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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3.9
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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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June 11, 2008

Pros:

Starting to work after 1 n a half months

Cons:

Dry lips and face, nose bleeds

It worth getting but for me it is taking longer then i wanted it to but im very glad im on it becuasse i can see a difference and have not broke out in a long time.
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June 10, 2008

Pros:

Works very well and makes skin acne free within 2 months.

Cons:

Dries your skin, lips and eyes. Also damages your hyperthyroid.

Don't use longer than 3 months, take a break after 3 months for about a month and repeat if needed.
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June 7, 2008

Pros:

Acne Clearing up:]

Cons:

blood test, CANT WAX i just got waxed anndd yeahh...my skin was ripped so dont do it haha, sunbun easily. But that's it!

umm..def get this product. I've done 23982938 other things like pro active, retina A, and literally every pricey treatment and product out there. I just started it but I feel improvements already:] I wish i heard of this product earlier. You face should be the main concern even if it was 135 a month it's worth it if it work.
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May 31, 2008

Pros:

It works this drug is a miracle i have no spots on my body or face and i used to have loads ive tried everything and this is fantasic!. i got it free on nhs and i had no 'bad' side effects fantastic

Cons:

dry lips and skin but not terribly if you use vaseline and moisturiser all the time.

This is a miracle pill for me I have tried antiobiotics for years,birth control pill,creams,lotions,over the counter stuff,face washes nothing else worked or not for long anyway this was amazing i was on it for 4 months and am 100% clear its given me my life back and would recommend it to anyone! im not sure if it was better for me because i had a lower dose but had no terrible side effects and i hope i stay clear for a long time if not forever! xxx
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May 31, 2008

Pros:

Less Oil

Cons:

Acne came back

After trying every acne treatment available, I gave Accutane a try. After the six month treatment my face was smooth and clear for the first time in years, but within days my face began to break out again. By the end of the second week off, my face is covered in pimples again. Some of us folks just aren't meant to live in the outside world.
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May 30, 2008

Pros:

95% of acne is gone.
Oil went away.
Confidence in public.

Cons:

Like all good things in life, gets worse before it gets better.
Very dry lips, eyes, inside nose and skin.

I have been suffering from acne since I can remember, all the medications I tried in the past worked but it werent a cure, the acne always came back. This is the first time I feel and see a significant change. In my opinion its all worth it to finally have clear skin.
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May 28, 2008

Pros:

Clear Skin, no oil, smaller pores, less make-up

Cons:

Dry Dry Dry Everything....body, lips, nose, eyes. Very sensitive to sunlight. Crying spells.

I have had cystic acne my entire adulthood (Im 32 now) and have used every antibotic possible. Finally my doctor put me on accutane. The first two weeks I had horrible breakouts. About the third week things started getting better. I am on my second month and although the side effects are a bit aggrevating, it is so worth it to me. My face is about 90% cleared of the cysts and my pores are so much smaller. I have known several people that have used accutane and have had great results. I use lip balm all day and use Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion daily, which is great. For females, know that the vaginal dryness while on the medicine is horrible, but can be dealt with through lubricants. This is something that the doctor says is very normal and will go back to normal once I am no longer on the medicine. I have a few more months to deal with the side effects but if the medicine works long term i will have no regrets.
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May 28, 2008

Pros:

Almost clear skin
Almost

Cons:

The occasional zit is a DISASTER, chapped lips, redness, blood tests

You have to get a blood test every single month, as well as a doctor's visit. It's hella expensive. You won't have as many but the zits you get will be worse than anything you have ever seen. But it works beautifully, and there will be days you're just so glad you took it.
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May 25, 2008

Pros:

cleared nearly all my acne up

Cons:

dry lips etc and NO alcohol lol

ive been taking it for 10 weeks today and its cleared 80 percent of my acne up. clearer than it has been for about 5 years. ive just turned 20 and ive had acne on my back and face for since about 14/15. my face and lips av been dry but no other side affects, no alcohol is the worst, especially as its summer nearly.
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May 24, 2008

Pros:

Got rid of my acne

Cons:

This is the scariest drug I have ever taken. I looked at the side effects and initially laughed..but this drug gave me, a normal person, crying spells, fits of violence, and, yes, suicidal thoughts. This is a scary drug.

This, by far, is the scariest drug I have ever taken. Yes this drug did clear up my skin, and I have not had acne since, but this indeed came at a terrible price. Everyone who knew me last year would describe me as a calm, collected person. I had many friends and good family relationships. I was a happy person except for my acne. For the first month or two, I experienced only limited side effects, including chapped lips and dry skin. But recently, they were MUCH MUCH worse. I heard about the psychiatric side effects and truly thought that that could never be me..that there was a 1 in a 112341324 chance that I would ever have suicidal thoughts because of a stupid acne medication. Sure enough, I slowly became more and more emotional, cried for no apparent reason, became angry at nothing, and isolated myself socially. I seemed to hide the emotional pain from the world, and even though I had many people who really cared about me that talked to me daily, nobody said or did a
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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