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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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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January 10, 2007

Pros:

breakouts every now and then, improved alittle. No more oily skin

Cons:

dry skin, peeling lips, getting tired easily, mood swings

get this if u want clear skin, the side effects are worth it. I have mild acne as told by the doctor. i was on 20 mg on the first 2 months and 30 mg on the last 4 months. I am 145 lbs so it is based on weight. doctor will tell u.
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January 2, 2007

Pros:

greatest product in the history of acne products. i have had moderate acne for 6 years (since 14) and i have always been discuraged from trying accutane but i did anyways and it CLEARED ALL MY ACNE and left my skin looking INCREDIBLE

Cons:

dry lips, but there not a big deal at all. would you rather have a bunch of red zits on your face and oily skin or slightly dry lips? its a no brainer

GET ACCUTANE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ACNE. IT WILL BE THE GREATEST DECISION YOU EVER MAKE. no jokes, this stuff is mind blowing. dont believe the negative hype that you read. those reveiws are from hypocondriacts or people who react poorly to medicine. i wouldnt recomend this product if you are either of these people though because it can screw you up pretty bad. but if your healthy and want to permanently have incredible/hastle free skin (which is absolutely amazing by the way) spend the money and get accutane.
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December 25, 2006

Pros:

Clears acne!!!!!!

Cons:

Dries lips,nose,and face.

This acne drug is the best! Proactive doesn't even compare to accutane. About the side effects, they aren't that bad. Think of it this way, would you rather have cystic, nodular acne or dry lips that will go away with chap stick!!!
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December 3, 2006

Pros:

slight improvement initially

Cons:

dry dry dry lips,face,bleeding

I've been taking Isotane for about 1 1/2 months acne did worsen for the first week then a welcomed change did oocur although the dryness and bleeding nose still happens the improvement so far is well worth it.
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November 29, 2006

Pros:

cleared me up completely 4 almost a year

Cons:

horrible being on it, face was soooo red, but i dont know if that was cuz i didnt wear enought sun cream, lips were ridiculous...so dry and flaky and nothing could stop it!

sooooooooo glad i took it! but spots starting to come back now but nothing like before but i am sooo glad i took it!
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October 16, 2006

Pros:

Nothing really! Not for me anyways!

Cons:

Everything about it!

I was on Accutane for about 6 months before my doctor took me off it because it was not working at all! It helped at first, about the second month my skin became some what clear, so I was excited. Then the next month it all came back, but now I also had the dry skin, aching bones, nose bleeds etc. It never cleared after that! I was super disappointed since I paid almost $200 a month for the treatment (accutane, birth control etc). It was pretty much just a pain in the butt! I heard it works for most people, so I guess its trial and error! hehe
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August 14, 2018
Holy grail if u can deal with the side effects
I started getting acne when i was 18, having never suffered from bad skin at all in my early teens. I tried everything, from changing my diet, drinking a shit tonne of water, different teas, antibiotics, topicals, different birth control etc. I was told that my acne was hormonal and probably caused by progestin from my bc pill. I'm going into my 4th month of accutane and omg my skin is clear and glowing, it's the first time in years I've felt confident enough to go out without makeup and I'm getting compliments as well! I will say I've had some side effects, sore heads for the first month or so, extremely sensitive and dry lips, dry skin everywhere, dry eyes, i get scratches and bleed easier and terrible joint pain if i exert myself in the slightest. My face also flares up and goes bright red out of the blue. But in my opinion, it's all manageable, just very inconvenient. I just hope that my skin stays clear when i come off the medication as I've heard that hormonal acne has a tendency to come back when u stop ur regular doses.
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December 23, 2017
Definitely worked but with side effects.
I started isotretinon when my whole face, especially cheeks were full of very painful, large cystic acne. I noticed difference in 30 days itself. And in the next 20 days, I had only small pimples that would last 3-4 days and then go away. I did not use it more than 50 days. Reason: it damaged my liver. It increased my ALT/AST levels by almost 8-10 times the normal. Before I got the liver function test done, I was going through a horrible condition. I would sleep almost 14 hours a day, and yet I felt tired and struggled to stay awake in the remaining hours. I had started dreaming excessively, could barely concentrate while studying and felt depressed too. I was able to make the connection when I stopped the pills and within 4-5 days I felt very active, would sleep 7-8 hours, and felt lighter and happier. These pills are no joke. They work, but if you must use them, then educate yourself about the side effects and ask your doctor how you can minimise the side effects. I do not think there has been any long term side effect for me (my liver test came normal after a month of quitting the pills).
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beautifulinsidexx
April 29, 2018
Did you take it with fatty foods? or drink alcohol while taking it? Were you on other medications? Did you drink enough water while on it? Do you have a family history of liver or kidney problems?
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December 5, 2017
Meh so far... help?
I'm on my 45th day of accutane treatment of 30mg a day. My acne has been breaking out worse than it ever was before, but otherwise I am experiencing basically negligible side effects. Slightly dry lips, but that's it. Is my dosage too low? Is that why my breakout is so prolonged? I'm 19, 60kgs.
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Solomon92
January 23, 2018
Breakout should completely stop by month 3. Yes you need 60 mg for a full recovery. Good luck
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November 21, 2017
Pros and cons
I went on a 4-6 month course of moderate strength roaccutane 3 years ago for moderate to severe acne. My acne was totally clear within a couple months of starting the course and at the time of taking it just had the side effects of dry skin and eyes, regular mild nose bleeds and cracked lips that would often bleed at the corners. They couldn't increase my dose because my cholesterol kept going high despite the fact I'm a young healthy 24 year old at the time. My skin stayed clear for probably 6 months post treatment then I started getting small spots again. It was mild for probably 12-18 months and then worsened more. I'm not at the point where I'm considering another treatment because it's now moderate. I never get cystic acne now but just a lot of spots again. Before treatment I'd say my acne was 7/10, with 10 being the worse ever and 1 being very mild acne. I'd say it's 4/10 now but still enough to bother me. I've tried creams and contraceptive pill that help a bit but my dermatologist says it's just keeping it at bay and will never be a long term fix. I'm worried about when I get older and want a family and I can't use anything for my skin, what will it be like then!? Downsides also to the drug I had severe hair loss which I think started 1 year or so after. I lost about half my hair thickness and my hair became dry and broke very easily. It's taken 3 years for it to almost grow back but it's probably 70% as thick as it used to be. Thankfully I have naturally very thick hair. I also get very lethargic and short of breathe easily and I think this started after the roaccutane. Doctors can't find a cause for this. So really in two minds about going back on it!
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Solomon92
January 23, 2018
Seems accutain was still in your gut.
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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