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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January 30, 2008

Pros:

Get rid of Acne for two years
Your skin are all clear

Cons:

Might come back after 2 years
Leave so many Scar after Initial Breakout
The initial breakout is really pain

I suffer depression while I am on tane.....the initial break out is totally unacceptable.....while the acne come back after two years.......I suggest people to try everything first before try accutane as it will breakout like crazy......or consult ur doctor first before even attempt totry but overall it is a good treatment for severe acne
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January 30, 2008

Pros:

It works

Cons:

Minor side affects, but totally worth it

It has changed my life!!!
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January 30, 2008

Pros:

Really worked! It cured my acne, although some acne did come back approx. a year after I stopped taking it.

Cons:

Sever dryness. I had to keep moisturizer and lip gloss on me at all times. If I went to school without lip gloss, my lips would be cracked and bleeding by lunch time.

Serious medication. If you really have problem acne and don't want to mess around, get Acutane, but be ready to deal with the side effects.
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January 30, 2008

Pros:

I stopped breaking out after I stopped using it.

Cons:

I started getting breakouts 3 months later.

I was on it for 3 months and it made me break out incredibly bad. It was giving me more scars and bigger pimples. I gave up after 3 months in which my face cleared up for the next 3 months with no pimples. My only side affects were bloody noses and dry lips. I paid 25 a month for the rx. 25 for the monthly dr visit and 40 each month for the blood work. I went to the dermatolagis today to maybe get back on accutnne again and hopefully have a better outcome. Instead he gave me and rx for Spironolactone. Wish me luck!
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January 28, 2008

Pros:

It completely got rid of my servere acne. <3 Amazing stuff!

Cons:

I had to go on it twice, due to me having really bad acne.. But it didn't really matter because i'm acne free now! ^__^

If you have bad acne... GET THIS, TELL YOUR DOCTOR YOU WANT IT!
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January 27, 2008

Pros:

Reduced overall acne as it completely dried me out.

Cons:

Dry, cracked lips, nasal dryness, serious skin sensitivity, overall dryness of the body. Nasal and overall body moisture has never been the same 10+ years after product usage.

Accutane dried my entire system completely. I used the product over 10 years ago (hopefully the product has change) and I have never gotten back the moisture that I lost using this product. I never was a big nose blower, and ever since using this product I have to blow my nose at least 2-3x a day. It really screwed my body chemistry up. . .permanently. I am drier overall everywhere in/on my body. I used it about 5 months and was recommended to use for 6. Never again!! And I was sent questionnaires almost every 6 months for years asking if I had miscarriages. . .as if I should. Fortunately I have 2 healthy children but I waited over 5 years before trying. Oh, and I have worse adult acne than I did as a teenager when I used the product so it obviously does not help the long-term.
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January 27, 2008

Pros:

excellent treatment choice

Cons:

If your not a mentally stable and secure person you MIGHT experience some of the stated side-effects. For me just some minor depression, easily resolved with a good attitude. Chapped lips for sure (just use chapstick). Headaches. Photosensitivity.

I first took accutane for about 3 months at 80mg per day. Initially my acne did get worse before it got better for about 1 month, but at no point did accutane cause any major side effects. While on accutane take precautions with exposure to sunlight even in the SLIGHTEST amount, stop taking it if your gonna drink then resume afterwards (excessive liver damage), stay proactive and keep friends close (to avoid depression), do not forget to keep chapstick in your pocket (i went through 1/wk). You want horror stories about a medication, read about Zoloft. People with bad acne are prone to have emotional problems so of course studies will show elevated depression/psychosis problems. I'm a Navy Corpsmen so I didn't have to pay for it.
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

Everything! This made my skin clear and bright again, helped with some of my scarring and I haven't had a breakout since my 3rd month on it.

Cons:

Nothing besides a few of the common side effects I had a really good experience on this medication. I didn't even have dryness!

Its the best medication for anyone with severe or moderate acne. I wouldn't recomend trying anything else before the accutane. Go straight to this before wasting your money on anything else.
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

It cleared my face, I had severe acne in the area of shaving, those were big acne under my skin, it's totally cleared now and I only need to remove the scars.

Cons:

Dry Lips, skin and nose, Depression.

I used 20mg a day for 2 months, And then the doctor told me to use it for 45 other days and make it 10mg a day. will be on it until March 2008. It totally cleared my face, but I still get a "few" acne on my chest and back somedays. I hope by the time my course ends, I will not have acne anymore.
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my skin when nothing else worked.

Cons:

Dry, cracked lips, dry patches on arms, sun sensitivity, pain in the ass pregnancy tests, acne eventually came back (but not as bad).

I had to do two courses of Acutane and while it could be a pain sometimes (waking every morning with my lips split on the sides, the monthly pregnancy test, occasional blood tests, discovering my lips could get sunburnt, dry patches on arms) and my acne has come back a bit since then, it's nowhere near as bad as it was before. This stuff is amazing. I don't regret using it for a second.
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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