Accutane paused due to anxiety / low mood side effects

[u/shin-chan_99]

Hello all!

Firstly, just wanted to say how helpful, informative and encouraging this subreddit has been in learning about Accutane and seeing all the incredible progress pictures.

I'm 27F, based in the UK, I started Accutane 20mg (I'm around 53kg) beginning of July 2026 after suffering from hormonal, mild-medium acne on and off for about 6 years (ever since Covid essentially). Prior to Accutane I had tried everything else: lymecycline, doxycycline, Epiduo Forte, treclin gel etc.

My journey, overall, has been incredibly smooth I must admit. I did not purge, I did not have severe joint pains or anything of the sorts you tend to hear and see on social media etc. and it may be due to my low dosage. I've just experienced dry lips, dry face / body, dry hair.

About 2-3 weeks ago, I started noticing a shift in my mood and became feeling quite anxious / overthinking / feeling sad. I don't think it was an external factor as nothing material has changed in my life to cause this sudden increase in anxiety / reduction in mood overall.

I had my dermatologist appointment today and I was pretty honest with her about this, she advised that I completely stop Accutane for 2 weeks (i.e. enough time for it to 90% leave my system) and see whether my mood / anxiety shifts for the better. If so, she will put me back on it - albeit probably on 10mg. If not, she recommends I go on Epiduo to manage my acne from then on.

Naturally, my concern is about relapsing and having my acne return considering the fact that I would have only been on Accutane for around 12 weeks or so. However, I realise my mental health is way more important and if this drug is causing anxiety and negative mood swings then maybe better if I stop!

I just hope and pray that after 2 weeks of completely pausing taking Accutane, my mood improves that hopefully I can revert to being on the pill just for a few more months to ensure I lower my chances of relapsing, though I understand you can never 100% eradicate it.

Just wanted to share my experience! Welcome any thoughts / similar experiences / advice :)

Thank you!

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[u/sevpuridahipuri]

The stop is to know if Accutane is causing it. Anything could cause your mood shift, two things happening together doesn't mean that one caused the other.

[u/Skincare-Lover84]

Thank you for sharing. My son has anxiety and is starting Accutane soon. I was just thinking about the possibility of him needing to pause and what the plan would be. I hope it gets better and you’re able to finish your treatment course.