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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October 14, 2009

Pros:

Takes away oily skin
Takes away acne
Confidence

Cons:

Dry skin and lips
Blood tests
Staying out of the sun

I've been taking this for about four months. I went to the doctor the other day and he said i might need to be on it for about another 2-3 months. Its already made a great difference. My brother was on it too. He has finished his treatment and his skin looks amazing. I can't wait untill i can stop taking them tho'. But its sooo worth it. My face wasnt that bad but my back was pretty severe. The end result is well worth the side effects. I recommend accutane for anyone who has tried many things but just have not worked.
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October 12, 2009

Pros:

clear skin and confidence

Cons:

dry skin and mood swings

well worth use and gives you the confidence you need take it but be prepared for side affects. well worth it tho
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October 12, 2009

Pros:

in around three months i was completely clear this is almost a year later and my skin is still smooth accept for the occasional pimple. This stuff works

Cons:

it dries your skin out and lips but its bearable to have nice skin just moisturize every day and carry around some lip balm and you'll be fine

this stuff works if you have bad acne and want it gone accutane is the way to go trust me its a wonder a drug
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October 10, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin.

Cons:

All the cons seemed to be temporary. Dry skin and lips. Eczema on arms. Diet change is necessary (caused high cholesterol ONLY while I was on the medication).

I was on Accutane for 8 months and my skin is the clearest it's been in years. I have mild scarring from my acne but it seems to be fading. My skin didn't start to clear up until the 5th month, so be patient. It will work eventually. Also, watch your diet. My cholesterol got high enough for them to put me on Lipitor. After I got off the medication though, my cholesterol went back to normal. It can be a little stressful but the results are worth it.
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October 10, 2009

Pros:

After 2 1/2 months, most of my acne is gone so far on this treatment. accutane is a great way to treat acne!

Cons:

dry skin. the first month my hands were really dry and then peeled. after they peeled they weren't dry anymore. dry lips but after the second month i didn't need to apply chap stick so often. knees weak only when walking up stairs.

Accutane is a great way to go if you have moderate to severe acne. I have nodular acne and it seemed like my acne would never disappear but it eventually did. this drug does the job if you can handle the some what annoying side effects.
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October 8, 2009

Pros:

clear skin.

Cons:

broke out at first .. DRY LIPS AND SCALP NOSE AND SKIN. made my stomach hurt for a month or so... pretty okay.

it works. you should definantly consider it if you have bad acne and the side efffects you can just deal with there minor.
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October 5, 2009

Pros:

Hoping it will clear acne when finished

Cons:

Dry lips and face, dry skin on arms.

I started on 40mg a day for 1 month then my doc bumped it up to 40mg twice a day. I've been on 80mg for about two weeks and just started breaking out bad with cystic acne around jaw line. Nothing else has worked for me so I will stick it out with the Accutane and hope for results.
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October 5, 2009

Pros:

Dries oily skin. Eventually clears up breakouts.

Cons:

Headaches, nosebleeds, eczema, hair loss, headaches, dry skin, chapped lips, dizziness, occasional joint pain, breakouts, fatigue, difficulty focusing.

This stuff is *rough* on your body: it's no picnic, but if you can make it through all the side-effects, you should see results. Be warned, though, that it can interrupt your concentration. If you have a particularly mentally-intensive job (or schoolwork), you may not feel up to it all the time!
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October 2, 2009

Pros:

After trying several other RX drugs this was the only one that worked.I now have no pimples and all of my blackheads are gone. My skin is soft and clear.

Cons:

Like everyone else on accutane I have dry lips. Also two of my finger tips got very dry and sore. I have also had dry eyes but I think that is because I wear contacts. My side effects really haven't been bad.

I am so glad that my doctor put me on accutane. It is the easiest acne treatment to use of all the medicines I tried before. I took 40mg once per day with a meal. It really worked for me. I have about 10 days of treatment left and I am really glad I went on this medicine. I would encourage anyone unhappy with their skin to try accutane. It really works!
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October 1, 2009

Pros:

My acne is gone. My skin is great, I look great, and I feel great. It made my skin and hair less oily, and it changed my life for the better.

Cons:

I had the usual dryness and typical side effects during my six month course. Now, three months later my skin is a dryer then it used to be, which can be annoying, but its much better then the oil it used to have. Also,i have mild persistent back pain

DON'T BE AFRAID. TAKE THIS MEDICINE. I took it for six months, the first two at 40mg, 80mg for the next three, then back to 40mg for the last month. I have never been more pleased with an acne treatment. I stopped taking it three months ago and since then i have had only one tiny zit. Before taking it i had very persistent acne on my cheekbone, chin, forehead with nasty nodules on my back. Acne is now a thing of the past for me and i can finally live my life. I suffered from the typical expected side affects of dry skin and lips, a bit of joint and muscle pain, as well as eczema during the treatment. They were annoying but well worth it because Accutane worked so well. If you have suffered with acne and other things haven't worked, i strongly suggest you take this.
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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