Roaccutane 20g a day - any experiences?

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Today I was prescribed a low dose of Roaccutane - 20g or maybe I mean mg per day.
I understand this is half the average dose.
Has anyone been put on low-dose before and if so did you find it worked permanently?
Been reading a bit on Google (yes i know) and some say low dose doesn't work permanently or that you'll have to be on it months longer. Any thoughts?

Also any product recs for skincare? Someone mentioned Carmex lip balm on a previous thread I saw.

thanks

My ds1 (15) finished a course in September and it has been life changing for him, as his acne was dreadful. His dry lips were horrendous and he got an infection in the cracks at one point but he was rubbish at remembering to apply lip balm. Has got a little bit back but nothing like as bad as it was before. I was very aware of issues around mood and anxiety but we kept a close eye and his consultant reassured us that it was a rare side effect.

I have taken 4 courses of Roaccutane over the last few years. One dose in my late teens, 2 more in my 20s, and a dose when I was 38.

The most recent was a 'low and long' course, which I was told by my NHS dermatologist is now the preferred method in the hope it will prevent the acne returning. So I took 20mg for nearly 2 years. They work out how much you need based on your weight, and then spread it out based on the 20mg daily dose.

I had hardly any side effects, dry lips very occasionally.

Even though I've taken it a few times, I still think it is a fantastic drug for me. It is the only thing that completely gets rid of my acne. I finished the 20mg course 6 months ago, and so far my skin is doing ok.

I've taken antibiotics over the years for acne too, and they give me far more side effects,...

Good luck!

I took a low dose aged 13/14, so about 22 years ago now. It changed my life and although I get the occasional breakout I've never had full on acne again since. Having children definitely changed my skin a lot though, it's much drier now.

I'm just starting Roaccutane for the second time. Last took it in 2003 and can't remember any side effects except dry lips. I don't think I took enough though.

How are people getting on that started recently?
I'm terrified of a flare up.

Hello

I took it twice in my 20s. And it changed my life. First time it didn't work well enough, so I did another course six months later and it cleared everything up. Very very rarely get a spot now (38) and if I do it's a hormonal one. I was covered in acne before and very miserable. No psychological side effects to report. Dry lips and cracking in corners was bad and I actually still struggle with exceptionally dry lips. The only stuff I find that works for me is the Burt's Bees lip balms. Do any other roaccutane users here still struggle with lip dryness? Curious if it's linked to the treatment or just a predisposition of mine....

I struggle with lip dryness even though my acne cane back after my my first course of roaccutane my dry lips stayed!!
I’m just so used to it now I have about a million lip balms and keep them in every pocket and bag etc.
I’m back on roaccutane now only on 20mg. I am SO tired on it this time though. I’m determined to stick it out for 6 months if I can but don’t want to up my dose so don’t hold much hope the effects will last but hey ho. Keep hoping something better gets invented!

How's everyone doing on the Roaccutane? I'm coming up to the end of week 4. I've got two big cystic spots after no initial flare up.

My skin texture is much smoother and drier and my lips aren't too bad.

Guessing the dermatologist will increase my dose from 20mg when I go back.

Would love to hear how other people are doing.

I’m at the end of three months. I’m not sure what to think. Cystic acne has absolutely cleared up but I seem to have developed/worsened rosacea. My cheeks and chin are very red and the skin texture there is full of tiny tiny bumps. My skin elsewhere is perfect and I’m enjoying not being an oil slick. So, cut dose down to 10mg a day to see if that makes any difference to the redness. Hmmm

Oo, just found this, I’m on my second course in 3 years having had acne since I was 12. It’s not for everyone but it works for me. I got up to 60mg last time (my maximum dose) I mainly did ok on that but got quite bad eczema on my hands. The consultant is keen to go a bit lower and slower this time so I’m sticking at 40mg. It works. I use aquaphor morning and night then normal lip balms in between. The most glorious of side effects is hardly having to wash my hair.

What are people's thoughts on the long and low dose v the increased dose over 6 months?
Have you experienced flare ups with each dose increase?