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.

 [more]
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:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
November 26, 2008

Pros:

Completely cleared the acne on my face, chest, and back and left my skin smooth. Also, my hair isnt greasy anymore

Cons:

Very dry lips-words cannot describe! pretty much everything is very dry, especially in fall/winter. Blood work was also a pain. OH and DONT get anything, such as your eyebrows waxed!

Although there may seem like a lot of risks, and its a long and tedious process, it was really worth it. The first few months are tough, but from there on out its pretty good! If you stuggle with bad skin, you should definetly give accutane a try!
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 19, 2008

Pros:

amazing

Cons:

horrible side effects

I had severe acne for about 4 years, all through high school and it was tough. I started taking accutane and i had weird side effects, but mainly my nose was so dry. I have been off of accutane for about 3 years and haven't had any trouble with acne ever since. its definitely worth it. i didn't have to pay for mine because i was living at home and my parents paid for all that stuff, but i would say it is worth it even if you have to work 2 jobs to pay for it. trust me.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 23, 2008

Pros:

It works...

Cons:

dry lips, nosebleed

i wish i had taken this medication much earlier.. my prescription is 20mg a day for a year... i'm nearly on my 5th month now... those cystic acne is finally coming out... it looks like this med pushes the junks out of the skin... and those white heads and blacks heads stopped forming.. very happy with the results.. doctor said.. it's gonna get rid of my acne forever.. i doubt it.. but i hope for it
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 23, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my acne for good

Cons:

Dry lips and skin

After many years during which I despaired because of my acne and after all external treatments that I had previously tried failed, my doctor recommended for me to use accutane. I read all of the negative side effects that accutane can cause, but decided to try it and stop if I saw any of these side effects occuring. After using a a low dosage of accutane (talk to your doctor about what is right for you) over a long period of time, changes started to happen. My skin cleared up, and now, two years after being off it, my acne has not come back. I have single pimples like any other person, but no acne and I am completely happy. Get medical check ups for your liver regularly, take the right amount of the medication, watch out for side effects and HAVE PATIENCE, and you will see results. I also saw absolutely no effect of accutane on my mental health while I was taking it for a year. Don't get discouraged if you see no changes after one or two months. Leave it some time. Good
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 23, 2008

Pros:

did clear acne !!finsihed course,, a few days ago!!skin looks better compared before acne.

Cons:

Leaves red marks behind!!great memeories of the acne torment.Mood swings , depressed a lot !!chapped lips

works quite well, leaves red marks, leaves you with attitude problem for a while !!worth it I suppoose
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 5, 2008

Pros:

It hopefully will cure me...it's gettin better each week! No oil on skin!

Cons:

Dry lips. Few nose bleeds.

My light acne was very persistent...I tried everything. It worked for a while, then it came back. I'm 24 yo male,who is tired of getting acne all the time. It's time to end it.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 30, 2008

Pros:

Seemed to work great at first, after around 3-4 months of the accutane the acne was cleared up almost completely.

Cons:

The acne came back. Had to do another course of accutane. Very dry lips and hands.

The acne has reoccurred again. I don't know that we will do any more. It seems like the best cure for most. Unfortunately not for me.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 30, 2008

Pros:

accutane cleared up my face completely.

Cons:

it left my lips a wreck even with chapstick

it does the job just as it should but be prepared to suffer the side effects
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 28, 2008

Pros:

Only been a week but have had comments already about better complextion

Cons:

so far dry lips, sore eyes ,
light headache & some upper back/neck pain

Had light to moderate acne including shoulders/back & chest thats been VERY persistent since teens . ive had good & bad weeks were i didnt want to go out ! tried over the counter stuff including Minomycin and Erothomycin worked someout but never did the job & the usual array of products face washes, creams, even diet. ive heard great things about liver cleansing which when done right will help regulate and correct hormone release and ultimately reduce oil production = less acne . BUT time consuming & doesnt happen overnight. so far ive had light headache and dry lips and some upperback / neck pain but nothing dramatic. must say i was scarred out of my mind when i read alot of the sideffects , like most im desperate for good / clear skin, make sure youve tried other treatments before going on this , it shouldnt be a light decision. id suggest monitoring your symptoms (write a weekly log) & tell family/friends your on it so they can give you feedback t
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 27, 2008

Pros:

clears skin, hair doesnt get oily, skin isnt oily.

Cons:

dry lips

this has really helped my skin to improve, the side affects are very minor and easily tolerated, i have not felt depressed or anything. my eyes do get dry in the afternoon/night. my complexion has cleard and i dont have any pimples, i still have a few blackheads, with a month left on the medication. it can get annoying not being able to go in the sun without sun screen, but the pros outweigh the cons by far. im really happy with the results ive been seeing, for the first few weeks my skin was sorta red, luckily that was during the holidays.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 119 120 121 122 123 … 212
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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