Accutane Side Effects?

[kait123]

I recently just got prescribed accutane by my dermatologist for mild (but very painful) acne. I'm only taking 20 mg once a day.
I've read that there's a lot of negative side effects that come along with it. Such as weight fluxuations. I read one forum online where a lot of people experienced quick weight loss, then I read another one where they experienced weight gain. So I'm a little confused as to what to expect, that being said I know everyone's different.
I'm curious to how others reacted towards it. Input?
Much appreciated!

[5more]

I took 2 rounds of 40mg/day. 6 months! My hair started to fall out and the whites of my eyes started to turn yellow. Face peeled like crazy. I had no body oil whatsoever. I went camping in the summer and didn't need to shower for a week. Gross I know but there was no showers and I'm Canadian haha. As far as weight gain or loss, no changes here. Side effects can be harsh, but to me it was worth it. My skin cleared up beautifully in the end. It was the only thing that worked for me.

[seanb1979]

I took 2 rounds of 40mg/day. 6 months! My hair started to fall out and the whites of my eyes started to turn yellow. Face peeled like crazy. I had no body oil whatsoever. I went camping in the summer and didn't need to shower for a week. Gross I know but there was no showers and I'm Canadian haha. As far as weight gain or loss, no changes here. Side effects can be harsh, but to me it was worth it. My skin cleared up beautifully in the end. It was the only thing that worked for me.

I always had a secret theory Canadians didn't shower much - i KNEW it!

[bokito1]

I recently just got prescribed accutane by my dermatologist for mild (but very painful) acne. I'm only taking 20 mg once a day.
I've read that there's a lot of negative side effects that come along with it. Such as weight fluxuations. I read one forum online where a lot of people experienced quick weight loss, then I read another one where they experienced weight gain. So I'm a little confused as to what to expect, that being said I know everyone's different.
I'm curious to how others reacted towards it. Input?
Much appreciated!

the most noticeable side effect you would probably notice is dry skin, and dry mucous membranes - meaning lips, mouth, eyes. The user above experienced pretty extreme sides, i have never heard of people having it that bad.

[Wednesdayx]

I gained a substantial amount of weight, however it was due to the required birth control. (I'm not sure if your dermatologist follows the iPledge system for accutane)

My skin got very dry and I started getting eczema along my wrists. Cetaphil Moisturizing Creme (comes in a round tub), Aquaphor (for lips), and drinking tons of water were my life saviours. I also took vitamins A & E daily; even though they advise you not to take vitamins or any other medications I experienced no problems.

Working out got a little bit difficult due to very bad joint pain. However I ended up taking 2 ibuprofen twice during the day which helped immensely.

If you tan try to avoid going at all costs. Your skin is incredibly sensitive while on accutane and I made the huge of going and ended up with a 2nd degree burn and a bit of uneven skin tone on my cheek that has not gone away since =/

Accutane was the only thing that worked for my skin, and I have had very little problems with acne since.

Good Luck!

[DonMegaR]

It will calcify your joints if you workout on it.

[exupery]

A kid I know has been out of school for months and just recently found out his illness is a side-effect of Accutane. Kid had heavy heavy acne though, but now he's facing possibly having to remove his testicles (srs). Feel horrible for him.

[imperfectly_lou]

Recent thread here:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=130395193

[kait123]

the most noticeable side effect you would probably notice is dry skin, and dry mucous membranes - meaning lips, mouth, eyes. The user above experienced pretty extreme sides, i have never heard of people having it that bad.

I'm about 2 weeks into it now, and holy crap, major pasties, dry lips, face, mostly around my nose and my chin, and really dry hands. anyone have any mood swings on this too? i'm been very irritable lately. my poor boyfriend

[Wednesdayx]

anyone have any mood swings on this too? i'm been very irritable lately. my poor boyfriend

I had major mood swings while taking accutane, the littlest things would upset me. (my boyfriend wasn't very thrilled either) My dermatologist was always prying into my emotional wellbeing due to cases where accutane caused depression, a few leading to suicide.

