Roacutane

Hi Commentator - hopefully you've seen all the many previous threads on here re (Ro)Accutane, as they will give you a good idea of the variety of people's experiences. I can only reiterate how wonderful I think the drug is - as long as you have a responsible dermatologist who does liver function tests, prescribes a sensible dose (1mg per kilo of body weight is the absolute maximum, and most people do very well on half this or less). I've had it twice in the last 15 years (at 30 and 38), and would do so again if needed. On the technical side, it is not a drug that stays in your system. Unlike some compounds that are taken up by and therefore stored in the adipose (fat) cells in your body, you are completely rid of it after one month. This is why although it's a very strong drug and you must NOT get pregnant whilst it's in your system, and must have a low fat diet and little/no alcohol as it puts a huge strain on your liver, tests should show you're clear of it quickly.

Yes, it is quite a heavy drug. The dosage needs to be carefully monitored and the blood tests done on a regular basis. I was given 30 mg for three months then it was cut down to 20 then 10. My dermatologist told me that you would find doctors prescribing 60 mg and above to relatively young girls. She said that this was both dangerous and unnecessary. I did get very dehydrated and my lips needed constant moisture. The results were great for the duration of the treatment, but I have noticed that the oil production on my face has increased again. I was told that this would not happen. Is it worth it? Well I guess that depends on how bad your condition is.

This is a really tough one - big pros and big cons. I'll tell you a bit about my two experiences with it: 1. The first time I took Accutane was when I was 17. I was approaching my last year of high school and had terrible acne which was leaving scars. I'd tried all the less evil remedies, such as birth control, with no success. My doctor put me on Accutane for 4 months. It made an enormous difference to my skin - no more grease, no more pimples, just perfect clear skin - for 2 years. However...there were serious side effects. Without getting into the gritty details, I'll just tell you that I had 2 years of ****. I was sick and depressed, was admitted to the hospital more than once, had to take a year off university, had to quit my job, and basically had to have my family take care of me. As soon as my skin started to get greasy again, I started to feel better. I vowed I'd never take it again. 2. Fast forward a few years. Through my early 20's my skin was always quite greasy, and I broke out a lot. But it wasn't until I turned 26 that it suddenly exploded out of control. I'd shower in the morning and wash my face, and within 1 hour at work I'd be in the bathroom mopping up the grease. I had huge, cystic welts on my neck and jawline that were leaving big ugly pock marks. My self-esteem plummeted, and I was in pain. I tried all the less evil remedies again, and again nothing worked. I saw a dermatologist who suggested Accutane. I explained my concerns, and he told me that it usually affects people much more mildly in their 20's than their teens. When I told him I'd become depressed after taking it the first time, his response was "how is your acne making you feel now?". Good point. I reluctantly started another course, which took 9 months to clear my skin. That was 4 years ago, and although I've suffered short bouts of depressions it's been MUCH easier this time around. My skin is still clear, thankfully. I'm not sure this will help you any, as everyone reacts differently. Some people have no problems, and others suffer devastating side effects. The scary part is that the side effects can last for a long time after you stop taking it. My suggestions is to consult a reputable dermatologist and make sure you've exhausted all other avenues before trying Accutane. Good luck.