Accutane Experience ?

[JoGib14]

There are numerous appraisals and testimonials regarding the effectiveness of Accutane in permanently getting rid of Acne even while on a highly androgenic Cycle. But most don't seem to detail sides while the drug profile on medical and AAS books like Llewellyn's Anabolics seems to suggest that users should be very cautious of the extreme range of sides which run the gamut from sinus & cranio-facial abnormalities to severe depression and what not...

It would be a great help if someone with experience of Accutane give their take on it and whether the enticing benefits outweigh the alleged risks?
What dose & how long to permanently annihilate those annoying zit holes once and for all with out risking harsh sides ?

[PistolPete33]

I took Accuatane when I was in my 20's. It wasn't because of AAS use but because I was suffering with acne. It's been over 15 years and I almost never get any zits at all. That said, when I was on it I was completely miserable. It dries your lips and ears out so bad that they will be completely chapped. It is also very liver toxic so you need to get blood drawn every month so check for liver functions. Depression is a real factor when on it but I knew about it when I went on it and there were times I had suicidal thoughts but they weren't serious but I remember getting aggrivated and yelling out that I would just kill myself. Then, I remembered reading about the sides and thought it was pretty crazy. I don't remember the amount that I took but do remember that I took it for 5 months.

[JoGib14]

I took Accuatane when I was in my 20's....... I was suffering with acne....... It's been over 15 years and I almost never get any zits at all. ?...

See, this is what fascinated me about accutane, It seems to permanently get rid of acne once used for a period of a few months. It would be nice to be able to just deal with them at once and never have one less thing to worry about when on cycle. But the liver toxicity is an additional side I was not aware of which makes it that much worrisome and perhaps better to ask a doc for a scrip and recurring tests.
Did you have to see a dermatologist ? Any one know the dose ?

[PistolPete33]

When I took Accutane I got it through my Primary. We tried several topical products that didn't do anything so he decided I needed to take Accutane. Do research on it because there are some reports that it can cause Chrones and other problems. What it basically does it slows your oil glands from producing oil. I still get some acne since starting HRT but nothing bad at all. I honestly would go thru your doctor that way you're getting all the proper tests and they can stop it as soon as a problem arises if one does. I believe that the law is now that when you're on it you need to be seeing a psychiatrist. Let me know if you have any questions as I will be more than willing to help. I'm no expert on the stuff but I can def. talk about my experiences with it.

[APM]

I took accutane as well. I was 32 at the time. Was prescribed through my dermatologist. I had severe acne covering my entire back (yes, it was AAS related). He had me try a few different meds, but none worked. I took it for five months during the summer. I work an out door job so during this time I sweat a lot obviously being outside during work. The first two months of being on Accutane were the worst, this is when it brought everything out and my back actually got worse to the point a had boils in some spots. The acne was painful to the touch at this time, it was so uncomfortable to even sit and drive a car. By the end of the third month it began clearing up, slowly. The forth month it was a drastic improvement, it was finally going away!. At the end of the fifth month it was gone, I couldn't believe it! I saw my doc once a month during this run, the script was refilled only once a month so I had to have regular check ups.

It's been over a year since I've been off the medicine. I've done two cycles since, my back is crystal clear to date (knock on wood, lol). I do get an occasional (very small) pimple here or there but nothing like it was before, the doc actually said its ok and typical.

My sides were typical and very mild. The worst thing for me was the dry skin on my face and around my mouth (lips too). It was manageable, always kept some type of moisturizer and chapstick with me, as well as picking off any large pieces of dry dead skin with tweezers. I had ZERO mental issues while running this. I know everyone seems to bring this up saying "it makes u suicidal"...I had none of that effect happen to me. I think that has more to do with teenagers going through puberty and being on this medicine.

Best thing I ever did was use Accutane to clear up my acne. If for some reason the acne comes/came back, I would absolutely use it again..

[PistolPete33]

You won't need it again. It supresses your skins oil production and should never come back. I've been off the stuff for over 15 years and have never had any issues besides a zit here and there.

