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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Steven

July 20, 2009

Pros:

By the 2nd month, you will have virtually no acne whatsoever. There are times when you don't even have to wash your face and you will NOT break out. I went on a week long backpacking trip and I was not allowed to wash my face. minimal acne after trip

Cons:

red face, red lips, extremely dried lips and skin, bloody noses at random times, not allowed to eat anything with Vitamin A. Blood work and checkups every month. Very scary possible side effects. chance of liver damage and high cholesterol.

Accutane will permanently eliminate your acne. It has many possible side effects and they even require you to sign that there is a possibility you might suffer extreme depression etc. One bad thing is the medication might increase your cholesterol, tryglycerol etc levels and put your health at risk. You will be told to immediately stop accutane (worst day of your life) until your levels get back to normal. I have used all the OTC medications and antibiotics and they DOESN'T WORK. don't be afraid to ask your dermatologist about it and don't be scared to do it because of the long list of side effects. it'll change your life! Oh, and each prescription can cost over $600.00 if your insurance doesn't cover it. Mine covered it completely. Think about it. No acne for the rest of your life?

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Anon

July 20, 2009

Pros:

I WISH I TRIED THIS EARLIER! After suffering with acne for 7 yrs I have tried every possible treatment, not to mention paying Â£100 a time for microdermabrasion.. I have finally found somethin that really does work 1 month in & my skin is almost clea

Cons:

Severe dry lips that split- Carmex lip balm works best
Dry skin- moisturise each day (oilatum for eczema works well)
Dizzyness/ poor vision, tiredness, muscle aches especially when exercising, headaches and dry eyes- HOWEVER THESE ARE ALL BEARA

Initially I was worried about starting this treatment as I have had depression previously and when reading about this treatment I was worried it would return- and I am still cautious. However, one month in and my skin has never looked so great! My skin is very red at times and can be sore BUT one month in and I am getting one or two pimples a WEEK if that! This to me is already like a miracle and I am excited to see how my skin will improve within the last two months. I am taking 70mg a day for a total of three months. Do not worry about the side effects, you are closely monitored by dermatologists and as soon as the effects become too much (if they do) you can come off of them, its as simple as that!! Dont get me wrong some of these side effects are pretty harsh and I am often left tired and sore from muscle pain but the clear skin outweighs all of that! Also, do not go out in the sun without sun screen! I was VERY badly burnt on a mild day (EVEN IN ENGLAND!!) I am still peeling now!!

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dan

July 18, 2009

Pros:

clearing in some spots.

Cons:

dry skin. lips.

ive been on accutane for four months now entering my 5th month. im breaking really bad still. all along my cheeks and forhead. i went to the derm yesterday and he raised my dosage up to 120 mgs a day. he seemed disappointed, and knew i was too. he said hes going to leave me on it for an extra month and if i don see results. and gunna be doing another course. im an athletic kid. varsity football jus started and im the captain of the football team and theres a lot on my shoulders. so idk if that is why im breaking out. the results are not coming nearly as fast as i thought, but hopefully this month will change my opinion on the medicine.

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Lindsay

July 18, 2009

Pros:

Acne cleared up completely and hasn't returned.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips

Accutane works. Some of the side effects suck, but it's definitely worth it.

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John

July 17, 2009

Pros:

Accutane WILL make your acne go away. I used Sotret. 40mg twice per day. In a few months, I had ZERO pimples on my face, chest and back. And I haven't gotten a pimple since then.

Cons:

I am an athlete, and I had joint pain in my hips and knees. But Advil took care of that. Also dry skin, and watch out for scarring. Do NOT pop any pimples while you are on accutane, you WILL get scars from it.

This product works. You may have to go another round or two afterward if your acne comes back.

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Elle

July 17, 2009

Pros:

It really works! I stopped breaking out entirely after the first month whereas the six years leading upon to me taking Accutane I NEVER had an entirely clear complexion-EVER.

Cons:

VERY dry lips-had Aquaphor on me at ALL times (home, office, purse, back-up supplies, etc) Inside of my nose somewhat dry, but a bit of vaseline on a Q-tip helped. Achy joints def a nuisance and VERY annoying, but not life altering.

