Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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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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September 30, 2009

Pros:

completely clears moderate acne

Cons:

long term skin dryness (not just while on the drug!) and premature ageing of the skin

If you feel you've exhausted all options and nothing is working this drug is the answer. The serious downside is that you won't know what the side effects will be...I had minor skin dryness/lips/excema whilst on accutane for 6 months. For the following year my skin was perfect. Then it began to get progressively dry. I am now at the point of using lip balm every few hours and using the heaviest available moisturizer on face and body. I also have developed wrinkles on my face and hands due to the dryness and fragility of my skin due to accutane, as well as excema. For some people accutane is the only option. But please ensure that it is only the LAST option. It is not a 'miracle drug'. There are serious side effects. I would not take this drug again in retrospect. For MOST people there are other options. I would strongly recommend you take them first. Permanently dry/wrinkles/red/itching skin may be with me for the rest of my life thanks to this drug.
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September 30, 2009

Pros:

I had severe acne in on particular spot which was my forehead and in between my eyebrows, since i started 8th grade. I used everything from proactive and prescription cream, but accutane was my miracle solution! After 4 months i was completely clear

Cons:

I got some heavy headaches and dry lips but it wasnt a big deal. For me my skin did get worse for the first two months before it got better. My skin is not as clear as when i was taking the pill, but it is 100% better than how it was at the beginning

It is an amazing drug that i would only recommend to people that have severe acne. There are many side effects that may or may not affect you so you should really talk to your doctor first. I personally loved it and even though it didnt have the lasting "perfect skin" i wanted i still would recommend everyone to use it.
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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