<p>I'm considering going on Accutane but the side effects seem outrageous. But then again, every one of my friends who have absolutely clear skin credit it to Accutane.</p>
<p>In a group of high school students this large there have to be SOME people who are also considering it or have taken it or are on it currently. Anybody want to share some stories?</p>
<p>My brother was on Accutane. It didn't work for him immediately, and he had to stay on it longer. I felt sorry for him, because his skin and lips were constantly dry, and lotion and chapstick were a constant. Also, when on accutane, you can't get sunburned without risking serious skin damage. So in the summer it was hard for him, since he couldn't go outside. But now, he says it's worth it to have permanently clear skin. I guess you just have to decide whether it's worth it to you or not.</p>
<p>i was on accutane a few years ago -- it is extremely painful while yur on it (plus i hate having my blood drawn), but it quadrupled my self esteem, and i have immaculate skin...i didnt notice any depression side effects or anything like that though...id suggest it if it really is a problem</p>
<p>I just got off accutane about 6 months ago and it has totally changed my life. At first, I said no to accutane because I read the side-effects and was terrified (my parents weren't too thrilled about them either). However, we decided to give it a shot. I had had moderate acne for the last five years of my life and ALL of it is gone. The medicine took a little while to take off, but once it did, the pimples were gone for good. The only things that were a pain were the constantly chapped lips and getting blood drawn every two weeks (although the blood work didn't bother me and was totally painless). I would do it again in a heartbeat...seriously one of the best decisions I've ever made. Send me a private message if you would like more info.</p>
<p>what side-effects are you all talking about? Asside from your triglyceride levels going up slightly (which you won't notice and which will drop back to normal levels after you go off the drug) and having dry skin (perfectly acceptable considering what it's doing), there are no side effects.</p>
<p>There have been cases where accutane use was linked to depression and suicidal thoughts...</p>
<p>actually, there has been a lot of media about depression and possible suicidal tendencies, some famous dude killed himself while on it so it got a lot of attention...<em>shrug</em> -- oh and birth defects for women</p>
<p>I wouldn't consider it unless I had a severe acne. Side effects scare me.</p>
<p>Try Proactiv? It's supposed to work quite well...and it's topical, so no creepy side effects.</p>
<p>For my friends how have been on it, their biggest problem was dry skin. The depression side effects have been sensationalized, like a lot of things are. I'd say it's worth it.</p>
<p>The side-effects are actually very prominent and pretty common from what I've read and heard. Some of my friends got headaches or back pain, or extremely dry eyes.</p>
<p>Maybe some of these things are related to the birth control pills they make you take if you're a girl (which I am). And the dryness people experience can be extremely intense. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the stories and information. I really appreciate it. Keep it coming! Anybody actually experience the depression (related to Accutane at least). I heard when you take Accutane your skin gets way worse before it gets better. Is this true?</p>
<p>not <em>way</em> worse...but yeah, it did happen for me for about a month or 2 -- they make girls take birth control with it? wow...that sucks</p>
<p>why the birth control?</p>
<p>They do?
I know certain birth control pills have the side effect of clearer skin...</p>
<p>If you get pregnant while on Accutane, both the baby and the mother are in serious danger.</p>
<p>Some dermatologists will let you take it without birth control if you sign a bunch of papers saying you won't have sex. From what I've read, it's not that the doctors are fearing for your health, it's that they're avoiding liability. The information packet I got on it is bigger than some of my textbooks.</p>
<p>I think I'd be too scared to even try it. This info is frightening me a bit</p>
<p>I almost went on Accutane a few years ago but the side-effects seemed too dangerous. It literally forces moisture and oils from your skin -- including a lot of water. You'll be left dry. There are also a lot of brain-chemistry alterations too that seem sketchy (I remember there being a lot of depression and suicide occurrences). </p>
<p>Basically, if there's this much controversy over it, I'd look into something else that has more positive feedback. Personally I recommend ProActiv.</p>
<p>Have you used proactiv?</p>
<p>Yes I used it back when I had... a notsoclear face. It worked wonders... got rid of all of it in like a week -- no joke. It really clears things up. I haven't met anyone that hasn't had a success story with ProActiv.</p>
<p>what are its side effects?</p>