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 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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15.5%
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7.3%
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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 5, 2009

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

dry lips/arms, eyes
tiredness
breakouts when switching doses

I'm on my final course of it, just started again. I absolutely love it. Was actually able to not wear makeup when going outside. major plus!! I noticed that during the couple of months in between my hair started falling out alot and my nails were really brittle and kept breaking. but i went on pre-natal vitamins and that all went away. I'm not too excited to go back to the sporatic breakouts, but hopefully now that i can kinda wear less foundation everyday that will help. But i totally recommend it, the results cannot be beat!!
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May 29, 2009

Pros:

Clear Skin, better hair

Cons:

Dry lips, peeling skin, back aches

I love love love it! It was the only thing that ever worked for me. It has made me so more confident and happy. My skin was perfect for a while, but after about 4 months (after finishing my course) I started to get a few SMALL pimples here and there so I re-started using retin-a. Accutane is worth every nose bleed and cracked lip. I have to wash my hair less, and it's wierd but my feet don't smell anymore, and I don't even get BO anymore. My body acne is 100% gone. I think every teen should get a perscription from their 13th birthday or something. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain!
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May 24, 2009

Pros:

oil greatly reduced on skin, no more body acne what so ever

Cons:

price, dry lips and skin, stomach pains

been using this for 3 months now. im still getting break outs but they are becoming less severe. i used to get spots on by back and shoulders but they have completely disappeared. hopefully my skin will start to improve more soon but it will take time! have had no other side effects apart from dryness and stomach pain once in a while i.e no depression, fatigue etc... hopefully it will "cure" my acne so i wont have to go on the treatment again in years to come
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May 8, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my SEVERE acne from my face, back, neck, shoulders and chest...the side effects for me were not that bad and completely manageable. Long term improvement. Helps with scarring.

Cons:

Dry nose, occasional nosebleed, dry eyes, some flaking. Acne is here again

It worked for me 19 years ago and I will do it again in a heartbeat given the opportunity. I'm going to the derm next week and hoping and praying he will prescribe it for me as nothing else has worked
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May 5, 2009

Pros:

NO OIL! My hair was even oil free!! At the end of my day, instead of feeling like my face was wet with oil, it was perfectly dry, like I had just put my make-up on! Also clears skin! :)

Cons:

Dry skin, making make-up look silly on your face. Redness at first, and of course dry/chapped/peely lips. Everything pretty much dries up on you, but I can deal with those things, if I can deal with acne!

This is my second time on the medication. First time took 4 months before I got results, it made me break out terribly, and it was the most painful acne I had ever had. But it cleared me up, it like took all the acne that was under the surface, and brought it all up at once. About 6 months after being off accutane, acne started coming back, not as bad, but still bad to where I always had like 4 pimples on my face at a time. Been on it 6 days so far, and already getting dry and red, but i know it works, so I am hopefull! Also I have good insurance, and only have to pay a copay of $15 for the med. Without insurance the cash price of 40mg twice a day, was listed as $720...that's only a months supply too (and it's normally a 6 month course)..Even though I know it works, I don't know if I could afford it without insurance.
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March 17, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up the acne

Cons:

Dry, peeling and cracking skin on my face, hands and scalp

It worked right away on the acne on my face, neck and back but one of the main reasons I wanted to get rid of my acne was to get rid of the scaring and hyper-pigmentation on my skin. Now it's worse than it's been in years because of the peeling and cracking. Also, I've had terrible dandruff since I started this stuff four months ago. I'm just really hoping that my skin will calm down next month after I go off this stuff and I'll be clear and not so dry.
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March 4, 2009

Pros:

It clears up your skin

Cons:

Some bad breakouts, flaky skin, chapped lips, f**ked joints, can't drink on the medication

Acutane all though it's hell to go threw while your on it, really does leave ur skin nice and clean after, you just have to cope with it which i know is really hard to do at times. There were times i hated being on this drug, but now im off im glad. I had mild acne now, I took this product from march last year to july .
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February 27, 2009

Pros:

Completely cleans up your skin. Fantastic.

Cons:

Dry Lips, Dry Nose kind of and a Red Face for a while after the drug, but to be hones that's all I experienced... Pretty good huh?

This is worth taking... I would even recommend it to people with moderate acne...you want to catch it why its early, you don't want scarring, trust me. Its a miracle drug. It changed my life.
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February 25, 2009

Pros:

got rid of acne completely. no side effects... at all

Cons:

sometimes dry lips in the beginning.

i took accutane for 5 months at the maximum dose. i am 21 and have had acne for like 5 years. the last couple years have been a little rough though. not cystic, but not healthy either. i have tried pretty much every topical and oral there is. some of them worked for a while and some didnt work at all. i got on accutane 5 months ago and have had no major side effects. i had dry lips for the first month, but after getting the carmex sticks that went away. i also got the occasional bloody nose, but that subsided too. today is my last day and i have not had a zit or anything for a couple months id say. bottom line is, go into it cautious but there really is nothing to worry about until there is something to worry about.
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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