Isotretinoin (Accutane)


Overall rating: 3.86 / 5
(based on 2,410 votes)

Recommended by 86% of visitors

Average price: $89.75



Most helpful review

By GG on 01/09/2011

Effectiveness: dose and case dependend. High dose (0,75-1 mg/kg) treatment provides more benefits and a reduced likelihood of relapse (10-30% depending on severity/type and root of acne) but more severe side-effects. Low dose (0,1-0,4) is recommended in less severe cases but relapse rate increases (50-60%) – with significantly less side-effects. Gradual increase of the dose and intake with food (50-100% better bioavailability!!!) is recommended. Side-effects: dosage dependent, mild and NOT permanent in 99,8% of cases. 0,2% are usually unique cases e.g. 400% elevated starting triglyceride level results in permanent liver damage – can be avoided. Can be dermal or systemic. Dermal: isotretinoin causes dramatical reduction in sebum production, thinning of the stratum corneum, and alterations in the skin barrier function. So your skin becomes dry and very vulnerable. Damage to the skin can leave scars because of this so take care. Dryness of the face and lips (95-100%). Dryness of the nasal (50%) and oral mucosa (40%), photosensitivity (40%), eczema (25-35%), nose bleeding (20%), dry eyes (20%), acne flare (8-20%), itching, rash, erythema (15-20% mild), hair loss (5-15%, reversible), peeling of finger tips (10%). They are usually mild, temporary, and respond well to symptomatic treatment. If you experience severe adverse effects just decrease the daily dose calmly or visit your derm. Systemic side-effects are much less common (pregnancy must be avoided of course). Osteomuscular pain (10-15%), headache (5-10%), elevated liver enzymes (0-5% reversible), decreased night vision, psychological disorders, pseudotumor cerebri (0-0,5% presumably not even side effects, very poor evidence of casual relationship). In the end I would like to warn you about getting information from laymen. You can get very distorted info here since these reviews are based on subjective experiences -mainly from unsatisfied people- so treat them with much caution. .

Pros:
  • As a med student I did a research to evaluate my isotretinoin treatment (starting today). So I can’t give you my own experience (I will do that later :) but some facts I came in possession and would like to share.
  • I consider this as a very safe and effective treatment if done with circumspection. If you experience severe adverse effects just decrease the daily dose calmly. It is the cumulative dose that matters after all (which ranges 90-150 mg/kg).
Cons:
  • Never should you underestimate the power of placebo effect. If you are preoccupied with suicide ideations and lower back pain because of accutane ... there you are, sitting with a sore back and a major depression :)!
  • To AS4 (below) I have lots of questions! :) Did you experience drieness of your face and lips? Did you get examined by an endocrinologist? Did any unusual happen when you were 17? Have you used ANY other treatment for your acne? What kind of chemicals have you put on your fa

236 out of 360 people found this review helpful

Ingredients



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Member reviews

         
Mericial is a box?
By on

I was on Accutane for a 7 month course back in 2012. I started at 40 mg for my first and second month and then 60mg for the remaining months. I experienced all the usual side effects. Extremely dry lips, dry eyes, blood noses and sore joints and lower back. I didn't clear until the start of my 5th month. I went from having moderately presistant acne to being clear. I wish the results stuck around though. I was only clear for 3 months after finishing up my course.

Pros

  • Clears acne
  • Reduces oil production

Cons

  • Extreme side effects
  • Some long lasting side effects
  • Extreme sun sensitivty
  • for a few months
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





Until this...
By on

I've broken out since I was ten years old, and throughout high school I was stuck with cysts and basically a full on pizza face. I decided to write this review because out of everything, this has been the number one. I'm not all the way complete with my treatment but I'm close enough to say that it was 100% worth it and then some. Feel free to follow my little blog I have going as well as my picture I posted. I'm pretty impressed.

Pros

  • Clear skin
  • Smaller pores
  • Natural looking complexion

Cons

  • Weight Loss (nothing to complain too much about) ;)
  • Body aches
  • Gaunt Face (maybe or maybe not related to accutane?)
  • for a few months
  • $ 3000
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





best decision i ever made - wish i did it sooner
By on

i had acne for about 3 years before i decided to use accutane. i got acne as a freshman and it wasnt bad, i was able to treat it with antibiotics and topical perscriptions. summer before my junior year (about a year ago) was when it started to get really bad and nothing was working. I really didnt want to use accutane cause its a very powerful drug and i have heard horrific things about it but it was all i had left to try and my skin was depressing me. so i did it and it was amazing, i had no initial breakout, it worked pretty fast and i havent had a pimple in months. i just finished about a month ago and everything is still going well. i was on it for a total of 7 months. my eyes are still really dry but my skin is producing oil and not peeling anymore. also another annoying thing is your lips are SUPER chapped you need to carry some sort of lip moisturizer at all times or your lip skin will peel and sometimes bleed! CHAPSTICK IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! best decision, my self confidence is a million times better. i recommend to anyone with moderate to severe acne and bad self esteem it turned my life around. if you are considering it, try it!!!

