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
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3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
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January 11, 2008

Pros:

cleared up my skin.
looks way better and feels super soft.

Cons:

chapped lips. but nothing too bad. I make sure i have carmex with me ALL the time.

Its a great product. i was scared to try it at first. I read all of the negative reviews and got myself all worked up but its the best medication i've taken. totally worth it, and with insurance very affordable.
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January 10, 2008

Pros:

Does the business, cleared up all acne - didn't have one single spot for about a year whilst on it and then off for 6 months, had a couple for a year after.

Cons:

It doesn't last! Have had recurrences but to be fair nowhere near as bad as it used to be. Got a nasty case of dermatitis when I came off it.

Amazing drug, gave me the best two years of my life after a few pretty miserable ones. As for side effects,dryness, chapped lips - when you look inthe mirror and see a flawless complexion for the first time will you really care about having to use lip balm? Thought not. *Important* when you come off, as the drug works it's way out of your system, oil returns and this can cause some problems like dermatitis for me anyway. Make sure you don't carry on just using cetaphil and nothing else, you'll need to return to some regimen after the drug to make sure the oil returning doesn't give you a flare up.
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January 10, 2008

Pros:

dried up my oil glans. didn't have to was my hair as often. did clear it up somewhat.

Cons:

SIDE EFFECTS. night vision is bad, always tired, not as hungry (lost weight), very touchy (little things made me mad), scaring of breakouts i got while on it and any cut i got, bloody noses, depresstion, joint pain,

skin looked better while on it, but i still had probems. after the first time on it went back to how it had been before. and i went on it again. side effects the 2nd time were worse than the first. but i have heard it work wonders for people, but it doesn't work for everyone. but it is worth trying
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January 10, 2008

Pros:

you people ar making me so excited to use this. Like George Michel said You Gotta Have Faith.And I do that this will work.Oh man I have to wait a month to get it because im on a waiting list or something.

Cons:

Im worried but my excitement over powers!

I ll be a pretty tall blonde if this works with flawless skin YaY Im excited to be attractive looking again.Although my acnes nt that bad its bad enough to make me feel fungly and want to hide from the world any my attrative boyfriend.Thank You for making me belive something will actually work!Ill record my resultss after a month of having this.Oh yah im 14!
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January 8, 2008

Pros:

I have not had a single pimple since the 2nd month on accutane. my skin is smooth to the touch and less oily. After 3 months I stopped taking it, but now, over 2 months later, still good and no painful acne YES it really did work.

Cons:

Being on the drug is like being sick. The 2nd day, symptoms start. First, the awful cracking of the lips (which are only healed with Aquaphor). I had dry, itchy patches all over my arms, legs and hands which was the worst thing. (still SCARS!)

I got a prescription cortisone cream for the dry patches which really helped heal them over time. I went on a 3 day trip with no sleep and that made my skin go haywire and my entire right hand looked like it had a huge scab on it of dry skin. My nose was always stuffy with dried blood which made me feel unwell compared to other people and hemorrhoids??. My spine would feel weird (the joint pain people refer to) and I just felt sick. There were no mental changes at all though. I hated the painful breakout during the first month and a half, but I was committed to endure the side effects since my acne had been so PAINFUL and ugly since 10th grade to now my junior year of college. I would start to forget to take the dinner pill. It was such an emotional ordeal getting the drug, having to take birth control, getting monthly labwork, but when my hair was oil-free (nice!) and skin clear, I just had to stop because the side effects were too much, so I stopped @ 3 months in hard nursing school!
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January 7, 2008

Pros:

clear, non-oily skin when NOTHING ELSE worked

Cons:

took about 4 months to work, dry skin during treatment, extremely chapped lips, frequent nosebleeds, aching joints

here is my brief story: I started off with mild acne and used products like benzaclin and duac, 2.5% benzoil peroxide creams, to help. Those didn't work, and when my acne became "moderate", I was put on doxycycline. After four months of doxycycline and retin-a alternating with benzoil peroxide, my acne worsened. I tried natural treatments, basically every acne product on the market. It wouldn't go away. After much contemplation, I was put on accutane. Fast forward four months-- perfect skin. People telling me that they want my skin. What a turnaround! I do have some minor scarring but it's not much at all, and it is very easy to cover up. I went from severe acne with no hope to perfect skin. If you've tried what I had tried and it didn't work, go on accutane immediately. You deserve it.
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January 6, 2008

Pros:

Clears up skin periodically but is unreliable

Cons:

Nasty dark bumps, rashes on skin, dry itchy scalp etc etc

I have been on this drug for 4 months now and I am still breaking out. I cant believe it, this was supposed to be the answer but I am SO disappointed. Now I see why it can cause depression. My breakouts arent as bad as before but they are still coming. Considering coming off it.
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January 5, 2008

Pros:

No oil! I could literally put a napkin on my face and see it through a light. Is starting to clear crap up.

Cons:

dry lips, joint pain. Would recommend pain killers and lots. Funny because I'm an athlete. Depression-none, thats just a mental thing. You should probably be stable and in good health.

I've had moderate/sever acne for a couple years now. Endless times looking in the mirror to see if those smudges and spots ever went away. I'm glad to see my face drying up and changing. I don't care about side affects at all as long as it removes this stuff off my face. Acne may not be a big deal, but really it is. I think this drug has given people there self confidence back and I will soon get there.
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January 3, 2008

Pros:

CLEAR SKIN!! that pretty much sums up the pros of accutane. =) less oily skin and hair.

Cons:

Everyone freaks about the side effects, I know I did.. But all were completely tolerable and managable... dry lips- use aquaphor, dry skin- all you need is a good moisturizer, muscle, joint pains- just remember to drink plenty of water!

My skin is no longer an issue for me and it is such a good feeling. It seems so unreal how bad my face used to be, but while I was going through my bad stages of acne, it seemed like the end of the world, as I'm sure it does for alot of people. I've had minimal acne off and on for the past 4 years. I broke out so bad last summer that my mom and I finally agreed to try accutane for my skin. I had huge pimples all over and new ones everyday. I would cry when I took my makeup off and while putting it on, trying to cover it up. Everyone told me its not a big deal and I shouldnt let it change who I was, but I couldn't help not wanting to show my face in public. Now that I've been on accutane for 4 months (I'm only at 60mg a day which is very low but I am small, 5'5 110lbs) my skin is clear and I can actually go out in oublic WITHOUT any makeup and feel comfortable. Trust me this medication is worth it, and don't worry about the side effects, jsut take extra care of your body while on it.
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January 1, 2008

Pros:

clears up skin !!!!!!

Cons:

some side effects

I've been taking accutane for about 3 1/2 weeks. The 2nd week my face started to clear up then a sudden break out I just pray to god that this will boost my confidence and will allow me to minister to others with no worries. God has never let me down and i know this is a way god will demonstrate his love to me and clear my skin before the 6 months are up :) can i hear a amen
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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