Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Results
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.

 [more]
3.9
2787
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
March 21, 2011

Pros:

Continuing to clear skin from day one

Cons:

Knee pain, back pain, feel like my whole body was hit by a truck! Not pleasant at all.

Ive only been on this 6 weeks. I can see that its working but I'm really wondering whether these side effects are worth it. I keep reading about how it can lead to complications and i am battling with myself not to come off it
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 16, 2011

Pros:

- Very effective
- Definitive results

Cons:

- Dryness

I was 26 when I went through Isotretinoin treatment (it lasted 18 weeks). I had moderate to severe acne since I was 13 years old. It was the only treatment that really worked for me. I wish I had taken the treatment at least 10 years before!! I still have acne after the treatment, but it is rare an SO light that I still really recommend this treatment to anyone that suffers with acne.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 16, 2010

Pros:

Cleared Acne

Cons:

only cleared acne until i stopped using it
made me depressed
red skin
chapped lips
dry skin ( some spots worse than others)

I used for 7 months and after the first few months of the chapped lips and sensitive skin it worked and cleared all of my acne...until i was taken off of it and now my face has gone back to the way it was before.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 25, 2010

Pros:

It will clear up your acne, slowly but surely!

Cons:

-dryness everywhere (skin, eyes, hair)
-joint pain
-hair loss
-very dry lips that looked disgusting!
-long term side effects that can last your whole life

This is my opinion people. Roaccutane (accutane) is a VERY strong drug. It will definitely work to clear up your acne. But should only be taken if you have SEVERE ACNE such as cystic acne or if you have very persistent acne and your over 20 years old. the way i see it is that acne will naturally go away with age once a person leaves their teens, that is when oil level naturally reduce and so there's no point of jeopardizing your long term health for clear skin. My story is that im going to be 20 in a few months but my acne was light, as in i would (and still have) a couple red spots on my face and my skin (and hair) were very oily! they're noticeable but nothing significant. And my acne is not only on my face but on my back and scalp which is a pain!! i tried most things but then my GP here suggested roaccutane to rid me of acne everywhere once and for all. Since its free in the UK i thought why not. i did do research but then once being on it for a month i really thought its not worth it. Accuntane has both long and and short term side effects which i personally feel are not worth going through just to clear up something like acne, unless like i said before its severe or your 20+ years old. i was on accutane for one month and then noticed my hair started to become very thin which scared the sh*t outta me! Not only that but my joints were sore and im a sporty person and its summer here in London. I just hope and pray that my hair becomes thicker as it used to be! Bottom line: EVERYONE CONSIDERING ACCUTANE NEEDS TO THINK VERY HARD!! i made the rash choice because the drug was free and quickly available so i saw it as a quick fix for my acne but boy do i regret it!! If you have light or mild acne and are still in you teens then try not to sweat it people! You will grow out of it! LIFES TOO SHORT TO BE DEPRESSED OVER YOUR SKIN! SMILE AND BE HAPPY! BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY...EVERY LITTLE THING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT! :) Hope this was hel
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 7, 2009

Pros:

Clears Acne when taken in high doses as prescribed with water and fatty food. Beautiful, super model skin.

Cons:

Severe back pain, dry skin, severe dehydration, chapped lips, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness.

Give me awful back pain, disgusting lips and die-hard dehydration any day. I'd rather have it than acne. Accutane works.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 1, 2009

Pros:

Cleared grade five acne completelyonly very minor scaring on cheeks left after 3rd month

Cons:

Left depressed and anxious unable to lead a normal teenage life wishing she had never heard of the treatment and only had bad skin to worry about.

Do not - repeat do not use this drug. Spots are much easier to live with than depression
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 8, 2009

Pros:

clear skin.

Cons:

broke out at first .. DRY LIPS AND SCALP NOSE AND SKIN. made my stomach hurt for a month or so... pretty okay.

it works. you should definantly consider it if you have bad acne and the side efffects you can just deal with there minor.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 1, 2009

Pros:

My acne is gone. My skin is great, I look great, and I feel great. It made my skin and hair less oily, and it changed my life for the better.

Cons:

I had the usual dryness and typical side effects during my six month course. Now, three months later my skin is a dryer then it used to be, which can be annoying, but its much better then the oil it used to have. Also,i have mild persistent back pain

DON'T BE AFRAID. TAKE THIS MEDICINE. I took it for six months, the first two at 40mg, 80mg for the next three, then back to 40mg for the last month. I have never been more pleased with an acne treatment. I stopped taking it three months ago and since then i have had only one tiny zit. Before taking it i had very persistent acne on my cheekbone, chin, forehead with nasty nodules on my back. Acne is now a thing of the past for me and i can finally live my life. I suffered from the typical expected side affects of dry skin and lips, a bit of joint and muscle pain, as well as eczema during the treatment. They were annoying but well worth it because Accutane worked so well. If you have suffered with acne and other things haven't worked, i strongly suggest you take this.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 4, 2009

Pros:

I took it when I was 17, my skin looked great and stayed that way until now after my third child I am breaking out again.. now 29

Cons:

at least 10 years of clear skin.

I had to bring my son to the doctor today, after he was done with him the doctor asked me what I am doing for my face. I told him proactiv (started last week). then I told him about my accutane treatment 12 years ago. he is going to put me back on once I get my prego test. But after reading the side effects I am not sure if I want to do this again!! I don't remember no side effects with my first treatment.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 1, 2009

Pros:

Starts clearing your skin immediately.

Cons:

Dry lips, skin takes longer to heal. dry and flaky face. dried out eyes. headaches. High cholestrol

Works really well! and everyone ought to try it... but every1 will have a different response and u should get your blood tested every month
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 134 135 136 137 138 … 212
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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