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
May 20, 2008

Pros:

cleared up acne. clear for 2 months after stopping pills, then it came back a few pimples at a time. finally 6 months after treatment, my face was back to normal, horrible way.

Cons:

your face does not stay clear forever. trust me it will come back just when you stop the pills and you think it's gone for good. i was anemic and had high cholestrol from the pills. you have to have blood tests and pregnancy tests every month

it works for while then comes back when you stop using it. go ahead and try it. if you don't mind the frequent blood and pregnancy tests, bloody noses, hair falling out, dry skin, chapped bleeding lips. if you are female must use birth control pills while on accutane. after discontinuing, i went only 2 months before it started coming back. 6 months later i went back on accutane, and it didn't work anymore. darn. i believe it is not worth the beauty it gave me for a short time, then the damage it did.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 20, 2008

Pros:

you will think it works, but....

Cons:

VERY DANGEROUS! CAUSES BACTERIA DISBALANCE IN YOUR DIGESTION, YOU RUN HIGH RISK OF HAVING CANDIDOSIS AFTER USING IT!!! CANDIDOSIS CAUSES ACNE!!! STOP AS SOON AS YOU CAN! ACNE WILL COME BACK

it is absolutely clear that this medication is highly dangerous and has not cured anyone in long term! You will end up treating your candida for the rest of your life! Please read: Accutane - Dangerous Answer For Severe Acne ([link removed]>Accutane and alike, provoke an overgrowth of fungus called candida- WHICH CAUSES ACNE!!! Yeast infection is almost impossible to treat! you will be on a strict diet for the rest of your life or will end up not knowing what has actually happened to you, blaming it on different external treatments. Please investigate before using it! be more careful! doctors who write prescriptions for it make huge mistake and they know it!
This Was Helpful

Report
May 19, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin within the first week!

Cons:

Dry lips an eyes but when u see it workin like that u forget about the effects.

I never had acne untill i turned 17.It was the worst thing that happened to me.I tryed everything from Proactive to thousands of dollars to docter appotmants. NOTHIN WORKED! I was so frustrated that i lost all selfestem. Then one day i was reading a magasine an found how a treatment named accutane helped them get thire clear faces back.So i went an asked my doctor if i should go on it.HE agreed. The first week i saw major results the started dissapiring one by one each day it got better an better.By the 5 month my whole face was clear an under control. I have know been off it for 3 months an i feel great! I go out more an people complomns my face all the time. So dont wast any more time IF U HAVE ACNE GO ON ACCUTANE! its that simple.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 18, 2008

Pros:

I took Accutane about 15 years ago for the first time and had no problems whatsoever with it. I have since had a booster dosage about 8 years ago and my skin is great now. I had horrible cystic acne growing up and still have scars on my face from tho

Cons:

None--It worked. I'll take any side effects for a product that rid me of acne.

Accutane is the ONLY cure for cystic acne. All other medications will manage the acne, but as soon as you go off the medicine, the acne comes back.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 17, 2008

Pros:

Very Effective, cleared skin and back in 2 weeks. Easy just take with food, combats resistant acne, unlike antibiotics no tolerance is built up

Cons:

Plenty, but, not all are expreienced. I experience dry skin and lips, however, both are taken care of by moisturizer and lip chap. Expensive! And, must avoid alcoholic beverages.

After trying OTC acne treaments, many kinds, Retin-A, Clindamycin, and Differin XP (adapalene), eventually minocin (antibiotic) and then to breakout with acne on the back, it is necessary to turn to Accutane.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 14, 2008

Pros:

NO ACNE! Clear skin, no bumps, really smooth, much smaller pores, not oily, less wrinkles, no redness, clear skin over whole body

Cons:

dry lips, dry eyes

if you have acne, TAKE ACCUTANE!!!!!!!! Do it! I'm 23 and used dozens and dozens of over-the-counter stuff, and many perscription pills and creams-- I finally took accutane, and I wish I would have done it when I was 15- It is the best acne treatment ever mande! I've been on it 3 months, and it is AMAZING! I really can't believe how much it has changed my appearance, confidence, and everything- I've wasted SO much time, effort, and money on stupid acne products that don't work! Over time I've spent probably $200 on proactive, $500 on perscriptions, and literally thousands on face washes and creams and lotions that have NEVER worked! And now it costs me $20 a month, for like 5 months and I don't have to use all that other junk, or spend any time applying stuff or worrying. Basically, you take 2 pills a day, and that's it. No more trying to make all those other products and regiments work.....PLEASE, if you have acne, TAKE ACCUTANE!!!! in my experience, it's the only thing that works!!!!
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 10, 2008

Pros:

Took 98 procent of my acne away. Completely ended the deep cystic acne.

Cons:

Dry skin etc. I am writing this review 24 years after I finished the treatment. So far there has been no long time side effect...

I truely think this is a miracle drug (of course with some side effects) for those severely suffering from acne.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 10, 2008

Pros:

Its got rid of my acne, my blow dry lasts longer coz my scalp isnt oily!

Cons:

Dry everywhere, nosebleeds, headaches and moody. You cant wax!! oh and its expensive.

My dermatologist says he will perform laser treatment to get rid of the scars. Even like this my skin looks tons better. But you definately need to be aware of the side effects otherwise you can panic after they start to happen.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 10, 2008

Pros:

It really works!

Cons:

Dry face, lips, and eyes

I"m going on my second month and it's already cleared my face.I have such soft clear skin finally!I'm not depressed at all I'm actually happier because it's working!Use aquaphor for your lips.Cetaphil face wash and face lotion it really moisturizes because I've tried like 5 lotions and none of them work lol so the cetaphil lotion is great!Your scalp my get dry so you should use head and shoulders dor dry scalp that's making a big difference.You pretty much just dry up but it's worth it because your skin will be clear!
This Was Helpful

Report
May 9, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin completely after 3 months. I first saw results within the first two weeks- my acne started to clear and the oil on my face disappeared. Once I stopped breaking out- the spots on my face cleared.

Cons:

Having to keep up with the blood work.

Took for 6.5 months. 1 month since last dose. I wished I had researched and gotten a prescription years earlier! Take the medicine seriously, but don't be afraid of all the warnings. I NEVER experienced any emotional issues while on accutane and I have a history with depression unrelated to acne. People complain about the dry lips/skin/nose/hair/etc. but the truth of the matter is that its all manageable- and its apart of the accutane doing what its supposed to do. Go buy some lotion, conditioner and lip balm (which you should use regardless of accutane) and make sure that you always use it and you'll have no problem. Also give it a couple months for dramatic results. You owe it to yourself to at least try!
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 158 159 160 161 162 … 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