Accutane

[BGgirl]

My dermatologist keeps talking to me about accutane but I keep worrying about the horrible side effects. My acne isn't very bad, it's just stubborn and will not go away and she thinks accutane will be really good for it. Has anyone had any experiences taking accutane? Would you recommend it?

[okapple]

I've worked in derm for a few years (admin, but soon to be in nursing school!) and here are some other considerations about accutane-

First of all it is a huge committment. YOu have to follow up with the doc alot, get your blood tests and pregnancy tests. In addition, they now have this whole I-Pledge system to promote contraceptive use and it's been kind of pain for patients as well as the prescribing docs. Not only is it a lot of paperwork, you have to log on to some website and participate in their accutane education tutorial.

There's a lot of legal issues surrounding accutane, at least in my office women of child bearing age sign a contract to use two forms of contraception, and consent to abortion if pregnancy occurs.

As far as the treatment itself, the drug is pretty harsh and stays in your system for 6 months after, I think it dries up your skin and makes it very sensitive (esp photosensitive) so you can't get facials or wax or do anything like that.

However, I know a lot of people who have benefitted greatly from it, especially when they tried everything else (topicals, antibiotics, etc) and nothing worked, and if they had really bad cystic acne (the kind that leaves pitted scars).

[lovinghands]

I was on accutane in my early 20s. It worked for me. Would I consider doing it again? Only if it was absolutely necessary. Accutane therapy is a commitment - you commit to using bc (2 forms), frequent dr visits and labs (hepatic & lipid panels). There are many side effects with this drug - my derm gave me handouts to review and then discussed my options prior to starting therapy.

I was fortunate to have the derm that I did. He believed in low dose accutane therapy to lessen side effects - of course my length of treatment was extended because of this. If I remember right, I was on a low dose of accutane for 9 months, generally it would have taken about 5 months to complete. The dosage & length of treatment is based on your weight.

Even though I was on a lower dose than most pts, I did experience side effects. Dry skin, conjuctivitis, occasional bloody noses, persistent chapped lips. My cholesterol and triglycerides increased and needed to be monitored. I remember my derm taking me off my minocycline well in advance of starting accutane because there is a risk of increased intracranial pressure when on both meds. You must be responsible and use 2 forms of bc while on this med - that was stressed to me on each dr's visit. The birth defects r/t this med are devastating, albeit preventable. I would check into the abortion mandate issue - I do not remember that ever being discussed back then but accutane guidelines have changed.

I remember expreincing some hair loss and my mood lightening after the accutane ended. I wouldn't say I felt depressed on this medication but there was a heaviness to my moods. I told my derm about this on a follow-up visit and he was not surprised by this. He explained it in simple terms that my body was stressed by this drug. This was at the time that suicidal ideation was initially being linked to accutane.

All that said, what I remember most about accutane was that it gave me my self-confidence back. I no longer felt hideous. I no longer felt the need to hide from others. I no longer had to worry on a daily basis about my appearance. That may sound trivial to some but if you have suffered with cystic acne then you do understand the impact it can have on your life. As with any disease, you weigh your options available. Accutane was an option that worked for me. I hope this info has helped. Best Wishes

[cammy429]

I had two friends that took accutane. One of them got bad nose bleeds that faded as she took it. The other one lip peeled like crazy (like another poster). I dont know about it lasting in your system for 8 years. I know you cannot get pregnant for 1 year once you start taking it because it is a category X. Knowing that, I personally don't want to take it. I know that those eggs aren't being formed monthly, they have been there since birth.

My dermatologist keeps talking to me about accutane but I keep worrying about the horrible side effects. My acne isn't very bad, it's just stubborn and will not go away and she thinks accutane will be really good for it. Has anyone had any experiences taking accutane? Would you recommend it?

[sun_chica]

I also have mild-mod adult acne (25y)- I refuse to take Accutane b/c I'd like to become pregnant in the next year or two. I was using prescription strength (Zoderm) Benzoperioxide 4% facial wash & retin A prn. the retin A really dried out my skin, so I used it when I wanted to . Also, DON'T use Dove soap on your face. My dermatologist said to use Oil of Olay. I use the benzo 1-2x/day, depending on how dry my skin feels. I use cetaphil lotion, which the derm. also recommends.

I saw some good results within 2months of using the above products, you do have to be religious about washing your face BID. I was also given an antibiotic topical cream- way to thick and felt crappy on my face.

Now since I want to start a family soon, I don't want any prescription drugs in me. Accutane is category X, retin A is category C (i think), so I just went off everything. Retin A must be stopped min 3months before want to try to conceive, per my OBGYN.

My regimen which seems to work pretty well is wash face BID. In the AM, I use Oil of Olay bar soap with a washcloth, pat dry, apply thin layer of Cetaphil body lotion (I avoid FACE lotions b/c they irritate my skin more than reg). At night, I use St Ives, Apricot Facial Scrub, pat dry, and apply thin layer Cetaphil lotion. I usually have 1-2 small pimples, but much better than before I used anything. some days I'm acne free.

Sorry so long, hope it gets better for you

[Angela2006]

I highly recommend Accutane. My face would break out here and there. I would have those under the skin cyst where you couldnt do anything with them. You'll have to be on two forms of birth control. They (whomever administers it) will give you monthly blood test to make sure all is ok. I was only on it from Aug - Dec of last year and then was taken off of it. It is now end of April and my face has remained so clear and my face has not broken out since. I havent even had one pimple. Im on proactive just because I wanted to be, and it works awesome. Accutane got all the hard work done. Also, the only symptom I experienced was my lips peeled. But it was well worth. I wear lipstick and could cover the peeling up most of the time.

Good luck, Do the benefits outweigh the risks. There are risks with everything.