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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4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

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December 17, 2008

Pros:

Clears up your skin, no oil on your face, no more acne!!!!

Cons:

dry/peeling lips (carmex works wonders), made my anxiety worse, and irritated my eyes (bloodshot and watery)

I had constant acne on my face for over years. I tried everything there was to get rid of it accutane seems to be the ONLY thing that has cleared up my face. I have been on it for about two months now and am happy with results. Just becareful with the medicine and listen to your doctor! As long as you take it correctly you should have no problems! It is a miracle worker.
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December 17, 2008

Pros:

Well your breakouts really get under control in literally like two weeks and I never got the initial breakout.

Cons:

It really extremely dries you out from the inside out. EVERYWHERE! I MEAN EVERYWHERE!! Also plays with your hormones which is exactly the problem with my acne.

The purpose of me posting my experience was because the hormones in the pill clogged up my breast ducks that produce milk and got severely infected. My breast felt literally about 30 pounds each. I had to go the ER two days in a row because the situation just got worse. It was an extremely scary experience and highly embarrassing that I had to go through this because of acne meds. Overall during the infection I felt INTOXICATED AND READY TO DIE!!! Bottom line acne is a part of my life and anyone who is on this page so I really think being positive is the only thing that will improve the situation for us all.
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December 17, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my skin completely within a month!

Cons:

Monthly blood tests, acne may come back after treatment is over.

My face was covered in large painful acne all the time and antibiotics and other creams and washes did nothing to help. My doctor prescribed me accutane and my skin was clear within a month, by the third month my scars were almost completely gone. In the beginning my face was really dry and peeled allot, but that soon subsided. Accutane changed my life, I don't have to wear loads of make up anymore or constantly feel self conscious of my skin! I was scared to take accutane at first because of all of the side affects. I did not experience any side affects.
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December 16, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

EVERYTHING!

I was on Accutane in college. It worked wonderfully. However, as soon as I was off of it, my acne returned. My derm put me back on a "booster" set (i took it for a month) and for a while my skin was fine. I'm now 23 and my skin is back to being horrendous. Accutane, I was told, is supposed to make it so that you never get acne again, or if you do, it's very minimal but this is NOT THE CASE. I still get cystic acne, which is both painful and embarassing. All that money spent...and not to mention the long term effects. Since Accutane dries out all the oil in your body, it harms your joints. I still have a lot of back pain when i stand too long or exercise and i attribute this to the Accutane. Overall, for a product that is supposed to be the acne "cure" (or the closest thing too it), it just didn't cut it.
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December 16, 2008

Pros:

Had acne since I was 12, was on acne long time ago, but my parents couldn’t afford it so I didn’t take it enough or long enough. Now I’m 25 and I asked my doctor to put me on it. I’m on a killer dosage of 120mg per day, but it is totally wort

Cons:

Very, very dry lips! Keep ChapStick handy. I have them in every pocket, every corner and every drawer of the house work and car!

Try it! Might be pricey without insurance. I pay $75 per month for brand (3 pills x 40 mg x 30 days), but my insurance picks up $1800, so I'm no complaining + monthly visits to the doctor and lab - worth every penny!
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December 15, 2008

Pros:

what can i say...IT WORKS PEOPLE :) fantastic results. I was on it for five months did not get intial breakouts at the begining, and wasent that dryed out. Bottom Line ive Finished my 5 months of acutane with a Beautiful clear face :)

Cons:

sensitive skin,redness,dry skin..other then that none! :)

WANT THE ANSWER TO CLEAR BEAUTIFUL SKIN? .....ACCUTANE!:)
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December 3, 2008

Pros:

cleared up acne!

Cons:

It changes your mood at first. I was very irritable. I even had some stomach pains. These all subside though. It is pricey! But worth it. Take a few months to work. Might come back. This I am unsure of. Dry lips, fatigue

I am currently on my 5th month of accutane. I was really worried when I first was told I should go on it. All the side effects definitly ease up as time goes on. I did not see any results for about 3-4 month treatments so just be patient! It works! My scars are finally healing up and ive grown to live with my dry lips. The dryness of my skin is even bearable now and no longer flakes. I do not even have blackheads anymore!! And my hair is no longer greasy. No more bacne as well! This stuff is great. Don't ever be scared to take this drug as I was. Be patient and stick with it! The benefits are amazing.
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December 1, 2008

Pros:

Got rid of all of my blackheads and made my pores invisible, cleared up any acne anywhere on my body and kept it gone for about two years after I finished taking it.

Cons:

Really expensive, annoying blood tests every month! Dried out my skin a little, but mostly dry lips. Breakouts may come back after a year or so.

I took accutane over two years ago and was on it for 9 months. Now, even though I get small breakouts around my period, it is easy to get rid of and nothing like before! My skin isn't even oily anymore after two years, its really changed my skin and my life!
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November 29, 2008

Pros:

Dries out skin. Still waiting for the results...

Cons:

Lips really dry( vaseline does the trick), whole face dry(e45 works well), Tiredness and a little moody. Expensive if not insured (i wasn't!)

I have been on accutane for nearly 2 months now, for the first month i saw improvements, but in the second it has got alot worse, i expected this though and i am going to be patient. For the past 6 years i have had severe acne and i have tried other treatments and none have worked, with accutane i know it's working from the dryness, it just needs time. Don't be put off by the side affects, it affects people differently. If you are on this drug and like me it has got worse, just stick it out, i mean whats a few months compared to clear skin? From other reviews my impression is after about 4 months it improves for most people, with 2 down already, i cannot wait!
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November 29, 2008

Pros:

skin less oily, could go with washing my hair only once a week

Cons:

made my acne 20 times worse than to begin with, huge cysts, nodules, severe dry lips and severe chelitis (cracked corners of lips bleeding) SCARS everywhere, had to hide my face for 3 months (Still am)

i had MILD acne to begin, but insisted on accutane cus i was sick of anito biotics. accutane made my skin a MESS. im still paying for it now. i decided after 3 months to stop along w/my derm. it kept getting worse and worse. i would say people with mild acne as i had myself should not use accutane. its not worth it. now 3 weeks off accutane im still breaking out, and trying doxycyline along with zinc.
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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