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®)
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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 8, 2009

Pros:

Permanent results.... literally destroyed my acne. Suffered no depression as a result of use whatsoever.....which suprised me as I have been diagnosed with depression in the past and spent years on prozac before i recovered.

Cons:

The dry lips i suffered looked just as horrible from a cosmetic point of view as the acne did. This was the reason i stopped using the medication early.

I took accutane for 2 months which is not as long as most dermatologists would recommend. There are pros and cons. As I stated earlier, the dry lips were VERY severre. My lips literally crusted over to such an extent that I felt I looked like a clown with big lips. Now that I'm off the drug however I cant say enough good things about it. I stopped taking the drug 3 months ago and my acne still hasnt come back. It has totally cleared up. I continued to drink heavily while on the drug and suffered no liver damage (I do NOT recommend this, it was irresponsible of me and is very dangerous!) I would recommend that high school students who are self concious about their appearence use it over the summer when they wont be in school. If you are self concious about your appearance, the dryness that occurs may temporarily damage your self esteem.
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February 7, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my acne. It really is a miracle drug!

Cons:

very verryyy dry, cracked lips. Also reallyyy dry skin. My skin would constantly flake off. Also I experienced some hair loss and depression/ terrible mood swings.

Although the side effects were strong and really do suck its worth it in the end! My skin looks great! Friends that I have now don't believe that I once suffered from acne because my skin is clear 99 percent of the time.. Only when I am pmsing do I get one or two pimples. But they are pretty small in size and go away within a few days.
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February 3, 2009

Pros:

My skin cleared up very progressively and I was feeling so much more confident with 2 months.

Cons:

I had awfully dry and ripped lips, ripped skin, I got nose bleeds and at stages while I was on my highest dose I got very depressed which affected me and everyone around me so my dose was cut in half.

If you are someone who is an extremely emotional person at heart beware depression is most likely going to be a side effect for you 4 or 5 months into the treatment but if you are the opposite to this the only side effects you will most likely experience is the dry skin which trust can be a nightmare! My skin has never been better after 7 months.
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February 2, 2009

Pros:

It clears up acne for most people.

Cons:

I had very dry skin. Woman have to be on the pill. I think I also had a few nose bleeds.

Over the past 4 years I've had two rounds of accutane, and my acne is starting to come back again. My dermatologist said that it just doesn't work for some women. It worked wonders for my brother and my fiance, and his brother who all had severe acne.
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January 31, 2009

Pros:

In about a month my skin was already clearing up. And at the end of the 5 months i was on it, it cleared up completly. After i finished taking it, i hardly ever broke out, and if i did, it would just be one and by the end of the day it was gone.

Cons:

Dry lips, and skin, and extremly terrible back pains. which i still get till this day. and every month you have to have blood tests done and go to the dermatoligist.

It was pretty amazing how it just cleared my skin completly. i had been on antibiotics since i was 11 and finally resorted to taking accutane when i was 17. i had acne all over my cheeks, forehead and chin.Accutane kept me clear for about 2 years. but over the past year i started breaking out again and the past 4 months i have had it come back bad. regardless of my acne coming back, it felt great to know and remember what it was like to have clear skin for the past two years.
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January 31, 2009

Pros:

my severe boil like pimples are gone, and my self esteem is back!

Cons:

thinning dry hair, abdominal pain. severe fatigue, body rashes, dry red eyes, chapped lips, high cholesterol. without insurance it can be costly. (monthly blood tests and doctor visits) you also have to be on birth control (and use condoms)

My skin started looking more clear after the second month. After four months my severe acne was totally gone. I was on the medicine for five moths total. The side effects mostly have gone away. My thinning hair is growing back, but my cholesterol is still high, this could be genetic though. I am 24 years old and I didn't develop acne until one year ago. My doctor said the success rate is higher if you are in your 20's, or later. This drug has changed my life for the better! I have been off the medicine for six months now, and I haven't obtained a single pimple since. The cure rate has been reported to be as high as 80 %.
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

seem to be on the road to clear skin, less oily hair, reducing pore size, all the clear little bumps on face gone

Cons:

DRY Lips, initial break out, back and ankle pain

I am in my 3rd month of accutane. Honestly I though I'd be clear by now, but it is a lot better. My 2nd month was the worst. I only have 2 or 3 pimples right not, not cysts. I think its honeslty starting work. I no longer have blackheads or little clear bumps. I'm starting to get compliments on my skin. Hopefully by next month I'll be completlely clear. I def have severe chapped lips, aquaphor! My skin isn't too dry, cetaphil is great. My back and ankles hurt constantly though. I'm very weak. After 10 years of acne its worth it. I started on 40 mg once a day and am now on 60 mg (20 in am and 40 at pm). good luck to everyone , I think its going to work.
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

An amazing product

Cons:

Dry, chapped lips, dry hair, nosebleeds, sun sensitivity

WOW!! For me, Roaccutane was a last resort. After years of trying antibiotics, Differin and over the counter products, Roaccutane was the only thing that worked. Had to be referred to a dermatologist by my GP who ordered regular liver function tests. Very affordable as it is on the Pharmacutical Benefits Scheme. Price went down from $150 per month to $7 per month with brand name Roaccutane.
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

This medication worked so well after I first took it. My skin cleared and looked great for a year or two.

Cons:

Unfortunately, I've taken it 3 times--each time my acne (cystic) came back. It did not give me permanent relief. After each course the less success I had. Joint pain/slow skin healing long after I was done taking accutane.

Torn. Worked great at first and felt wonderful when my skin cleared. Unfortunately each time my acne came back and just as bad (cystic all over face). My skin still breaks out ALL the time. It takes forever for even the tiniest zit to heal (always have red marks for weeks after the tiniest zit-whether i pick at it or NOT!!). My skin is very particular/sensitive to everything. I think my skin doesn't look as vibrant or nice as it could. I still have very dry lips ALL the time and my skin isn't as elastic or fresh looking. I have knee pain quite often and I feel it is a permanent side effect from the medication (never have had knee injuries). So, loved it when my skin looked good--but hate that it didn't last. I'll never look good a day in my life.
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January 29, 2009

Pros:

cleared my face (THANK GOD!!)

Cons:

VERY expensive, I have great insurance and I still paid $350! very dry face, with flaking, my skin started to flake around my piercings, gross! Dry lips, bloody nose, dry scalp, dryness in corner of lips.

The first 5 days I used it my acne started to clear, it was great, then the following 5 days my face started to break out, and actually ended up looking worse than it did before I started. I was almost ready to give up, but I stuck it out and after about a week to a week and a half of bad break outs I finally started to clear up. The most annoying part was that I couldn't wear make up because it looked so bad with my skin flaking. I think I applied chap stick at least every hour because my lips would absorb it so fast. If you can apply a lot of lotion, chap stick and moisturizer, and use a hydrating shampoo, (I had good luck with head an shoulders, and it smells good too!) then I would recommend this medication, you just have to have a lot of patience and tolerance for that matter.
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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