Isotretinoin side effects

[LittleRebelGirl]

I started 20mg Isotretinoin on Wednesday. So far I haven't had any side effects. I delayed starting for 3 weeks as I was really anxious about the side effects. If you have taken this, or your children have, how soon did the side effects start?

Are there any side effects in particular you’re worried about?

For me side effects didn’t kick in for weeks. I noticed a gradual drying of skin and dryness in my nose and eyes. I also got some joint aches. Overall it was very mild. I had two rounds. The first time I was on 40mg and the second time I was on 20mg but for longer. I had fewer side effects on 20mg, which is a pretty low dose and often given to people on the lower end of the BMI and/or are worried about side effects.

Moisturise religiously. If your nose starts to get dry, use a cotton bud to dab vaseline inside your nostrils. Get some moisturising eyedrops, HylaForte gel drops are very good. Also wear factor 50 regardless of weather.

Everyone’s different but honestly isotretinoin was a breeze for me. Try not to worry for now.

Isotretinoin side effects are dose related so you may not have any at all on 20mg.

My bmi is 42, so definitely on a very very low dose.
I'm worried about my contact lenses and dry skin and lips.

Annoyingly my skin is relatively clear at the moment. But I know I need it as I can go a few months with clearish skin but it always erupts again. I've had 26 years of ance, so this is my last chance really.

Ds was on 20mg for a year and had dry lips within a couple of weeks of starting. Some nosebleeds as time went on but no major issues. It cleared his skin completely but, nine months after finishing it, his acne is back and getting worse and I think he may need a second course.

It might be that you have to ditch the contact lenses as time goes on but see how you go. Definitely get some HyloForte drops. For dry lips I used la roche cicaplast lip cream twice a day:

https://www.lookfantastic.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-lips-7.5ml/11091818.html

And this lip balm every half hour or so: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bioderma-Atoderm-Lips-Moisturising-Stick/dp/B0060OKP5K/ref=asc_df_B0060OKP5K/

Prevention is key… keep moisturising/lip balming/eye dropping even if you’re not feeling especially dry.

Generally people only need one course but I needed two as it came back after a few months. My acne was very severe though, I couldn’t lie down without pain because my face was so inflamed. I completed my second course in 2020 and my face has been acne-free since then. It’s fantastic.

Generally people only need one course but I needed two as it came back after a few months.

Yes the consultant told Ds that around 80% of cases, acne never returns. For Ds it has unfortunately. At the moment the hospital want him to try oral antibiotics from the GP again, before they review him for another course.

I'm hopeful, mine isn't severe, just persistent throughout my life despite the various treatments over the years.
If I can't wear contacts then I will stop the treatment, that's my line in the sand.