[JoGib14]

When I took Accutane I got it through my Primary. We tried several topical products that didn't do anything so he decided I needed to take Accutane. Do research on it because there are some reports that it can cause Chrones and other problems. What it basically does it slows your oil glands from producing oil. I still get some acne since starting HRT but nothing bad at all. I honestly would go thru your doctor that way you're getting all the proper tests and they can stop it as soon as a problem arises if one does. I believe that the law is now that when you're on it you need to be seeing a psychiatrist. Let me know if you have any questions as I will be more than willing to help. I'm no expert on the stuff but I can def. talk about my experiences with it.

Thanks Pete, I've taken your advise on board. I'll try with my GP or a dermatologist first which will safe free if I get it scribd. Will definitely get in touch for advice in the future.

[JoGib14]

I took accutane as well. I was 32 at the time. Was prescribed through my dermatologist. I had severe acne covering my entire back (yes, it was AAS related). He had me try a few different meds, but none worked. I took it for five months during the summer. I work an out door job so during this time I sweat a lot obviously being outside during work. The first two months of being on Accutane were the worst, this is when it brought everything out and my back actually got worse to the point a had boils in some spots. The acne was painful to the touch at this time, it was so uncomfortable to even sit and drive a car. By the end of the third month it began clearing up, slowly. The forth month it was a drastic improvement, it was finally going away!. At the end of the fifth month it was gone, I couldn't believe it! I saw my doc once a month during this run, the script was refilled only once a month so I had to have regular check ups.

It's been over a year since I've been off the medicine. I've done two cycles since, my back is crystal clear to date (knock on wood, lol). I do get an occasional (very small) pimple here or there but nothing like it was before, the doc actually said its ok and typical.

My sides were typical and very mild. The worst thing for me was the dry skin on my face and around my mouth (lips too). It was manageable, always kept some type of moisturizer and chapstick with me, as well as picking off any large pieces of dry dead skin with tweezers. I had ZERO mental issues while running this. I know everyone seems to bring this up saying "it makes u suicidal"...I had none of that effect happen to me. I think that has more to do with teenagers going through puberty and being on this medicine.

Best thing I ever did was use Accutane to clear up my acne. If for some reason the acne comes/came back, I would absolutely use it again..

It seems your experience is typical of most others in that inspite of a period of difficulty , the final results were excellent and above all, Permanent!
Do you recall your dose? Was it the same through out or varying based on the sides?

[JoGib14]

Has any one got on Accutane from a NHS Gp in the UK?

[APM]

It seems your experience is typical of most others in that inspite of a period of difficulty , the final results were excellent and above all, Permanent!
Do you recall your dose? Was it the same through out or varying based on the sides?

It was the same throughout, 80mg

[middleeasternmuscle]

After a horrifying breakout with deca i was covered from head to back in pimples lmao. It was so bad i couldn't wear a tank let alone v necks. I took a 6 month cycle of accutane at 60mg. By far the best decision of my life. Completely cleared every last pimpled and now even during pct i don't get a single zit. It destroyed my oil glands according to my doc. The only side effect was feeling sucidial. Nothing too bad tho.

[DAAS]

After a horrifying breakout with deca i was covered from head to back in pimples lmao. It was so bad i couldn't wear a tank let alone v necks. I took a 6 month cycle of accutane at 60mg. By far the best decision of my life. Completely cleared every last pimpled and now even during pct i don't get a single zit. It destroyed my oil glands according to my doc. The only side effect was feeling sucidial. Nothing too bad tho.

Are there downside to drying up oil glads? Do they serve a purpose?
I have horribly oily nose and have tried everything and nothing works. Plus the only side I hate about roids is acne.

I imagine someone with diabetes that already deals with dried out feet might be at higher risk for side effects. Ill google that

[DAAS]

Are there downside to drying up oil glads? Do they serve a purpose?
I have horribly oily nose and have tried everything and nothing works. Plus the only side I hate about roids is acne.

I imagine someone with diabetes that already deals with dried out feet might be at higher risk for side effects. Ill google that

from what I am reading Accutane has been known to cause diabetes. So if I already have it then ther is no real added threat other than higher numbers or perhaps more insulin resistant.

[middleeasternmuscle]

I didnt get diabetes lol and no dry oil glands are amazing! no more wiping your nose !

[brazuka]

A couple of years back. Had never touched aas and tried everything to clear it up, anti-biotics and any other method that you can name. Did absolutely nothing. My face would get so oily every half hour, it was disgusting. I was depressed as hell, you can see it in my face.

