Roaccutane / accutane

[rexehuk]

I turned down roaccutane after researching it and the lawsuits about regarding it in the US etc.

- Drink water
- Wash face before bed
- Stop drinking coke etc

There is also a really good cream called Duac. I find Coca Cola can be a huge trigger for me, now I leave it well alone. It may be worth experimenting with foods you eat too to see if it's the same. If I have one can of Dr Pepper, a few days later there is a massive outbreak, I'm happy with water and alcohol .

Solved it for me

 

[NinetyOne]

I turned down roaccutane after researching it and the lawsuits about regarding it in the US etc.

- Drink water
- Wash face before bed
- Stop drinking coke etc

There is also a really good cream called Duac. I find Coca Cola can be a huge trigger for me, now I leave it well alone. It may be worth experimenting with foods you eat too to see if it's the same. If I have one can of Dr Pepper, a few days later there is a massive outbreak, I'm happy with water and alcohol .

Solved it for me

None of that will make a difference in my case believe me I've tried it all, I'm a healthy guy I drink and eat very healthily and work out regularly.

If washing my face and using some magic cream would solve my acne I wouldn't have it but all my acne is hormonal along my jaw line and cheeks, I get zero acne on my forehead even though it's the greasiest part of my face, and no amount of face washing is going to help much.

 

[krooton]

My gf's friend who saw marked improvements in her acne has just been told that she can no longer spend any time in the sun. She has become incredibly photosensitive and needs to wear 30+ suncream for any exposure to sunlight, ouch!

Sounds like a crap trade-off imo.

 

[NinetyOne]

I got my GP to refer me to a dermatologist, got an appointment about a month later. A couple of weeks later I had a blood test (that was a few days ago) and in a couple of weeks I've got another derm appointment to see if I'm allowed to start a course of accutane providing my liver enzymes and cholesterol are ok. A lengthy-ish process, but hopefully worth it.

Nice mate good luck! ^^

I also saw my gp on monday and he's referred my to a derm so now it's just to play the waiting game I guess

 

[Mansize_tissue]

Cheers, hope the process goes as speedily as possible for you. Like you, mines solely jawline and cheeks and nothing else I've tried including all sorts of meds/topical creams, super clean diets (I also work out), vit B5 megadosing, etc. has had any real effect. Fingers crossed this works!

 

[dowie]

I've tried asking for accutane about a year ago but she refused and gave me tetracylin or something which didn't do **** apart from make me tired and turn my teeth yellow.

I don't see how they can refuse you accutane.... sure it has side effects but what drug doesn't? I'd rather have dry skin than red sore spotty skin any day.

Go see a different derm or get it done privately. Might seem trivial to others but its your skin and if you're not happy/confident about it then its something worth looking into. There *are* side effects, make sure you look into it and listen to the dermatologist. You need to have blood tests done during the treatment and you shouldn't drink alcohol.

 

[dowie]

I turned down roaccutane after researching it and the lawsuits about regarding it in the US etc.

Medicines tat have an effect will tend to have side effects...

Having said that the suicide thing seems a bit dubious, more like that the sort of people who'd be taking this stuff would be the sort of people more at risk of suicide anyway... - I didn't feel particularly depressed when taking it anyway. (certainly got headaches, dry lips at first though - derm also mentioned that one of his previous patients had to stop playing Rugby as a result of taking it, messed with his joints...... deciding to go with it certainly isn't a decision to be taken lightly)

 

[Delvis]

I've been on Tetracycline before...And some other gel thing, can't quite remember the name now

It worked for a bit, but eventually it wasn't doing much...However when I was 18/early 20's my acne was really bad...Luckily now (at 25) my skin has calmed down now...Don't know if that is due to less beer and better food or what though

 

[wannabedamned]

I was on Roaccutane, Its harsh while on it. But so worth it.

However make sure you keep your lips moist(Giggity) Lip Balm, Vaseline are a must. Otherwise you'll suffer with cracked lips not just while on the stuff, but afterwards too.

 

[KNiVES]

I thought I needed roaccutane but I was on tetracyclene for about 6 months and it's completely gone now. If you've been on tetracyclene for a long time and you're still unhappy, then you should try roaccutane - but only if all other resorts have been exhausted. Roaccutane is a damaging drug that comes with plenty of well documented side-effects. It's not only harmful to your liver (it needs to spend a lot of time and effort breaking it down so your body can handle it), but it comes with a host of effects such as depression and nausea.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

Well, here's a relatively recent paper on the use of roaccutane - http://www.bad.org.uk/Portals/_Bad/Guidelines/Clinical Guidelines/Isotretinoin Guidelines 2010.pdf

Also, when asking, ask for Isotrentinoin not roaccutane - it's the same active ingredient, but Isotrentinoin is cheaper for the NHS (£14.99/56 rather than £14.54/30)

I'm sure if I could be bothered I could find a similar document on tramadol/penicillin or the like.

Most drugs have a list as long as santas beard of side effects but it doesn't mean its going to happen!

I stand by original statement of its decision to be made by the patient and Gp/dermatologist to decide if the risk is worth the outcome, which obviously is determined by the severity of the acne and how its effecting his/her life

 

[NinetyOne]

Just an update

I saw my derm for the first time today and he came out and gave me a bit of paper with all the side effects of Isotretinoin while I waited in the waiting room, while he was doing surgery on someone.

When he was finished I went in for him to assess me and he went over my medical history etc. He then asked if I was fine with going on Isotretinoin and I happily agreed.

He then gave me two bits of paper with pouches on them for blood tests, which I will get done on Monday. After the blood tests are done and sent back to my derm someone will contact me about my prescription.

Not sure why he gave me two bits of blood test paper/pouch things but he said I would see him again in 8 weeks.

Do they only give you 4 weeks worth at a time?

