Isotretinoin (Accutane®)

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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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Gemma

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne completely for two years. Was able to go make up free and was once complimented for having naturally gorgeous skin.

Cons:

Acne came back (although not as cystic/exception of a few breakouts) . Thinning hair, thinning skin (shins almost see through, vein under the eye), not being able to drink alcohol for 4 months while at uni, dry lips.

If you are considering Accutane think VERY carefully as it could leave you with more issues than you started with. I took it aged 21 for moderate/severe cystic acne and if I could go back in time I wouldn't do it again. Yes it completely cleared my skin for 2 years, but as a result I am left with fragile, thin skin which scars so easily. I am now ashamed of my once gorgeous dancers legs because they look like a road map of England. The skin has thinned so much on my shins that they are veiny. And now at 25 my hair is starting to thin and my acne is back with a vengance (cystic on my cheeks and jawline, VERY PAINFUL and TOTALLY CONFIDENCE CRUSHING). I also had Microdermabrasion and IPL to treat the acne, which if I had the money I would definitely do again. I am starting on Retin A Micro on Saturday as I am very interested in the supposed anti-aging benefits. If it clears me up then great. If not I will be saving for NLite. I don't hold out much hope though. Acne is pretty te

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Squiid

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Cleared skin completely, amazing confidence boost!

Cons:

Dry lips and sensitive skin. Cholesterol raised.

It is SO worth it; I took it once when I was 15, 4'11'' and 100 (yes. I am extremely small) and it cleared my skin so quickly! As they say, it gets worse before it gets better, but my initial breakout was extremely small to what I was expecting. Muscle pain in the first few weeks while my body was getting used to it and dry lips for the whole 5 months and a few afterwards. NO other side effect whatsoever. My acne came back a few months afterwards, worse than before (which is rare) and I am going into my second round of Accutane. Even though the acne came back and is worse the confidence and self steam it gave me remained, I am so glad I went on it! Insurance covered most of it;

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Cris

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Acne gets clearer and skin becomes really smooth after the pimples/ acne go away, less oily hair and skin

Cons:

Headaches, dry lips and skin, burn much easier

I have taken this for about 4 months now and i just absolutely LOVE it. I had moderate- severe acne on my chin mainly but it cleared it up in less than 2 months. I didn't get much of the side effects except for a few headaches though i don't know if that was due to Accutane or other things. The dry skin and lips can easily be maintained by using moisturisers and lip balms and using 30+ sunscreen. I = just totally LOVE Accutane and recommend people who have lost hope in getting clear skin to try it.

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John

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin as advertised, boosted confidence, brighter outlook, no active acne!

Cons:

Dry lips are biggest problem, dry skin i found to be manageable with a good moisturiser, blood checks are a slight hassle

The decision to go on Accutane was a big one. I had tried everything, and had pretty bad acne, but had heard al the whispers and warnings about accutane and was a bit worried. I did my research, as someone reading may be doing right now, and chose to go on it. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAVE EVER MADE. I wholeheartedly reccommend accutane to anyone who has moderate to severe acne, or is at all emotionally affected by their acne. My acne has cleared, and I feel amazing! I had a six month course of 40 mg daily. Glaxall base moisturiser is perfect, and using this on yours lips with vaseline over it did amazing work for dry lips. The second month was my "IB", though it wasn't especially bad. Knowing it will get better gives you confidence. By the fourth month I was noticeably better, and by the fifth month I was all but clear. For months after I was completely clear using only Spectro-Jel. I now have a couple pimples, but there barely anything. Accutane is amazing. Please

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Nicelymixed

January 21, 2009

Pros:

Works great. Positive results after only 2 weeks. I used it in high school and my face stayed clear for about 8 years. I just had a baby 5 months ago and my acne flarred up again so I am back on accutane. I am now on my second month of treatment.

Cons:

Very dry lips and scalp. Skin on face/neck/scalp are very sensitive and breaks easily.

If you have any issues with moderate to severe acne, get on this medication. I have used it before and it works wonders!! It is well worth the time and money. I totally gained more self-confidence knowing that I had clear skin.

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Sonia

January 19, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, boost in confidence.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips, mild muscle ache, monthly blood test, but still worth it.

I have been suffering from acne for many years now. Recently (for the past one year) my acne became very severe. I used to get huge red and painful cysts around my chin, jaw line and upper lip. Have tried every thing from otc to antibiotics. Nothing worked like accutane. I started noticing a difference after two week. My derm put me on antibiotic (bactrim ds) one month before I started accutane (40 mg)which I continued until one month of taking accutane, so total of two months. It helps with flare up that occurs with accutane in the first couple of months. I started noticing a difference in two weeks after taking accutane. Never had a new breakout after that. For dry lips I use aquaphor. Its the best! I am about to pick up my second prescription. I am very optimistic about it and hope that my acne will be cured. I really recommend it for anyone who is suffering from acne. This stuff is really good and it works. The side effects are not as bad as people say.

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Katie

January 19, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, gets rids of deep acne, helps scarring, helps me feel better about myself

Cons:

dry lips, sensitive skin ( bruise/cut easier) bloody noses

Its so worth the money, I have been suffering from horrible acne since seventh grade, and once i got on this program its been clearing up quicker than ever. the dry lips suck, but i use the lip gloss/chapstick from bath and body works and it works great. bottom line: its the best stuff ive ever used

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Andrea Garcia

January 17, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, less break outs

Cons:

Very dry, chapped lips and skin. Very sensitive to any products or sun.

The drug really does work. Be patient because it takes longer than the 6 month period to show results. Pain in the butt to get prescripted but very well worth it!

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idon'ttttknow

January 17, 2009

Pros:

MY SKIN HAS CLEARED UP SO MUCH.
I get compliments all the time on it.

Cons:

my scalp is dry. which makes my hair kind of dry.
and my lips and skin are really dry and peely. i'm not really sure if i'm supposed to be exfoliating or not, but i am and it seems to be working. I'm worried that my dry skin will not look nice aft

it works, but your skin and lips and hair/scalp gets dry.

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Tim

January 13, 2009

Pros:

gave me confidence knowing that it would go away soon, very cheap with insurance, anddd stopped most my forming acne in its tracks

Cons:

dry @$$ lippsssss nd face, sore joints, flaky hair sometimes, and thats about it. but im in track and field, so when i run my ankles throb, and sometimes my legs also

cleared my blackheads right away from my nose, stopped backne, face is clearin up more and more as time goes by, im just anxious to finally be clear so i can be more social and interact with girls more ya diiiigggg

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