So I started accutane. By the second month my acne was the worst it had ever been, it was as if accutane was pushing all of the acne internally to the outside of my face. I fought through it for the next month and a half. By the fourth month my acne cleared up tremendously and I was about 70% clear, huge huge difference I could go out in public again with a big smile on my face. By month 6 I was completely clear, maybe one tiny zit, and if that it would go away within a day. Still to this day I am virtually 100% cleared up. Has been over 5 years since I took the stuff. Changed my life. Worth it? Absolutely. I look NOTHING like that. I showed the picture to my mom a few months after I finished the treatment and she asked if that was my cousin. The acne had me looking like a monster. She literally could not tell that was me. Now my face is clear and smooth as a baby's ass!

Don't remember the exact dosages but it was something like 40mg for the first two months, then upped it to 80mg for the next 4 months for a total of 6 months. Side effects were -moderate dry face- -severe dry/chapped lips- I had chapstick and burts bee's on me 100% of the time throughout the 6 months and applied it about every 15-30 minutes, yet it was still always chapped and dry. A few thoughts of suicide but just that - thoughts. Nothing I would ever really act on. However I feel this was due to me being depressed over the acne rather than accutane itself. Dry and weak joints!! Almost forgot that, by month 4 I was feeling like an old man. I remember trying to military press one day and started to feel like my bones were going to shatter!! Those are really the only few side effects that I can recall experiencing.

Got it through a dermatologist. Literally went up to her and said I was tired of this anti-biotic bullshit she had been prescribing me for 6 months now and it hasn't been doing shit. She then said we could try something a little stronger than the anti-biotics but something more mild than accutane. So I told her either put me on accutane or I'll go see another dermatologist who will. She then agreed. I swear they try to suck you dry out of your $$ by not fully treating the problem for as long as they possibly can!

[MArz123]

I did 5-6 months of accutane last year, best thing i ever did, only sides i encountered were dry lips, which Vaseline managed! I am 38 years old and wish i could have done accutane when i was younger!!! My acne was 80% gone after the first 4 weeks...i have been off accutane since feb and have had Zero acne!!! I was also on HRT at the same time, btw.

[JoGib14]

A couple of years back.....Got it through a dermatologist. Literally went up to her and said I was tired of this anti-biotic bullshit she had been prescribing me for 6 months now and it hasn't been doing shit. She then said we could try something a little stronger than the anti-biotics but something more mild than accutane. So I told her either put me on accutane or I'll go see another dermatologist who will. She then agreed. I swear they try to suck you dry out of your $$ by not fully treating the problem for as long as they possibly can!

You hit the nail right on the head there Brazuka....It all boils down to greed and more ****en greed! Why else would any doctor looking at someone with severe acne as in your former pic, send a patient away with a bunch of antibiotics, be it topical or oral. And yes like you mentioned, suicidal thoughts are most probably the result of depression from a messed up skin rather than actions of the drug it self, perhaps because the it aggravates the acne in the first few weeks before doing its thing.
At the end of the day, just about every prescription drug out there has side effects which are far outweighed by it's potential benefit, hence the approval as pharm grade for human use. And besides, Antibiotics are not so harmless as generally assumed. As a matter of fact, one of the biggest challenges in medicine today is the impending danger of Antibiotic resistance exacerbated by the fact that there has not been a single new Antibiotic discovery since 1993. Yet, it seems Gps withhold such a magnificently effective drug infavour of long term antibiotics on account it being ''Strong"..... what idiocy? Yes it should never be doled out to every teenager with a zit or two at 14 but why the heck not for someone suffering with severe acne in there twenties and thirties specially when it seems to be a permanent solution??

[Iron Mind]

I'm sorry, but I'm wondering what a "zit" might be. I've been reading it all along this thread.

[teezer33]

pimple, spot

[Younggymrat]

I am 19yrs old. Had mild acne all through highschool. Did aas going into senior year as a 18 year old. Half way through acne was severe. Got on accutane acne got much worse. Very very sore. Couldn't sleep on my back. Could ride in a car or be comfortable at all if my chest or back had any pressure on it. I've been on accutane for 7 months now. Still the same. Worst 7 months of my life. Not trying to steer you away from accutane it is an amazing drug. But what happened to me was a 4% chance in all patients. So once u start getting pimples that sore. Tell your doc so he will prescribe you predizone. Because with the pain of not sleeping or being comfortable and just depressed, is not for everyone. I'm looking at another 8 months on this shit. And I wouldn't wish this pain on my most hated enemy.

