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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3.9
2787
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 27, 2009

Pros:

this stuff is the best thing that ever happen to acne, nothing is like it and i would recommend it to anyone with severe acne

Cons:

dry everything

Its a MIRACLE drug
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

I have had acne for 8 years now. This is the only medication which really works!! I love it! My skin looks great, even my deep red scars have almost disaapeared.

Cons:

Extremally dry lips.

Stop wasting your time and money for other medications. This is the ONE you are looking for.
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January 22, 2009

Pros:

Acne gets clearer and skin becomes really smooth after the pimples/ acne go away, less oily hair and skin

Cons:

Headaches, dry lips and skin, burn much easier

I have taken this for about 4 months now and i just absolutely LOVE it. I had moderate- severe acne on my chin mainly but it cleared it up in less than 2 months. I didn't get much of the side effects except for a few headaches though i don't know if that was due to Accutane or other things. The dry skin and lips can easily be maintained by using moisturisers and lip balms and using 30+ sunscreen. I = just totally LOVE Accutane and recommend people who have lost hope in getting clear skin to try it.
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January 19, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, boost in confidence.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips, mild muscle ache, monthly blood test, but still worth it.

I have been suffering from acne for many years now. Recently (for the past one year) my acne became very severe. I used to get huge red and painful cysts around my chin, jaw line and upper lip. Have tried every thing from otc to antibiotics. Nothing worked like accutane. I started noticing a difference after two week. My derm put me on antibiotic (bactrim ds) one month before I started accutane (40 mg)which I continued until one month of taking accutane, so total of two months. It helps with flare up that occurs with accutane in the first couple of months. I started noticing a difference in two weeks after taking accutane. Never had a new breakout after that. For dry lips I use aquaphor. Its the best! I am about to pick up my second prescription. I am very optimistic about it and hope that my acne will be cured. I really recommend it for anyone who is suffering from acne. This stuff is really good and it works. The side effects are not as bad as people say.
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January 13, 2009

Pros:

gave me confidence knowing that it would go away soon, very cheap with insurance, anddd stopped most my forming acne in its tracks

Cons:

dry @$$ lippsssss nd face, sore joints, flaky hair sometimes, and thats about it. but im in track and field, so when i run my ankles throb, and sometimes my legs also

cleared my blackheads right away from my nose, stopped backne, face is clearin up more and more as time goes by, im just anxious to finally be clear so i can be more social and interact with girls more ya diiiigggg
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January 11, 2009

Pros:

Works well - cleared EVERYTHING for finally flawless skin! Side effects were not bad and went away when doseage was lowered and after my course.

Cons:

For me, it took 11 months on the first course to finally stop getting cysts. Results lasted about 6 months after ending, now the oil is back and I'm breaking out again. Breakouts are higher in quantity than before, but less in severity (no cysts).

I'm starting a second course without reservation. I'd be willing to do a third course if needed. Prior to Tane, after being on years and years of RX topicals, oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, etc., nothing else cleared my skin. It's the only thing that worked and was a huge confidence booster to not feel embarrased by my bad skin all of the time.
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December 27, 2008

Pros:

Worked really well.... Have been off of it for about 4 months now...And still keeping my fingers crossed, that my acne will not come back..

Cons:

I was tired, moody, chaped lips, dry eyes, dry nose, and sometimes had a bloody nose...

Proactive does not work!!! Nor does any other acne medicine that I have tried.... I got my first pimple when I was 14 and wish I would of known about Accutane then.. I am now 23, and hope to keep my clear complexion, for the rest of my life....
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December 26, 2008

Pros:

VERY effective. Absolutely worth blood tests and dryness. Accutane changed my life for sure!

Cons:

Dry, cracked lips. Blood tests, and very expensive w/out insurance. I had mood swings also.

I had the worst acne before i went on accutane...and now my skin is completely clear! accutane is totally worth every blood test and every time you have to put on chapstick. i would definitely recommend accutane, especially if you are self-conscious about your acne.
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December 19, 2008

Pros:

It WORKS. Clears up acne. Within the first month or so I noticed I wasn't getting the BIG RED pimples that I used to get when breaking out. I'm on my 3rd month and get pimples rarely and they are fairly small.

Cons:

It took a couple months for me to really see drastic improvement. Lips are always chapped. I wake up, put chap stick on, drive to work, put chap stick on, go to eat, put chap stick on, etc. A little back pain.

If you want clear skin this is the stuff. I never have breakouts anymore, just an occasional pimple. My skin didn't get dried out as much as people had told me, but again, my lips are always dry. I noticed that my scalp needed more care due to some dandruff that formed the past few months. TAKE VITAMIN E ONCE EVERY MORNING. This helps with dry skin, believe me. Overall, nice product, it saved my social life.
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December 19, 2008

Pros:

clears up pretty well, gets rid of active acne, feel like help is on the way

Cons:

EXTREMELY, extremely dry lips, and the corners of my mouth got very bad, i got a lot of bloody noses too

I got off Accutane about a month ago. My active acne didn't go away until about the very end of my fifth and final month. I still have some scars but I think time will take care of them. Accutane was a pretty big commitment for me because I had to take monthly blood tests, take my pills everywhere i went because i took 2 a day. But the bottom line is it did it's job, event though they were definitely side effects. Active acne is very blatant and it feels good to know that all i have left are scars. If you are deciding whether or not to go on, i would recommend you do.
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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