I have been off Accutane 9 months, it's a miracle drug for me. I think bc my doc put my on 40 mg 2x day from day one to last day really helped clear my breakouts quickly, and stay gone. I have a friend whose doc changed her dosages up and down, she didn't have as good or swift results as me (but also didn't complain of the any side effects, either)-who knows if it was dosage or body chemistry though. I def. admit my joints were achy,it was far from pleasant, and the more physically active you are, the more you probably will notice it, but it was never so bad I needed to take pain meds, except when I went out jogging. I tried EVERYTHING (I had tears in my eyes when my dermatologist told me it was time for Accutane-I was so scared bc of all the horror stories) but it worked 100%. DON'T listen to the negative stuff-everyone has totally different experiences-if ur doc will prescribe-take it! It works! Ask ur doc if safe they can put/keep u on max dose possible if it's safe.

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Alex

July 16, 2009

Pros:

Excellent cleared skin.

Cons:

Dry lips, skin, some bleading through my nose and a little tired.

I've tried it all from proactive, Benzacline, Tazorac, Antibiotics however, this has been by far the best product I have ever used and on top of that has been the cheapest with ofcourse my BCBS insurance.This product works and I would highly reccomend, its worth the shot.I was tired of buying cream. I wasnt sure though at first since my doctor had me 40mg 2x a day but it worked for me A+ Product!!!

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Verified Customer82

July 15, 2009

Pros:

I finally for the first time in 23 years have beautiful, smooth, non oily skin with NO nodules or blackheads anywhere!

Cons:

The dried inside of your nose gets annoying, as well as really chapped lipped corners that feel like paper cuts. But other than that, nothing at all scary.

I wish I had just tried Accutane years ago instead of suffering and wasting so much money on every cleanser, cream, gel, and three piece kit from both the store and the dermatologist. My skin was at the point where nothing could control it, and even simple benzoyl peroxide made my pimples worse. Accutane dried up my beard of acne in the first three day, and despite a really, really tiny IB (it was barely an IB) the second week, the acne all disappeared and has not come back. I especially love how those annoying, purple little nodules all along my jaw FINALLY are gone; everything is so smooth! No serious side effects either, like headaches, hair loss and joint pain. Just dry nose/lips. And my dose was fairly high (60mg a day). I reccomend trying it; in the worst case just stop the pills if you see any serious side effects. But with insurance, it's only 5 bucks, and so life changing.

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Louise21

July 15, 2009

Pros:

My acne was completely gone within a month. I had cystic acne along both cheeks that caused much pain/embarrassment, and within two months had gorgeous, porcelain skin.

Cons:

I experienced EXTREME dryness and broke out in exema. My eyes were so dry I had to seal them closed with drops at night. It affected my vision-I saw double when reading and couldn't see properly at night. My hair also thinned/fell out.

I'm very glad I took it, but I don't know if I could do it again. My hair has still not grown back properly, though the vision has improved. I'm worried if I go on it again my hair will never grow back properly. My acne is also starting to come back (I finished accutane seven months ago) and I don't know what to do now. I would recommend it to people who are at their limit-it definitley works, and there will definitely be side effects. It depends on whether you think you can handle them or not. To me, getting clear skin was worth it. I was on 40mg/day for 3.5 months (I stopped early because I couldn't handle the side effects)

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Nick

July 15, 2009

Pros:

I tried all types of acne creams from the pharmacy and I've been to over ten dermatologists, also trying their prescribed medicines/ face washes/ creams and this is the only thing that worked. It's cheap and I've never felt better about my skin.

Cons:

None-- the doctor visits are nothing new to me since I've been to plenty, it is cheaper than all my other things I've tried, and although they say that you can get very dry lips and skin, thank god I've never experienced any of it.

If your doctor is willing to put you on it-- DO IT. If you've tried to get rid of your acne for a while and nothing has helped, do this! The blood tests and doctor visits are only for about six months and then for the rest of your life you never have to worry about your skin again! Imagine waking up in the morning without worrying about new pimples that showed up overnight... Imagine trying on clothes in the dressing room without seeing every pimple on your face so clearly... This medicine is a blessing and the confidence you feel after your skin clears up is unbelievable.

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