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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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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August 9, 2009

Pros:

Haven't noticed anything yet but I need to be patient

Cons:

Nothing to bad noticed my lips are becoming dry

I'm tired of looking for medication that I know will have no effect what so ever. So I decided to go on accutane since I have been hearing about it's miracles. Many people say accutane has too many bad side effects but you know what you just have to deal with it and not let it get to you. I guarantee you this is going to be one of my best decisions
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August 8, 2009

Pros:

I dunno not much has happened.

Cons:

Dry lips

I have been using the Australian version of accutane called 'oratane' for 13 days now. Not much has really happened, i have just got a few new breakouts but they don't last to long. I haven't had an initial breakout because i was on doxycycline for 3 months prior to starting oratane. I litteraly went from doxy to oratane in 2 days. I believe that the doxycycline did something and helped get the bacteria to the surface but my derm thought otherwise. I look forward to the next few weeks and for the rest of the program to see the results :) I am going to start taking 40mg instead of 20mg in two days so that should be exciting... Wish me luck! Note: The dry lips are manageable with Lucas's Paw Paw ointment. Another Australian product haha. Trust me it really works.
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August 8, 2009
Worked great the first month, was suprised as I was told it'd get worse before it gets better. The second month, I took the pill (Yasmin) with Accutane, then my skin started flaring up. The third month, I went off Yasmin and remained on Accutane, and my skin started to clear up again. I am now in months 5/6 of Accutane and my skin is flaring up.. it doesn't seem to be at all consistent with me, possibly because I am vacationing in a hot humid place for summer after living in a cold dry city for the past year. All in all, after 5 months of being on Accutane, I am still waiting to see some stable results. My cheeks are red and raw and my lips are dry and chapped.
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August 7, 2009

Pros:

Kept my skin clear for a good 5 months after taking. Not too bad side effects.

Cons:

Dry, dry skin and lips.

Accutane changed my life! I was acne free for 5 whole months. (a big deal to me!) But after those 5 months, I experienced minor breakouts and now I'm on Solodyn to help keep my skin clear regularly. I've read that people haven't had much success with the product, but give it time! It took the full 4 months for me to see any results, but it really does work! Good luck to everyone!!
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August 7, 2009

Pros:

*clears the worst, most hideous acne wonderfully.
*worked better for me than ciplacyproterone acetate hormone pills combined with Ginette birth control pills, or antibiotics.
*take it for six months then usually dont have to ever take again.

Cons:

*have to wait months for it to clear skin totally, dry skin and lips.
*after skin is cleared there will be redness for while.
*possibly contributes to depression.

dont take accutane unless you have seriously bad acne. Seriously bad acne like i had, means that you hardly have any clear facial spot left. It means redness with little yellow puss-filled pimples and other pimples all over the face. It means disfigurement, and a face so oily you can wipe the oil off your face with a tissue every three hours. Accutane worked better for me than antibiotics, hormone pills, birth control pills, and creams or facewashes. Accutane is probably the best acne medication in the world but i recommend u only take it if u have gruesome acne because it may have contributed to my depression. If you can cover up with makeup, then do it! still a product i have a lot of respect for, its a miracle.
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August 6, 2009

Pros:

Clears it up

Cons:

Dry stuff as usual and really red skin

i am completely glad i went on accutane and recommend it to all others. it worked after about a month on it and havent had acne in 4 months. i am 18 years old and drink pretty heavily at least 3 times a week. i was worried at first about the drinking but it never gave my liver a problem. there was a week where i drank at least 10 shots a night and then got a blood test the following day and everything was fine. not recommending it but i wouldn't worry too much about the drinking
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August 4, 2009

Pros:

Much less oil after 2 days of treatment

Cons:

Slow healing of existing acne, sensitivity to sun, dry chapped lips, sensitive skin, much worse acne than before beginning treatment

Ive been taking accutane for 2 months now and acne on face is about 2 to 3 times worse than it was before starting treatment, mostly becuase i had alot of acne below the skin before starting treatment so hopefully my breakouts over the past 2 months is the acne coming to the surface, and the fact that accutane slows down the reproduction/healing of skin makes the acne redmarks look worse, hoping to clear up this month or next which is the time most people do. I am currently on 60 mgs a day up to 80 in a few days, i do weigh 190lbs though.
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August 4, 2009

Pros:

Less oil (first time in my life!)
Initial breakout not bad with spot treatment.
Less acne on face, chest, and back.

Cons:

Dry, dry, dry lips.
Sensitive and dry skin.
Feeling like it's prohibition all over again.

I have been on accutane for one month now and I LOVE it! I have tried Proactive, Murad, Clinique, Mary Kay, along with every face wash available at Walmart/Target/Dillards/Walgreens/Sephora/ and all else (i.e. Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Dove, Noxzema, and on and on). Like those of you reading this NONE OF IT EVER WORKED. I have suffered from moderate-severe acne for the better part of my life and this is it. Get on accutane if nothing else works. My advice: Drink a lot of water. Lips: Dr. Dan's Cortibalm, Aquaphor (on all my dry spots and don't forget to put it in your nose at night to avoid nosebleeds), Chapstick Medicated lip balm. Face: I use a mixture of JOJOBA AND SQUALENE OIL! It's all natural, soaks into your skin, & feels great. I wear with/without makeup & apply it every time I wash my face. It immediately relives the tightness that dry skin causes. I also massage it onto my lips. I swear by this mixture (& it is credited with improving scars!) Lotion: D
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August 2, 2009

Pros:

no oily skin, less breakouts, less oily hair (if that was an issue to begin with), lasts even after finished with your trial

Cons:

chapped lips, drys out all of you (not just your face)

I loved it. I put some moisturizer on my legs and arms to keep them from drying out. My skin was at least 75% better. I still broke out during my period but nothing as close to as bad as before. Even after I stopped taking the pills and it was washed out of my system a month later, my skin was NOTHING as bad as it had been before. Unfortunately, I went for a second time and it didn't seem to work as well, but the first time was absolutely amazing.
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August 2, 2009

Pros:

Reduces Oil Production Drastically (e.g., no more oily/shiny face); Takes Time But Eventually Clears Acne; Easy to Take & Effective; Generic = Affordable with Insurance

Cons:

Dry Face, Body, Eyes, [inside of] Nose; Chapped Lips; IPledge if Female [hassle]; Makes You Tired & Leaves You With "Cloudy Brain" Feeling. Leaves Body Kinda Achy.

Despite the Minor Side Effects, it is Definitely Worth Trying. I am on my 7th & Last Month & I haven't broken out in a week. It took the full 6 months to finally see the results I was looking for. Definitely try if nothing else works. Side effects are manageable.
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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