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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February 15, 2009

Pros:

Not too bad side affects.

Cons:

The first few weeks got really sick and was super dry.
The rest is just cracked lips and bloody noses.
Supposedly gets worse than better.

I just finished my second month, on a 5 month treatment. I pound down 80mg a day. I have severe acne around my jaw, upper back, shoulders, and dead center of my chest. I have moderate acne on my forhead, temples, and upper arms. Since then its only gotten worse. Yet I'm only on my 3rd month. It just sucks because I pay alot for it, I deal with the side affects, and my acne hurts, peels, bleeds, and pops like an s.o.b. I really hope it doesn't come back once its gone like other users have said above and below me.
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February 14, 2009

Pros:

It works, I've tried for 4 years to get rid of my acne and nothing worked. I've tried everything from putting morning urine on my face to Tetracyclines. This is the only thing that worked.

Cons:

Expensive without insurence, bowel changes, dry skin and chapped lips. I got back pains for about 4 days but they went away quickly.

I love Accutane.. It was the drug that saved my face from further damage. Insurence covered almost all of the costs with accutane also. The side effects can be dangerous but are mild and rare especially when compared to other medicines such as Septra. My acne has been clear for an entire year and shows no sign of comming back as of yet. The side effects such as dry skin and bowel changes go away gradually after 2-3 months. I really recamend you consult your doctor before you consider accutane though. Use it only if nothing else works.
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February 13, 2009

Pros:

Accutane works really well. it helped me a lot but read my cons

Cons:

it is dangerous. it gave me headaches, diarhea/ boul change, sleepiness, blured vision and SEVERE back pain. i took it for 2 months and stopped 4 months ago and my back still hurts. i hate it.

dont buy it. it may be worth it but there is a 80% chance youll get a side effect. i have looked everywhere and talked to many doctors and thay said it is VERY rare to get a side effect.
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February 11, 2009

Pros:

cleared my skin for about a year

Cons:

a lot of my hair fell out, my acne is back is might even be worse than before

When I was on accutane and for months after I thought it was God sent. My skin was perfect. My acne has always been mild, I'll always have a few pimples on my face and my skin is oily, but it was never severe. However, I was fed up with constant blemishes and begged my mom to let me get on accutane. About 4 or 5 months after i got off my hair started falling out, and it persisted for about 3-4 months. My hair got so much thinner all for good skin. While my hair has been getting thicker, I don't know if it'll ever be the same. It's been a little over a year since it began falling out. And about 8 months after I got off accutane my acne came back, and now its been a year and a half and my acne is even worse and persistent. I have heard really good experiences but this was mine and it was horrible. Really think about what you're willing to sacrifice for possible clear skin.
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February 11, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne beautifully. Easy to use.

Cons:

Took 6 months to clear, monthly bloodtest and Dr. Visits. Nose bleeds and some mild joint pain, and fatigue. Acne returned 5 months later, though not quite as severe.

I had great skin for about 5 months, then the acne started all over again, though not as bad. Now doing retinoid and oral antibiotic for 3 months, then possible accutane
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February 11, 2009

Pros:

I'm on my third month and my face is glowing! I dont regret taking acctuane at all. Even my hair which annoyed me as it got greasy so easily (had to wash 2 times in a day if I was going out in the evening). Now my hair stays clean and so does my face

Cons:

I've had mental problems as long as I can remember. I didn't think about getting depressed again because I was so quite normal/happy before accutane. Now I feel depressed, it's silly as my face is so much better and I should be happy! But just can't.

I DO NOT REGRET this at all. I'd do it again if it needs. My knees hurt when I do pilates and got headaches randomly but they all passes away. I was practically sh*tting my self becase I was so scared to start this accutane course, but to my surprise they are not that bad. I mean, I will survive this like everything else. I'd just hoped I would've started taking this years ago! Altho my depression returned, I still got a good support from my friends and therapist. If you're cutting your social life becase your face, take accutane if nothing else works. It's really worth it. A miracle drug for me. Still got roughly 3 months to go and I take 40mg/a day (or just 20mg if feel really dry, doctor's advice).
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February 11, 2009

Pros:

After many years of trying carious products and being very self concious about my skin, Accutane was the only product that ever worked for me. I was on it for 6 months and now almost a year later i have not experienced more than the occasional zit.

Cons:

Dry skin, chapped lips. Also, for women you are required to take birth control and have pregnancy test every month which can be expensive and tiresome.

Definetly worth it.
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February 10, 2009

Pros:

No more acne!

Cons:

everything just gets really dry

Let me just start by saying- I waited for 2 years sifting through all of these stupid forums waiting for my skin to clear. I (as I am sure many of u have) took every single other type of pill besides accutane, all of which never worked. Acne made me lose all of my confidence....Then I took accutane The first two months I saw absolutely nothing The third month my skin got a little better but not really noticably to anyone but me The fourth month my acne literally stopped. I havent popped/seen a pimple in 2 weeks. It was such an amazing feeling from someone who has had acne for so long. Now please, dont envy me- just get accutane- it really was a miracle and was very cheap for me. DO IT- stop wasting ur time on forums and get ur skin clear so u can get with people and have confidence MYTHS DISBARRED 1. Accutane doesn't make u moody- it gives u a reason to let urself get moody. Dont fall into that trap 2. U can still drink on accutane (i did) u just get drunk qui
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February 9, 2009

Pros:

My skin has never looked better - acne is a thing of the past

Cons:

I'm still on a low dose after 9 months, you're lips do get very dry, the risks to children I may choose to have later, given the side affects while on the drug scares me a little.

At 32, with acne that appeared in my early 20's and never seemed to get better for long, I think it's a god sent. I wish that I'd been prescribed it when I was younger believing that the scaring I now have would have been signifcantly reduced. The side effects are scary but if handled in a responsible manner - the results make the risk well worth it.
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February 8, 2009

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Didn't change anything - still cysts, acne, pimples, extremely oily skin

Accutane didn't improve anything. Just because it's considered a "last resort" doesn't mean that it is a miracle cure. Far from it! I witnessed absolutely no visible improvement. I still have cysts, acne, pimples, and extremely oil skin. You may be one of the lucky ones to have improvement, but Accutane is useless for me. Following Dan's regimen and advice loosely has resulted in better management of a permanent, life-long acne condition.
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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