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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buuuka

November 17, 2008

Pros:

It really works!

Cons:

Dry lips.

I have used it only for ten days so far and I my skin is looking much better already! Even my old deep scars seem to disappear.

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Caleb

November 16, 2008

Pros:

its KILLZ! your acne.

Cons:

dry skin and hair and i had a little rash but nothing serious.
chap stick=life for your lips.
if u dont hav insurance its expensive.

AMAZING!!!!

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Nicky

November 15, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin and much less oily hair. All the awful spots on my back and old scars on my face are gone. Should have taken the pills years ago..

Cons:

I was on it for 2 years and the only side effect was dry skin.. When I went off it the acne and oily hair came back. Not as bad as it used to be but still annoying enough. I get acne even on my scalp...going to try Diane

Perfect to get rid of scars since this type of vitamine A stimulates new cell production.

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X452

November 15, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin up after 3 weeks, got It on the NHS cost about Â£25!

Cons:

Lasted nine years before returning, although not as bad as it was.

The first week of use my acne was the worse it has EVER been, but after that unbelievable.

Defo worth a try

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Laura

November 14, 2008

Pros:

Has dried out my skin enormously; I haven't had a visible pimple in two weeks!

Cons:

I had a cyst on the inside of my eye after the first week of my accutane dose; I have less energy and seem moodier.

So far, it has been great. I've had bad acne for over a decade so I'm ready for it to be gone!

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Ranae

November 12, 2008

Pros:

Old pimples are disappearing, and few new pimples are appearing.

Cons:

Dry lips, eyes... flaky skin

It's been a week and a half and i've noticed a tremendous change and people who don't even know I'm taking the drug have commented about how my skin is getting better. I looked really sunburnt for a few days which is fine if the zits are going away... then I peeled A LOT. Now I'm back to red but my face really does look a little better. Can't wait to see what the next four and a half months bring if it's so much better after just a week and a half. Although, I must say... I'm a little apprehensive about the whole hair loss thing. My hair is half way down my back and I'd be horrified to lose it :( Any take on this experienced accutane users?

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Kimberly

November 8, 2008

Pros:

VERY effective; Inexpensive(if You have insurance)

Cons:

If You pop a pimple while on it, it scars much easier; Constant dry lips; Dry skin; Excessive muscle aches after work outs or runs(if You do those things); Having to take those pills on a daily basis

The side effects did not even phase me when I heard about the drug, I didn't care, as long as I got rid of my acne, and now it's gone for good. Dry lips: Brush them gently with a clean toothbrush every night during the last part of Your shower(to exfoliate the peeling dead skin) then as soon as You get out, put on a good amount aquaphor(feels so good) then sleep, in the morning You have soft lips and from then on keep adding some aquaphor throughout the day to keep them from getting dry, burts bees will work too throughout the day. I would reccomend the Honey type. Dry Skin: I use anything from St. Ives. overnight-so that i wake up with smooth, moisturized skin Muscle Aches and Pains: Stretch a lot and don't hold the stretches too long-like You're normally supposed to because I noticed that actually makes things worse. Take an aleve if You must Moodiness: Never experienced anything other than how I normally am, I'm actually less moody now that my skin is cle

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sam

November 8, 2008

Pros:

improving very very slowly

Cons:

dry lips nosebleeds

replying to KP NZ, yes i improved ist month break breakouts then the same 2nd and 3rd month now on60mg daily much improving on 4th month but loads of little red marks but no breakouts as such, my derm told me this will all be gone by end of dec 08, but i sometimes find it hard to believe, told to be very patient with this treatment and not to miss a dose, so goof luck to all

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acnemaster8

November 8, 2008

Pros:

not sure yet

Cons:

mild dryness of the eyes so far.

My son just recently started taking accutane. When he developed acne at age 11, we took him right in and he was started on clindammycin gel mixed with Benzoyl peroxide gel every night. This worked beautifully for about a year then the acne came back with a vengeance and nothing would clear it up. I took him to a different dermatologist and he said that all the topical things, as well as oral antibiotics, are minimally effective because they do not stop the excessive production of sebum due to high sebaceous gland activity that some people have, especially during puberty. He said that in the 20+ years of prescribing accutane, he's never had a single patient have permanent physical side effects such as GI problems, hair thinning, visual problems, etc. As an RN, I am skeptical of the stories about permanent side effects from accutane because such effects just do not make sense considering accutane's mechanism of action related to anatomy and physiology but I am watching him closely.

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Anthony

November 7, 2008

Pros:

Acne all gone, skin no longer oily.

Cons:

Waiting to see results and FINALLY finishing the treatment, the sensitive skin, at times joint pain, dry chapped lips.

I've just commenced taking this medication after 6 months, and my skin is still continuing to improve. i finished 10 days ago and my skin has gotten even better than it was whilst i was on the medication, my skin is not as sensitive and it does not appear shiny when i apply moisturizer. it is not as sensitive to the weather and my lips are no longer dry, joints no longer hurt. the side affects that appeared whilst on the medication have decreased dramatically. i would recommend this product to anybody who is serious and ready to get rid of their acne, however, side affects vary for each individual. just prepare yourself mentally before starting, and dont let other peoples stories scare you away from using it, just trust your dermatologist.

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