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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4
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15.5%
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Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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September 1, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne

Cons:

Side Effects:
Dry eyes
Dry nose (and bleeding)
Stomach ache
Joint pain
Extremely dry skin
Aggrivated eczema
Dry, cracked lips
Low mood (for a short period)
Social life affected - little alcohol and sun=not much fun!

I'm 22 and had been considering using this for a long time due to persistent moderate acne. I had tried a lot from aged 15 til 21 including Zineryt, Antibiotics (3 kinds), Benzoyl Peroxide, Differin and all the various OTC treatments to no avail. Started the treatment (30mg) on 11 May 2012 and started seeing reduced acne from a few weeks in, at the same time all the side effects started kicking in. After 1 month I started suffering low mood and was advised to lower my dose to 20mg for 4 weeks. This helped and my mood picked up, but my skin started getting the odd pimple again. I then went back up to 30mg for 5 weeks and then up to 40mg for a further 5. This is where I am at the moment and I would say my skin is more or less clear. I am under no delusions that I still have a long way to go and that the acne could return at any time following treatment. I thought long and hard before deciding to go on this and also looked at the various issues surrounding long-term conditions that this is suspected to cause. I will always be confident that I didn't rush or make any quick decisions. I would recommend it only if someone has tried all other options and researched the risks of taking such a powerful drug because although some have a fairly easy ride - not everyone does.
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August 13, 2012

Pros:

Clears up acne

Cons:

Doesn't last
Severe dry skin
flakyness
Itchyness
Regular appointments mean taking time off work

I started off taking 30mg a day and my skin started to clear up really quickly. However i also developed severe eczema over my face/hands/arms/legs/feet. Before the treatment i only ever had slight eczema patches on my hand but 4 weeks into treatment i was covered in it. The eczema looked a whole lot worse than the acne did! I also suffered an extremely itchy scalp and dry lips throughout treatment. Having regular appointments is also a pain, two appointments a month - one for the blood test and another for a pregnancy test/ represcription. Taking time off work for these was a hassle. Overall the treatment was good at first however the side affects / blood tests were not worth all the hassle and a few months after stopping treatment my acne came back anyway. If you suffer from eczema i would really reccommend trying something else :(
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August 10, 2012

Pros:

-Clear skin (but not truly permanent)
-Regained confidence
-decrease in oil production (awesome)

Cons:

SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS:

-HAIR LOSS (AWFUL) & permanent change in hair health (breakage, not wavy anymore)
-EXCESSIVE SWEATING/HEAT INTOLERANCE (embarrassing... I have been off Accutane for over a year and i sweat at the slightest heat, my friends make fun of me)
-Severe headaches
-Raised cholesterol

LESS SEVERE:

-Bad joint pain
-Very dry, RED eyes (used moisturizing gel drops daily)
-Dry lips (but manageable with AQUAPHOR)
-Sad thoughts(?) unsure if related

READ THIS I've been on accutane 3 times over the past 6 years so I feel like I can speak with a lot of authority. I love it but it's not totally permanent, however YOUR SKIN WILL NEVER BE AS BAD AS IT WAS BEFORE ACCUTANE even if you still break out pretty badly after accutane. I have had severe acne since I was about 15 (I'm 21 now)... I developed SEVERE back acne at about 15, I mean SEVERE. On my face I just had typical pimples but nothing like my back. My derm prescribed me Accutane, 60 mg for 6 months (at the time I was about 5'3, 115 lbs). I finished the course with beautiful, clear, glowing skin. And the side effects sucked yeah but nothing unbearable, I have severely oily skin so I didn't mind the dryness, I LOVED hardly having to wash my hair and my skin wasn't greasy. So that round of accutane, HAS COMPLETELY CLEARED MY BACK SINCE. It's been 6 years since and not a single pimple back there. BUT after having amazing skin for about a year, I started breaking out badly on my FACE this time around... I immediately took a second low-dose round, 40 mg for 8 months. Once again clear face, that lasted almost a year before my face started breaking out badly again. This 2nd round of accutane, I LOST HALF MY HAIR. It sucked, mostly grown back since though. Took a 3rd round in college... some more hair loss, not as bad but that's when the sweating started. Ugh read my side effects... I have complete heat intolerance. After this round (40mg/6mos), broke out again after 3 months. NOW I said forget accutane - I appreciate what it did for me and do recommend it, but I refused to use it a 4th time as its obvi not permanent for me (except my back!!). With this latest bad, cystic breakout I started taking SPIRONOLACTONE 200 mg/daily and its a miracle. SKIN CLEAR LADIES - TRY SPIRONOLACTONE FIRST!!! Works just as well if not better w/out the nasty side effects - SERIOUSLY READ THE REVIEWS!! I have so many
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May 22, 2012

Pros:

-Cleared up cystic acne
-Worked quickly
-Skin stayed completely clear for about 6 months

Cons:

-Extremely dry lips and skin
-Developed eczema after first month
-I still have acne about a year and a half after last dosage
-Huge commitment

