Has anyone used Rocaccutane (sp?) and did it work?

[Rabbitytatttatt]

I have terrible acne and wondered if anyone had used it and how they got on? And also how you got it GP or consultant?

Thanks

I was referred to a dermatology dept by my GP, and they prescribed it for about six months. It did an incredible job of clearing my skin, and the side effects were manageable (dry skin, no booze, mildly elevated blood cholesterol). It did wonders for my absolutely broken skin, and for my self-esteem.

I took it when I was 40, yes 40, for my grumbling persistent but not awful awful acne. Flipping fabulous stuff. Wonderful. My only regret is not having taken it earlier in life. I only needed a small dose, so side effects were dry lips only, nothing else. I never think of spots now. My dermatologist advised me I may need a further course in a few years, but so far I'm fine.

You will read a huge amount of press on Roaccutane both good and bad. For me, it was wonderful. No more fussing about skin preparations, cleaning, expensive nonsensical cosmetic treatments, fretting about covering up spots, fussing over my diet etc etc. I wash with Avéne or La Roche Posay, sunscreen, off I go. Fan-flipping-tastic.

I've asked for it but was prescribed with eurthmycin (again spelling ?!) first, it's not working at all. Going back and will ask for it again. I think I need to see a dermatologist though.

I was prescribed it back in 1996/7 when it was still a new drug. It was amazing and the results were evident after a few weeks.

I had it when it first was given to the public. It's cleared up my skin, apart from the odd blackhead I've no acne.
I had cystic acne. Massive weeping lumps and I have scared but without it, I might still have acne.

I had it about 8 years ago for cystic acne on my face and back. I had to plead with my gp for the dermatologist referral, after he'd tried everything he could.

I was on it for about 3 months I think. It was quite tough because my skin went really dry so I had exzcma and acne at the same time for a while. I couldn't wear make up for a few months as I had to plaster moisturiser on. The restrictions (no sun etc) were challenging.

But, it was amazing. Once it started working it really worked. The dermatologist said I might need a repeat dose but I never have. I still get the odd nasty spot, I usually have at least one or two spots at any time, but it's so so so much better than it was.

I wouldn't go into the treatment again unless my skin got awful again. But the impact it made was life changing.

I would urge you to get referred to a good dermatologist. Pay if you have to. Tbh, if you are being prescribed oral antibiotics in your thirties for acne, then I would think it likely you would be prescribed Roaccutane if you wanted it. You need some blood tests, and you need to be well 'contraceptivised'. A good dermatologist will also advise re possible side effects etc so you can make an informed choice. For you. Acne is serious and can have physical (scarring) and psychological sequelae. There is no other treatment available that works like Roaccutane.

DS had it, from a consultant at aged ? 14 . It was amazingly effective. However you must do your research. It is a sledgehammer of a drug. It has many nasty side effects.

DS suffered terribly dry skin- his lips fell off in chunks and bled for months ( and he's a brass player) he has ongoing sun sensitivity requiring factor 50 in the uk- he can get mild sun burn in the uk in the park - say on the backs his hands....this not settling at 17+ yrs and may not. I also know someone with lifelong dry eyes as a result. DS ached badly too.Both DS and this chap would, however have taken it again it their skin was as bad, even knowing the long term effects.

As regards the depression/ suicidal tendencies - DS knew about these and was always asked, but he really couldn't see the fuss - the acne made him feel bad- doing something to fix it seemed like a mood lifting think TBH to him. However the association is a real one and not to be overlooked. We may be going this way with DD2....

My sister last year.

Amazing results. Mind you she spent a fortune on skin care and moisturiser to combat the ridiculously dry skin. Oh and suffered quite a few nose bleeds.

But she would tell you herself, totally worth it.

My DS has had terrible acne since he was about 12/13.

After DUAC and many months of Erythromycin which did absolutely nothing, he was referred to the dermatologist at our local hospital.

He's been on Rocaccutane for nearly four months and his skin looks amazing.

He's gone from a face/ back and chest, covered in large red inflamed pustule type spots to almost 100% clear. As he is still only 15 (16 in February ), he has blood tests each time he renews the prescription - two months at a time.

It has done wonders for his self esteem and I would recommend anyone to look into this product- there can be quite severe side effects. Luckily all DS had was dry skin/lips but has a moisturising routine that eliminates this problem.

Yes it is an awesome drug. I had two courses; I was at the point of despair. I suffered very dry skin, cracked lips, open sores at the edges of my mouth and nose bleeds - but it was well worth it.

