What are the pros and cons of taking Accutane for acne?

Question

For years now, Ive had acne that wont go away. Ive tried everything on the market. Now, my doctor is suggesting that I go on a drug called Accutane, which is, apparently, a very hardcore way of dealing with acne. Apparently, it might cure my acne forever. But there are some pretty serious things to consider like potential birth defects, liver damage, eye and lips bieng very dry....And, according to one site, the results might only be temporary, even though I will be taking it for five months. Have you taken Accutane? What are some of the side effects you experienced? What are some of the pros/cons? Would you reccomend it?

Answer 1

I have tried everything too like Proactive, Retin A, antibiotics, over the counter medications, injections in my face (ouch!), and finally Accutane. It worked wonders! I stayed on Accutane for about a year when I was 16 years old and it was the best thing I ever used for my acne.

There are liver tests that are just standard precautions; everyone has to do them if they are getting on Accutane because it can cause liver damage. And, if you are a female you have to take a pregnancy test EVERY month before you can even get it refilled from the pharmacy! Even though I insisted I wasn't even having sex yet and couldn't possibly become pregnant they still MADE me take a pregnancy test every month. The guidelines are just really strict for Accutane because it can cause liver damage and SEVERE birth defects if a woman gets pregnant while taking it.

I would HIGHLY recommend Accutane, but make sure you are FULLY aware of all the side effects. I became VERY depressed when I was on the medication and had very dry skin. Some people have even committed suicide or tried to commit suicide while on the medication. So, you'll definitely want to be careful while taking it!

Good luck to you! I know how bad it can get!

Answer 2

I was on Accutane about seven years ago and unfortunately my acne returned. It cleared up beautifully while I was on it and then came back. I experienced very dry lips (keep chapstick on hand), hair loss, and mild lower back pain. The drug seems to cause your pores to stop producing oil. After I took it, I also started getting migraine headaches. I am not sure if the two were associated or not because migraines run in my family. I started going to a dermatologist again about two years ago and she suggested that I take a second round of Accutane. I decided not to because I would like to start a family soon and don't want to risk birth defects of a child. My doc assured me that women still conceive perfectly healthy children shortly after discontinuation of the drug but I still don't want to take my chances.

I have heard a few success cases from Accutane though. My brother was on it and it seemed to work for him.

I have suffered from acne for so many years that I sympathize with you especially when you've tried everything else and nothing seems to work. If you're very careful not to get pregnant and you're willing to put up with the side effects, I would recommend it. Especially if there's a chance that it could take care of your acne for good.

Answer 3

NATURAL ACNE PROTOCOL
1/ Never, ever touch your face.
2/ Use 3 facecloths to wash your face, one to soap on, one to soap off with very hot water, one to rinse off with ice cold water, in that order, once a day.
3/ If you are under 18 take 5,000 IU of vitamin A once a day with a full meal
4/ If you are over 18 take 5,000 IU of vitamin A twice a day with a full meal.
Do not get pregnant while taking vitamin A. Do not take any more, like Accutane, it will stop you growing.
5/ Never, ever. pick, squeeze or pop your spot. Read number 1 again.
6/ Do this for 90 days.
7/ Invest in a brand new pillow and 2 new or more pillow cases to �double bag' your pillow. HOT wash every couple of days.
Source:
A bit of advice given to me as a teenager, a bit of science as I am studying allergic reactions and vitamin A is a part of that. A bit of research: I sat in a lecture at the back and watched the acne prone pick at their faces, those with the worse acne touched their faces 32 times in an hour, the clearest complexions didn't touch their faces even once. I have circumstantial evidence that acne is the result of dermatophyte transfer from hands to face...where it does not get washed off and is well fed by hormones, sweat a
nd oil...just a hypothesis... But it would explain why vitamin A is so effective as vitamin causes skin to remove dermatophytes.

The secret is never to touch the spots

Tips on how to treat acne and achieve perfect clear skin in as little as 7 days?

Answer 4

Since we have such an informative tool as the internet, I suggest you do a little research. I used to be on Accutane. There are now lawsuits against it for liver damage and such. I would get off it if I were you. Have you tried Proactive? It works. But remember it must get better before it gets worse. You will break out because it draws the oils and dirt out of your skin. Give it a try. Good luck.

Answer 5

I haven't, but a girlfriend of mine did. She exercised and then her legs became jelly... We took her to the hospital and they helped her. I seriously recommend you think about this and find out if your skin is 'bad' enough to use it

Answer 6

well i would take it because there is nothng worse than acne....

id say go for it

Answer 7

also has side effect of suicidal behavior! try that proactive stuff....