Isotretinoin (Accutane) Reviews

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Prescription summary (1,479 votes)
How well it works

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4.2/5		 Agreeability

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3.5/5		 Affordability

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3.7/5

Common brand names: Accutane, Ro-accutane, Sotret

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144 pages

Anonymous, Atlanta, GA
Jul 3rd, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:- It works. Period.
Cons:- Dry, dry, dry.
- Muscle aches.
- Expensive without insurance.
Bottom Line:I have just finished my 6 month treatment of Accutane. In brief, little improvement will be seen in the first 3-4 months, with dramatic improvement in the final months. Without insurance, this product can cost upwards of $500 (with insurance, only $10). You will dry out: period. Simply use moisturizers for your lips (Aquaphor) and skin (CeraVe) frequently to combat the dryness. I experienced no depression, but lower back aches occasionally. I no longer develop papules, cysts, pimples, etc. ANYWHERE (including chest and back). Risk of scarring increases with this product, so pop pimples wisely. Use this product only if you are serious about ridding your acne...it's not a joy ride until the end. The end certainly justifies the means.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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Dawn, Oslo, Norway
Jul 3rd, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:Cleared up skin nicely temporarily.
Cons:Had four sinus infections during the time I took the medication. It could get very painful, and the sore skin in my nose caused bleeding. Sore eyes, chapped lips, feeling sore and stiff to a degree, etc.
Bottom Line:I would have thought it was worth it if it had cleared me up permanent. I was unfortunately in the 20% who get the acne back - I suspect it is because I get the acne due to hormones.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Dawn has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:400.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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LOLO, USA AL Huntville
Jul 1st, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:getting clearer faster than other products
Cons:dry lips and face {but i was using othe medicine wth it}
Bottom Line:go get it im 17 and i had sever acne for years i tries exposed,acnefree,clear skin, and even proactive. this is the only one that had a hoard hitting effect its only a shame that i dident try it earlier
Recommended:Yes
Usage:LOLO has used this item for about a month.
Acne severity:severe
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Anonymous
Jun 30th, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:I haven't had any bad breakouts since I started, which is amazing! I've had a few pimples come up, but they're never bad and they're not there for as long as they used to be.
Cons:Dry skin on my face and around my elbows. Lips are dry after the first week, a few cracks and bleeds, but it's not too bad.
Bottom Line:It's working faster than anything I've taken, which for me is saying quite a lot. I've tried Pro Activ, and other topical ointments, antibiotics, but this has given me the best results so far.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few weeks.
Price Paid:15.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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Nick, Michigan
Jun 30th, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:The best thing that happened to my skin. Its amazing.
Cons:takes 6 months. may be side effects.
Bottom Line:THIS STUFF WORKS MIRACLES. there may be little side effects.

I was 100% clear of severa acne and bacne in 6 months. wow.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Nick has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:120.00
Acne severity:severe
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Taylor, USA
Jun 30th, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:Hair never gets greasy, same w/ face, acne somewhat subsiding
Cons:fatigue, nightmares, dry/sensitive skin, chapped libs, dry nose & eyes, slightly thinning hair, can't drink, negative affect on athletic performance
Bottom Line:Side Effects -
It seems like I have a lot of cons, but it looks worse when I write it out than it actually is. I try to subside most of the cons; skin - spf/moisturizer, lips - chapstick, eyes - eyedrops . . . make sure to take multivitamins without vitamin A. I've never been frightened enough by the nightmares for it to really affect me. I will say the fatigue is pretty bad, I've been an athlete my whole life and have never felt so run down so often for how much I workout and should be in very good shape.

Acne -
My dermatologist is having me start at 20mg a day for a month, then 40 mg /mnth . . . . 60 mg . . . . 80mg (just started 3rd month). She said that she would work me up to 80mg and still go another 4-5 months on that. That seems like a lot, I think, but i'm a pretty big guy (6'4" - 215). It seems like after each monthly change my acne gets worse then gets better towards the end of the month, so I'm confident that it will work well once I am a couple months into
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Taylor has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:20.00
Acne severity:moderate
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Sara, Kansas
Jun 27th, 2009
How well it works
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:)
Pros:It's humid where I live and for once my face isn't oily and broken out. Less makeup. Hair is less oily. Seems to be working?
Cons:dry lips, eyes, hair, and skin. blurry vision. lower back pain (helped by drinking A LOT of water and tylenol). thinning hair around temples and top of head (not noticable to others yet). slight rash on arms. very sensitive to sun even w/spf
Bottom Line:Getting ready to go speak with my doctor about the side effects and if it's actually worth staying on. I am sensitive to perscription drugs so I seem to be seeing a lot more side effects than most. Very costly for me. I have very good insurance and it has covered just about everything I have ever been on BUT accutane. I take the generic Claravis- one 40 mg pill twice daily. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this will work. I like the results I'm seeing, but it's summer and I can't go outside during the daytime because I burn even with high spf.. so much for music festivals, baseball games, and pool during the day... I haven't been on long enough to recommend it or not.
Usage:Sara has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:380.00
Acne severity:moderate
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Anonymous, Phoenix, Az
Jun 27th, 2009
How well it works
:):):)		 Agreeability
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:)
Pros:I went through two total Accutane treatments. It a lot of work to remain strict to diet and deal with side effects. It worked well after the first 6 weeks and for a year following treatment. But acne returned.
Cons:Acne returned approximately a year after the first 6 month treatment ended. I tried a second 6 month prescription and acne returned about 18 months after treatment ended.
Bottom Line:Had I known I would not have a lasting effect from using the Accutane I would never had taken it. I had tried several antibiotics before Accutane with luck, but did not want to stay on them for extended periods of time. I have actually had my best luck and am totally clear after finding out about this web site and giving Dan's regimen a try (with nothing to lose). After two weeks my acne has totally cleared up and has remained away for the past month. I hope it continues to work as well as it has been. I wish I would have found out about this site earlier and saved me time and money.
Recommended:No
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for about a year.
Price Paid:50.00
Acne severity:moderate
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Anonymous, Houston, TX
Jun 27th, 2009
How well it works
:):):)		 Agreeability
:):):)		 Affordability
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Pros:After one week of being on accutane, i have been getting a lot of white heads, but no larger pimples. something seems to be happening, and hopefully my skin will get clearer soon.
Cons:Dry Lips, Skin, Eyes... sensitive skin in general... have been feeling even more fatigued than usual, not sure if that is related to the accutane.
Bottom Line:I've only been on accutane for one week. Somethings definitely seems to be happening. I've been getting a lot of whiteheads on my face, but no substantial pimples. I'm hoping after a few more weeks, I'll see a lot more improvement.
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for about a week.
Price Paid:50.00
Acne severity:moderate
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James, Colorado
Jun 27th, 2009
How well it works
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Pros:Has cleared all of my acne within the first week. Clear skin, and increased self image
Cons:Dry lips. Minor intial break out ( 1-2 days).
Bottom Line:After suffering from acne for 7 years I finally went to the dermatologist and was prescribed this accutane along with Skinorem cream. I am very pleased with my results and have clear skin for the first time in a long time. price covered by insurance.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:James has used this item for a few weeks.
Acne severity:moderately severe
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