Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

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October 22, 2007

Pros:

Completely stops the oil! Really helped clear my skin as well. Hardly any side effects at all, although I was prepared for the worst.

Cons:

Dry lips, dandruff in my hair. Also, for me the oil CAME BACK one month after stopping the medication but I am still clear.

It is expensive, but worth it in my opinion. It really helped clear my skin with minimal side effects, and I am ready and willing to go on a second course if I need to. It has helped me more than anything else ever has.
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

Takes the oil away instantly within the first week...starts drying your current acne and clears it....i've had no initial breakout thus far....

Cons:

Dry skin...dry lips...tired...

IT IS AMAZING...make sure it is taken with food because it will work sooo much better...drink plenty of water-prevent breakouts from being that bad...wear only mineral makeup: powder form...dont pick at them AT ALL!! It is proven to work...just give it time...
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

stops acne in its tracks

Cons:

dry lips

should be used as last resort.
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

Clears up acne very well, doesn't leave scarring.

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry skin, sun sensitivity, joint pain. Acne came back.

I've taken RoAccutane twice now and about a year after both treatments my acne started to come back and gradually got worse. I am going on it again this time on a higher dosage then a maintenance dose.
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October 12, 2007

Pros:

cleared my acne up about 80%.

Cons:

dry lips, bloody nose, dry skin.

it has stopped alot of my active acne, i've been on it for 2 months and there's no major side effects. i have tried tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline, a ton of topical products, none of them worked at all. i am confident that this will clear my skin up in the next four months.
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October 9, 2007

Pros:

IT WORKS....PERIOD!!!! One thing i would highly recommend is that if you think that you are prone to depression, get put on lexapro while you are taking accutane. I took it along with accutane and it helped.

Cons:

Dry skin, dry hair, dry lips, bone pain.

I have struggled with nodular acne for over 15 years and have tired every kind of acne treatment available before getting on accutane. After having my first child my acne had gotten so bad that no other treatment was working so i had finally decided to give accutane a shot. ENOUGH was ENOUGH with shots in my face. Im here to tell you that after 7 months of accutane treatment and being off of it for the last 6 months i am SO HAPPY i decided to get on it and i wish i would have done it sooner than 34...it was worth it. My insurance covered the accutane as well. But if it wouldnt have and knowing what i know now i would have paid for it out of my own pocket. I had the usual dry skin, dry lips, high cholestrol and the worst was major bone pain in my legs. But all of that went away after i stopped the accutane. The bone pain took a little longer to completely stop hurting but i look back at it all now and i would do it all over again if i had too.
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October 8, 2007

Pros:

It clears up the acne (at least it did for me and several other friends).

Cons:

Chapped lips, sensitivity to sun, dry cracked knuckles and skin which were all alleviated with lip and skin moisturizers and staying out of the sun. Must drink lots of water as you really get dried out. Expensive if you don't have insurance coverage

I took Accutane for 6 months in 1989 when I was 23 and had battled with moderate to severe acne for many years. I am now 41 and I still don't have any problems with acne. If I get lazy and don't wash my face properly I might get one or two blemishes once in a while but otherwise I have no problems. In a nutshell, it worked for me and after 18 years I am still acne free! I honestly can't tell you how much Accutane was in the late 80s but my insurance paid for it. Consider all the money spent on topical solutions, antibiotics, etc. and you'll probably spend more on those in a lifetime than Accutane. As far as the side effects especially birth defects, I had to sign so many documents stating that I understood how severe birth defects could be. It is a major drug and the warnings should be taken seriously. I know a handful of other people who took Accutane when I did and none of us suffered from depression or had suicidal tendancies. We were all so happy that are acne was cured!
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October 8, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

I've been on Sotret for 2 months and have no imporvement whatsoever. I hope it will finally kick in.

Doesn't work for everyone.
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October 5, 2007

Pros:

Quick acting, easy to administer (no creams or gels), covered by medical plan, no serious side effects (depression, liver problems, etc...).

Cons:

Dry Lips (Use Burt's Bees Wax Lip Chap), Dry nostrils, The odd bloody nose, slightly dry skin (in winter more than any other time), possible chance of having to do two separate 15-20 week cycles, no drinking, monthly blood tests, & expensive.

All in all this is the only product worth spending your money on. Dan's regiment is good and worth trying if you can't afford accutane; but for those of us who've tried everything and who are sick and tired of different medications that never seem to work or take too long, this is the right road to go down. Don't let the side effects scare you away, a very small percentage of people taking accutane get depressed and thats because of low self-esteem. The blood tests are a bit of a hassle, but nothing to worry about. STOP DELAYING AND GET ON THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE IT WORKS ! Talk to a dermatologist to begin your treatment !
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October 5, 2007

Pros:

My face had absolutely no oil, was really smooth, and by the end of 6 month course my acne was nearly gone!

Cons:

DRY SKIN AND LIPS!!!!!
Back pain, bloody nose, skin peeling and increased sensitivity to the sun. I also hate needles, so it sucked to do the blood test every month.

I am 19 and Caucasian. I had pretty moderate acne with whiteheads, blackheads, cysts you name it and accutane took care of it all. I did indeed have the initial breakout which lasted from months 2-4, and it was some of the worst acne I have ever had. But it cleared up during month 5 and my skin was starting to slowly heal itself. I had a couple zits every week during the last few weeks on the accutane, which is better than I could have ever hoped for. I just finished my 6 month course a few days ago and I could not be happier. I wish my acne scars and redness would go away, but that's another thing to deal with. I'm just hoping that my acne won't return for a long, long time. If you are looking to take this miracle drug, take caution of the side-effects and know what you're getting into.
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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