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
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

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November 30, 2007

Pros:

CLEAR SKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a blemish anywhere

Cons:

I had no side effects at all!

I had severe acne, I tried all sorts of Rx meds, both oral and topical. as a last resort my MD gave accutane and it was the best! I didn't have a single side effect.
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

Effective treatment after taking for 5months i didnt get any acne for around a year.

Cons:

Disturbing side effects like seriously dry skin which no matter how much cream you apply it doesnt really help,also lips crack easily and watch out if you have to eat alot as you tend to bleed at the corners of your mouth.

I would look into oral anti-biotics first and try every known brand as taking this drug isnt the first thing you should try.I would try oxytetracycline and also erythromycin as these do work for a while.If you have mild acne try anti-biotics however severve go for roaccutane
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November 29, 2007

Pros:

No more oily face and hair (I can go all day without turning into a greaseball!), acne is clearing up

Cons:

Initial flare up, peeling skin, very chapped lips, dry nose/nose bleeds, muscle aches, joint pain especially in knees and neck, rash on the back of hands, tiredness

Although I have a lot of side effects, I am SO impressed and happy with this medication. After just one month my extremely oily skin and hair are so much less greasy and my moderate acne is starting to clear up. I'm 28 and have had acne that didn't respond to any treatment since I was 12. The side effects are manageable: Aquaphor for chapped lips & rash (it's an ointment and it WORKS). Saline spray for nose issues. Advil for muscle aches & joint pain if it's bad. A cup of coffee for tiredness + lots and lots and lots of water to counteract the drying effects of it. Between the de-greasing effect and the prospect that this is actually going to work, it's totally worth the side effects!
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November 25, 2007

Pros:

Clears EVERYTHING up

Cons:

Disturbing bi efects..

Amazing.. a last way out really.. dint need to pay for it as i live in sweden! we have good health care ;)
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November 23, 2007

Pros:

stopped oil prod within couple of wks.Only med that has worked,tried every other med that didn't work

Cons:

dried cracked lips especially in corners ,back pain is very disturbing,but worth finally having better skin

I,have been on accutane for 6 months ,1st,thru 3months on 80mgs then next 2 months ever 3th day 120 mgs,now in my 6month, I, am on 120 every other day.I have small bumps on my face that were filled with white pus that I would squeeze and they would come back a week later for like 15 yrs,I,had this ritual.Accutane is the only med that has stopped this nasty crap .Well ,so far so good ,my skin is getting better by the week,I hope it continues when ,I , am off this med?I am 37yrs old,didnt have IB but my face has clear up ,I had small skin color bumps with white pus and some pitting from squeezin that would not go away since the age of 20.accutane has stopped the oil prod,blackheads and help with my scarring
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November 23, 2007

Pros:

Clears up skin

Cons:

Your skin gets worse first, your eyes and lips dry out really bad

The blood tests you take are ridiculous, I have high cholesterol (it runs in the family) and I was put on Accutane for a month, I have had to put so much money in buying ointment for my eyes and for the sooo many blood tests you have to have every month to get the next month's prescription. Now my doctor said my cholesterol was too high and said I can't continue- I was on it for month. So you have to be really healthy to take this, its not just a "yes or no, I want to go on this", there are a lot of factors that go into this... sometimes they can't even be controlled.
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November 21, 2007

Pros:

Worked after only one round of treatment, and kept my skin looking great for a long time afterwards!

Cons:

Drying to the skin. Requires periodic blood tests to check for liver damage.

My acne is was moderate, but not very controllable when I went on Accutane. After one course of treatment, my skin was the clearest it had been since elementary school! My acne has never been as bad as it was before I went on Accutane, and is now much more controllable. The only real problem I had with it was an outbreak of eczema, but that was controlled with a facial moisturizer and a topical steroid for my hands and feet.
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November 20, 2007

Pros:

This is the only product that has cleared up my face and I have been dealing with acne since I was 12 years old and I am now 23.

Cons:

I suffered a stroke from the combination of this medication and the required birth control that you must take with it when I was 17. Now my acne is back and I am trying to find a method to clear it up.

This product works but be careful of the side effects. I had to get a blood test every month and thought that I would be ok health wise but then I suffered from a stroke. I know have to deal with having a stroke on my medical history which increases the risk of other things in my life like having a baby.
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November 17, 2007

Pros:

gave me prefect skin for over a year after I finished taking it, wonderful medication that worked wonders!

Cons:

They went overboard on regulating this medication, so many tests they make you get done it's a real hassle. The Iplege program a real pain especially for females cause they make you take pregnancy test every month even if your a nun!

Best acne medication on earth. Godsend for people suffering with bad acne. Side effects are not bad and I think some people are paranoid. Expect some dryness in the lips, face and nose. Everything else is rare. I was never depressed. I think that study came from the fact most people taking this are teens and going thru the hormone changes which depress them anyway! I went on once when i was 16 and once again at 29. My only side effects were dry nose, lips and a few nose bleeds the first time i took it cause it dries everything out. Acne can get worse the first month or so but then during the end of treatment you start getting real clear and then continue after you finish. I had the best skin ever! Movie star skin! I could go without makeup! I highly recommend. I want to go on one more time if I can, but IPLEGE is such a pain they make you jump through hoops now. Was much better the first time I went on at 16, I should have done a 2nd round back then instead of waiting so long.
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November 16, 2007

Pros:

After a few weeks I noticed less oil on my skin. I'm seeing results that I hadn't with other medications.

Cons:

Side Effects...joint pain, dryness of everything and remembering to take it twice a day.

I have very mild acne but nothing has helped it and my doc recommended accutane. I'm sick of wasting the doctor's time with mild acne so I tried it. Been on it a little over a month and seeing great effects. The joint pain is a little frustrating especially at night but I think it will be worth it in the end. Very cheap with my insurance.
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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