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 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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33.4%
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15.5%
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7.3%
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Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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March 31, 2009

Pros:

It works. Been on it for a little over a month and my acne is almost completely gone.

Cons:

Dry Cracked Lips. Expensive. Have to be careful about drinking alcohol.

The regimen is great, but it took me so long every morning to spread the treatment and moisturizer all over my face, chest, shoulders and back.
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March 31, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my nodules within a couple weeks; stopped excessive oil production immediately.

Cons:

Absolutely none.

I've been off accutane since September 2004 and have not have one breakout since. No teeny tiny pimples, much less those awful and painful nodules. I only wish that I had done it sooner but was scared because of hearing the side effects. I was lucky enough not to go through anything negative.
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March 18, 2009

Pros:

i am just about three weeks through my treatment, my skin is already clearing up well.

Cons:

dry lips, drinking alcohol can cause break outs and dryer skin, dry hands, back of my arms are dry and they make me flush and look slightly red. joints also ache alot wen i am in the gym.

i have had acne on my chin area since the turn of 2008 and i jst recently got put on accutane (feb 2009) by my derm. After tryin oxtetracyclin, doxycyclin and trymethoprim including millions of topical treatments like adapalene etc. i feel that accutane was my only positive cure. i do alot of weight training and take alot supplements to enhance my performance, this could have brought it on but i dnt no. i have always washed and moisturised my face morning and night since i was about twelve (i am now 19). a little tip is that if u drink wen on it yor body will dry up even more and dehydrate causing red rashes on some part of your body then u will brake out, so basically drinkin is a no! if u are thinkin about takin it bottom line is that it affected my part time job coz of mood swings but tell yor family also that u r takin it for their support u crnt do it alone!!!
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February 22, 2009

Pros:

Noticeable results within first day, skin's dry but thats why we have moisturizers.

Cons:

I just wish it wasn't so expensive. Blood work! I HATE NEEEDLES =)

All these kids complaining bout the treatment are punks. Plain and simple, omg my face is soo dry omg my lips omg im depressed, so f**king what, that's what they warn you bout, its in the list of side effects and you're gonna complain bout it? Especially the people complaining bout the flare out in the first few weeks of treatment, if your dermatologist didn't warn you bout it then get a new one! I can't wait to see the results I'll be getting, along with a bit of my confidence back, it saved my friend's social life and hopefully it'll save mine. I just hit the 2nd week of it with 40mg dosage, and I have the flare up but I don't mind it cause that's what its supposed to do before it kicks the oil gland's asses. =)
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February 14, 2009

Pros:

It works, I've tried for 4 years to get rid of my acne and nothing worked. I've tried everything from putting morning urine on my face to Tetracyclines. This is the only thing that worked.

Cons:

Expensive without insurence, bowel changes, dry skin and chapped lips. I got back pains for about 4 days but they went away quickly.

I love Accutane.. It was the drug that saved my face from further damage. Insurence covered almost all of the costs with accutane also. The side effects can be dangerous but are mild and rare especially when compared to other medicines such as Septra. My acne has been clear for an entire year and shows no sign of comming back as of yet. The side effects such as dry skin and bowel changes go away gradually after 2-3 months. I really recamend you consult your doctor before you consider accutane though. Use it only if nothing else works.
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February 9, 2009

Pros:

My skin has never looked better - acne is a thing of the past

Cons:

I'm still on a low dose after 9 months, you're lips do get very dry, the risks to children I may choose to have later, given the side affects while on the drug scares me a little.

At 32, with acne that appeared in my early 20's and never seemed to get better for long, I think it's a god sent. I wish that I'd been prescribed it when I was younger believing that the scaring I now have would have been signifcantly reduced. The side effects are scary but if handled in a responsible manner - the results make the risk well worth it.
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

I have had acne for 7 years and am on accutane as last result!! My skin is already clearing up after 7 weeks on Accutane!! Im so happy!! My skin has not looked this good in six-seven years.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips

The side affects I have experienced so far are no wear near as bad as I thought. My hair and scalp became dry and irritated and my skin and lips were dry, but with a deep hydrating shampoo, Dr Dan's lip balm (its amazing....designed for people on Accutane with severly dry lips), and Cetapil face lotion I am fine!! I wasted soo much money and time on other presciptions and treatments like the acne lazer. I wish I would have gone on accutane years ago, but am so glad im on it now. After trying other medications and if you have severe acne, go on Accutane!!!!!!!!!! :)
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January 29, 2009

Pros:

cleared my face (THANK GOD!!)

Cons:

VERY expensive, I have great insurance and I still paid $350! very dry face, with flaking, my skin started to flake around my piercings, gross! Dry lips, bloody nose, dry scalp, dryness in corner of lips.

The first 5 days I used it my acne started to clear, it was great, then the following 5 days my face started to break out, and actually ended up looking worse than it did before I started. I was almost ready to give up, but I stuck it out and after about a week to a week and a half of bad break outs I finally started to clear up. The most annoying part was that I couldn't wear make up because it looked so bad with my skin flaking. I think I applied chap stick at least every hour because my lips would absorb it so fast. If you can apply a lot of lotion, chap stick and moisturizer, and use a hydrating shampoo, (I had good luck with head an shoulders, and it smells good too!) then I would recommend this medication, you just have to have a lot of patience and tolerance for that matter.
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January 28, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my face, back, shoulders, and chest of acne.

Cons:

The problem is that it didn't last for long. It's been about a year since my last dose and my acne has already come back. Good thing is that my back and shoulders have stayed cleared.

If your insurance doesn't cover the cost, expect to pay a fortune. Looking back, i don't regret taking it i just wish that it had kept me clear for longer. One of the worst cons of the drug was the redness and long periods of healing time. While i was on accutane my face would turn into a tomato during stress, physical activity, or simply bending over to tie my shoes (however, that symptom has gone away). Also, whenever i break out, it takes at least two weeks for the scars to completely vanish. I hate it.
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January 25, 2009

Pros:

Clears breakouts immediately

Cons:

Dry skin and lips

This is the best thing I ever used. I started it when I was about 15. I used 40mg every other day and my skin was crystal clear in less than 3 months. I had really bad acne on my face, back and chest and this cleared it right up. I had no more scars left and I stopped wearing makeup. My skin also stayed clear for 3 years after taking it. I started to get mild break outs after that for about another 3 years but kept it in check with otc products. Now I'm 27 and I just had a baby and my skin has started to break out pretty bad. I wish I can go back on it but I am on Retin-A and trimethoprim as well as clindamycin lotion. Hope it works as good as Accutane. It was the best!
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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