Does Accutane cause weight loss or gain?

[AdventureGirl]

emily wrote:

I am on my 2nd round of accutane. first time around i didn't gain any weight and had almost no side effects, other than headaches. This time around I seem to be making up for lost time: the headaches were awful, but have subsided, though I am gaining weight (I am almost obsessive about what I eat and working out, but to no avail), I'm having bad pain in my hip and mood swings...but it's the only thing that helps my skin. It was amazing the first round, but then slowly my acne came back. I had to talk my doctor into doing another round-I'm 2 months in, on 80 mg a day and it's finally starting to work-but my skin has been bad for the last few months. It's all so humiliating-I'm 36, which just adds to the problem-but I think my skin has finally turned to corner and I'm starting to see the results I want. I've got to stick with this and hope for the best, b/c I've tried everything else.

I'm 37 and just started my second course yesterday. I did my first course 7 years ago at age 30. I lost 38 pounds no joke (and I needed to) I started the low carb diet called "Protein Power" to help with my elevated cholesterol. IT WAS GREAT I wasn't hungry I ate well, it lowered my cholesterol AND I lost a ton of weight. I was 168 went down to 137 (almost too thin) ish and maintained at 141(perfect for me) until I got pregnant at 35. I'm going to do the same this time... really watch my carbs (not obsess I'm not an atkins freak this is a bit different) and in 5 months expect to be acne free once again and a little thiner ;)(I have a 2 year old and never lost all the baby weight or is that lazy weight lol, currently weigh 156. I'm hoping to get to 150 and I will be VERY happy with that!! Ok 6 pounds in 5 months NO PROBLEM =)

[Samantha]

Stick in there everyone! I took accutane for about a year, and the side effects were annoying, but the outcome is amazing! I did gain weight on this medication, had really dry lips, and my hair changed texture! But for all of you that are being discouraged don't give up! If it is safe and you want to continue the prescription keep taking it! Because hopefully in the long run you will be happy with the results!

[Jessica]

I'm on my 4th almost 5th (and I have 3 left!) month of accutane and I can honestly say I blame it for my weight gain. I used to be 115, but since starting accutane I'm now 135 and have had to buy all new clothes! I'm constantly craving food even when I'm not hungry. I tell myself "don't eat that" but my body wants me too. It's horrible! I've tried exercise but the painful side effects (knee pain, back pain, headaches, sore ankles and feet, etc) are making that almost impossible. I used to exercise all the time and now I can barely stand for 10 minutes without pain. I've told my dermatologist and he just said to lower the dose. I sure hope the side effects go away because I plan on getting back down to 115 with exercise.

[blakeygirl]

Hi,
Ive been on roc going into my third month now and honestly I've been a slender person most of my life and its hard for me to gain weight(Oh how I wish), but now I've noticed that my clothes are sagging on me and my husband, friends and co-workers are all commenting on how much weight I've lost and thats not cool on a 5ft 9 frame. I don't think that my eating habits have changed much either. I decided to check here online to see if it really could be caused by the meds. HELP!!

[jess]

My mother wants me to go on accutane. I have had acne for about five years, but it is not severe. I just get breakouts, so when i get breakouts, i use cover up, and i think that bothers my mom. My doctor said accutane can cure acne forever, which sounds amazing to me. However, the more i look into accutane, the less i want to take it. I am a very serious dancer and i participate in a lot of physical activity. I hear accutane causes pains in muscles and joints, as well as gain. If this is the case, accutane is totally not for me. It would not fit my lifestyle.

any thoughts or suggustions?

[peaceseeker]

During my first round of Accutane last Winter, I had such severe joint pain that I could not work out and I gained about 10 pounds. All of the side effects went away when I went off of it, except for the extra weight. My second round of it is this Summer, and I am not feeling so lethargic. I am able to work out for the first time since the last round (I had a knee injury operated on in the meantime), and have actually lost 20 pounds. My ankles and feet still hurt, but everything is much better this time around. I think the season has a lot to do with it.

