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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June 22, 2009

Pros:

My acne cleared immediately, no initial breakout. I began getting acne at 29 years old, and extremely oily skin cam along with it. I have been taking Sotret (generic) for almost nine months now, and I could not be happier!

Cons:

Sticky skin (when it is humid), occasional red face, DRY LIPS!

This is the only product that worked for me. I have tried everything OTC as well as prescription. I woke up one day with acne and oil (who knows why) and thus began my search for a cure. I went to all sorts of doctors to find out what happened, and it turns out that I just have acne! Do not mess around with topicals and lasers...they just waste your money and damage your skin. Be healthy while you take accutane, and all will be well!
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June 22, 2009

Pros:

decreased oil production, smaller pores, cleared acne and made scars fade

Cons:

sunburns, dry skin, dry lips, dry eyes, mild back pain, seeing the doctor every month for testing and a new prescription

This is my last resort acne treatment because I have tried every single prescription and over the counter acne therapy. I never had severe acne, but it was so stubborn. Nothing worked! Even things that cleared me a little made me so oily I didn't want to take them. I have been on accutane for 2 months now and already I see a big improvement. No more oily, yucky skin and hair. My pores look smaller because they're not filled with oil. Acne, red marks and blackheads are clearing up. A scar I have on my arm from surgery is fading dramatically. It's a great product! Only downside is the annoying dry lips and eyes, but constant moisturizing takes care of them.
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June 19, 2009

Pros:

Less oily skin, no more large, sore, pimples

Cons:

Fitting bloodtests into schedule, dry cracking lips, mild nosebleeds...

I have only been on it for 2 months now, and am just starting to see some REAL improvements. After about a month, my acne flared up a little bit, but is starting to get better now. It doesn't cost me anything (drug plan covers it all). And anyone who has tried different kinds of creams for your acne knows that it doesn't work very well, causes sever skin sensitivity, have to apply twice daily, blah blah blah.... Well accutane is a much easier treatment. Just a pill a day. That's all. The thing I like best about it is that it didn't seem to make my skin more sensitive at all. In fact, my face is far less sore than it has been in a while. My lips are very dry constantly, and I get the odd nosebleed but those are the only physical side effects so far. Hoping to see more improvement soon.
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June 19, 2009

Pros:

it works really well!

Cons:

upper back pain, nightmares, waking up in a sweat, moody

This does work really well if u can handle the cons
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June 18, 2009

Pros:

It really has cleared up my cystic acne that I've had since jr high. I agree with many people before in saying I can go out w/out makeup and feel ok. I should have done this years ago.

Cons:

Dry lips constantly. Body aches. Dry mucus membranes. Tiredness.

If you can afford this i would consider it. Keep your regular checkups and blood work to make sure you aren't having any bad side effects.
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June 16, 2009

Pros:

It worked when nothing else did. It has been 2 months after my 6 month treatment has ended and my skin is still clear and beautiful!

Cons:

Terrible skin dryness, frequent nose bleeds, chapped lips. Other side effects possible, but those are the main ones I experienced. Also, ipledge is extremely unpleasant to deal with. Especially for girls.

Accutane should only be used as a last resort. It worked for me extremely well, but the 6 month treatment period was EXTREMELY unpleasant. I tried many over the counter and prescription acne medications, but none of them seemed to work, so I finally resorted to accutane. I got my acne fairly late in life (around 19) and finally decided to try accutane at 23. According to my doctor, at this age there is a far far better chance of not needing any further treatments after the 6 month treatment because my hormones have become more stable than teenagers'. 2 months after treatment, I find this to be accurate. Dealing with 6 months of dry skin and chapped lips was pretty bad, but I found the ipledge program itself to be the most intolerable aspect. Monthly pregnancy tests and answering ridiculous questions before picking up my Rx is about the most insulting thing I can think of. However, it was far worth it all and I recommend it if nothing else has worked for you.
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June 16, 2009

Pros:

smoother skin, less redness and only 1 or 2 pimples

Cons:

small lines, dry lips, dry skin

Hi, I've been on roaccutane for 6 weeks now at a dosage of 30mg per day. I have very very mild acne, but all through my teenage life and adult life it came and went and used to flare up when I was really stressed. Now I am on roaccutane, it has improved a lot, but I am noticing small wrinkles around my eyes and on my forehead. I mosturise regularly. I have been recommended a six month course but want to stop around the 4th month. Don't want permenant wrinkles. What do I do? Does this medication really cause wrinkles?
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

no more acne!

Cons:

irritable bowel syndrome, nightmares

took accutane ten years ago when i was in high school. i was on the lowest dose for a little under a year. it worked miracles for my skin. and it has stayed clear ever since! the only side effect i had while on it was alot of REALLY scary nightmares. a year or two after taking it i started having stomach problems. i've been diagnosed with IBS which could have been caused by accutane. if someone had severe acne that didn't respond to any other treatments i would probably recommend taking this as long as they were well aware of the side effects, some of which can be long term
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

It cleared up everything & it gave me back my confidence.

Cons:

It made my acne way worse during the first couple months & i had to take it for about 6 months & too much blood word & my side effects were: really dry lips, gave me some kind of rash on my arms and hands for a couple weeks, my skin was too dry.

Well. I had the worst acne ever, it was actually grose, i was afriad to show my face to anyone. So then i took this. My acne was even worse when i first took it, then it started getting better around the 4th month. Anyways i been off my accutane for about 9 months now but you know what, im starting to get my acne back :( & apperantly once you took it it cleared your skin forever...
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June 12, 2009

Pros:

Significantly decreased oil production. Cleared all acne and blackheads. Skin is radiant. Fine lines/wrinkles diminished. Hair is less oily. Only thing that worked for body acne (back/chest.) Before accutane I tried EVERY product/med out there!

Cons:

Chapped lips. Blood tests a little inconvenient.

I am now on my second course of accutane (had acne on my back that returned.) I have to admit I had NO side effects other than chapped lips. No horror stories of thinning hair, mood swings, back pain, nosebleeds, anything like that. I only wish I had taken it in high school! One tip - I had lower back pain when I first started but figured out it was due to the vitamins I was taking. You should not take vitamin A while on this medication, as the overdose will cause joint/back pain. Now, instead of a multivitamin I take separate vitamin d, vitamin c, calcium and fish oil supplements. Fish oil definitely helps with the dryness. Also Aquaphor for the lips. Highly recommend accutane!
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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