Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 I went to a dermatologist today. He prescribed Accutane. He said I had a few cea symptons, but mainly cystic acne. I would like to know if anyone has done the Accutane treatment and what side effects occurred. I have been doing some reading on the web and I'm not sure if I want to try Accutane or not. Any thoughts would be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Hi, Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects. Accutane has been discussed before on our group, some entries can be found in the highlights, but the text below is borrowed from Gillian Chinns excellent site: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2738/ I recommend her site for all considering taking Accutane: " So what's it really like? If you've been considering taking roaccutane I guess by now you've heard or seen lists as long as your arm of possible side effects. I will say it now - DON'T PANIC! The more serious side effects are actually very rare. What you will suffer from is dryness. Your skin, lips, hair and eyes will become dry as the drug inhibits the grease glands. This is one of the ways in which accutane helps with your acne, although exactly how it works is not known. If you're anything like me, the relief at not having to wash your face three or four times a day may well outweigh the inconvenience of being dried up. I would advise you to take preventative measures right from the start, then the dryness doesn't become too much of a problem. I was on half my maximum dose, (that's 25mg) which I think is the normal starting dose, and my grease glands stopped work completely whilst I was on the treatment. Petroleum jelly (e.g. vaseline) is good for the lips, but too heavy too be used on the face. One of my main reservations about accutane was caused by a number of horror stories I heard about monsterous chapped lips. I believe this can be prevented by using petroleum jelly right from the start - I used it several times a day, and missing just one application could cause me to wake up next morning looking dreadful, but more jelly soon cleared it up again. I was even able to continue playing the horn in my church music group! You'll also want to use a good moisturiser on your face - I think something straightforward like cream E45 is better than exotic moisturising creams, but take your doctor's advice on this one. In the end, the only major disadvantage I experienced was being unable to wear my contact lenses. This is a normal effect, caused by dryness of the eyes, and seems a small price to pay. [...] (Reg. birth defect) Before you are given your medicine, you are required to sign a form [in UK that is] stating that you are not pregnant, and will use a reliable form of contraception during and for one month after treatment. Even if you're a virgin, you are quite likely to be prescribed the pill, even if you have no intention of becoming sexually active. I certainly had no luck pursuading my consultant! In the UK, contraceptives prescribed by a doctor are free, so at least you don't have to worry about extra expense! I think the pill is generally the preferred method, so you may have to start taking it even if you already use a different method. " And now a learned description of Accutane from a very informative site: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm " Accutane (isotretinoin), a retinoid which inhibits sebaceous gland function and keratinization, is available in 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg soft gelatin capsules for oral administration. Each capsule also contains beeswax, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, hydrogenated soybean oil flakes, hydrogenated vegetable oil and soybean oil. Gelatin capsules contain glycerin and parabens (methyl and propyl), with the following dye systems: 10 mg - iron oxide (red) and titanium dioxide; 20 mg - FD & C Red No. 3, FD & C Blue No. 1 and titanium dioxide; 40 mg - FD & C Yellow No. 6, D & C Yellow No. IO and titanium dioxide. Chemically, isotretinoin is 13-cis-retinoic acid and is related to both retinoic acid and retinol (vitamin A). It is a yellow-orange to orange crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 300.44. " Best wishes, Thor Jonsson, who had excellent results taking maximum dose of Roaccutan for five months. original article:/group/rosacea-support/?start=71 85 > I went to a dermatologist today. He prescribed Accutane. He said I > had a few cea symptons, but mainly cystic acne. I would like to > know if anyone has done the Accutane treatment and what side effects > occurred. I have been doing some reading on the web and I'm not sure > if I want to try Accutane or not. Any thoughts would be helpful. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 In a message dated 8/14/99 9:23:17 AM Central Daylight Time, ragnthor@... writes: << Hi, Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects. Accutane has been discussed before on our group, some entries can be found in the highlights, but the text below is borrowed from Gillian Chinns excellent site: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2738/ >> Thor - Thanks for the post on Accutane. I am seeing a new derm on Tuesday and suspect that she will recommend it to me. Will post how it goes. