Anyone been on Isotretinoin for acne?

[shootfromthehip]

Was prescribed this yesterday and was scared to death by the pharmacist today about potential side effects. Have googled it but would like to hear from anyone who has been on it before I start taking it.

Thanks

I was prescribed it around 8 years ago when I was about 31 and my acne was really getting me down and also was quite cystic.

Used it for a few months and my skin is fine now apart from the very odd tiny spot. I've just replaced acne with wrinkles instead

Anyway I didn't have any side effects although the GP did make it very clear that I shouldn't get pregnant whilst using it. Also I think you have to be careful about being in the sun whilst using it?

A few years after stopping using it I did use sunbeds for a while which has resulted in a few age spots on my cheek but I don't know whether I would have got them anyway.

It really worked well for me anyway. Good luck with it.

my daughter has just finished a course of it.

If you have got it, it must have been given to you by your dermatologist.
Did they not discuss all the side effects with you?

Everyone is different intheir reaction; my DD felt quite tired on it, although she did have a virus 2 months into taking the 4-month course.
Her lips got a bit drier and also her eyes- she used eye drops for a time.

She also got bad headaches after 3 months but was also taking Yasmin the Pill at the same time, and it may well have been the Yasmin that caused them- I assume you have been told to use two methods of contraception whilst you take it, one being the pill, perhaps? If not, have you been given the drug by a dermatologist as they cannot legally prescribe it unless you agree to using contraception due to birth defects.

No one knows how they will react to it- but if your acne is bad enough to warrant it, I'd say you have totake the chance and see how you get on.

Message withdrawn

Same as Roaccutane- generic version.

Thanks for the replies- I was prescribed it by my Doctor yesterday after several failed attempts with other medications. Have a Mirena coil so should be ok on the contraception front. Just wanted to know if anyone else had to have a blood test after a month as I have been told to have one? Doc didn't discuss many side effects (think he wanted to get me and the 2 LOs out of his office! ) but I have read the leaflets and a bit online.

Shameless bump

Blood tests are normal after 4-6 weeks.

Really surprised your GP could give you it- here, it is only consultant dermatologists- GPs can't do it.