Isotretinoin (Accutane®)

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Side Effects

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought...

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought to clear acne primarily through its ability to permanently reduce skin oil (sebum) production.

Isotretinoin is available in capsule form and is usually taken twice a day. Your physician will prescribe an initial dose, and this dose may increase or decrease depending on the response to treatment and side effects.

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Lucas49

November 17, 2009

Pros:

it does the job like magic but it won't make you "glow" like beyonce or firgy. it will get rid of your acne and you will transform yourself.

Cons:

very dry skin, very dry palms, very dry lips, you will have to carry a container of moisturizer everywhere u go. yes it its an expensive treatment but it has a right to come with that price tag attached.

use it.

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Danny

November 15, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Still not seen no improvement to my acne condition at all while taking accutane for a month. It has infact made my acne worse.

Everybody has different body's so it maybe worth a try but for me its not looking good although i am continuing to take it for at least a few more months. Furthermore, side effects i have experienced are joint pains and dry lips.

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Jord

November 14, 2009

Pros:

Luckily we Dont pay for any medication in the UK (NHS)

Cons:

Cracked, dry swollen lips , nose bleeds, dry flaking inflamed skin

Have been taking 60mg of Accutane for 5 weeks now with very little improvement , infact I have gone from having mild acne to severe in the last week or so ! I guess that this is the breakout stage of the treatment so im going to hang in there . No signs of depression ,thank goodness .... Just short tempered ! The Skin on my face and neck is flaking and feels raw .. Antibiotic topical lotion does help with drying the spots up. .Cant wait for some improvement. After reading your comments from people in the US , I will continue taking it , thanks ... Jord (15)

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Zoe

November 12, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my skin after about a month, my hair was in lovely condition, and I thought it was working....

Cons:

I couldn't wear lenses for up to 2 years, my eyes filled with pus whenever I tried,no doctors knew why. It's supposed to leave the body within 6 weeks? Usual dry lips and bad sunburn, acne came back in months and is now worse/different than before.

It does work, but the acne mostly comes back. Mine is a dryer/more congested version. You may suffer side effects that no-one can explain which sure doesn't help the accusations of depression! I took it in 2004 and have had acne for 12 years now and I still won't take it again. One product, however amazing, can't be a sure cure-all for the complexity of every single body. Make sure you discuss taking it with your family and friends, I didn't and wish I had, but I guess you get so fixated on the acne that nothing stands in your way.

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octavio

November 12, 2009

Pros:

cleared all my major acne and the really nasty stuff under my skin

Cons:

the usual, and my knees hurt alot during medication

i took it for 8 or 9 months and it was crazy cause the medication makes your face worse during the process, so i did loose my girl sadly( she was the hottest in the whole school) and i did have social problems due to shyness of having acne. i do get some cyst there and there but its mostly all!!!!! gone crazy!

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ForSure

November 11, 2009

Pros:

-Cleared my persistent and painful cysts that were unresponsive to topical medications and oral antibiotics.
-Left me with beautiful, clear skin and a new-found self confidence.

Cons:

-None that were a surprise; if you expect the mild temporary joint pain and excessive drying of the lips that is CLEARLY MARKED EVERYWHERE IMAGINABLE you will prepare for these symptoms by purchasing strong moisturizers and proper supplements.

-Isotretinoin works, and the side effects are negligible if you prepare yourself like any good patient receiving a strong medication should. Invest in a strong moisturizer, lip balm, and vitamin E / glucosamine supplements and you can make the common side effects barely perceivable. -Take the medication with omega fatty acids for bonus points and efficacy. -Research the medication and know what to expect.

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Heather

November 11, 2009

Pros:

TOTALLY CLEARS ACNE, BLACKHEADS, PORES...EVERYTHING!

Cons:

I hate to call it cons because in the end, you dont even care. but the "side effects" are chap lips of course, nose bleeds in the beginning, slight joint pain.

I am on my fourth month and OMG it is amazing. I never had acne until my 20's.I i tried everything, seriously. And after a year of suffering with acne, i knew i had to do something. It was so embarrassing. I would get mad when my boyfriend would look at me close up, would HATE to go out in the sun(i thought it was more noticable outside for some reason). I was such an unhappy person because i felt so ugly. But after 4 months, i am completely clear!! i had NO INITIAL BREAKOUT like some people try to say. Dont wait a year like i did and think "it will clear up" try it, you wll regret waiting too long.

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DIRELAND

November 10, 2009

Pros:

amazing skin, almost glowing, knowing it will work (in the end), most long lasting effects

Cons:

side effects, worrying you might get side effects

I was on this drug about 7 years ago. i had moderate to severe acne. was on the drug lips were very dry and i had a few nose bleeds but the results were amazing: things slowly started getting better then on month 3 an amazing transformation occurred. My acne stayed away for years, then about 3 years ago I started to get the odd pimple again and now i suffer from blackheads and a few spots each week. I am 26 and work in the professions where presentation is important so I decided to kick it once and for all so i just started a 40mg dose to do that.

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Jenn

November 9, 2009

Pros:

works quickly + effectively; literally tried everything on the market...everything else only worked for a few months

Cons:

insanely chapped lips that are bleeding, nosebleeds, return of eczema

There are side effects, but to have clear skin, they are totally worth it, because once you're done, the side effects go away, but the acne does not return!

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Hannah

November 7, 2009

Pros:

So far I haven't seen any improvement in the appearance of my spots but they are less sore.

Cons:

Blood test every month. And I've experienced so many side-effects. Cracked lips. Dry peeling skin. Red itchy flaky patches on my arms. Red bumps on the back of my hands. All the dryness is making my skin feel like it got burned.

I haven't had any improvement in my acne probably because I haven't been on the medication long enough. I'm going to continue to take it for 6 months as advised by my dermatologist and hopefully it works.

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