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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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 21, 2009

Pros:

reduce oil dramatically,slow down possibility of new acene

Cons:

dry eyes and chapped lips

when i had the worst acene,the doctor recommended Isotretinoin to me,i tried it but afraid of its side effects. However i still insisted to use it for one year,i found my skin get better and the acene will almost not come to me. So i stopped taking it,two months after that,nightmare!,my acene came back again and become severe day by day. I feel desparately now and i am hestating if i should take it again to cure my acene.I am planning to marry my boyfriend this year and we won't refuse a child then.If i take it now,i will not be a reponsible mother. who can tell me what should i do?
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May 20, 2009

Pros:

less frequent breakouts, skin is much less oily, severity of breakouts is already improving.

Cons:

monthly blood tests (i hate needles)
the usual dry skin and chapped lips aren't too bad, but i have had severe joint and lower back pain. also, if not taken with food or milk, the medicine causes upset stomach.

The pros definitely outweigh the cons. If you take the medicine with yogurt, the stomach aches are completely manageable. I definitely recommend using a good face moisturizer and plenty of chapstick prior to, and during the course of treatment. Also, I've found that Neutrogena Gentle Face Wash (it's the one in the blue bottle) doesn't irritate the skin compared to other cleansers I've tried. Your skin will initially get worse before beginning to improve, just be prepared for that. The cons are mostly just nuisances that are completely manageable. It's totally worth it to put up with the few side effects.
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May 19, 2009

Pros:

Reduces oil so i can go all day without reapplying make up, stops me getting any spots, makes me feel more confident about my appearance.

Cons:

having to see derm every 4 weeks

I am on week 5 of my 20mg roaccutane course for moderate persistent acne on my face. I've tried everything from contraceptive pills to antibiotics and creams. Roaccutane is really working for me, my lips are a little drier but its nothing a little carmex every few hours doesnt fix and i apply e45 twice a day so my skin isn't bothering me. I would advise anyone starting roaccutane to moisturise with e45 twice a day for a few weeks before you start taking it and apply carmex lip balm to the lips a few weeks earlier too. Keep this up when you start taking the roaccutane as it has really helped me. One thing i have noticed though is i am drinking a lot more water than usual. I didnt get an initial breakout and i have only had 1 tiny spot since which disappeared after 2 days, my scars are starting to fade and my skin-which looked like someone had rubbed butter all over it after about an hour of washing-is now clean all day! Good luck everyone, i hope you have as much success as i am having.
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May 19, 2009

Pros:

been on this for 2 weeks and have had not 1 new spot in that time, i have zero side effects so far apart from constant belly ach, but if my skin stays spot free i will take the belly aches every day!!!

Cons:

none yet apart from stomach pain

seems to be working so far
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May 18, 2009

Pros:

Safe, Affordable, Documented Results

Cons:

Dry Lips & Nose

Currently in 5th month of treatment- I am a 44 year old male and this is the second time I have gotten treatment. Have always had to battle acne which I would rate as moderate. Had my first round of treatment back in my early 30's and it was very effective. Side affects back then were the same: dry lips, some back pain, ect. Absolutely NO depression, then or now. My 15 year old son is also taking accutance after starting to show signs of moderate acne. Did not want him to battle the way I did so he and I went into treatment the same time. He has dry lips ect- NO signs of depression and we are watching hiim closely. In my humble opinion it is not the medication that creates depression but rather a pre-existing condition with some patients who tend to be teenagers. Given the rigors of high school, not suprising.... Recommend accutane to anyone who is or has battled moderate to severe acne. Over the counter medications are not viable solutions and I have tried them all including Proactiv.
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May 17, 2009

Pros:

So far (43rd day). ALL blackheads pushed out within first month. Clearing skin very well. Havnt had ANYTHING big since started. WORKING.

Cons:

first 2 weeks kinda suck. Hair was really dry the first few weeks. Dry lips. Nothing too harsh my hair is good again.

43rd day. Ive gone from moderate(kinda M.S) to mild acne. Not amazing mild but like not many pimples at all. Jus a few scabs and redmarks from before.. My T-zone,nose, forehead, jaw, temple, mouth are PERFECT. I dont even have redmarks. The only remaining problem areas are my cheeks. Which it is jus mostly redmarks. Cheekbones still rnt going away. I figured they would take the longest. Im loving this product so far, side effects r exadurated. I was at the point where Id do ANYthing for clear skin. Im confident Ill be clear by the end of it.
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May 17, 2009

Pros:

-Made my severe acne in to beautiful skin
-Compliments!!
-Self-confidence restoration

Cons:

-Kind of expensive

As a teenager, I had severe acne problems. I went to the dermatologist for years, and he declared my acne as severe. It was so bad that NO acne treatments would respond, and no amount of makeup can cover my terrible acne. People often came up to me and told me that I need to see a doctor (yes it was that bad..it shattered my self-esteem)....and after a month of accutane treatment, everything started to clear up. After a few months, my skin became PERFECTLY clear and perfectly smooth and I mean PERFECT. Everybody started asking me if I was wearing make up, and I had NO visible pores on my face (Not exaggerating)! and people on the streets complimented on how good my skin looked. Now, I get occasional breakout before my period, but nothing too big...=) I love accutane. It saved my life, brought me self-confidence. yes, you will lose your hair, and you will become very dry (especially lips) but it's all worth it, trust me. It didn't make me suicidal, but I was happier.
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May 15, 2009

Pros:

reduces oil, improves texture of skin, simple to take

Cons:

Can be costly for some, I had a few side effects like lower back pain and nosebleeds

I am going into my third month on it and have seen little to no improvement in the actual break-outs! In fact, it got much worse in the first few months with them most painfull acne i have ever had. But the oil is greatly reduced and i don't have to constantly shlop on topical medications. Hopefully i will see improvements soon.
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May 14, 2009

Pros:

CLEAR SKIN!!!! This is the only important pro for me. But other pros are no more oily face and hair, make up stays put instead of dissolving after an hour.

Cons:

dry lips, skin and hair which can all be taken care of with good products.Severe fatigue and joint/muscle pain in final months of treatment.Can't go out in the sun for prolonged periods, even with sunscreen I got a rash and mild sunburn.

I noticed the side effect are worse in the last couple months of treatment, the fatigue was unbelievable, and I couldn't make it to the gym more then a couple times a week due to fatigue and severe muscle strain after going. However nothing was unbearable especially knowing the course of treatment ends after 5 months and the pros of clear skin definatly outweigh the cons in the end.
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May 13, 2009

Pros:

cleared my acne a little bit no more pimples just small ones i feel my face is better then before

Cons:

very dry skin ,dry eye,dry nose,redness ,slight knee pain ,everyone on accutane have to use a moisturizer to nose and skin and refresh drops to eyes

i had tried so many products like benzoyl peroxide ,salyclic acid , oral antibiotics and i didn't find any progress ,now i'm using accutane for my second month now i hope it can work cos life with acne is horrible noooooooo self confidence i hope it works for me and for everyone else.
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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