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 In a message dated 8/14/99 7:23:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time ragnthor@... writes: >One of my main reservations about accutane was >caused by a number of horror stories I heard about monsterous chapped >lips. I believe this can be prevented by using petroleum jelly right >from the start I had the monsterous chapped lips. It wasnt fun! It didnt help that I took Accutane in the winter either. I was on 20mg for 3 weeks, then 30mg for 2 weeks, and 40mg for a little over a week. The only lip balm that helped me was Emu Oil Lip Balm that I ordered from Maple Spring Farms at www.maplesprings.com I stopped the Accutane because I wanted to have Photoderm or laser done and I didnt really have a severe acne component to this. I also didnt like the side effects. I feel the drug did help in certain ways. It seemed to reduce the amount of weird bumps that I would get and it was helping bring down the inflammation. Some advice for those wondering whether to try Accutane or look into Photoderm or laser, do the Photoderm first. The wait after stopping Accutane to have Photoderm or laser done is usually 6 months to one year. I started having Photoderm done about 3 months after stopping Accutane and everything is ok. Im very impatient and wont wait that long! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Thor, How long ago were you taking Accutane? Did it produce long-lasting results for you, or did you need to return to yet another course of Accutane? Thanks for your information on it and what you did to treat the resulting dryness of skin, eyes, etc. Best regards, Carol ragnthor@... wrote: > Hi, > > Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in > spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug > and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects. > > Accutane has been discussed before on our group, some entries can be > found in the highlights, but the text below is borrowed from Gillian > Chinns excellent site: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2738/ > > I recommend her site for all considering taking Accutane: > > " So what's it really like? > > If you've been considering taking roaccutane I guess by now you've > heard or seen lists as long as your arm of possible side effects. I > will say it now - DON'T PANIC! > > The more serious side effects are actually very rare. What you will > suffer from is dryness. Your skin, lips, hair and eyes will become dry > as the drug inhibits the grease glands. This is one of the ways in > which accutane helps with your acne, although exactly how it works is > not known. > > If you're anything like me, the relief at not having to wash your face > three or four times a day may well outweigh the inconvenience of being > dried up. I would advise you to take preventative measures right from > the start, then the dryness > doesn't become too much of a problem. I was on half my maximum dose, > (that's 25mg) which I think is the normal starting dose, and my grease > glands stopped work completely whilst I was on the treatment. > > Petroleum jelly (e.g. vaseline) is good for the lips, but too heavy too > be used on the face. One of my main reservations about accutane was > caused by a number of horror stories I heard about monsterous chapped > lips. I believe this can be prevented by using petroleum jelly right > from the start - I used it several times a day, and missing just one > application could cause me to wake up next morning looking dreadful, > but more jelly soon cleared it up again. I was even able to continue > playing the horn in my church music group! > > You'll also want to use a good moisturiser on your face - I think > something straightforward like cream E45 is better than exotic > moisturising creams, but take your doctor's advice on this one. > > In the end, the only major disadvantage I experienced was being unable > to wear my contact lenses. This is a normal effect, caused by dryness > of the eyes, and seems a small price to pay. > > [...] (Reg. birth defect) > > Before you are given your medicine, you are required to sign a form [in > UK that is] stating that you are not pregnant, and will use a reliable > form of contraception during and for one month after treatment. > > Even if you're a virgin, you are quite likely to be prescribed the > pill, even if you have no intention of becoming sexually active. I > certainly had no luck pursuading my consultant! In the UK, > contraceptives prescribed by a doctor are free, so at least you don't > have to worry about extra expense! > > I think the pill is generally the preferred method, so you may have to > start taking it even if you already use a different method. " > > And now a learned description of Accutane from a very informative site: > http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm > > " Accutane (isotretinoin), a retinoid which inhibits sebaceous gland > function and keratinization, is available in 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg > soft gelatin capsules for oral administration. Each capsule also > contains beeswax, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, > hydrogenated soybean oil flakes, hydrogenated vegetable oil and soybean > oil. Gelatin capsules contain glycerin and parabens (methyl and > propyl), with the following dye systems: 10 mg - iron oxide (red) and > titanium dioxide; 20 mg - FD & C Red No. 3, FD & C Blue No. 1 and titanium > dioxide; 40 mg - FD & C Yellow No. 6, D & C Yellow No. IO and titanium > dioxide. > > Chemically, isotretinoin is 13-cis-retinoic acid and is related to both > retinoic acid and retinol (vitamin A). It is a yellow-orange to orange > crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 300.44. " > > Best wishes, > > Thor Jonsson, > who had excellent results > taking maximum dose of Roaccutan > for five months. > > original article:/group/rosacea-support/?start=71 > 85 > > I went to a dermatologist today. He prescribed Accutane. He said I > > had a few cea symptons, but mainly cystic acne. I would like to > > know if anyone has done the Accutane treatment and what side effects > > occurred. I have been doing some reading on the web and I'm not sure > > if I want to try Accutane or not. Any thoughts would be helpful. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > eGroups.com home: /group/rosacea-support > - Simplifying group communications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Carol, I finished my 5 month long Accutane course nine and a half month ago. It's very rare to have to repeat such a treatment after you get thirty years old. The last year has been my first since my early teens without bumps. I used moisturizers, sun blocks, vaseline and lip balm, eye drops etc. to counter the side effects, used it frequently and generally, and was able to keep them at a minimum, although I believe I got them quite severely. I even got nose bleeds. But then I knew the drug was having effect, right! :-) Such a powerful drug should be your last resort though. I had tried everything in the book before I took Accutane - and have been off antibiotics of any sort from the time I took my first Accutane capsule. (I do now want to try antibiotics again for my ocular rosacea but as I'm having my face electricuted these days my derm wants me to wait; he thinks antibiotics make me photosensitive and then he can't treat me with Photoderm). Thor. original article:/group/rosacea-support/?start=71 95 > Thor, > How long ago were you taking Accutane? Did it produce long-lasting results > for you, or did you need to return to yet another course of Accutane? > Thanks for your information on it and what you did to treat the resulting > dryness of skin, eyes, etc. > Best regards, > Carol > > ragnthor@... wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in > > spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug > > and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects. > > > > Accutane has been discussed before on our group, some entries can be > > found in the highlights, but the text below is borrowed from Gillian > > Chinns excellent site: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2738/ > > > > I recommend her site for all considering taking Accutane: > > > > " So what's it really like? > > > > If you've been considering taking roaccutane I guess by now you've > > heard or seen lists as long as your arm of possible side effects. I > > will say it now - DON'T PANIC! > > > > The more serious side effects are actually very rare. What you will > > suffer from is dryness. Your skin, lips, hair and eyes will become dry > > as the drug inhibits the grease glands. This is one of the ways in > > which accutane helps with your acne, although exactly how it works is > > not known. > > > > If you're anything like me, the relief at not having to wash your face > > three or four times a day may well outweigh the inconvenience of being > > dried up. I would advise you to take preventative measures right from > > the start, then the dryness > > doesn't become too much of a problem. I was on half my maximum dose, > > (that's 25mg) which I think is the normal starting dose, and my grease > > glands stopped work completely whilst I was on the treatment. > > > > Petroleum jelly (e.g. vaseline) is good for the lips, but too heavy too > > be used on the face. One of my main reservations about accutane was > > caused by a number of horror stories I heard about monsterous chapped > > lips. I believe this can be prevented by using petroleum jelly right > > from the start - I used it several times a day, and missing just one > > application could cause me to wake up next morning looking dreadful, > > but more jelly soon cleared it up again. I was even able to continue > > playing the horn in my church music group! > > > > You'll also want to use a good moisturiser on your face - I think > > something straightforward like cream E45 is better than exotic > > moisturising creams, but take your doctor's advice on this one. > > > > In the end, the only major disadvantage I experienced was being unable > > to wear my contact lenses. This is a normal effect, caused by dryness > > of the