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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April 1, 2009

Pros:

The first time on accutane it cleared up in a couple of months. From there it was better and better each month. Life changing ! Finally i was able to leave the house! Do things i never dreamed i could because i didn't have to worry about my skin.

Cons:

Two months after my finally dose i started to notice breakouts and oily skin. My doctor made me wait a few months and my skin got a little worse each month so a began treatment for a second time. In about two weeks my skin was completely clear again-

It's been 4&1/2 months still doing great ! just hoping i don't need a third treatment! Bottom line you have to try it! It's Life changing!
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March 27, 2009

Pros:

dried up my oily skin; cleared pimples

Cons:

god! i felt like i was going crazy. was so depressed; no energy whatsoever (couldn't get out of bed...); couldn't concentrate or focus (nearly dropped out of college - but I was valedictorian in high school) - oh and painfully dry, red skin..

this medicine messed me up. only made it two months in then had to stop. my sister had a similar reaction so maybe its a genetic thing. try bactrim DS twice daily - it has saved me! i swear accutane made me suicidal/verging on psychosis. feel like a different person off it (it made me lose 15kgs - had no appetite; my sister gained 20kgs on it. scary stuff. but obviously it has different affects on different people)
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March 4, 2009

Pros:

It clears up your skin

Cons:

Some bad breakouts, flaky skin, chapped lips, f**ked joints, can't drink on the medication

Acutane all though it's hell to go threw while your on it, really does leave ur skin nice and clean after, you just have to cope with it which i know is really hard to do at times. There were times i hated being on this drug, but now im off im glad. I had mild acne now, I took this product from march last year to july .
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February 27, 2009

Pros:

It seems to be the most effective acne treatment that I know of. It is really a pain to use for most people, but it works wonders for a lot of its users. It worked for me after the third try, but sadly, my acne came back a few months later.

Cons:

Expensive, dry, peeling skin everywhere, cracked lips, bloody nose, have to have your blood tested monthly, pregnant women can't take it.

Accutane is a severe method for treating acne, make no mistake about it. That said, and even though it ultimately didn't work for me, I have met a number of people who have had their acne virtually 'cured' permanently by this medication. If you have a very tough case of acne, I would highly recommend talking to you doctor or a dermatoligist about considering Accutane. It has more side-effects than any treatment I'm aware of, but it the ends can justify the means for many people.
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February 23, 2009

Pros:

perfect oil balance, acne diminshes quickly

Cons:

terrible side effects, not sure if it is worth it

skin feels perfect, not too oily, if you wash face every morning and night, oil balance is perfect. i saw my acne go away within the first week. not supposed to use any topical treatments, but i found that using a spot treatment works perfectly! dry skin is very manageable, must use a good mosturizer every morning and night and always carry chapstick w/you i love accutanes effects on my skin but have had miserable side effects: - can cause INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE, constant pounding headaches for the first couple of weeks, eyes inable to dilate correctly lead to photophobia (light hurts eyes) - dry eyes, cant wear contacts - affected mood, made me completely unmotivated - hypersensitivity, no tanning w/out burning while my side effects are fairly rare, accutane just seems far to instable a medication. although having acne affects many other parts of my life, im not sure if i am willing to compensate having accutane drastically affect my life esp for
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February 21, 2009

Pros:

Does clear skin

Cons:

Drys skin like crazy, lips, face, everywhere, joint paine, my acne came back about a month after stopping treatment

Accutane does work! But it WILL NOT KEEP YOU CLEAR!! I had really bad acne and by the end of the treatment i was totally clear (around the 6th month). A month later I saw a few pimples and then more and more showed up until it all came back. Bottom line if you have bad acne try it because it really is the only thing that works. Accutane does change your skin though so it does do something long term. Skin treatments that didnt work for you before might work for you after accutane. I used to use tazorac cream for my acne before I tried Accutane and it didnt work at all, but Im on it now and it seems to be working well.
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February 21, 2009

Pros:

Cures acne in one or two 4 month courses, 9 months apart...rarely a third is necessary...
Free for me coming from england - gotta love the national health service :D

Cons:

dry lips can be a pain...no alcohol for 4 months isnt great either

Saved my life. Literally.
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February 13, 2009

Pros:

Accutane works really well. it helped me a lot but read my cons

Cons:

it is dangerous. it gave me headaches, diarhea/ boul change, sleepiness, blured vision and SEVERE back pain. i took it for 2 months and stopped 4 months ago and my back still hurts. i hate it.

dont buy it. it may be worth it but there is a 80% chance youll get a side effect. i have looked everywhere and talked to many doctors and thay said it is VERY rare to get a side effect.
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February 11, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne beautifully. Easy to use.

Cons:

Took 6 months to clear, monthly bloodtest and Dr. Visits. Nose bleeds and some mild joint pain, and fatigue. Acne returned 5 months later, though not quite as severe.

I had great skin for about 5 months, then the acne started all over again, though not as bad. Now doing retinoid and oral antibiotic for 3 months, then possible accutane
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February 2, 2009

Pros:

It clears up acne for most people.

Cons:

I had very dry skin. Woman have to be on the pill. I think I also had a few nose bleeds.

Over the past 4 years I've had two rounds of accutane, and my acne is starting to come back again. My dermatologist said that it just doesn't work for some women. It worked wonders for my brother and my fiance, and his brother who all had severe acne.
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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