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Thread: Accutane

  1. #1
    Veteran Member Adina's Avatar
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    Default Accutane

    Has anybody here taken Accutane? What were your results? Side effects?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: Accutane

    nothin but positive!

    i still think its a miracle drug but BE AWARE of the abundance of negative side effects.

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    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    I've been on and off of accutane for a couple of years. From my experience it takes at least 2 full months for acne to fully go away. The only side effect that I had was extremely dry lips that would crack and peel I used aquaphor religiously. The only pain in the ass was going to the dermatologist every month for a refill and pregnancy test.

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

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    Default Re: Accutane

    I did a very long time ago. like 10 years ago. It truly is a miracle drug that works wonders on persistent acne. LIke muhaya, had to go to the doctors at least once a month for blood work. Also this stuff is extrememly bad for a developing fetus, if you take accutane while pregnant the baby most likely will suffer from horrible physical birth defects . I had to sign a form stating I was using a reliable form of birth control (the pill) and that I would agree to an abortion if I were to become pregnant while taking accutane.

    I would probably try the clear light laser first though nowadays if faced with the choice. Although the accutane was covered by insurance and I would think that the laser is not.

  5. #5
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Here is a link to some info about Accutane. IF you can't open it. Do a google on Accutane, lots of info. Good luck,

    Pamela

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    Default Re: Accutane

    I used accutane over 10 years ago and had wonderful results. Your skin will actually get a little worse the first month or two. I had the same problem Muyaha mentioned-very dry lips. I used to put polysporin (not neosporin) on them which helped a lot. You will have to have bloodwork checked because it can affect liver values and definitely don't get pregnant!

  7. #7
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: Accutane

    i got preg while on accutane. The most horrible experience ever. Thank god it was just a scare. I was on birth control too

  8. #8
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: Accutane

    my lips cracked until they bled on accutane.. i used blistex, nothing else would work as well for me.

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    Default Re: Accutane

    I took accutane twice, and can honestly say, be careful before you dive into this drug. First of all, expect everything from depression, mood swings, extremely dry and cracked skin, not to mention the scare that if you get pregnant your going to most likely have to have an abortion. It does do wonders for a lot of people, but for both times I've taken it, six months later I started breaking out again. My skin just didn't clear up from this drug. My advice would be to do a ton of research, and speak to both your doctor and dermatologist before you go into this. It's not a drug to be taken lightly at all, and many people rush into it.

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    Veteran Member Adina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    I'm aware of all the negative side effects - definitely cause for major concern. Since I was 19, I've had cystic acne on my chin - 1 monthly eruption with a painful, silver-dollar sized swelling that eventually comes to the surface and scars (and I don't squeeze them). Just on my chin - I do get zits elsewhere on occasion, but they're pretty minor. I've been on antibiotics, prescribed every topical treatment under the sun - it always comes back.

    I've read that in Europe, doctors typically prescribe a low dose (20 mgs/day) for a year, and that on that dosage, the side effects are minimal to none. Some doctors here are now advocating the same approach. I'm seeing a dermatologist next week. We'll see what happens. Thank you, everyone, for your replies.

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    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Adina, sometimes I too do suffer from cystic acne on occasion. I was on Accutane before, but I did it for a week bc I got freaked out on all the side affects & the fact that I had to keep going for blood work was a pain in the ass.

    What really works on my cystic acne is this medication called Dynacin. It's the best ever, 100mg twice a day & it'll clear up fast. Then lower it to once a day when it gets better. Also dermatologists give these injections as well that make them disappear the next day. I use to get those injections every time I went for an appointment. Drink lots & lots of water too. Benzoyl peroxide at night. I wash my face with Dial liquid soap, strange....but this dermatologist recommened this to me.

  12. #12
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Adina, I had terrible acne as a teen and it only cleared up when I went on full-strength birth control pills.
    A male friend of mine went on Accutane and it worked. It seems like men have an easier time with the side affects. Why don't you try birth control pills first? So you wouldn't have to worry about the pregnancy issue.

  13. #13
    Pamela
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    Yes in Europe they have used Accutane for years for long lengths of time on patients. Also Certain antibiotics, mainly Tetracycline, then the US started doing this.

    Glad to hear you are seeing a doc. for this as i heard this is one drug you do not want to buy on-line.

    Pamela

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    Default Re: Accutane

    yes what Pam said if you do opt for accutane please be under the care of a doctor.

  15. #15
    Member Ohio_Dancer_Paige's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    I was on Accutane years ago. I had horrible side effects and had to quit after three months. (I should have quit earlier, but I hid my side effects from my parents.) I still have some of the side effects and my skin is only slightly better. I really think there are better options, please check into them before you consider Accutane.

  16. #16
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    I wrote about this on another thread. Accutane dried me out so much that I busted a blood vessel in my nose while I had a cold, and had uncontrollable bleeding for a week until I had it cauterized. Permanently scarring a vein in your nose in order to heal it is VERY painful, and caused me to have to have subsequent nasal surgery

    I think its worth it to try a low dosage. I mostly had acne on my shoulders and back and that got rid of it completely for a few years. 10 years later, I do get a little, probably from stripping and the stage.......

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    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    i think the starting dose or the first month dose is 40mg. You can't get lower than that since you can't cut the pill in two.

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

  18. #18
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: Accutane

    what is the highest dose? i think the most iv'e had is around 60 or so through the 6 months or so.

  19. #19
    Veteran Member Adina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Eeeek Katrine! I didn't know about that - sounds very painful. I had a co-worker on Accutane who came into work one day with two raw, circular patches of skin missing on both sides of her nose. It was from a Breath-Rite strip - took the skin right of her nose when she removed it in the morning.

    I've gone back on the pill, so we'll see if that improves anything. Come to think about it, I was on the pill for 18 months years ago, and it did get the cystic acne under control. But it made me barf all the time

  20. #20
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Well, believe it or not, I still recommend the stuff, but in a lower dose. I was 17, and irresponsible about being careful regarding side effects. Also, it made my hair really thin and dry while I was on it.....

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  21. #21
    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Why would you want to take a medication that made you barf daily??

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

  22. #22
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: Accutane

    yea. My hair got really thin too, between that and depo

  23. #23
    Featured Member Muyaha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    well there's a pretty good site regarding acne and everything acne related.... http://www.acne.org

    I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.

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    Veteran Member Adina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Did I say it made me barf daily? It didn't - just enough to be unpleasant. But it did make my periods more manageable, going from bleeding nine days, yes, nine, to 6. It was Ortho Tri Cyclen. This time I'm taking Alesse, a low-estrogen/progestin pill that is easier to tolerate.

  25. #25
    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Accutane

    Quote Originally Posted by madmaxine
    Adina, I had terrible acne as a teen and it only cleared up when I went on full-strength birth control pills.
    A male friend of mine went on Accutane and it worked. It seems like men have an easier time with the side affects. Why don't you try birth control pills first? So you wouldn't have to worry about the pregnancy issue.
    Hi Max,

    What kind of BC were you on? I forgot which one I was on once & it made me break out like crazy!! But I heard Yasmin is the best for this type of acne. Anyone heard about the Yasim?

    I was desperately thinking of taking Accutane again bc i'm starting to really break out bad. But after reading about hair thinning on this thread, I think I may not...unless it thickens back to normal? Hmm, maybe i'll take it for three months & then after do the Yasim BC.


    Does anyone know if this Accutane ever got rid of it for life?


    Thanks
    Last edited by Vyanka; 12-23-2004 at 10:37 AM.

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