[JoGib14]

I am 19yrs old. Had mild acne all through highschool. Did aas going into senior year as a 18 year old. Half way through acne was severe. Got on accutane acne got much worse. Very very sore. Couldn't sleep on my back. Could ride in a car or be comfortable at all if my chest or back had any pressure on it. I've been on accutane for 7 months now. Still the same. Worst 7 months of my life. Not trying to steer you away from accutane it is an amazing drug. But what happened to me was a 4% chance in all patients. So once u start getting pimples that sore. Tell your doc so he will prescribe you predizone. Because with the pain of not sleeping or being comfortable and just depressed, is not for everyone. I'm looking at another 8 months on this shit. And I wouldn't wish this pain on my most hated enemy.

You should never have started taking AAS to begin with let alone accutane! You are too young and doing irreversible damage to your body...PBM(peak bone mass) is not achieved till mid to late part of the third decade of life as is the case with most physiological functions of an adult human and yet you choose to mess with your core system before it's yet to fully develop? Think long and hard mate! Use your time to read and research more so by the time you're old enough to do these things, you'll know all you need to.

[Megalodon6]

A couple of years back. Had never touched aas and tried everything to clear it up, anti-biotics and any other method that you can name. Did absolutely nothing. My face would get so oily every half hour, it was disgusting. I was depressed as hell, you can see it in my face.


So I started accutane. By the second month my acne was the worst it had ever been, it was as if accutane was pushing all of the acne internally to the outside of my face. I fought through it for the next month and a half. By the fourth month my acne cleared up tremendously and I was about 70% clear, huge huge difference I could go out in public again with a big smile on my face. By month 6 I was completely clear, maybe one tiny zit, and if that it would go away within a day. Still to this day I am virtually 100% cleared up. Has been over 5 years since I took the stuff. Changed my life. Worth it? Absolutely. I look NOTHING like that. I showed the picture to my mom a few months after I finished the treatment and she asked if that was my cousin. The acne had me looking like a monster. She literally could not tell that was me. Now my face is clear and smooth as a baby's ass!

Don't remember the exact dosages but it was something like 40mg for the first two months, then upped it to 80mg for the next 4 months for a total of 6 months. Side effects were -moderate dry face- -severe dry/chapped lips- I had chapstick and burts bee's on me 100% of the time throughout the 6 months and applied it about every 15-30 minutes, yet it was still always chapped and dry. A few thoughts of suicide but just that - thoughts. Nothing I would ever really act on. However I feel this was due to me being depressed over the acne rather than accutane itself. Dry and weak joints!! Almost forgot that, by month 4 I was feeling like an old man. I remember trying to military press one day and started to feel like my bones were going to shatter!! Those are really the only few side effects that I can recall experiencing.

Got it through a dermatologist. Literally went up to her and said I was tired of this anti-biotic bullshit she had been prescribing me for 6 months now and it hasn't been doing shit. She then said we could try something a little stronger than the anti-biotics but something more mild than accutane. So I told her either put me on accutane or I'll go see another dermatologist who will. She then agreed. I swear they try to suck you dry out of your $$ by not fully treating the problem for as long as they possibly can!

Did you have any sides while taking this product and have you experienced any long term side effects?

[brazuka]

Did you have any sides while taking this product and have you experienced any long term side effects?

Side effects are written on the third paragraph, and nope no long term sides.

[JoGib14]

Although it seems for most people the effective duration is about 6 months, am still uncertain about the optimal dosage; is it dependent on the severety of the acne or the weight of the individual taking it? And also weather high dose over a shorter period of time is more effective than a low dose longterm administration?
Here is a study where isotretinoin (accutane) was found to have been effective at a very low dose (5mg/day) over 8 months with minimal side effects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed...n%20for%20acne

[evander87]

MAN I really wish AR-R would get isotretinoin in. I really need to test this out on my cats.