Pros

  • great skin
  • long term effects
  • better complexion

Cons

  • really dry eyes
  • peeling can be a little annoying
  • very chapped lips
  • for a few months
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





It works
By on

I grew up with acne that essentially controlled my life. It made me self-conscious all the time, to the point where I would skip school because of it--often. I started my 5 month course in January of 2013 because, entering my last semester of college, I just couldn't take it anymore. I had active legions--fewer and fewer every week, mind you--up until about the 3 1/2 month mark. Worse, I had an awful initial breakout. I looked like I did when I was 17. But now over 5 months later, after a series of pillowcases ruined by bleeding lips and skin so red it looked like I was perpetually embarrassed, my skin is completely clear--minus some hyperpigmentation. It's something you have to commit to. The initial break out period can last a while and be discouraging, it's expensive, it will increase depressed feelings, it will dry your lips and skin out a lot. But it works. Taking it and sticking to it was hard, but now that it's over I haven't felt this happy since I can remember.

Pros

  • Clear skin for the first time in probably 10 years

Cons

  • Dry, red skin on face, knees, elbows, lips, etc.
  • Harsh initial breakout
  • Weird moods and dreams and increased anxiety
  • for a few months
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





At least it did something
By on

After a five month course of accutane... I still have acne. Just not as much as before. I still break out every day though. I simply do not have the time and money to keep on treating it. I had to spend thousands on accutane. For that kind of money, I am very disappointed that I still have an acne problem.

Pros

  • Lessened my acne

Cons

  • Still have acne
  • Outrageously expensive in the US
  • for a few months
  • $ 4000
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





It does work, although...
By on

I used accutane back in 2010 for five months. Completely got rid of my cystic acne and oily skin. I was clear until January of this year (2013). However, the acne I have now is mild and hormonal. Accutane is meant for cystic acne and oily skin, and it cured me of that, so although I have hormonal zits now, it did its job, and I'm happy everyday that I took the plunge. The only major side effects I had were dry EVERYTHING and achy joints. Oh, and some weird dreams.

Pros

  • Clear skin!!! No more cysts

Cons

  • Dry skin, eyes, lips and achy joints
  • Initial breakout
  • Hormonal acne will return
  • for a few months
  • $ 10
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





Great Acne Medication!
By on

I highly recommend this prescription drug for those facing moderate to severe acne! This product worked wonders on my severe acne during my preteen years. Though, I still have fairly mild acne (now in my twenties), I am no longer covered in red inflamed pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. This drug is a high risk drug, but do not let that get in the way of clear skin. You will be on this treatment plan for over a course of five months and will be required to keep monthly blood work and dermatology follow-up appointments. Should see clearer skin by the end of each month while taking it as prescribed. I was cleared by month five! Drink a lot of water, maintain a good diet, and keep a positive attitude and you will thank yourself later.

Pros

  • Will clear you up by the end of each month while you are following the program
  • Will CLEAR UP most, if not all, your acne by the end of treatment (although, you may get mild acne thereafter)
  • Insurance will cover the costs

Cons

  • It made my face quite red (rosy) while on the program
  • Will dry your skin out tremendously (I recommend using Cetaphil Cream Moisturizer- use a nickel amount))
  • May be pricey without insurance, but be sure to ask, and try to get help from the pharmaceutical company supplying it.
  • for a few months
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





Experience of treatment with Accutane
By on

Hello forum members! I am 16 years old. the age of 14 I have all the face was covered with pimples. I suffered two years, they bothered me, but nothing helped. My doctor recommended I take Accutane and gave me the address of the website where it is sold ([link removed] I was treating acne with Accutane for 3 months. After 3 months, I completely forgot about acne. My face was clean and beautiful. Many of my friends are jealous of me, and also began using Accutane.

Pros

[not submitted]

Cons

[not submitted]
  • for a few months
  • $ 5375
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





Just do it.
By on

I spent years researching Accutane. At the point the decision was bothering me way more than the acne, I finally decided to take the plunge, age 24. Clearly everyone reacts differently. You won't know how your body will deal with it until you give it a go. I stopped after two weeks due to severely dry eyes. I mean seriously dry. I couldn't see and sometimes went whole nights without sleeping because the pain was so bad, and no products helped. Doctor said this was very rare, especially on my low dose of 20mg. But I don't regret it for a second. At this point, two months after stopping, my skin is mildly dryer, and my eyes are still pretty irritated in the mornings and evenings. But now that I know I will never touch the stuff again, I feel free. Now that my last resort has failed, I have accepted that I will have to get on with my life without perfect skin. So while this isn't an 'Accutane was the best decision I ever made' post, it's not a horror story. Give it a go.

Pros

[not submitted]

Cons

[not submitted]
  • for a few weeks
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.





Isotretinoin
By on

I was on this drug for 6 months, 10mg per day. I only saw results at the 4th month! The first months were hard to get through.. At the 2nd month my skin was at it worst point ever.. Now i only have scaring.. I am already doing treatments to get rid of the scaring and hopefully at the end of the year my skin is going to be perfect! Forgot to tell you, my acne wasnt that bad..It was moderate but while on the drug, at the 2nd month it was moderately severe.. You have to be patient if you want to see results

Pros

  • cleared my acne
  • hair stays perfect for 3 days

Cons

  • mood swings
  • dry skin,dry lips
  • for a few months
  • I recommend using this product/treatment.






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