 

[Mansize_tissue]

I started on the stuff 3 weeks ago on 40mg a day. The last couple of days my skins started to get quite dry/flaky, I'm hoping it will subside though.

I was given 6 weeks worth of stuff, gotta have another blood test and go back to get my next batch.

I was told not to work out or take protein shakes or vitamin A supplements. I'm still sticking to my workout plan and high protein diet, but my multivitamin has been dropped and replaced by vitamin B complex, fishoil (with vitamin E) and vitamin C supplements. Turns out multivitamins minus A are almost impossible to get hold of!

 

[NinetyOne]

I started on the stuff 3 weeks ago on 40mg a day. The last couple of days my skins started to get quite dry/flaky, I'm hoping it will subside though.

I was given 6 weeks worth of stuff, gotta have another blood test and go back to get my next batch.

Hope it cures your acne mate

I was quite worried that I wouldn't get prescribed it as my acne has really cleared up the past week or so, this is what happens with my acne it comes and goes every couple of weeks, and when it comes it comes in bunches.

The derm still decided I was suited for the drug so I was very pleased, now just can't wait to get the blood test done and start kicking some acne ass!

Also just seen your edit and my derm said not to take vitamin E while on the drug as it reduces it's effectiveness apparently.

 

[NinetyOne]

Also did you get given two slips for blood tests? One slip has boxes ticked on it and the other doesn't. I'm thinking one is for the main blood test to check that I'm healthy enough to go on the drug, then the other is just for a checkup after 4weeks as my next derm appointment is meant to be in 8weeks.

 

[neil_g]

I was on the stuff about 10 years ago for acne and while it worked it's certainly a drug that I don't miss.

It literally sucked all moisture out of my skin so I had to apply buckets of moisturiser, which meant I generally had a nice shine. Despite using non greasy moisturiser. Lips were always cracked and sore.

I used to get quite big downers while taking them, the dermatologist did warn about the very low chance of depression and in rare cases there were suicides. I also used to get chest pains almost like acidy heartburn.

I'd stay off the booze while on them too, had a few funny turns.

At the time I was also advised to stay out of the sun. These days I burn a hell of a lot easier than before I took them.

Still get the odd spot or two but nothing major. Although i used to get spots in my hair which haven't cleared up as much as my face and back.

 

[aardvark]

quite a high incidence of suicide when taking this drug so be careful - it should only be used as a last resort.

 

[NinetyOne]

quite a high incidence of suicide when taking this drug so be careful - it should only be used as a last resort.

That's utter ******** mate there's been like 1-2 cases of suicide which were probably people who were already suicidal before even starting the drug.

Also how long did you all have to wait after the blood tests to get your prescription?

 

[ntg]

Just an update

I saw my derm for the first time today and he came out and gave me a bit of paper with all the side effects of Isotretinoin while I waited in the waiting room, while he was doing surgery on someone.

When he was finished I went in for him to assess me and he went over my medical history etc. He then asked if I was fine with going on Isotretinoin and I happily agreed.

He then gave me two bits of paper with pouches on them for blood tests, which I will get done on Monday. After the blood tests are done and sent back to my derm someone will contact me about my prescription.

Not sure why he gave me two bits of blood test paper/pouch things but he said I would see him again in 8 weeks.

Do they only give you 4 weeks worth at a time?

Yes, because you will need to do blood tests to ensure that your liver etc. is all fine. As long as you are a healthy person and don't have any allergies (which you will have already discussed with your doctor) you will be just fine. There is nothing to really worry about. Even if you are unlucky and get any rare dangerous side-effects you simply stop using it and talk to your doctor.

I started on the stuff 3 weeks ago on 40mg a day. The last couple of days my skins started to get quite dry/flaky, I'm hoping it will subside though.

I was given 6 weeks worth of stuff, gotta have another blood test and go back to get my next batch.

I was told not to work out or take protein shakes or vitamin A supplements. I'm still sticking to my workout plan and high protein diet, but my multivitamin has been dropped and replaced by vitamin B complex, fishoil (with vitamin E) and vitamin C supplements. Turns out multivitamins minus A are almost impossible to get hold of!

Your skin will keep getting dry/ier. That's the effect of the drug. Just keep on applying moisturiser and stay away from sunlight as much as you can (as the drug has the effect of making your skin really sensitive).

All these minor/mild side-effects are worth it compared to freedom from acne in my opinion. It's just a few months of discomfort.

Best of luck to both of you.

 

[ntg]

quite a high incidence of suicide when taking this drug so be careful - it should only be used as a last resort.

That's a bit of a myth. Roaccutane can cause depression on some people. However, as the doctors who prescribe it say, if you start feeling depressed stop taking it and talk to them.

The suicides were largely due to people who took the drug while already suffering from depression and/or with other drugs. All drugs, even the most often used ones, can have extreme side effects for a minimal % of users.

I was on the stuff about 10 years ago for acne and while it worked it's certainly a drug that I don't miss.

It literally sucked all moisture out of my skin so I had to apply buckets of moisturiser, which meant I generally had a nice shine. Despite using non greasy moisturiser. Lips were always cracked and sore.

I used to get quite big downers while taking them, the dermatologist did warn about the very low chance of depression and in rare cases there were suicides. I also used to get chest pains almost like acidy heartburn.

I'd stay off the booze while on them too, had a few funny turns.

At the time I was also advised to stay out of the sun. These days I burn a hell of a lot easier than before I took them.

Still get the odd spot or two but nothing major. Although i used to get spots in my hair which haven't cleared up as much as my face and back.

Acne-like spots (red, hurt a lot and take ages to clear) on the scalp is not acne, it's most likely folliculitis which roaccutane won't help. There is no solution for that apart from a long period of heavy antibiotics with a good chance of it returning