[JoGib14]

MAN I really wish AR-R would get isotretinoin in. I really need to test this out on my cats.

Not funny! You should perhaps grow up and resist the childish urge to mock a thread you don't care about just because it's not relevant to you. Given the number of posts you've amassed, I would have thought you've learned by now that you are not obliged to comment on shit you don't know about!!
Acne being a one of the commonest sides of AAS, testimonials from people with first hand experience of this very effective drug is a very helpful issue for most people bar those wana be omniscient doushes like your self.

[Mp859]

Accutane is pretty toxic also.


I have a friend who was on it since puberty and his face peeled horribly for like months it seemed like and was very sensitive to the sun.and just felt like crap it did take care of his acne but at what price

But just like with everything some get sides some don't

There is/was a topical form I heard but idk if its around

[evander87]

Not funny! You should perhaps grow up and resist the childish urge to mock a thread you don't care about just because it's not relevant to you. Given the number of posts you've amassed, I would have thought you've learned by now that you are not obliged to comment on shit you don't know about!!
Acne being a one of the commonest sides of AAS, testimonials from people with first hand experience of this very effective drug is a very helpful issue for most people bar those wana be omniscient doushes like your self.

Whoa easy there big guy. I wasn't mocking ANYTHING as you know AR-R sell RESEARCH CHEMICALS NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. I wouldn't want to openly discuss a company that I use to buy research chemicals from getting busted because humans are ingesting them. I'm wanting to do acne "research" on my "cats" get it?

[JoGib14]

Whoa easy there big guy. I wasn't mocking ANYTHING as you know AR-R sell RESEARCH CHEMICALS NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. I wouldn't want to openly discuss a company that I use to buy research chemicals from getting busted because humans are ingesting them. I'm wanting to do acne "research" on my "cats" get it?

Point taken. And yes it's all for research puposes. All the same, it may have been wiser to contact the research chem supplier direct ....,the way it was put here kind of derailed the purpose of the thread, I.e testimonial from those with first hand experience.

[ChrisG217]

I am currently on Accutane. This will be the 2nd time I had to go on it. First time was while I was on puberty, I had cystic acne due to being a teenager. Worked like a charm. However, after my first cycle, I got it very bad again on my back and shoulders. It sucks, but accutane seems to be the only thing out their that can treat body acne that never goes away. First time I was on it, I think I was on 20 mg a day for a few months. This time I am on 80 mg a day. The derm will go off your body weight to determine your dose. Expect a lot of dryness. Your derm should make you aware of every side effect that could happen before you agree to take it. And you wont be allowed to get more than 30 day supply at a time.

[JoGib14]

I am currently on Accutane. This will be the 2nd time I had to go on it. First time was while I was on puberty, I had cystic acne due to being a teenager. Worked like a charm. However, after my first cycle, I got it very bad again on my back and shoulders. It sucks, but accutane seems to be the only thing out their that can treat body acne that never goes away. First time I was on it, I think I was on 20 mg a day for a few months. This time I am on 80 mg a day. The derm will go off your body weight to determine your dose. Expect a lot of dryness. Your derm should make you aware of every side effect that could happen before you agree to take it. And you wont be allowed to get more than 30 day supply at a time.

Is the "it makes it much worse before it makes it better" thing true? Most people state that the first couple of months on accutane, acne breakout will be even wore than without it until later when it starts to work it's magic.

[ChrisG217]

Is the "it makes it much worse before it makes it better" thing true? Most people state that the first couple of months on accutane, acne breakout will be even wore than without it until later when it starts to work it's magic.

Yes, your acne gets worse. Accutane works by manipulating your sebaceous glands. So think of it like this, the accutane is pretty much pushing all the crap out of those poors before they start to shrink. It will just seem that it isnt working.... but it is, between the 60 to 90 day mark is usually when the breakouts slowly start to go away. Its a very long treatment process. But I assure you it works. Just have to be patient and mentally tolerable to the crazy outbreaks you will get at first.

[ChrisG217]

You won't need it again. It supresses your skins oil production and should never come back. I've been off the stuff for over 15 years and have never had any issues besides a zit here and there.

This of course is debatable, a small percentage of accutane patients will require another treatment cycle some time in their life. Myself is one example, ofcourse the 2nd time was because of acne caused from steroid use.