Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Results
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.

3.9
2791
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.5%
2
7.3%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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April 1, 2008

Pros:

Easily takes care of light and moderate acne.

Cons:

Dry lips

I've had acne since I was 13, tried a lot of stuff (the regimen, zinc supplements, doctor's advise stuff) but nothing seemed to quite cut it. The regimen was just a pain to keep up (but it did clear my face after about 3 months) so I just stopped it, and the acne came back although it was less than before. My only advice is use it when you have a full grown body, this stuff is pretty severe and can seriously damage joints. Side effect were just dry lips and occasional dryness around my nose. Best thing, here in the Netherlands it's fully covered. A free cure to my everlasting acne!
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March 24, 2008

Pros:

Clear face, blackheads cleared up, skin looks great!

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry skin and eyes

Anyone who is battling acne i recommend this drug to! I didn't have any major side effects just dry skin, lips, and eyes. But as long as you drink tons of water with this medication the side effects aren't bad at all. there is a warning of depression or suicide on this drug.. i didnt experience any depression at all on this drug. I am glad my derm told me about it because it worked great for me! I just finished up my last month and my face looks the best it ever has, anyone who is starting this drug it is worth it!
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March 14, 2008

Pros:

It made my skin completely clear and once I got off it, the scars and redness went away.The product actually changes how your skin works. Flawless skin.

Cons:

I had extremely chapped lips, nose bleeds, and I went back to horrible skin about eight months later.

Great product, but I wish it lasted.
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February 21, 2008

Pros:

Clearing up my acne... seems to be GREAT stuff! My skin feels nice and soft and seems to be smoothing out already!

Cons:

Switched to another generic accidentally and did had a massive outbreak. Found out you can't switch or it stops the process.

Haven't really been on it long enough to be sure... but found out something I wanted to share with everyone. I was on Sotret for 30 days which seemed to have cleared my acne up within 4 weeks, then I went and got my new 30 day supply filled at a different pharmacy... and they gave me Claravis. I am breaking out like CRAZY! HUGE cystic boils that HURT. Bottom Line: If you are taking a generic form of Accutane like Sotret or Claravis... DON'T SWITCH from one to the other. You will be starting over from square 1 each time!
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February 20, 2008

Pros:

Works well, made most of acne go away, cystic acne is still there but getting better all the time. I am very oily and this made my face matte.

Cons:

Nosebleeds, backache, very dry skin especially on my arms and on my face, *seriously* chapped lips

This stuff works, no doubt about it. The dermatologist wouldn't let me try it for a long time, the whole routine with topicals and the like. The iPledge rules are really a pain but still well worth it. I've been on it for about three months and made me forehead clear up in less than a week. The cystic acne on my cheeks is still there but is drying up and getting much better. Still got a little while more to go but I'm really excited about how things will work out. The only thing I REALLY don't like about Accutane is that it completely changed my mood and I become very agitated easily.
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

Really cleared up my skin for about 7-8 years after I took it- no major breakouts until now

Cons:

Starting to come back, so didn't really fix it!
Severely dry skin, especially my lips (Carmex was a godsend)

At the time- totally worth it!! Now... not willing to go back on it because of the side effects.
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January 30, 2008

Pros:

Get rid of Acne for two years
Your skin are all clear

Cons:

Might come back after 2 years
Leave so many Scar after Initial Breakout
The initial breakout is really pain

I suffer depression while I am on tane.....the initial break out is totally unacceptable.....while the acne come back after two years.......I suggest people to try everything first before try accutane as it will breakout like crazy......or consult ur doctor first before even attempt totry but overall it is a good treatment for severe acne
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my skin when nothing else worked.

Cons:

Dry, cracked lips, dry patches on arms, sun sensitivity, pain in the ass pregnancy tests, acne eventually came back (but not as bad).

I had to do two courses of Acutane and while it could be a pain sometimes (waking every morning with my lips split on the sides, the monthly pregnancy test, occasional blood tests, discovering my lips could get sunburnt, dry patches on arms) and my acne has come back a bit since then, it's nowhere near as bad as it was before. This stuff is amazing. I don't regret using it for a second.
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January 22, 2008

Pros:

Did clear up back/arm acne permanently & significantly improved face.

Cons:

Generally as expected (dry, dry, dry!)Unfortunately for me, not a permanent cure.

I'm 41 & have had acne since 13. After tying everything in my teens and early 20's by the time my dermatologist suggested Accutane I would have taken anything. Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't permanent (repeated regiment 3 times in my 20's - acne came back approx. 8-12 months post RX). My dermatologist now has me on a 40m/10 days (yes, one pill every 10 days) and this keeps everything under control - still get some when I get sloppy, but for the most part I can function without looking like a teenager. Don't think this usage is documented in the RX literature, but I don't have any real side effects and we monitor my blood work every 6 months. I've been doing it this way for maybe 4-5 years, but thinking of stopping & trying acne.org regiment instead (have tried similar before, but not to the same degree).
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January 15, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin

Cons:

Very dry lips and joint pains and if yr unlucky like me acne comes back worser than ever.

Ok the acne on my face was only moderate but on my back/chest it was seriously bad, so after trying Tetracycline and minocycline and not seeing any results my Dr sent me to a dermatologist who put me on accutane, >> started at 20mg then 40 then 60 for last 2 months Lucky for me it kicked in almost stright away after 6 months the spots had gone and only few scars where left. Which made me very happy. Unfortunately ive been off them now for about 1 month and my face is worser then when I started on them, my back and chest are still amazingly clean but my face isnt and personally I would prefer them on my back than my face. Unlucky I know but even still I guess medication work better for some then otheres and on a good note it has cleard the ones from my back/chest (well atleast for now) so if I was you id still give it a try I mean you can always come off them if side effects get too bad. Im hoping to get back on them again soon but theres a darn waitin
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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