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.

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3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
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January 23, 2008

Pros:

I took a 6 month course when I was 19 and had AMAZING results. Did not have acne again until last year, at age 26. I went back on accutane 10 days ago, and so far my skin is worse, and all I have are side effects.

Cons:

*headache, dry skin, acne worsened

If you haven't tried it, go for it. It was awesome for me the first round. As for if you need a 2nd course, I have my reservations. I am hoping as I go into week two of the medication the acne actually clears, instead of continuing to spread.
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January 22, 2008

Pros:

Did clear up back/arm acne permanently & significantly improved face.

Cons:

Generally as expected (dry, dry, dry!)Unfortunately for me, not a permanent cure.

I'm 41 & have had acne since 13. After tying everything in my teens and early 20's by the time my dermatologist suggested Accutane I would have taken anything. Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't permanent (repeated regiment 3 times in my 20's - acne came back approx. 8-12 months post RX). My dermatologist now has me on a 40m/10 days (yes, one pill every 10 days) and this keeps everything under control - still get some when I get sloppy, but for the most part I can function without looking like a teenager. Don't think this usage is documented in the RX literature, but I don't have any real side effects and we monitor my blood work every 6 months. I've been doing it this way for maybe 4-5 years, but thinking of stopping & trying acne.org regiment instead (have tried similar before, but not to the same degree).
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January 18, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin of spots, i used to always have spots on my chin, and could sometimes get huge huge spots on my cheeks next to my nose, these ARE GONE!! i get the odd small spot these days after being off the treatment for bout 7months.

Cons:

No cons really, i was aware of the side effects so nothing unexpected occurred, skin really dried out and required constant moisturising, this is all part of the process of reducing excess oil in the skin. it can also leave you feeling tired at times

I researched the product/treatment and knew the possible side effects before i started, so know what your doing beforehand. I no longer have to panic looking into the mirror every morning to see what new spot i have to cope with, well i get the odd small one but nothing i care about. all in all the treatment was sucessfull, however the surface of my skin has become slightly uneven again, i was thinking about nlite but i think ill avoid it reading the reviews, bio oil is something that i have begun using so ill see how that goes, perhaps a second treatment of roaccutane to re-achieve the smooth skin could be my next move...but all in all id recommend roaccutane it helped me big time... by the way im 25...
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January 17, 2008

Pros:

it has helped somewhat.

Cons:

cracked lips, dry skin, redness, back,chest,stomach pains.

everyone reacts different to the drug. if you think you can handle it take it.
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January 17, 2008

Pros:

PERFECTLY CLEAR BACK AND FACE

Cons:

Horrible IB which made me depressed, No drinking, dry lips, rashes on my hands, arms and legs. In the last month i got a nose bleed everyday. my nose constantly had harden blood.

I had moderate-bad acne solely on my forehead. These pimples were all over, yet they were small. then i started to get some on my cheeks and decided to go on acctuane before it got worse. the IB started a month later and was HORRIBLE. i had huge pimple on my forhead (which did clear up quickly) and MASSIVE sore ones all over my cheeks. the IB started one day and was full blown within a week. I was so moody and sad because of this. However, as quickly as the IB started, it quickly went away. I remember being embarressed one day in class and on the way home from class i could feel it getting clearer.. each day from then (month 4) it got clearer and clearer. by the end of the 4 months, it was all GONE and CLEAR! i am now 5 months post tane and have had maybe 6 SMALL pimples since then. even when i do get a pimple i had popped it and its gone the next morning. PLEASE TRY ACCUTANE! the side effects suck, but it is SO WORTH IT!!! i now wake up everyday knowing i WILL HAVE CLEAR SKIN!
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin

Cons:

Very dry lips and joint pains and if yr unlucky like me acne comes back worser than ever.

Ok the acne on my face was only moderate but on my back/chest it was seriously bad, so after trying Tetracycline and minocycline and not seeing any results my Dr sent me to a dermatologist who put me on accutane, >> started at 20mg then 40 then 60 for last 2 months Lucky for me it kicked in almost stright away after 6 months the spots had gone and only few scars where left. Which made me very happy. Unfortunately ive been off them now for about 1 month and my face is worser then when I started on them, my back and chest are still amazingly clean but my face isnt and personally I would prefer them on my back than my face. Unlucky I know but even still I guess medication work better for some then otheres and on a good note it has cleard the ones from my back/chest (well atleast for now) so if I was you id still give it a try I mean you can always come off them if side effects get too bad. Im hoping to get back on them again soon but theres a darn waitin
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

I guess my skin is a little less oily..but really not much

Cons:

EVERYTHING. Terrible Breakouts, I mean HUGE 10x bigger than I've ever had you get new pimples you don't usually get and your lips are awfully dry. Severe depression and recent thoughts of suicide. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD don't take this prescription.

DON'T! DON'T! DON'T! DON'T! DON'T! I've been off the regimen for 4 months (took it for 7) and really NO improvment just made it a whole lot worse.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

No oil,eventually clears you up of acne.

Cons:

Joint pains (in my case, lifting weights seems to help), dry bleeding lips, eyes get dry and irritated easily.

I've been on it for 2 months. First month on 40mg a day and for the rest of the course 60mg a day. Just on the 2 month mark I've started to break out. Must be the IB. Nothing serious yet though.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

SKIN CLEAR!!!! No giant painful cysts! I have tried everything for the past 8 years and this actually works! (I am 30)Thank goodness I can get ready in the morning without spending 45 min on concealer.

Cons:

Chapped lips to the extreme (I am coated in vaseline 24/7 and lips still cracking. The joint pains sucks and I feeel more lethargic and my vision is a touch blurry at times. Mood Ok but I am very on top of that. No weight change.

This is truly the bottomline. I fought acne for the majority of my twenties. I wish I had done this earlier. The medicine is not a cakewalk but neither is spending hours in front of the mirror trying to cover a giant cyst so that you can go to work and not have people look away from your face. I had tried everything and this is far easier than most of what I tried. The treatments, oinments, procedures. thousands of dollars thrown away when I should have just pushed my DR. for an RX. If you have bad acne or large cysts call you DR. and push. If that Dr will not do it, call another one. I wish I had 8 years ago.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

Clears skin..eventually! :p

Cons:

A bit of joint pain, usually when I get out of bed, I feel it in my ankles mostly, but not noticed too long after.
Everything else seems fine though.

Wanted to give an update. I have been on it for 1 and 1/2 months. After 1 month of new, painful breakouts, it started to calm down, and seemed to be healing up. However after a few days of that, I broke out again. Usually large, deep ones, quite painful. I am still however hopeful that it will take it all away with time. I am on 60mg a day now. (First month was 40mg a day) The Doctor did say that it can take 3 months to stop breaking out. I'll keep you posted!
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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