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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4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

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August 24, 2007

Pros:

Insurance covers $10.00

Hopeful to hear all the pros on this site.....

Cons:

Slight Headaches after taking a pill (using advil to combat)
Nose (sinus) somewhat dry inside.

Just started 5 days ago 20 mg in am 20 mg in pm. Getting a little bit of a breakout on the back - new for me My pores that were not to big at all to begin with are not almost invisible. (5 days! yahooo) Will give an update.....next month! Had one cyst on face that I know by now would have been severe, although it is still there is not nearly the size it would be by now (as in all past cysts)
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July 26, 2007
I'm 23 years old and have been suffering with acne for about 12 years. I was on accutane twice. The first time was when I was 18 years old and along with the minor side effects (dry lips and skin) it worked wonderfully. I had clear skin up until a year later when it all started coming back again but this time worse. I went to the derm and he prescribed me all sorts of creams like Differin,rentin A, tazorac, antibiotics and nothing seemed to work. I even tried pro Active which did nothing for me (although some of my friends swear it's the best product.) I was put back on Acutane with the highest dose and was on it for about a year. My skin cleared and looked great. About a year and half later my acne came back. Frustrated, I went back to the derm and he prescribed me Tazorac along with an antibiotic Monocyclin. I explained to him that I already been on Tazorac but he told me that after Accutane, your skin changes. Hopefully it works. I don't reccomend Accutane because it comes back.
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June 27, 2007

Pros:

Gets rid of acne. My acne wasnt that bad just persistant, I have tried everything from glycolic acid peels to proactiv this stuff rocks!

Cons:

Severe dry lips

for me back pain but only for the 1st 2 weeks

this stuff works...yup it sure does nothin better it works from the inside out shrinking oil glands go to your dermo, or get 1 and discuss ACCUTANE With doctor
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June 27, 2007

Pros:

IT WORKS, YES, NO ACNE, NO OIL, CLEAR SKIN, NO NEED TO SPEND HOURS IN FRONT OF MIRRORS AND KEEPING UP WITH REGIMENS. YOU "FORGET" U HAVE ACNE WHEN U 'BEGIN' CLEARING UP. Had to write the Pros in capitals, its really that important.

Cons:

Dry lips, sore joints/muscles but only if u exercise otherwise nothing. Nosebleeds if u blow ur nose too hard when u have flu

Lifesaver. It changed my life, from dull to bright. All the oil has disappeared and I dont even run to a mirror as often anymore. In fact I dont even think of my acne anymore because I dont have any acne worth complaining about. Almost finished 6 months and im 99% clear. The other 1% retin-a will finish off :) Read the horror stories? I know, so did I. At least u know what the WORST-CASE scenario is but its a TINY minority. The majority are here giving you their excellent feedback. I was on a low dose throughout my course so did not have many side effects other than dry lips. SAVE YOURSELF the hassle and time, leave the antibiotics and get yourself on the tane. IF ONLY I done this 10 years ago, would have saved me a decade of hell. Dont make the same expensive mistake like me and the rest of us. This WORKS.
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June 12, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my skin quickly, highly effective

Cons:

Dry lips and eyes, sore joints, some fatigue

I have had acne in one form or another since I was 15 or 16. I am now 54, yes you read that correctly. Over the years sometimes my acne is mild with one to three small pimples and other times I might have several or more of the deep cystic type. I have tried various antibiotics on and off for many years. Twenty years ago I was prescribed accutane when it first became availble. I took it for about 5 months and it worked very well. Mostly cleared everything up for about 5 years or so. It gradually came back and I was put back on oral and topical antibiotics. My doctor is now trying me on a low dosage of accutane (Claravis)and it is working very well so far. My skin is much less oily and I am not breaking out at all. I have only been on it for about one month. I'm hoping this time it will stay away for good. It's no fun having acne at any age but it is especially depressing when you are older. There are plenty of other medical problems to worry as we get older.
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May 10, 2007

Pros:

Clears your skin like nothing else! Haven't had acne come back on my back, chest or arms since (been about 2 years)

Cons:

Horrible dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes, sensitivity to heat, heat rashes, sensitivity to products, headaches, nose bleeds, and the inconvience of seeing a doctor every month.

Worked amazingly for me from the first week on it. However, my face is now not looking so good(2years later). Although its not cystic yet.I have the worst kind of skin to deal with...dry skin acne. Oil doesn't serface for me. It may be the climate I live it. The acne on my face started to come back about 9 months after coming off it. At first I wasn't complaining cause the breakouts were normal for most people. A pimple here or there. But progressively just got worse. Now I'm back to not wanting to leave the house without makeup. My body is clear though. The doctors have me on the usual treatments or antibiotics and topicals that work at first a little then don't really work after awhile. Now I'm trying skin peels to see where that takes me. I'm sick of it! But I have known people with 6-7year results from Accutane without a trace of it coming back. I don't think doctors really know much about it or who it will or wont work on. Your just an experiment.
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February 12, 2007

Pros:

cleared back and chest acne completely, and most of facial

Cons:

dry lips

After hearing about all the side effects with this product I was a little reluctant to begin. However after a few weeks I began to notice a huge change, my self esteem grew as the weeks past and I finally felt confident enough to wear clothes which revealed my chest and back. The dry lips were annoying but where a small price to pay for the clear skin.
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February 2, 2007

Pros:

Miracle Drug!!

Cons:

Expect your entire body to be dry while on the medicine. Use a lot of moisturizers!

It works. I think that the gov. has made too big a deal out of it. Having acne is what made me depressed. Your skin will be dry, but its only for a couple of months.
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January 22, 2007

Pros:

My skin became baby soft and smoother than ever. Every scar disappeared.

Cons:

I had horrible mood swings, severe lower back pains that caused me trouble for over a year after finishing, and the constant blood draws were a pain. Invest in lots of good lotion.

My acne was actually not super severe, but I had tried everything and nothing ever cleared me up so the doctor finally just put me on Accutane. My skin became really bad after the first month but then cleared up quickly. It made my skin beautiful, which was amazing, but now 7 years later I have acne again which I'm treating again. Just be careful on it and you'll be ok.
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January 18, 2007

Pros:

clear skin,smoother skin. Plus my health coverage covered everything in addition to my mom working there..at the most from what i remember i think i had to pay like 10 bucks..

Cons:

really dry lips,dries out whole body, some hair lose, decrease in weight...depression and mood swings..

I took it when I was in middle school and only for a few months and it cleared me up so well..my back too...when I got to high school nobody would have ever thought I had bad skin just a year prior to beginning high school..people tell me I have nice clear skin..its great! now im 19 about to be 20 and for the most part my skin has stayed clear..when im PMSing i do tend to get 1 to 2 pimples but they are small and you can hardly see them...this drug is a miracle worker...yes the side effects do suck pretty bad but im telling you just stick it out for the time you need to be on it and in the end you will be soo happy! i know that i sure am! its honestly amazing and I feel beautiful..clear skin can do wonders for ones overall apperance....so basically if you havent tried accutane yet or ur debating it im living proof that this drug is a miracle worker!=)
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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