[bokito1]

I'm about 2 weeks into it now, and holy crap, major pasties, dry lips, face, mostly around my nose and my chin, and really dry hands. anyone have any mood swings on this too? i'm been very irritable lately. my poor boyfriend

The simplest way to combat depression is to convince yourself that youre taking something that will finally make your life much better, dont look at the bad sides, instead look forward to improvements.

[kait123]

I know, I've been trying to convince myself "it's just the meds, don't be an idiot" I usually snap out of it. You're head can be tricky sometimes though.
Has anyone ever gotten like a slightly odd feeling from it though? Sometimes I feel almost "numb" to my surroundings. Sounds lame I know, but just lately I just feel bland almost. It's a little weird.

[WorldDomnit]

This is what I HEARD. Not all of this is true, it could be.
I heard it stunts your growth, I took it in 7th grade and haven't grown since(my doctor told me) (~3 years)
I also heard it can mess up your bones, back and ligaments (I saw on some tv comercial). Its a very serious drug.

and chapped lips, which I also got

[kait123]

Kind of an embarassing question, but...did anyone have any bowel "issues" with accutane? :S

[BGR]

I am in my 2nd month on it and the worst side effect has been dry skin. I wish I would have taken this 20 years ago! It is very important to take the drug as prescribed. Stay hydrated, find a good moisturizer and use it daily, and stay out of the sun or tanning beds.

I think the ridiculous quizzes you have to take each month are the worst thing about out. At 37 and a mom of two kids, I think I have a pretty good grasp on how babies are made

[ctgblue]

the most noticeable side effect you would probably notice is dry skin, and dry mucous membranes - meaning lips, mouth, eyes. The user above experienced pretty extreme sides, i have never heard of people having it that bad.

this is the main thing I experienced, I had no aches or pains or any other claimed sides, but it is so drying that, being winter, you need to keep GOOD chapstick EVERYWHERE. Your purse, car, desk, bathroom, kitchen, pockets, you get the idea. Because IF you get a split lip, it will take weeks to heal.
Also, if you wear contacts, carry rewetting drops for a few weeks until your eyes adjust

But do the whole cycle and it's worth it.

[kait123]

this is the main thing I experienced, I had no aches or pains or any other claimed sides, but it is so drying that, being winter, you need to keep GOOD chapstick EVERYWHERE. Your purse, car, desk, bathroom, kitchen, pockets, you get the idea. Because IF you get a split lip, it will take weeks to heal.
Also, if you wear contacts, carry rewetting drops for a few weeks until your eyes adjust

But do the whole cycle and it's worth it.

OH yes! trust me, i got a crack in the corner of my lip and i swear it feels like it's been there for a an effing decade. i've got two good brands of chapstick that are with me at ALL times. i'm starting to see my face clear up a little bit, it feels pretty nice, mentally. my guy thinks im crazy for taking accutane because of all of the side effects, every little mood swing or bit of grouchy-ness i have he "assumes" it's the meds. it sucks. but he doesn't realize what it's like dealing with uncomfortable, painful outbreaks constantly, it makes you feel pretty gross sometimes. and it sucks when you talk to people and your breakouts are the focal point on your face.
but yes, living in canada with our winters, i feel like a giant passion flakey cake. i'm dry as hell. just gotta keep at it with the moisturizer!

[kait123]

how long did it take to start seeing a difference in your skin? it's been a month for me and i'm still getting breakouts

[5more]

2.5 months. Stick with it.

[Odessy]

I recently just got prescribed accutane by my dermatologist for mild (but very painful) acne. I'm only taking 20 mg once a day.
I've read that there's a lot of negative side effects that come along with it. Such as weight fluxuations. I read one forum online where a lot of people experienced quick weight loss, then I read another one where they experienced weight gain. So I'm a little confused as to what to expect, that being said I know everyone's different.
I'm curious to how others reacted towards it. Input?
Much appreciated!

I heard on the news that accutane can cause crohns disease. Not sure if its true but there is a big lawsuit about it. I would suggest looking it up.

[kait123]

I heard on the news that accutane can cause crohns disease. Not sure if its true but there is a big lawsuit about it. I would suggest looking it up.

i've done my research, trust me.

