Accutane or the generic version

If anyone on here has taken Accutane or the Generic version of it, can you tell me about your experience? I have had it up to my forehead with this acne- its been 12 years- in those 12 years I have never had one day of clear skin. This is my last resort.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Have you tried antibiotics? The only thing that works for me is minocycline.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by KaRiSsA

Have you tried antibiotics? The only thing that works for me is minocycline.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by preshy7

If anyone on here has taken Accutane or the Generic version of it, can you tell me about your experience? I have had it up to my forehead with this acne- its been 12 years- in those 12 years I have never had one day of clear skin. This is my last resort.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by preshy7

Posted by KaRiSsA

Have you tried antibiotics? The only thing that works for me is minocycline.

i spent a year on them....didnt do a thing

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Preshy, I have taken Accutane and the generic. I never noticed any difference between the two- the side effects were exactly the same. If you have any questions, please ask!

Re: Accutane or the generic version

years ago I had tried the antibiotics(didn't do much) and the accutane did work but I stopped after 6 months or so because of a few side affects. I also know people that took it where their skin was a litle dry from it and that's it!

Re: Accutane or the generic version

as a patent person - the generic is the almost exactly same as the original - they go through FDA too to be able to be on the shelf and see the foumoula from the accutane patent

i was on accutane back in college- it did wonders for me -5 years perfect skin - now it is still very good with one here are there

it can cause depression and lots of problem in the sun and severe drying in your whole body - lots of bloody noses - tight musles - so really need to hydrate

i loved it, so did one of my good friends,and my brother

Re: Accutane or the generic version

I took Accutane a couple of years ago and the only side effect I had was dry lips. My doc had me take vitamin E daily which helped. It worked wonders, within a few days I noticed a huge difference. If I could be on that for life I would. You do need to get your blood taken out often since it spikes your cholestrol.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

The brand name and the generic same are exactly the same other than the price you will be paying for the medication. Brand names are usually more $$$.
This medication is used as a last resort because of its potency and its side effects. You will have to go to have your blood drawn every month because they check for your liver enzymes and also to make sure you are not pregnant, if you are sexually active.
There are reports that this medication causes depression, dryness on the lips and skin. You need to take lots of water while on this medication and moisturize your lips all the time. They need to make sure you are not pregnant because it can cause birth defects on the baby.
Not all of the dermatologists like to prescribe this medication but probably the dermatologist that is caring for your condition after seeing that you are non-responsive to the other common antibiotics usually prescribed for acne are open to prescribe it.
Hope this was helpful and Best of Luck !!!

Message edited 6/24/2011 1:46:51 PM.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

I spent years with HORRIBLE acne! I used Proactive , every antibiotic whether it was a pill, lotion or roll on NOTHING worked.

The ONLY thing that cleared up my skin...was Accutane. While on it you MUST be on BC and have monthly blood test for pregnancy and cholesterol you also need to see your Dermatologist every mth too.

The only side effects I had were dry skin, but lotion and saline spray for my nose worked perfect.

It was completely worth it for me.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by lorich

I spent years with HORRIBLE acne! I used Proactive , every antibiotic whether it was a pill, lotion or roll on NOTHING worked.

The ONLY thing that cleared up my skin...was Accutane. While on it you MUST be on BC and have monthly blood test for pregnancy and cholesterol you also need to see your Dermatologist every mth too.

The only side effects I had were dry skin, but lotion and saline spray for my nose worked perfect.

It was completely worth it for me.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Melissa, I think you are beautiful and don't need that. That said, why not try a natural approach? I use organic products, and they have helped my skin immensely. Before the wedding, I was breaking out a lot...I had been to derms and NOTHING worked. I discovered Sage skincare, and my skin was transformed!!! Another idea is to take vitamin b5 and also zinc, both of which can really help acne. Here's some info:

Organic skincare: www.lavitton.com (what i use now)
Sage: www.sageskincare.com (I went on the regimen for acne/sensitive skin...they have a try me kit for newbies...it works!)
Then, google "acne and vitamin b5"

Good luck!

