Accutane / Roaccutane - Isotretinoin

My experience. I had moderate to severe acne in the past. After trying all other available prescriptions unsuccessfully, my doctor finally put me on a cycle of Accutane.

Accutane as it's known in the US also known as Roaccutane in Europe is isotretinoin, a vitamin A derivative administered in pill form. It is usually taken for a period of four or five months. Doctors often recommend it to people with severe acne, the kind that can scar. Accutane is a hard-core medication which works from the inside out, shrinking the oil glands.

Accutane is widely considered the most important advance in acne treatment ever. Accutane results are often dramatic and permanent. Initially, it worked miracles for me. After a few weeks on Accutane, my breakouts stopped dead in their tracks. I experienced no breakouts whatsoever for the remainder of the time I took the prescrition. People with fantastic skin would come up to me and say, "I wish I had your skin". It was pretty incredible.

Accutane side effects. It's a powerful drug and the side effects are numerous and can be severe. My bones and joints ached while I took the prescription. My joints have never fully returned to their pre-Accutane state, and just recently I had to quit playing softball due to chronic joint inflammation. Whether this is Accutane related I do not know, but I do know that my joints have never been quite the same. I felt very dried out during my course of Accutane. My lips got severely chapped and eight years later I still have to use chap-stick several times daily. My eyes also felt strange and dry at times.

Accutane results. unfortunately I was not one of the lucky ones. Although my skin has been more manageable since Accutane, I have experienced serious breakouts since ending my cycle. Even so, I remain very thankful that I took it. I would describe my acne now as light to moderate thanks to Accutane, and with my current regimen I stay clear. Still, I sometimes wonder exactly what Accutane did to my body. Whether or not to go on Accutane is up to you and your physician.

Accutane causes severe birth defects in pregnant women, so only women who are under close physician's care should consider the drug.

Some helpful links:

References

Demkiw-Bartel C, and P.R. Hull. "Isotretinoin / Accutane Use in Acne: Prospective Evaluation of Adverse Events." Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 4.2 (2000): 66-70. Abstract. PubMed. 15 May 2002 link.

Fulton, James E. Acne Rx. James E. Fulton Jr., M.D., PhD: 2001.

Ng PP, Goh CL. "Treatment outcome of acne vulgaris with oral accutnae / isotretinoin in 89 patients." International Journal of Dermatology 38.3 (1999): 213-6. Abstract. PubMed. Mar. 1999. link.