Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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July 23, 2008

Pros:

-Everything you expect

Cons:

-dry skin, lips

-give it a try if acne is ruining ur life-i did and it worked
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July 23, 2008

Pros:

no breakouts or oily skin.

Cons:

dry lips, skin bled and burned easily, broke out after i course.

While I was on accutane, I didn't have an initial breakout or have any zits at all. Then one week after I finish the 5 months course, I slowly start to breakout again. I wish it worked for me.
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July 22, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

MAKES IT WORSE

Gave me new cystic acne in areas i havent had before (new scars), extremely bad dry lips, to the point of scaring/ scab (healed now), Extreme depression, suicidle tendancys, am now over life and just want to die.
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July 22, 2008

Pros:

The Long term effects are good, no hormonal disturbances as with contraceptives etc, gets rid of cysytic painfull non squeezable acne.

Cons:

While on the medication you have to be preparde for certain side effects. I've had headaches, my eyes seem to not agree with contact lenses,very tired, agression, joint and muscle ache, no drinking when socilaising, no going in the sun in summer

I think if you mentally prepare yourself that for 6 months or so you'll have to live with these symptoms and you think of the benefits at the end then you'll be able to get through it. Some people dont even experience half of these symptoms. I went on this the 1st time about 5 years ago when i was 15, my acne returned again when i was 20 but i think that was due to a hormonal imbalance, but the roaccutane is working. I just hope it does not return after another 5 years! I've heard of crazy suicidal stories which freaked me out but if i feel down i just keep telling myself its the medication. i think its the best medication if you want to stop the vicious circle of tryin everything and for acne to return and for severe acne cases.
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July 21, 2008

Pros:

No more acne...so far. Compliments galor from people who never knew I had acne as well as from those who knew I did. The iPLEDGE system is VERY STRICT!!

Cons:

Chapped cracking lips. I could only use Aquaphor on my lips for 5 1/2 months. The corners of my mouth were dry and scaly. My skin was thin and prone to injury.d I had mild joint pain. Moderate hair thinning. The iPLEDGE system is VERY STRICT!!

I was put on 40mg twice a day for 5 months. I have been off the accutane for two months and I've only had one pipple the size of a pen tip which dried up on its own within 3 days. The joint pain I experienced went away in the 4th month of the regimen and I was able to excercise and lift weights without any difficulty. Today, my skin remains totally clear and I am now able to wear lipstick. My biggest concern with taking accutane were my labs. However, they remained in their pre-accutane state. Hopefully, I will remain acne free but if I don't, I will be more than willing start the treatment again.
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July 20, 2008

Pros:

-Clears skin up within 6 months for most
-Acne usualy never comes back
-Confidence

Cons:

-I have had one nose bleed so far
-Cost
-More moody

150 per month for derm visits, I dont have to go every month. The pills costed me like 10 bucks though. I have been using for almost 2 months and a half now and there my acne is now very mild, though there is a lot of scarring. Mederma should solve that though xD. It's VERY good I recomend this. You will be good looking again.
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July 18, 2008

Pros:

# THE most powerful method of acne treatment
# Treatment time frame is under half a year
# Success rates are amazing

Cons:

# VERY dry skin, lips, nose, eyes
# Joint paints, fatigue

I had tried (like a lot of people) over the counter stuff like acne face washes, creams and lotions. I was prescribed antibiotics such as Minocycline but none of this was good enough. After seeing a dermatologist i was given ACCUTANE. Within the first month the results were pretty damn good and better than everything else. My treatment finished in around 5 months and i was 98% acne free. Roaccutane changed my life! The side effects, at some stages were bad. I had to apply lip balm, moisturiser 2-3 times a day and generally felt tired and not wanting to do anything. But once your through this difficult time, you will be rewarded ten-fold by being acne free
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July 17, 2008

Pros:

Did a fairly decent job of clearing my skin.

Cons:

Still have slight monthly breakouts right before my period but it's not too bad. Got AWFUL rashes on the backs of my hands and down my arms.

Well, this is the third time I've been on Accutane because after finishing the treatment period my skin only remains clear for a year or two. Good medication overall, haven't experienced any bad side effects except for the rashes. For those of you who suffer from AWFUL RASHES I finally have the answer!!! =) Last time I was on Accutane I got pretty bad rashes and my dermatologist gave me precription creams and nothing worked. However, this treatment period I'm with another dermatologist who recommended an over the counter moisturizer. I thought she was nuts but I tried it anyways and I'm so glad I did. Completely got rid of all my rashes in like four days. I told my other friends who were on Accutane and had rashes and it worked for them too. Anyways, it's called.... AVEENO SKIN RELIEF MOISTURIZING LOTION. It is a godsend. Hope this helps some of you!!! =)
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July 16, 2008

Pros:

Huge improvement within the first month, unlike anything else i've tried.

Cons:

Dry skin, and it makes me very tired.

It's a great medicine. I've been on it for a little over a month and already I've seen a HUGE improvement. I've tried so many over the counter and prescription medicines, with ultimately, no results. It has worked wonders for me already, making me more confident about myself. I recommend this to anyone who is willing to put up with a little dryness in your skin (which putting lotion on every morning and night will help) and you have to be patient. I use burt's bees lip balm and i rarely have dry lips. also, if you exfoliate your lips every morning and night (i use my toothbrush) it rubs away your dry skin. Again, i can't stress enough what a great medicine accutane is. I also have friends that have been on it, and they all agree. You need to be patient and follow everything your dermatologist tells you, and you will get the results you want!
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July 15, 2008

Pros:

Accutane completely stopped the horrible oil and got rid of cystic acne.

Cons:

Took about five months for it to work and those five months I broke out horrible. Do have scars from those breakouts. No horrible side effects for me though

I was on 80mg a month for 6 months and I weigh 130lbs. The first couple months I broke out terribly and even in month 5 I was wondering if this was going to work for me. After I stopped taking accutane is when it started to clear for me. I had acne for about nine years off and on and my pores were SOOO clogged! Accutane cleared them out but it looked bad for awhile. Now I'm five months post accutane and I can't say I never break out. BUT the horrible cystic stuff (the stuff that caused me to not leave my house) has not returned. I am VERY glad I did this treatment and would recommend it to anyone! I was lucky and my health insurance covered it 100%, so it cost me nothing. Goodluck!
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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