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

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March 7, 2009

Pros:

I began having acne at 15 on my face, back and chest. It continued heavily for 8 years. I got desperate and took this medicine at 23 for six months. I'm now 35. It cleared up my skin beautifully. ResuIts have lasted. Oil production diminished

Cons:

Moisturize, moisturize. Wear zinc oxide to protect your skin from the sun. It will burn and get dry easily, but it's so worth it.

Even if your acne doesn't clear up right away, don't get discouraged. It is so worth it. At first my acne got worse for about a month. By the third month I wasn't getting any new pimples. I continued the entire treatment and have no problems with acne today. Everyone reacts differently but I had no side effects and am very pleased with the results. Thank you so much Accutane!
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

it should get rid of my acne hopefully!!! i live in UK so ithe treatment was free for me!!!

Cons:

Well I have got really really dry skin on face its really bad worse than having acne. With skin peeling on face and dry lips. Burning skin.

I am on 60 mg each day. My skin is peeling on my face really dry skin and dry lips. I am on my second month but cant's see any difference apart from a new spot!!! My skin gets red and burns. Don't know if it will work for me as I have been trying other tables and lotions, creams and now on this tablet. But nothing ever worked all prescribed by my Doctor around 2 years and finally referred me to the dermatoligists.
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Really did clear up my skin after years of trying every over-the-counter and prescription pill, topical cream, birth control, etc.

Cons:

Very dry skin (good for me because I was so oily); too many side effects; acne came back after 2-3 years

DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!! I tried everything under the sun before resulting to accutane. And although it cleared up my skin for 2-3 years, my acne came back. I was ready to start accutane again about 5 months ago, but a doctor visit for tailbone pain brought me down from that could QUICKLY. A narrowing in my small intestine was found on a CT scan, and I am currently undergoing more testing to confirm that i have Crohn's disease, an uncurable disease that affects the GI system. A common cause of Crohn's Disease?? ACCUTANE. It's not worth it to get rid of the acne. There are other ways to get rid of it, even if it's only temporary. The accutane is also only temporary. The life-long health issues that are to follow are not worth it.
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin up fast!

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry skin.

I've been on accutane now for only about 2.5 weeks, and my face has already dramatically cleared up! I take 40MG once a day. So far the only side effects I've experienced are the chapped lips and dry skin... no big deal. It's nothing a little moisturizer won't take care of. If you have any acne at all (whether severe or not), THIS IS THE DRUG TO TAKE. Don't even bother messing around with proactiv or any other over the counter treatments, those all suck. They're just a waste of money. Don't let all the side effects mentioned in other reviews scare you. My dermatologist told me that he's prescribed accutane thousands of times, and has never seen any serious problems.
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March 5, 2009

Pros:

gets rid of acne, hair is less greasy, pores smaller, and skin is so smooth!

Cons:

chapped lips

AMAZING! don't let the warnings put you off. I tried everything for years, and had to spend so much time on my face before this. any makeup and cream would make me break out! now i only wash with a gentle cleanser and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and im good to go. seriously try it..i've been on it for about 4 months, and so many people have complimented me on my skin.
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March 5, 2009

Pros:

It definitley kept me clear for about 6-8 months, not worrying about the way your skin looks is great!

Cons:

Joint pain, extreme dryness, overall fatigue (you dont feel like yourself), I wound up getting Viatamin A toxicity (really dangerous) and was bed bound for a week or so.

Isotetrioin (Accutane) works.... for most people. If you have tried everything definitley push for it. Make sure you fully complete the treatments... my acne came back beacause I only made it a month. Don't be afraid to try it, but be well aware of the risks... like permanent joint damage, hair falling out, long-term systemic reactions. They use this stuff to treat malignant melanoma (skin cancer) in some cases, so dont take it lightly. Respect it and definitely think about it before you use it. Really ask yourself the question "Is my acne really bad enough to use this stuff?".
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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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March 3, 2009

Pros:

amazing skin! clear. small pores. smooth as a babies butt.
less anxiety about break outs. increased self esteem. all smiles

Cons:

dry lips and achy joints. easily dehydrated.
annoyed at times that you have to take it twice a day but so worth it!

i took this drug with 20 mg of prozac to help with signs of depression. it helped me so much and made the entire treatment easier for me. it was a last resort for me to take accutane i had tried everything with my doctor and my acne was increasingly getting worse over time. Beginning to scar and taking a toll on my self worth.
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March 2, 2009

Pros:

clearer skin. the acne that does come up goes away in a day or two.

Cons:

dry skin, nose, lips. some joint pain, but worth it so far.

If you are willing to take the step then do it, it has made my confidence go up and even though I have not been on it for a long time, i already fill that it is worth it.
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March 2, 2009

Pros:

Gets rid of acne but comes back

Cons:

Leaves very bad scarring. Skin gets much worse in the beginning (ie. large cysts and pustules)

I've used accutane when it wasn't really necessary. My acne was very very mild and what ended up happening was it left scars all over my face. I regret ever being introduced to Accutane in the first place. I am Korean and have very sensitive skin that is prone to scarring. If I had known accutane would leave these permanent marks on my face, I would have thought twice about using it. I am now undergoing scar treatment. For Asians out there, be careful with this. If your skin is sensitive, ask your doctor if this is right for you. Spironolactone works much much better! :)
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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