I do definitely recommend accutane for those with severe cystic acne. It is a huge commitment, but it clears up those big, painful zits right away. It's been a year and a half after I took my last dosage, and I have been developing acne again. Not as bad as before accutane, but moderate. It's worth a try, but be sure to ask your dermatologist for eczema cream!
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April 24, 2012

Pros:

-Clear Skin
-Smooth skin
-Great Skin
-non greasy skin

Cons:

-depression
-dry lips
-dry skin
-sensitive skin

Understand that this is a game changer. It will clear your skin. Now im not sure about whether it will come back cuz im still on it (hope so!!!).
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September 27, 2011

Pros:

Skin did clear quickly for me no initial outbreak , skin was easier to manage and hair was less greasy too ! Made me feel good about myself that was working until.. the other side effects kicked in.

Cons:

Dry Lips
Confusion
Not knowing anything anymore
Wondering about everything !
Doubt on everything
NO CONFIDENCE!!
Panick Attacks
Crying all the time over nothing
Mood Swings
Un Social
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS even to the point of thinking how I could do it and who would miss me.
EXTREME anxiety ! not going out with friends, not going to work as to worried about getting there etc even though i have driven for years !

After going to the derm specialist and telling him i kept feeling like i was suicidal etc and depressed non stop and couldnt go out anymore he increased my dose?!!! which even i thought was stupid , i then went to my GP as i wanted help with the suicidal feelings and not being able to go out because i kept thinking the worse scenario for any everyday task which i am no way and never have been previously to taking this drug , my GP Signed me off work as i constantly had to stay busy with cleaning, over and over again etc to keep my mind busy and my job is office based in a tiny dark room making me more depressed, i have now cut the tablet down to 20 mg as i was on 30mg then increased to 40 which i refused to take and after a week on 20 ill go to 10 and stop completely , the doctors advised that the anxiety, depression etc will most likely remain so i am now attending councelling and hypnotherapy, I have always moaned about my skin which to be fair wasnt SEVERE acne but looking back im suprised the derm didnt give me more info and maybe tried anti-biotics i just agreed after all he was a specialist! now iv started coming off the pills my spots are returning but I have realised now lifes to short to worry about spots ! be you and get on with it id rather be spotty than have this horrible feeling everyday of sickness, panick, stomach pains and constant worry about everything and anything for example im now worrying about worrying !! Everything affects everyone differently but if your depressed anyway or low mood , down etc i would not reccommend i was fine bubbly happy and the most confident of all my friends now i have become the boring, safe, miserable, moody , un social friend, and my poor fiance is getting the whole backlash of my mood changes!! Just try everything else first possible !! im hoping to get a strong cream and anti-biotic to try instead !..... Seriously if you have to sign something to say you wont get pregnant etc and the i-pledge doc you know its bad
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August 4, 2011

Pros:

Works for acne
Decreases oil production

Cons:

Expensive
Makes skin very thin
Sores around mouth
Very dry, cracked lips

It works but is very drying. Do not use waxing on face while on accutane, it will rip your SKIN OFF! I got dry itchy sores around the mouth from the dryness. I could not keep up with the lip balm either! Accutane is not the solution, it should not be used for long.
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June 21, 2011

Pros:

cleared acne 100%

Cons:

dry chapped lips
heart palpatations
hands were always shaky
acne returned after a year

I feel like the accutane helped in the short run with my acne which was wonderful, but for my long term health, i don't think it was a smart decision. Doctors don't even know how it exactly works, and because it is a relatively new drug, the future potential long term side effects aren't known. Use caution when putting drugs into your body. I still have problems with my acne, but I know one day that it will get better!
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November 22, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, no pimples after two months.

Cons:

Dry skin, headaches, high liver enzymes, hair loss, dry lips, fatigue.

Well I was on accutane for four months. Unfortunately I couldn't finish my five month course because of my extreme migraines. I have been off of it for one month and I have perfectly clear skin. I am currently experiencing extreme hairloss though and it is very concerning. I am a girl so I don't want to look like a cancer patient. I hope the hairloss eventually stops because now I have a bald spot. Overall the first three months were great up the last two have sucked thanks to all of the side effects. Oh and I have crappy insurance so it cost a lot
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November 15, 2009

Pros:

I took it for 5 - 6 months, and I've never been happier with my skin. Friends say it's so smooth, and it "glows".

Cons:

The usual: dry/sensitive skin (DO NOT WAX!!!), dry lips (carried paw paw ointment with me everywhere), sore joints after working out, and not being able to touch up regrowth or sit out in the sun (minor sacrifice)

I tried everything, and i mean EVERYTHING. My skin cleared up on its own after high school, but then when I turned 20, it came back worse. Roaccutane was my last resort, as I had heard many bad stories, but so far - SO GOOD. I'm a couple weeks out of treatment now, so hoping it has worked for the long run. The pros have definately made the cons seem insignificant!
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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