Reviewer: Chris, 13-18 Male on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I've been on a relatively low dosage (40 mg/day) for roughly two weeks now, and I can happily testify that my skin hasn't looked better in years. The initial break out was mild and lasted only a few days, while the side effects are manageable (dry skin/lips) and can easily be treated with lotion and vaseline. In terms of psychological side effects such as depression, I haven't had any. If anything ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I've been on a relatively low dosage (40 mg/day) for roughly two weeks now, and I can happily testify that my skin hasn't looked better in years. The initial break out was mild and lasted only a few days, while the side effects are manageable (dry skin/lips) and can easily be treated with lotion and vaseline. In terms of psychological side effects such as depression, I haven't had any. If anything, I've had a boost of confidence from the improved appearance of my skin.
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Reviewer: 25-34 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I'm a 28 yr. old female, and I weigh approximately 105 lbs. After several sporadic breakouts and then persistent daily breakouts, and at an odd age to have it too, I requested Accutane when nothing else seemed to work. (I'd tried Differin, Klaron, birth control, masks, Retin-A Micro, Pro Activ, Clarasonic, ... If I'd known Accutane (generic) worked so well with relatively few side effects, I'd de ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I'm a 28 yr. old female, and I weigh approximately 105 lbs. After several sporadic breakouts and then persistent daily breakouts, and at an odd age to have it too, I requested Accutane when nothing else seemed to work. (I'd tried Differin, Klaron, birth control, masks, Retin-A Micro, Pro Activ, Clarasonic, ... If I'd known Accutane (generic) worked so well with relatively few side effects, I'd definitely have insisted on it years before.) I was prescribed 20mg once daily for the first month and saw an improvement within the first week. By the month's end, my skin is clear - for the most part. I'll soon be taking 40mg once daily. Slathering layers of cream on at night help to counter the dryness.
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Reviewer: MNmom, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Caregiver)

Comment:
My 15 yr. old son was battling a severe acne issue for almost 6 months prior to getting to a dermatologist, who ultimately prescribed this medication. He ended up using it for 5 months at 20mn the first 2 months, and 40mg the final 3 months. He has had amazing results with the treatment, and minus the minimal scarring effects from the acne, has no more difficulty with the disease -- yet. He has ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
My 15 yr. old son was battling a severe acne issue for almost 6 months prior to getting to a dermatologist, who ultimately prescribed this medication. He ended up using it for 5 months at 20mn the first 2 months, and 40mg the final 3 months. He has had amazing results with the treatment, and minus the minimal scarring effects from the acne, has no more difficulty with the disease -- yet. He has been off of the drug for 1 month, now, and has NOT had any reaccurance, nor break outs. His mood was affected adversely in the following ways -- tired, agitated, prone to dramatic mood depression (ie: things that he would normally not be bothered by, agitated him severly), and his eating habits were diminished throughout treatment. He has bounced back and now resumes a much more stable mood, and his tiredness is lessening. Although I am a nurse, and had personal knowledge of the history of this medication, I am impressed by the govermental control over its use and dispension. I am also thankful for the physicians that were and are willing to use this drug to help teens with severe acne that is untreated by other meds. My son has a long way to go in order to see the permanent and lasting side effects. And, I will continue to post his changes and reactions during his recovery from the medication, on here for others' to read. As for now, though, he has a normal, budding, social life, and his demeanor and response to the meds has been tolerable and positive. I do recommend allowing your physician to at least try this medication if your child is suffering and nothing else is working.
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Reviewer: Reunsch, 13-18 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
I am currently taking my second phase of the medication. I was initially put onto 10mg three times a week for 3 months, which has now been repeated after about a two month break. Initially my skin did get worse for a few weeks, but I hardly noticed it. The dry skin, lips and eyes was the worst part, especially the lips. I did notice that the medication sometimes made me feel sick, so I would ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I am currently taking my second phase of the medication. I was initially put onto 10mg three times a week for 3 months, which has now been repeated after about a two month break. Initially my skin did get worse for a few weeks, but I hardly noticed it. The dry skin, lips and eyes was the worst part, especially the lips. I did notice that the medication sometimes made me feel sick, so I would take it in the afternoon rather than in the morning, because I would then be at home while the medication was absorbed. I have now been on the second phase for almost a week, and already the side effects have set in. I have noticed that my skin and lips are dry. I am also experiencing headaches and fatigue, which is something I didn't have during the first phase. I am confident that this second phase will clear my skin up. The first phase was quite effective and I noticed a difference in the acne at the end of the treatment. During the break my skin did get worse, but hopefully it will now improve and stay improved. The side effects are definitely not as bad as most people make them out to be. With proper care they can be properly managed.
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Reviewer: concernedcitizen, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)

Comment:
I took this drug as a teen when it first became available in the 1980's and had good results, and very little side effects. Later in my 20's I took it again becuase the acne came back. I had good results, but now that I am reading others saying that it causes IBS - I now know that it did give mey IBS for maybe 1 -2 years. (I didn't know it was the Accutane at the time, but in hindsight it makes se ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I took this drug as a teen when it first became available in the 1980's and had good results, and very little side effects. Later in my 20's I took it again becuase the acne came back. I had good results, but now that I am reading others saying that it causes IBS - I now know that it did give mey IBS for maybe 1 -2 years. (I didn't know it was the Accutane at the time, but in hindsight it makes sense.) The IBS has long ago gone away, and now at age 43 I am considering putting my teenage son on it. I did not have any reproductive or psychological side effects. I ended up having 3 healthy children. I have to say that I don't think the quality of my life would have been as good without Accutane. I really hope it is available for those who need it. I don't think "vanity" of acne is something to disregard in a country that only values youth and beauty, and those who have sever acne know the physical pain that also causes. I would still have endured 1 -2 years if IBS - which by the way was debilitating and limited activities that I could enjoy - for the benefits of Accutane.
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