Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Results
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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3.9
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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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May 30, 2009

Pros:

clear skin & confedince

Cons:

dry lips, occasional dry skin, joint pain

I finished my accutane treatment of 6 months last month. IM CLEAR! during my treatment i still had a few breakouts especally around my period but nothing compaired to before. It does make ur skin worce right after u start, but within a month i had about two weeks where i was clear! Sure, im going to break out again but only like 2 pimples (maybe) around my period. TAKE THIS MEDICATION. i was so scarred to take it when i read the ppl saying it wouldnt work.
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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 29, 2009

Pros:

Saw immediate results, skin feels great

Cons:

dry lips, dry cheeks, and dry hands, and joint aches

It is the best thing I have used. I have tried everything, and this finally works! Even though the dryness and joint aches increase everyday, tylenol helps the aches and lotion and chapstick helps the dry areas. Other than that it is WONDERFULLLLLLLL!
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May 27, 2009

Pros:

amaazing results, cleared my skin up completely in 2-4 months, i didn't have to wash my hair as often as i had to before the drug, amazing skin!

Cons:

dry lips, make up didn't stay on my face one the dryness hit, and about a year after taking it, acne is starting to come back :(

great short (ish) term product for teenaged acne
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May 26, 2009

Pros:

It WORKS!!!!

Cons:

Dry lips, nosebleeds, dry rashes on the back of my hands. But nothing that is not manageable.

I am on my fourth month of accutane (40 mg-1 on odd days and 2 on even days) and my face has never been so clear. I am getting compliments on my skin and the comment 'something is different'. Cetaphil face wash and lotion worked great for me, I even started using it before I started to medication so my face would get used to it. The dry lips are taken car of by carmex every hour or more often, but it is worth it. Yes, the process is annoy and time consuming but once you get into the routine of the blood work, doctor visit, ipledge, the pharmacy it is not to bad.
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May 26, 2009

Pros:

Has completely cleared acne, only medicine that worked for me. Skin is smooth. No more acne breakouts.

Cons:

Very dry skin, some post hair loss,

as a last resort its amazing
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May 25, 2009

Pros:

Reduces oil output, removes any outward acne (i.e. bumps on the face), and basically improves your complexion 100%... amazing amazing results

Cons:

Dry skin while on the drug, increased sensitivity to the sun, heart palpitations (though I don't know if this was from the drug), dry lips, dry nose

The pros far outweight the cons. And even if the side effects were more dangerous, I would still recommend this product to people like me who just COULD NOT GO ON with damn acne. It ruins your social life, and if you have a bad self image it will drive you to suicidal thoughts. Accutane is the only drug and/or treatment on the market today that ACTUALLY gets rid of acne and ALL OF ITS PROPERTIES, including oily skin/hair, and breakouts. I used the product from January to May 2007, and two years later my skin is completely acne-free and there are no indications of any acne returning. DON'T LISTEN TO THE HATERS!!! Side effects are easy to deal with and even if you get bad side effects its STILL WORTH IT if acne is too much for you to handle in your life.
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May 25, 2009

Pros:

my acne was almost clear

Cons:

thickening of my eyelids

I had to go off of it due to a corneal ulcer. I have been off for 3 months and I still have tick swollen eyelids. Ive tried everything. steroid ointment, drops, hot and cold compresses. NOTHIN works! my doctor said it could be permanent. Ive been so depressed about it. I am more sefl concious about this than acne. I used to have almond shape eyes and now they look really weird! DONT TAKE THIS MEDICATION! its not worth it!!
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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 23, 2009

Pros:

About two weeks after I began taking Accutane, my skin began to clear up. Within two months, I didn't have a single blemish on my face save for a singular whitehead I got somewhere around my lips right before my period.

Cons:

I developed a moderate case of eczema on my arms, hands and back. After about month four, my eyes became so dry that I couldn't wear my contact lenses. My lips chapped until they blistered and bled.

I would highly recommend Accutane to anyone who has tried several less aggressive treatments and has not seen results. Although Accutane's drying side effects are not always pleasant, I feel that they are completely worth it. If you are diligent about moisturizing twice a day, the dryness isn't too bad (and my dermatologist was able to give me steroid cremes for my eczema). Although my prescription was a very affordable $10, all female patients are required to be on two forms of birth control (with one of them usually being the Pill), which adds to the cost. I normally picked up the two prescriptions together, paying a total of $45 a month.
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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