effects still with you?

just finished 16 week course. well i finished 4 days early.
skin is totaly clear, but my skin is so dry, every where on my whole body.
how long will it take to get back to normal? i had a big drinking session yesterday, i know i shouldnt of but i was just happy to finish them! was on 80 mg day. im a 17 stone lad. i also train 6 days a week, but didint notice any effects from it. hang in , its worth it!

Accutane is a miricle! I am on my fifth month, and have a perfect complection. I used to get HUGE zits on my face, and they'd take weeks to clear up. Now, I don't even have blackheads on my nose! It is just amazing! I wash my face with Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse face wash/toner, which can be bought at Sophora or online. My skin all over is dry, but that is simple to fix. Just put on some lotion after you get out the shower. My skin is more hydrated and looks better than ever because I do that. And, yes I carry Aquafor around w\ me at all times for my lips. Works like a dream. My eyes tend to be irritated due to dryness, but I just use Blink eyedrops since I wear contacts to lubricate, and Roto-V Eyedrops to get rid of redness when needed. Basically, I feel like a new person, with my Acne gone in Five Months! I am still on treatment, and love this medicine.

I hate this stupid product is suks eggs for life....all my hair has fallen off...now i have no more boyfriends to look at me.... thanks alot accutane..

I'm on first month of accutane and just starting my second month.There are definite changes in my skin, and my body.I have a hard time sleeping, both falling asleep and not sleeping for long periods of time.Also, my lips always fry, but a little tube of vaseline helps a lot.My eyes are always dry, they kind of sting when I close them.I have gotten a little more acne but the majority of my face has gotten better.My hair has started to fall out just a tad, and not just my hair on my head but hair from my eyebrows and eyelashes.I've also noticed the sweating, I went to a club, not a god idea...I was sweating too much.I've been in the sun too often and my skin always feel warm.Does anyone become very hot all the sudden?..that's been happening.No signs of depression yet, but maybe small hallucinations, I daydream a lot more but the daydreams become a lot more intense. Levels of violence have increased a little bit, I've definitely been more vengeful lately.Some minor stomach problems.I haven't had any side effects that have been major or life threatening.But I have gotten a good amount of side effects very quickly.Good luck to all of you taking this medicine!!

I started taking accutane when I was about 16. It cleared my acne up beautifully however I also experienced the horrible side effects of depression. I was like a lot of you and believed that if my skin looked good then how could I possibly end up being depressed. It was out of my control. I was manically depressed. I hated myself and life and I didn't know why. I couldn't blame it on anything else in my life because in reality I had no problems. I didn't understand why I was feeling the way I was. You can honestly feel your brain not functioning the way it used to. By the time I was 20 I had tried to commit suicide 3 times. I was very lucky as I had a family who looked after me. It took such a long time to get over this period in my life. I'm now 24 and completely recovered and happy. I still get acne now, but will never take a drug like accutane again. I can't imagine ever going through what I did. So I'll have to move on to try another method. If you are taking the drug and not having any side effects then that is fantastic. However just a warning that if you are feeling unhappy - even the slightest. Think about stopping the drug as I do not wish upon anyone to go through all the heartache and pain that I had to. Good luck with it.

I'm a frreelance journalist currently researching a story on the acne drug Accutane for a women’s monthly glossy and am interested in talking to women, aged 25 - 40, who have taken the drug within the past few years and who have suffered side effects i.e. depression, suicidal thoughts, birth defects, etc.

Taking part would include a telephone interview, or correspondence via email, and providing high resolution colour photographs.

Please email me at katreenh@hotmail.com

Thanks!