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
2449
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
October 23, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my acne for good

Cons:

Dry lips and skin

After many years during which I despaired because of my acne and after all external treatments that I had previously tried failed, my doctor recommended for me to use accutane. I read all of the negative side effects that accutane can cause, but decided to try it and stop if I saw any of these side effects occuring. After using a a low dosage of accutane (talk to your doctor about what is right for you) over a long period of time, changes started to happen. My skin cleared up, and now, two years after being off it, my acne has not come back. I have single pimples like any other person, but no acne and I am completely happy. Get medical check ups for your liver regularly, take the right amount of the medication, watch out for side effects and HAVE PATIENCE, and you will see results. I also saw absolutely no effect of accutane on my mental health while I was taking it for a year. Don't get discouraged if you see no changes after one or two months. Leave it some time. Good
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 23, 2008

Pros:

did clear acne !!finsihed course,, a few days ago!!skin looks better compared before acne.

Cons:

Leaves red marks behind!!great memeories of the acne torment.Mood swings , depressed a lot !!chapped lips

works quite well, leaves red marks, leaves you with attitude problem for a while !!worth it I suppoose
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 21, 2008

Pros:

after several months the drug became my miracle worker! and the dryness of the skin and lips clears up a week or two after you finish taking the drug

Cons:

dry lips, nose bleeds, dry skin...

WONDERFUL.... but now that i've been off the drug for 6 months, my acne is starting to catch up again...........................................................
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 19, 2008

Pros:

Clears up for the first few weeks

Cons:

Dry skin, swollen lips also chapped and split, sore joints* ankles and heel* lower back pain and very dry skin, mild nose bleeds, restless nights, loss of appetite and wieght loss, moodiness

Started my course of 60mg in september, first course is now over and now that i have stopped my acne has come back twice as bad and now i am having acne on my face aswell as my back. The side effects are terrible i'm having trouble walking due to severe pain when i move my feet.The dry skin and chapped lips have cleared up just slight chapped lips now, not looking forward to course 2 Not been myself while taking these tabs and everyones noticed around me and theyre taking the blunt of my mood swings
This Was Helpful

Report
October 18, 2008

Pros:

I have been on it for twenty days now and have definitely noticed a huge improvement. I've had acne off and on for over fifteen years and am hoping that this fixes it for good...So far it's looking promising...

Cons:

DRY lips (use Aquaphor) dry skin (use moisturizer), fatigue (minimal for me), dry eyes (use lubricating drops).

Too early for me to say for sure, but so far I'm seeing results and the side effects have been tolerable. I'll give additional feedback after I've been on it for a few months. I pray that I don't get the deep cystic acne that others reported as they progressed through....
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 18, 2008

Pros:

Very affective on my acne. It took a good 4 months before I saw the benefits but now my skin is great. I've only been off for about 2 months so I'm not sure how long it'll last. but over all a great product, I wish I had tried along time ago.

Cons:

definately makes the skin dry, however, I had no big problems, other than carrying chapstick 24/7 it wasn't that bad.

I've seen alot of bad reviews, but in my experience it worked great.
This Was Helpful

Report
October 16, 2008

Pros:

Works in the short term. Makes you feel as though you are "beating"the severe acne.

Cons:

Dry Skin, Joint Pain, Liver. Long term problems are just now surfacing.

My recommendation? Get off of Accutane if you are now on it. Don't take it, if you are considering it. Really consider the possible long term consequences. Accutane is not a cure. There are less drastic medications available. Also consider diet. I have been off of all acne medication since I started taking Flax Seed Oil daily. I took Accutane when I was 21. I am now 47. I need +2.50 bifocals to read. I also have back pain caused by a herniated and now deteriorated disc. I also have joint pain. I have always been active and never over-weight. I believe that the Accutane has played some part in permanently damaging the tissues of my body that are subject to moisture loss and pliability loss.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 16, 2008

Pros:

acne is starting to clear up.

Cons:

very very very chapped lips. and very dry flaky skin because of it (my skin was perfectly normal besides form the acne with the amount of oils on it. so i guess thats y i am so dried out )

i have been on it for a month and it seems to be doing the job slowly.. ill check in again on month 2-5
This Was Helpful

Report
October 14, 2008

Cons:

fatigue, chronic dry, scaly skin and chapped lips, headaches, extreme photosensitivity, overall sense of feeling sick

This drug did more damage to me than anything I have ever tried. I was on it for 3 months and i became so sick with it that I couldn't function. After the bloodwork came back for the third month my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately as it had done a considerable amount of damage to my liver, which is not permanently damaged because of this f**king drug. This drug is poison, its toxic. I would not wish the suffering I endured during the three months I was on it.
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 13, 2008

Pros:

My skin is usually extremely oily, but after 2 month of treatment it is dry and no longer appears shiny. My acne reduced noticeably in the first month but I am having a large breakout currently, hopefully this will go down soon.

Cons:

Dry cracking lips and dry skin on hands and feet

This product is definitely having an impact so far and I'm excited to see where it goes in the future. I'm on 100mg a day and my doctor's going to boost it to 120mg's a day at the next appointment as long as there are no severe side effects.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 142 143 144 145 146 … 202
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