I did have horrific side effects. Dry skin, cracked lips, joint pains, nose bleeds, dry eyes, reduced immune system so I felt shit for 7 months.

The side effects are there and they are dangerous but if my acne returned, I'd go back on them in a flash.

It's the most toxic non-chemotherapy drug there is. A friend took it as a teenager and now, in her 30s, still suffers side effects. All of the mucous membrane in her body dried up and she had horrific haemorrhaging from her nose, throat, vagina and rectum. She suffered a lot of scarring from this, and still has trouble with painful sex due to the damage to her vagina.
Skin cleared up though.
Just make sure you have explored every other option first.

I was given it when I was 14/15 and it was brilliant, cleared up my skin within a couple of months. As others have said the side effects can be pretty harsh. I had v v v dry skin for a while but that was totally manageable and worth it as I was getting rid of my spots. I remember it receiving extremely bad press at the time and it was linked (or suggested to be linked to) cases of teenage depression.
Personally for me it was great and I think it saved my skin. I've been very fortunate and since it cleared up my acne I've have very little breakouts since (circa 15 years!)

I would consider it to be cystic acne and it's on my back, it's horrendous and is making my life a misery. I've looked into it but the GP was reluctant to refer me to a dermatologist when I saw him I wanted me to try this other medication first.

I had it aged 18 - my skin was great afterwards but these days it is prone to the odd spot (it's 20 years since I first had it). Never been too sure about the depression link as I have struggled with depression subsequently but I also had a fairly traumatic experience around the time I went on it and that changed my life so difficult to say.

However good for self esteem - would take it again now if they would prescribe it for me.

My lips nearly fell off but I found wearing lip balm all the time helped.

Personally I think before you go down the Rocaccutane route you should research Dr Perricone and his anti inflammatory diet. In a nut shell it sorts out skin from the insude out by avoiding certain foods that cause inflammation. I have had dodgy acne prone skin for years and have been following Dr Perricones three day diet just recentky and my skin has cleared up considerably it's amazing am very happy!

I had a 6 month course when I was in my early-20s and after 10 years of severe acne and trying everything available (anti-bs, diet, etc) it was like a miracle. I think I got slightly dry lips but that was the only side effect. I got it through referral to dermatologist (through GP). They monitor you closely, blood tests regularly etc. Though i still have scarring from those 10 years beforehand, I can probably count on one hand the number of spots I've had since taking it, and that was over 15 years ago. Acne is bloody awful and clouded every day of my life while I had it so no regrets at all from me.

I had 2 courses of this, once when I was about 25 & again when I was 29. It's very effective but as Thea said it's a sledgehammer. I got terrible dry skin, cracked lips (couldn't fully open my mouth as it would literally crack at the corners), intestinal bleeding when I had the 2nd course, really stiff joints, heavy nosebleeds. But, it worked & despite all the nasty side effects, I feel that it was worth it (for me). My skin still isn't absolutely clear but it's good enough (It was pretty awful before though).

Warning though - if women taking it get pregnant, it's pretty much essential to have a termination. It causes catastrophic birth defects & can also cause additional complications with miscarriage. So birth control is mandatory & you'll probably be asked to POAS every month.

I am now on Duac from the GP, two weeks in and it's working. It's a gel that you apply once a day. I was getting several new spots a day before, now I've had one new spot in 2 weeks. I'm thrilled (I've had acne for 30 years, it's got worse recently hence the GP visit).

So I would ask for that first if you haven't tried it yet.

I'm bloody celibate because of the problem I'm having so pregnancy is not an issue. I just want it gone now it's making me so depressed.

My DS had this when he was about 15, we had literally tried everything else. He'd had years of erythromycin which barely touched his skin.
It was desperation that made us go to a dermatologist who prescribed it, and warned us of the side effects, dry skin and lips and also very red lips. I have to say the benefits far outweighed the side effects and within a short space of time results were seen.
I can honestly say this turned my DS's life around and he did not suffer from depression whilst taking it. If anything his depression lifted because having clearer skin did wonders for his self esteem.

Good luck OP

I took it at forty, through a dermatologist after decades of acne, if I had my time again I would take it in my teens, it transformed my life. No more constant covering up of skin (well just wrinkles now ) there are side effects but I was very proactive with moisturisers, 8 hour cream and artificial tears from day 1 and didn't suffer too badly.
DD ( 15) is on it now and she is managing well too, she is aware of the risks of depression and we keep a very close eye-but tbh she seems happier because her skin is better.