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by preshy7

If anyone on here has taken Accutane or the Generic version of it, can you tell me about your experience? I have had it up to my forehead with this acne- its been 12 years- in those 12 years I have never had one day of clear skin. This is my last resort.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

doesn't accutane have some nasty side effects? depression and doesn't it do something to your teeth? or am I confusing it with something else

I had a few areas - esp my forhead that I was getting bad break outs- I started getting regular facials- and they haven't been back since the first one

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Re: Accutane or the generic version

My Dh took it...the smallest dosage, and he was on it for only a short time, but it worked miracles. His skin is excellent now! He never experienced any side effects. He did have to go for blood work each month though.

My friends sister is on it, and even though its working, she gets really depressed sometimes.

Also, woman have to be VERY careful with it. It can be very harmful to a fetus.

Also, if you need a number, my dhs doctor was one of the ones who invented it. Good luck!

Re: Accutane or the generic version

I actually am in my last month of accutane right now (the generic which is called amnesteem).
It's been a huge PITA b/c my dermatologist is an airhead and having to get the blood test every month. But I must say it's been worth it. My skin was sooo bad, my face chest and back. It has pretty much totally cleared up.
My side effects were only dry lips and inside my nose sometimes. My lips crack in the corners which is gross but in my opinion, nowhere near as embarassing as how bad my skin was.
I may have a little depression, too, but there are other factors that i think caused it, can't really blame it on the meds.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

wow ladies thank you so much- lana- i have tried everything and it took me 2 years to decide to do this so i am going to give it a shot.

im doing my wedding album today and looking back on the pics i can see the red cyst on my cheek- it looks terrible even covered in makeup- im glad my photog can touch it up but otherwise it ruins my pics

today- pms- forget it- i look like a pizza

im ready to crack down on this acne once and for all


ladies thank you for all the stories! keep them coming!!!!!

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Re: Accutane or the generic version

After exhausting all other treatments, I ended up completing 4 treatments of Accutane (3 being "Accutane" and the last short-term treatment being generic.) 1st three were prescribed by my derm, the last was through my primary. BTW, 4 treatments is not the norm. My skin was not severe either, but I hated having cystic breakouts that caused scarring and both my doctors felt I had suffiecent reason to do the treatments.

Nowadays many derms and primary docs don't like using "Accutane" b/c it's a royal pain in the arse to prescribe because of all the issues regarding depression. (to the point where it's out of hand.) That's the main reason why I did a 3 month short-term treatment with the generic drug. It worked!!!

My only side effect was dry skin. I never felt depressed...I was quite the opposite. I felt great about myself b/c my skin was clear! I know it can also effect your eyesight, night vision in particular. Again, that wasn't an issue for me.

Depression is constantly brought up, but I know many people who used Accutane and say that it was the best decision they ever made.

Obvisouly you can't get pregnant while on Accutane. Your derm/doc will make you take monthly pregnancy tests along with bloodwork to make sure your cholesterol remains normal. (My derm said that she had yet to see a young woman's cholesterol rise as a result...that it was the middle aged men that had to be concerned.)


I highly recommend Accutane or the generic brand. It did wonders for my self-esteem.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Posted by lorich

I spent years with HORRIBLE acne! I used Proactive , every antibiotic whether it was a pill, lotion or roll on NOTHING worked.

The ONLY thing that cleared up my skin...was Accutane. While on it you MUST be on BC and have monthly blood test for pregnancy and cholesterol you also need to see your Dermatologist every mth too.

The only side effects I had were dry skin, but lotion and saline spray for my nose worked perfect.

It was completely worth it for me.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Also forgot to add that it will make you extremely sensitive to the sun. Wear spf 45 and reapply often.

Re: Accutane or the generic version

Have you tried Azelex? I've been using it for almost two years and it works great. I started breaking out like crazy after I got engaged and the derm gave me this. It took a couple of months to work, but it fantastic.

HTH,
Kelly