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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August 27, 2008

Pros:

Good if you have health insurance, Clears up nodular acne, dries out blackheads

Cons:

Not a permanent cure, Gets worse before it gets better

I have always had light acne with blackheads and a rare cyst every now and then, since about 12. At 18 my face exploded in cystic-nodular acne (it's genetic in my case). I, for some strange reason, avoided seeing a derm even though I had health insurance for a year. Because of this I have scarring. As soon as my derm saw me she wrote me a script for Accutane. It definitely got worse before it got better. I loved how all my blackheads practically committed suicide and fell out of my face. I wasn't totally cured, but after treatment I would only get a couple before my period. Still have to use makeup because of scarring, but people actually compliment me on my skin now. I was looking this up because my acne is back (6 years later) and am considering using it again. Hair loss.... Now I'm totally petrified!!!!!!!!!!
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August 26, 2008

Pros:

cleared my face for straight 5 years,but..(read the cons). Well had skin dryness(acceptable compared to face full of acne),mild burning of eyes, chapping of lips, nothing much.

Cons:

its 5 yrs since i took accutane, but now its back to bad face days,and its back with vengeance, damn! getting them again on face, back, and hips(i shampoo almost daily, so don't suggest dandruff). have some hair loss too.

Use it, it surely cured my severe acne problem. but 5 yrs down the line, i am back to square one. i have vampire horn like bald areas on both sides of my head. Plus a peace of advice for some silly docs, acne is really not related to diet, or uncleanliness, but something else.. wish i knew that.
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August 25, 2008

Pros:

Clears up severe stubborn acne.

Cons:

Everything becomes dry. Nose, lips, skin, joints, etc. My lips were the worst to deal with until i started using carmex. It healed my dry peeling lips overnight. Mood swings occur. it's pretty much an act of congress to be allowed to use this stuff.

I'd try to find other natural ways to heal your acne. because even though your acne clears up while you are on it, as soon as you come off of it, months later the acne comes back. so not only did you have to suffer through the 5 months of accutane, your acne will still come back (possibly not as severe as when you went on it), but you also end up with horrible scars that developed from the devastating break-out process that you have during the first 2 months of being on accutane. And overall, it's really not a good medication for your body. Look for more natural ways. I'd rather change my diet before I go on this stuff again.
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August 24, 2008

Pros:

Supposivly clears acne.

Cons:

dryness of lips and nose... nose bleeds.

acctuane does work but side affects are very strong.
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August 24, 2008

Pros:

ACNE IS GONE!

Cons:

Very dry skin, very dry lips, very depressed...

This stuff works! The side effects are a bit harsh but it was worth it in the end. My doctor put me on anti-depressents during the treatment and I used lots and lots of lotion. Cetaphil is a great brand that does not cause more acne breakouts!
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August 22, 2008

Pros:

Clears up my acne completely. never had an acne free face since school days. only lasted for 1 year before it all comes back.

Cons:

was on very low dose (10mg/day)..took 8 months to clear up..hate the side effect (chapped lips,)..the initial breakout was really bad making me so inferior..the acne went cystic and pops up like nobody's business..and the scarring was hell

i would never do it again..while it is effective i wouldnt want to go thru the initial breakout before it heals. and u recover with ugly scars..just when the scars fading away, the acne strikes back!!!!..sighhh
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August 21, 2008

Pros:

cleared my skin completely,
long lasting effect
closes pores

Cons:

too expensive
dried me out
hair thinning!!

iv suffered from acne since the age of 12, but always tried to ignore it, then one day i woke up and i relized what a bad problem it was for me, i went on accutane for 2 years now nearly, yes it cleared my skin, however it seems that you have to be on ths drug permanatly just to keep the acne away, when stopping the treaetment, it all seems to creep back up! the biggest problem i have is hair thinnig! which for me is the worst, since i always had beautifull long thick hair,most of it is gone :(.....not sure if clear skin is worth that
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August 20, 2008

Pros:

clears severe cystic acne

Cons:

depression, muscle fatigue, weakness, nose bleeds, dry skin/ lips

idk, only take it if you don't have any emotional sh*t going on. be stable emotionally. if anything else is going on, this might tip you over the edge. but it did clear the big ones . i was on 80 mg for 4 months. recommended... depends on who you are
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August 18, 2008

Cons:

dryness was only side effect....but 2yrs later came back

arnd3months n actually i cleard all my acne but it was only for around 1n half year but now again i have started acne problem
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August 17, 2008

Pros:

This stuff really cleared up my Acne, and kept it that way for about 2 years. After that, I just started using products with salicylic acid to keep pimples at bay.

Cons:

It dried me up. So, in addition to the medication, I had to buy bag balm for my lips, all sorts of lotion, moisturizer for the inside of my nose, eye drops and even a vaginal moisturizer. Good times.

If you can deal with the dryness, totally do it. Keep in mind that if you are a girl, even if you don't have sex, you'll need to be on birth control.
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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