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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3.9
2449
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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November 6, 2009

Pros:

took accutane 3 yrs ago and it worked great for me... prior to that i had pretty bad acne for about 10 yrs and tried antibiotics and topicals but never great results... the accutane worked great but seems like it is coming back.. i will use again

Cons:

dry skin. chapped lips. upset stomach on occasion

it worked sooo well for me and it seems like i will have to go for another treatment... I would love not to use any drug but unfortunately my skin has been pretty bad..... drink a lot of water!!!! and take with meal and should be fine... i feel worse when my skin is bad then when i was on this medicine.
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November 5, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, confidence

Cons:

dry lips/skin, sun sensitivity, a bit of hair loss(temporary)

TRY IT!!! i came to this website 4 months ago when my dermatologist told me to think about taking accutane and i gotta say i was pretty scared. i kept reading about people who became very depressed and all, and i began to think that maybe this wasnt for me.After some encouragement from my family i decided to take it. Now im 1 month away from finishing my treatment and i can easily say starting the accutane treatment is one of the best decisions ive made. My face, back,neck,shoulders and chest are clear of acne (i still have some scars) and i definetely feel alot more confident around others. I have recently experienced my hairline to recede, but according to my dermatologist, if its caused by accutane, it should come back about a month after my treatment is over. On some poeple its permanent but its usually people who are older (20-30sums) and were going to loose it sooner or later. as for other sideeffects, its nothing you cant control.
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November 4, 2009

Pros:

clear skin extremly powerfull.

Cons:

chapped lips, dry skin, depression, back pain, aches.

Definatly worth all of the horrible side effects! My skin started to get worse when first using it but then my acne scabbed over and started to dry away, also my blackheads reduced in size in a matter of a month.
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November 3, 2009

Pros:

Clears your face, at least at first

Cons:

I had extremely dry skin/lips, very high sun sensitivity, back pain, joint pain, bad blood tests leading to stoping lifting, depression (but not sure if because of accutane), bad night vision, weight loss, purple skin, diarrea/rectal bleeding still

Acne coming back a few months later, but have to give it 5 stars because it was the only drug that actually cleared it in the first place.I may have to take this drug again, because my acne is starting to come back :( . Though the side effects suck!, I hate acne with a passion. I am a lifter and lost a ton of my muscle on this drug, am finally getting it back but what's the point, if I'm gonna have to take accutane again :(. Acne makes me so depressed, which is why as much as I hate the side effects none of them matter; if it made me loose a limb or something who cares as long as the acne's gone that's all I care about.
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November 3, 2009

Pros:

None yet

Cons:

very dry lips and face, depression, nose bleeds

have been on 60mg a day for over a month now. no success yet, and acne has gotten worse. hope to see effects soon.
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November 1, 2009

Pros:

Cleared grade five acne completelyonly very minor scaring on cheeks left after 3rd month

Cons:

Left depressed and anxious unable to lead a normal teenage life wishing she had never heard of the treatment and only had bad skin to worry about.

Do not - repeat do not use this drug. Spots are much easier to live with than depression
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November 1, 2009

Pros:

clears acne greatly

Cons:

tired,dryl lips, dry skin

ok I started taking this about two months ago. At first my acne seemed to get worse. But then better then worse. But over the past week I have seen a dramatic change my face has cleared so much its almost gone. I'm very happy with the results
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October 30, 2009

Pros:

Flawless Clear Skin

Cons:

Dry lips and skin- sensitive eyes

Accutane is effective- I took all types if antibiotics fir years which can be a pain on the butt and cause serious damage. With accutane I only have to be on it 4-6 months. So far I've been on it 2 months and have clear skin- having clear skin has definitely made me feel better. I've spent hundreds of dollars and then some on over the counter creams and antibiotics that I wish doctors were more consistent in prescribing this medication rather than seeing you suffer every three months an antibiotic fails and you have to try a new one. I've had acne for 10 years and accutane has been the only effective drug for me.
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October 30, 2009

Pros:

clear skin , and also my confidence skyrocketed i became a pimp lol ( Just kidding ) but I became more outgoing , I am not afriad of talking to a girl cuz of my acne, I got out more often then i did when I had acne.

Cons:

dry lips. sore muscles, upset stomach , and headaches, palpitations make sure you take it with food cuz if not your heart start pounding , believe me!!!

I had acne for 4 years and nothing seemed to work until I took accutane , it cleared my skin , it did what it was supposed to do which is great. I thank God also cuz he helped me to get through the treatment it was a nightmare , but it was worth it.accutane is a very string drug , dont f**k with that sh*t , you have to be careful use it as a last resort . if you think that you dont have any other option then got for it . I mean I know how it feels to have bad skin . my muscles are still sore
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October 28, 2009

Pros:

definately clears up the skin..

Cons:

dry lips & sensitive skin

it works but may not be permanant as i've completed a course 3 years ago and my acne has come back, so i'm taking it again.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website