[nofear_12]

Yeah, definitely stick with it! I did four courses two years ago and LOVED it! Recently my acne has returned with a vengeance, so I got my derm to prescribe me another course! The longer I was on it the less extreme the drying effects were. The worst part for me were unpredictable nosebleeds - it really dried out my nasal passages. But I used vaseline before bed and that helped. Same thing with the dry/peeling lips; just slather on Carmex - best thing out there. And remember to drink tons of water! Good luck with it!

[powerbarsssssss]

how long did it take to start seeing a difference in your skin? it's been a month for me and i'm still getting breakouts

In 2 months, my body acne was completely clear and my face started to get better.

[schmack]

I had to use Eucerine lotion. The real think stuff in the jar for my face and vaseline for inside my nose to help prevent nose bleeds. I found nose bleeds to be the most inconvenient.

Stick with it, I had bad acne in my late teens and early 20's and I am acne free for over 10 years.

[DonMegaR]

do not weight lift or really even work out too hard on accutane

well unless you enjoy your joints/ligaments/tendons calcifying (very serious)

no clue why your doctor wouldn't have informed you about the risks?

[kait123]

do not weight lift or really even work out too hard on accutane

well unless you enjoy your joints/ligaments/tendons calcifying (very serious)

no clue why your doctor wouldn't have informed you about the risks?

I'm on a low dose. I can lift just fine. I've already asked her about weight training and such. She said that my joint might ache a little bit and I may feel a bit more fatigued than usual. But on a good note, I haven't experienced either of those things.
My workout intensity hasn't changed one bit.

[kait123]

Yeah, definitely stick with it! I did four courses two years ago and LOVED it! Recently my acne has returned with a vengeance, so I got my derm to prescribe me another course! The longer I was on it the less extreme the drying effects were. The worst part for me were unpredictable nosebleeds - it really dried out my nasal passages. But I used vaseline before bed and that helped. Same thing with the dry/peeling lips; just slather on Carmex - best thing out there. And remember to drink tons of water! Good luck with it!

Ah yes, Carmex. That has pretty much become my best friend. The cracks you get on your lips are suuuuuper friggin painful. I swear I go an hour without lipchap, and bam! there's a split.
I drink about 4L of water, so I think I'm ok lol.
I haven't had any nosebleeds yet. But it's been since the end of Dec/early Jan since I've been taking accutane. The acne on my chin has cleared, but my forehead hasn't changed.

[DonMegaR]

I'm on a low dose. I can lift just fine. I've already asked her about weight training and such. She said that my joint might ache a little bit and I may feel a bit more fatigued than usual. But on a good note, I haven't experienced either of those things.
My workout intensity hasn't changed one bit.

http://accutane.poweradvocates.com/bone.html

November 6, 1986 -
Accutane - Tendon and Ligament Calcification -
Accutane (isotretinoin) given to treat acne, produced calcifications of tendons and ligaments in 32 of 38 patients in a study carried out at the National Institutes of Health. The ankles, pelvis and knees were the most common sites of calcification. (New England Journal of Medicine 315(19)1177-82, November 6, 1986)

[5more]

After 6 months of accutane my skin was clear for the first time since puberty. I am 29! I didn't think I would ever have clear skin. It was so embarrassing. Accutane is for serious acne. It is a serious drug. It should only be used asca last resort if you've tried everything else. After my 2 rounds of accutane I started retin a. This is a topical cream. I am using it to help diminish some of my acne scaring. This ****s gold! Not only are my scars fading my wrinkles are disappearing. It also helps keep my acne from coming back.

[RocketPRopelled]

I took it for several years as I was entering puberty. I had a Juvinile version of a wierd psoriasis. PRP for short. Heavy doses cause excesive dehydration, itch, and depression.. Great time to have it. I know right... Well It cleared it up and by the time I as 19 I was cured. stuff sux but it works..


fyi- dunno if anyone said or not didn't read whole thread. its been linked to several sever medical conditions and there is a multi-million dollar case going on over it.