eyes, and seems a small price to pay. > > > > [...] (Reg. birth defect) > > > > Before you are given your medicine, you are required to sign a form [in > > UK that is] stating that you are not pregnant, and will use a reliable > > form of contraception during and for one month after treatment. > > > > Even if you're a virgin, you are quite likely to be prescribed the > > pill, even if you have no intention of becoming sexually active. I > > certainly had no luck pursuading my consultant! In the UK, > > contraceptives prescribed by a doctor are free, so at least you don't > > have to worry about extra expense! > > > > I think the pill is generally the preferred method, so you may have to > > start taking it even if you already use a different method. " > > > > And now a learned description of Accutane from a very informative site: > > http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/isotret.htm > > > > " Accutane (isotretinoin), a retinoid which inhibits sebaceous gland > > function and keratinization, is available in 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg > > soft gelatin capsules for oral administration. Each capsule also > > contains beeswax, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, > > hydrogenated soybean oil flakes, hydrogenated vegetable oil and soybean > > oil. Gelatin capsules contain glycerin and parabens (methyl and > > propyl), with the following dye systems: 10 mg - iron oxide (red) and > > titanium dioxide; 20 mg - FD & C Red No. 3, FD & C Blue No. 1 and titanium > > dioxide; 40 mg - FD & C Yellow No. 6, D & C Yellow No. IO and titanium > > dioxide. > > > > Chemically, isotretinoin is 13-cis-retinoic acid and is related to both > > retinoic acid and retinol (vitamin A). It is a yellow-orange to orange > > crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 300.44. " > > > > Best wishes, > > > > Thor Jonsson, > > who had excellent results > > taking maximum dose of Roaccutan > > for five months. > > > > original article:/group/rosacea-support/?star t=71 > > 85 > > > I went to a dermatologist today. He prescribed Accutane. He said I > > > had a few cea symptons, but mainly cystic acne. I would like to > > > know if anyone has done the Accutane treatment and what side effects > > > occurred. I have been doing some reading on the web and I'm not sure > > > if I want to try Accutane or not. Any thoughts would be helpful. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 > Some advice for those wondering whether to try Accutane or look into > Photoderm or laser, do the Photoderm first. The wait after stopping Accutane > to have Photoderm or laser done is usually 6 months to one year. I started > having Photoderm done about 3 months after stopping Accutane and everything > is ok. Im very impatient and wont wait that long! > Bill Bill, This is true, not under 6 months they say. But in my case I had to take the Accutane first to get the situation under control before I had the Photoderm done. Apart from the rosacea papules and pustules and the accompanying inflammation (I even bled from the worst areas on both sides of my nose and on spots on my forehead) my skin was so oily that I had to wipe my face constantly with paper - and it was always black with dirt. Sometimes after shaving my face looked like a battle field. Those days are thankfully gone. I only wished I had known about Accutane earlier. Thor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 1999 Report Share Posted August 15, 1999 >Let me begin by saying that isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) is - in >spite of all the horror stories - not a poison. It is a powerful drug >and it can help. But I believe none is spared from the side effects. I second that. I was on it for 6 months, and chapped lips was my worst problem. I'd recommend keeping a supply of chap sticks in strategic places - I had one in the car, one by the bed, one on my desk at work and one in my handbag. Also you may want to carry a small tube of moisturiser cream, in case your face starts to feel tight and dry during the day. The only other thing is stay out of the sun, as it makes you very susceptible to sunburn. My dermatologist waited until autumn to prescribe it for me, so I wouldn't have to worry too much about staying out of the sun. >In the end, the only major disadvantage I experienced was being unable >to wear my contact lenses. This is a normal effect, caused by dryness >of the eyes, and seems a small price to pay. I managed to keep wearing my hard contact lenses right through, partly because I guess they don't dry out the way soft lenses do, and probably partly due to my own stubbornness! I kept taking evening primrose oil and vitamin e supplements the whole time, so I'm not sure if they helped offset the dryness, but it might be worth a try. >who had excellent results >taking maximum dose of Roaccutan >for five months. I found my symptoms returned not long after stopping roaccutane, but there are a number of other factors which may well have influenced this, so don't let that put you off. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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