[mesia]

I take 80mg in the am and 40 in the pm. I weigh 204lbs. My joints are achy, but once I start moving around they are ok. Should I be taking a supplement?

[ElizabethR]

I am taking accutane for the fourth time. I only take 40 mg/day and have no joint pain, major weight gain. I work out most days. I recommend fish oil and glucosamine for joint pain. They seem to work for me.

[anonymous]

I have just started accutane, it has been about a week, already dry lips and my face is way worse than when i started. my appetite has decreased and i am losing weight, but my lifestyle has changed as well, i am back in school. This is my second time around, last time was a few years ago, and i just remember eczema and dry dry lips. But in general big decrease in appetite, and definitely flaring up worse than ever. I am hoping it will start to clear up soon though.

[Sam]

okay so im using differin right now, but it just isn't working like i hoped it would. My skin is still super oily, i still have acne and i hate my skin. I think i want to talk to my dermatologist about accutane but i don't want to gain weight. Does it make you gain weight? Does your skin get to the point to where it ISN'T oily EVER? & is it going to make me look wrinkly and old after about a year?

[ElizabethR]

Sam wrote:

okay so im using differin right now, but it just isn't working like i hoped it would. My skin is still super oily, i still have acne and i hate my skin. I think i want to talk to my dermatologist about accutane but i don't want to gain weight. Does it make you gain weight? Does your skin get to the point to where it ISN'T oily EVER? & is it going to make me look wrinkly and old after about a year?

You're skin will be less oily when you're finished with accutane. No, it will not make you wrinkly. Will you gain weigh? Some people seem to, but others lose weight and people like me stay the same.

[oli girl]

ElizabethR wrote:

<quoted text>
You're skin will be less oily when you're finished with accutane. No, it will not make you wrinkly. Will you gain weigh? Some people seem to, but others lose weight and people like me stay the same.

There have been reports and alot of people who had permanent dry skin, eyes,etc.. after accutane. Ironically my hands are wrinkly after Accutane. So will it happen to you, maybe or maybe not. Hard to say. Research what your putting in your mouth and don't be denial about side effects they can happen and be permanent.

[kcgirl]

I need your advise please?! My friend has been on accutane for a few months now and has lost so much weight. I'm so worried about her as she must be only 40kgs.how do i go about talking to her about this? she does eat a lot but can't stop losing weight.

[sam]

this is my second time being on accutane, im ending my first month and for the last 4 to 5 days i have completly lost my appetite, practically force feeding myself, and believe me i can eat. i dont know if it is the pill or me getting sick, but this never happened to me the first time.

[Zazza]

I am going on third roumd of accutane. Has anyone else had such bad luck with acne? I always gain weigth with this medicine and my nose bleeds like hell when I wake up in the morning. Does anyone know if this medicine affects ovaries?

[Jake in Chicago]

emily wrote:

I am on my 2nd round of accutane. first time around i didn't gain any weight and had almost no side effects, other than headaches. This time around I seem to be making up for lost time: the headaches were awful, but have subsided, though I am gaining weight (I am almost obsessive about what I eat and working out, but to no avail), I'm having bad pain in my hip and mood swings...but it's the only thing that helps my skin. It was amazing the first round, but then slowly my acne came back. I had to talk my doctor into doing another round-I'm 2 months in, on 80 mg a day and it's finally starting to work-but my skin has been bad for the last few months. It's all so humiliating-I'm 36, which just adds to the problem-but I think my skin has finally turned to corner and I'm starting to see the results I want. I've got to stick with this and hope for the best, b/c I've tried everything else.

I'm on my second round too at 36. My first round was when I was 21 which worked miracles. Recently, the deep forming pimples started coming back below my cheek bones. In my late teens and early 20s the pimples were on jaw line and back. I just started my 3rd month of the second round and have I've lost about 5 lbs. Roughly the same diet. I don't feel well when I eat red meat and high cholesteral foods. I'm definitely seeing the results, but my skin is super dry and my face gets very flush after meals. The only moisturizer that seems to work is vaseline, but that makes me shine all day. Oh well, I can handle it. Hopefully in February, I'll feel and look like a millions bucks!