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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37.1%
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33.4%
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15.5%
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7.3%
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6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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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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May 13, 2008

Pros:

Dried up oil in my face, cleaned pores, no more cysts!!

Cons:

Dry lips, red eyes (at times), REAL bad breath in the morning, small rashes at times, redness in face at times

Ok, ONLY go on Accutane if acne is effecting your life so much that you can't stand it anymore. I waited SOOOOO long to try this out of fear that I'd look like a freak for 6 months. This was just NOT the case. I made sure to take EVERY precaution (including carrying aquaphor in my pocket and applying it to my lips CONSTANTLY). Be responsible about this medicine. Do EVERYTHING it tells you to do (not drink, smoke, get pregnant,etc.). I took accutane for 6 months and have been off of it for almost 3 months. WOW! I still deal with red marks, but I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. My face just feels cleaner, I can't explain it. DOn't sit there and no do anything. Accutane will help you!! I have GREAT insurance, so this costly medicine only cost me $3.00. It is normally QUITE expensive.
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May 9, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin completely after 3 months. I first saw results within the first two weeks- my acne started to clear and the oil on my face disappeared. Once I stopped breaking out- the spots on my face cleared.

Cons:

Having to keep up with the blood work.

Took for 6.5 months. 1 month since last dose. I wished I had researched and gotten a prescription years earlier! Take the medicine seriously, but don't be afraid of all the warnings. I NEVER experienced any emotional issues while on accutane and I have a history with depression unrelated to acne. People complain about the dry lips/skin/nose/hair/etc. but the truth of the matter is that its all manageable- and its apart of the accutane doing what its supposed to do. Go buy some lotion, conditioner and lip balm (which you should use regardless of accutane) and make sure that you always use it and you'll have no problem. Also give it a couple months for dramatic results. You owe it to yourself to at least try!
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May 9, 2008

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

chapped lips, dry peely skin, blood tests.

welll . . the first 3 weeks i was on it i was on the 20mg dose and ALL my acne went away. then the next week all of it came back ? so i got put on the 60mg dose amd ive been using it for 3 more weeks and there have been no improvement at alll . i hope its just pushing it all out before it gets better ? but im not sure why it got really good before then got worse again.
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May 5, 2008

Pros:

Cleared out my skin completely, and I'm still acne free 6 months after stopping it (although I'm on Diane 35 now). Accutane was covered by my university health plan so I paid only about $20/mth

Cons:

Severely dry lips, diminished appetite. It took a while to start working, I was on it for 6 months. I lost appetite which wasn't great because you need to eat fatty meals for accutane to work best

Recommended, but make sure you are under supervision of a dermatologist and have blood tests done at least once per month. Now, my only problem is getting rid of old acne scars.
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April 27, 2008

Pros:

I have only been on Accutane for a few weeks and have already seen amazing results, without the major/horrible side effects you will read about

Cons:

Dry lips/inability to concentrate the first hour or so after taking/very sun sensitive! Blood tests every month. WAY too much $ if your insurance sucks!

I NEVER had acne until I got off birth control; NOTHING worked for 6 months of over-the-counter crap, antibiotics, topical creams ect..If you want something that works & works fast try this! If you experience the really bad side effects-STOP taking it. It's out of your system in 24hrs.
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April 21, 2008

Pros:

cleared skin up entirely (nothing has ever worked for me), no more greasy face

Cons:

chapped lips, rashes on hands and wrists (but my doctor gave me special cream to fix that), nose would bleed 3-4 times a week, acne came back in 1 year

It is an extremely risky drug, and I was lucky enough to not have experienced the really bad side effects. I have read online that many users of accutane have had hair loss and have gotten depression from taking accutane. I was only on acctuane for 4 months before my face was clear of acne. Unfortunately, a year after taking accutane, my acne has returned. I plan to begin it again. Those who have taken accutane twice, usually never get acne again.
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

Clears up your face quick
It's just a pill, not a science of face washing with all sorts of creams and such.

Cons:

Horribly chapped/dry lips.
Dried out, peeling skin on face
Very sensitive eyes. Red face. Overall skin dryness. Bones are more sensitive. Caused anger in the first two weeks of medicine.

I started with 40mg a day the first month, then went to 60mg the 2nd month; Now I am halfway through my 3rd month with 90mg a day total. Im using the Sotret accutane(offbrand) and it works just as good. I used doxycycline, tetracycline, topical creams, every type of face wash, nothing worked. Accutane cleared my forehead up instantly but I have deep acne on the sides of my face. The accutane took out the lumps after about a month and a half, but I'm at the three month period and you can still see acne on my face. It's just smoother and not as obtrusive. The main problem I have with this medicine is the sensitive eyes because no matter what eye drops I used they all didn't work and I always ended up squinting a lot or resting my eyes. My face was very red and I had white circles around my eyes. That wasn't too cool, but it will all clear up and be worth it.
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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