User Reviews for isotretinoin oral

I took this medication (claravis) at 24 to help with deep acne in my back and face. I had mostly out grown my teenage acne but I still had quite a bit of it. I originally started off with 40mg/dose. Within days I had peeling and dryness around my mouth, arms, and ears. My acne cleared up within a week and all seemed to go well. I had 4 beers over the course of 6 hours during a holiday. I had read online that you should use alcohol sparingly. The following day I woke up with very tight severe back pain. I went to a chiropractor and finally my dermatologist. Blood tests showed the alcohol mixed with the Isotretinoin really hurt my liver and kidneys. After a week or so off it I resumed at 20mg/dose. This was a much better dosage for me and has worked wonders. With this dosage I also found out I had been depressed. Feelings of doubt and frustration I passed as just a bad day we're now very blatantly depression. This script most definitely works. Just be very careful and follow your physician's directions carefully. Start with 15 days of a high dose and taper off to a lower dose. After speaking with my derm this indeed has made me feel and look so much better. If you have acne you can't get rid of, take this. Be safe and do not drink or do anything that directly effects your liver such as alcohol, drugs, or other metabolizing medications. Read More Read Less

I have had severe acne since age 14 and have tried every oral and topical medication out there. I just finished my 1st month on accutane and while my face is not perfect, the deep nodule acne is gone and it looks better overall. Severe chapped lips can be controlled with Burt's Bees chapstick during the day and vaseline at night. I recently started getting major back and joint pains. Haven't figured out how to ease that yet. I haven't had any irregular mood swings thus far. The medication is a little pricey, $140 with good insurance for a months supply, plus the monthly doctor visit and lab work. I'm crossing my fingers for a good outcome. 5 more months to go!!Read More Read Less

I've been on this medication for about two weeks now and have noticed some of the side effects. One of the major ones is dry and peeling lips. Have to keep putting ointment on my lips about 5-6 times a day. Also I've noticed that my face is peeling in certain spots and my scalp is very itchy. Other than that I haven't had any other problems. As for its effectiveness I can't tell yet. From reading other peoples' reviews I think my acne should clear up within a week or so. I'm excited to see the end results. Read More Read Less

My son took this medication for his acne. It worked wonderful, unfortunately he experienced severe depression, moodiness, which is one of the serious side effects. He only stayed on the drug for 4 months instead of the 6 months. We had to take him off the drug, and hopefully he will return to his happy self again. Not sure if the drug was worth it.

My son took this medication for his acne. It worked wonderful, unfortunately he experienced severe depression, moodiness, which is one of the serious side effects. He only stayed on the drug for 4 months instead of the 6 months. We had to take him off the drug, and hopefully he will return to his happy self again. Not sure if the drug was worth it.

When starting this medication hearing the side effectsnstarted changing my mind about taking it. But i went with it because nothing else has worked. I have had acne bad for 5 years and I am only 20 years old. I've started taking this medication 3 months ago and no major side effects have occurred. the biggest is dryness, which is a given. First week of the treatment my acne got worse than ever. Now, I receive a few on my neck. My face as never been so clear I have the most confidents in the world and it feels great. It's scary thinking about what could happen. But over all I am very pleased with the outcome and its only been 3 months. 3 more to go and no worries! good luck everyoneRead More Read Less

I took Accutane. No side effects except high cholestrol levels. Changed my life for the best!!! Nothing else worked. Thank God it was on the market.

Went on two courses of Accutane in my 20's. Cleared up my skin for at least 10 years. Tried again at age 30 and experienced brain swelling and affected my vision, could not read. Such a shame since it has worked wonders for me in the past. My Dermatologist told me that 1 out of 100 patients experience swelling of the brain which puts pressure on the ocular nerves, causing blurred vision. Scary!!

I have had acne issues since college (now 32). Nothing worked. So, my dermatologist suggested Accutane. He suggested a 4 month treatment. I have now been on it for 3 1/2 months and I have seen little progress. My dermatologist assures me that it will clear up within the month. However, I am growing weary. In the first few months I experienced mood swings,bouts of anger and crying spells. I am still experiencing dry, cracked lips, nose bleeds, dryness inside my nose, and infrequent night terrors. I also have patches of dry skin on my arms and around my mouth. I am holding on to the hope that it will clear up. The side effects are troublesome and basically, annoying. My husband and I are counting down the days until I stop taking Accutane. I really do hope that I start seeing results. Have you experienced any of these side effects or delayed progress in the treatment?Read More Read Less

Today is only my fourth day taking this medication, but I already notice a huge difference! My face broke out horribly yesterday, which I'm told is normal, but today it's looking better and my skin isn't all greasy and shiny anymore. Only side effect I have noticed so far is that if you take it on an empty stomach it will cause some stomach pain, but I fixed that by eating with it. The decision to take this medication was one that I researched for almost a year before deciding to do it because of all the bad press it has gotten. For someone who is going to use this medicine, I would definitely recommend taking it with food, taking a large amount of vitamin D to counteract the possibility of bone and teeth damage, and follow all instructions your dermatologist gives religiously. Hope your experience is as good as mine has been so far!!Read More Read Less

I have been using isotretinoin for just 3 weeks--my skin has lost its oily shine, I have only had one new pimple in the last week. My lips are chapped & I drink tons of water, but no other side effects. After 30 years of acne, this is like a miracle! I have had numerous comments on how great my skin looks. VERY pleased!

I underwent a course of isotretinoin after having moderate acne that wasn't helped by other oral or external treatments. The severity of the drug makes it a serious commitment, but I'm very satisfied with the results. It has been 2 years, and I very rarely have trouble with acne. When I do, it is mild and most often simply stress or hormone- related. I'm very satisfied.

It takes a while to work but in the end it really does give u the satifaction that is needed.

I took this medicine after suffering from hard-to-treat acne on my face. During the treatment I experienced very painful chapped lips--in spite of using aquaphor religiously my lips would peel off in large, painful, bloody strips and it was hard to even smile because it hurt so bad. As far as mental repercussions, I did have really bad anxiety and difficulty making decisions without getting extremely stressed out. My complexion did clear up significantly, though, and a year after going off of the medication the skin on my face has a completely different tone. I do still break out, though, but I was only on a low dose. I sometimes think about going back on the medication, but I was so miserable with the peeling that I don't think I will do it again. Does anyone have any advice about perhaps going on a second round?Read More Read Less

Accutane has a bad rap but itdramatically improved my life by clearing moderate acne that I have had since puberty. After two years I have developed a little bit of a problem again, and am going back on it, without hesitation. I only experienced chapped lips last time - everything else, including my blood tests, remained completely normal while on it.

The drug worked great while I was taking it. I didn't have any breakouts and my face was no longer oily. Only side effect was dry lips which I just used Chapstick about 20 times a day. About 5 months after stopping, I started breaking out again on my face. My chest and back have remained clear. Have just started my second round of treatment and hopefully this time will get rid of it for good.

Well this drug seems to be working for me :) i see good results...but the only thing for me is that it get My stomach upset :(

I was given this medication to treat Hidradenitis-suppurativa. It not only did not work for that, but the H-S actually got worse while I was taking it. My normal acne did not get any better either. And the side-effects were serious and continued to be a problem long after I stopped taking the isotretinoin. Don't let the other reviews fool you. It's not all sunshine and roses with this medication, and while it may have a good track record with some, it is not nearly as guaranteed as I have had doctors tell me. Be very cautious taking it and keep a good record of side-effects to talk to your doctor about. And make sure your doctor listens to your concerns.Read More Read Less