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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4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

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February 9, 2008

Pros:

After 4 months....a huge improbement in my skin

Cons:

nose bleeds...and dry skin...all very common side effects

since 13 i had a few spot which then worsened over the years...15-16 were the worst years....the acne took over my face and body...and my skin extremely damaged and scarred....and I took so much medication that it was unreal...nothing really helped....untill i was finally precribed Roaccutane through the NHS.te improvement was the best...i got such good results...however it did not last forever.acne came back but more mildly...chest forehead and top arms free of acne...but my back and cheeks plus side of my face i get small breakouts...scars making it look worse.........roaccutane can really make that improvement...I am thiking to do n-lite treatment...sounds promising...but the bad reviews really make me think of its effectiveness...but all in all...roaccutane was the best treatment by miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllles......
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February 8, 2008

Pros:

Completely clear skin after 2 months, less oily hair

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds

I've been on this for 4 months-- my skin is completely clear! My side effects are manageable with lip balm, eye drops, and vaseline in my nose before bedtime. Make sure you drink plenty of water or you will get sick.
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February 8, 2008

Pros:

This medicine is great. It gave me a ton of confidence iv only been on it for a month and my skin is almost completely clear.

Cons:

dry skin and lips,tiredness, costly

If you have moderate to severe acne i wouldnt waste time with anything else i wish i would have done it sooner
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February 5, 2008

Pros:

None, this was just awful

Cons:

fatigue, depression, incredibly dry skin, nosebleeds, hairloss, backaches

I was prescribed accutane 3 times over the course of 5 years. the first time i took it for 9 months, the second time 9 months and the third time i had to take a modified course of 1 pill every other day for 11 months. It didn't work. My Acne was overwhelming while I was on it and in addition to the horrid cysts, my skin would peel off in strips (now mind you I still had to work!). My acne did not clear up while on it, or after. It made my hair fall out for years and it's never. I was at a business lunch with my boss at the Ivy and my hair was falling out in clumps, alllll over the table. it was humiliating. I eventually had to be prescribed a antidepressent and to this day, 10 years later, I still have to take it. My lips are still cracked and peeling to this day. I have to use a lip balm all day and all night. I was never sensitive to any medication before, I was not resistant to most medications but I do have stubborn acne. Accutane doesn't work for everyone and I'm living proof.
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February 2, 2008

Pros:

SO far SO good. Only been on it for a month. Face is really dry but no actives AT ALL!!!

Cons:

Nothing too bad! DRY LIPS, SORE MUSCLES

For the month ive been on it,GREAT! Hoping its worth it=))
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

cleared my skin up by month 3. less oily skin. only had to wash my hair twice a week. evened out my skin tone. no more acne!

Cons:

exhaustion. trouble concentrating. scatterbrained. muscle aches. mild mood swings. dry nostrils.

This stuff works. I've tried EVERYTHING and nothing compares to Accutane. I was on it for 5 months and I really didn't see much improvement until month 3. But once it started improving, it only got better. I just took my last pill over a week ago and I couldn't be happier! This is the clearest my skin has EVER been. Yeah, some of the side effects aren't all that pleasant but if you just go about your daily life and stop dwelling on them, the whole process is a lot easier and it's over before you know it!
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

Amazing. Only pill that cleared ALL face/chest/back acne. Also, it kept my hair mysteriously clean and shiny while I was on it.

Cons:

Dry lips? Also a year later I had a few months of bad hair loss. But it wasn't like I had chunks of bad spots-- it was more like I had hair balls on the ground (which I have NEVER had) so I knew I was losing hair. It stopped after 5 months.

I had tried every pill that my dermatologist knows of over the span of 6 years. I responded to nothing until Accutane-- it kept me clear for abut 1.5 years (which, to an acne sufferer, is a LONG LONG time to not be ashamed of your skin). However, I now break out on my face again, and a tiny bit on my chest, but my back has stayed clear. I recommend it to ANYONE who has tried everything with no satisfaction. The only regret I have about it is that I didn't try it sooner. It was the best 1.5 years, especially since I was in high school and overly self conscious about going to dances, pool parties, etc. where I had to show a lot of skin.
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

Clearer skin since about the second week into taking it.

Cons:

MAJOR side effects! No insurence=VERY costly.
Physical;dry skin, chapped lips, bloody nose, dry eyes and blurred vision, hearing loss, back pain, head aches
Emotional; inability to concentrate, minor depression, apetite loss, ect.

This product should ONLY be used as a last resort. I am extremely disappointed with its effect it has had on my body. I used to have cystl acne so bad it hurt to smile, till I used this product, and I would of like to try to stay on it for my full course of dosage, but my doctor and family begged me to stop because of all of the other negative side effects. Also nothing is guaranteed, acne is known to relapse, which is a major downfall since it is so costly. Almost a waste of money. This is the best my acne has looked in 5 years but the worst I have ever felt physically and emotionally my whole life. PLEASE PLEASE take caution if using this, everyone reacts differently to medications, and if you work with your doctor and watch your body's condition closely I would say go for it, Give it a try, but remember It is a major toss up, physically, emotionally, and financially.
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

No more serious acne, skin is the clearest it has been in more than 5 years.

Cons:

Dry lips and flakey skin,which are easy enough to deal with. Developed something like a coldsore after lips got dry, crackad and an infection developed. also some mild depression and am burnt easily by the sun.

All the side effects are worth it and the whole getting sunburnt easily thing is also doing wonders for my skin because Im extra careful with sunscreen when outdoors. Has literally changed my life and now I can start working on the scars.
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January 31, 2008

Pros:

dry skin, dont need to wash ur hair as much, confidence, happiness. IT is amazing

Cons:

nothing so far

Been on it for 3 months so far. Only have 1 zit on my face. I now get a zit once every 2-3 rather than 2 zits a day. I don't know if this is forever...but even if i have nice skin for 6 months i am happy. I havent had nice skin in about 7 years. no side effects
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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