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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September 26, 2007

Pros:

It def took care of my cystic acne, i didnt have acne until i was 22, i was devastated, it seem to work right away.

Cons:

i had most of the side effects, achey joints, severe depression, mood swings, nose bleeds, lips peeling etc. after ending my round of accutane i had laser treatments done on my face and i was flawless for about two years than i needed another round

the bottom line. . . acne has consumed my life im now 27 and after two rounds of accutane, laser resurfacing, daily antibiotics and topical treatments im still battling this DISEASE, i really want to believe i have beautiful skin but i cant help feeling ugly everyday. ive exhausted all remedies, diet, excercise, medications, not wearing makeup, wearing makeup, lifestyle changes in general! i dont know what to do anymore. im desperate for a miracle. my poor dermatologist has become my pyschologist every 6 weeks! my face actually hurts and im depressed! is there anyone out there that feels as bad as me and as in much pain as i am?
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September 26, 2007

Pros:

Acne cleared finally and minimal pimples since treatment stopped. Nothing and I mean NOTHING else worked. 16 years old looks human again!! Skin is clear, no scars-like my relatives and my self esteem is much improved.

Cons:

Extreme dryness resulting in freq and occas. long lasting nosebleeds, HUGE expense if you don't have insurance coverage (Would have been over 1000 monthly due to the very large doses I had to take) alittle bit of moodiness, dry body skin.

Needed 90-100 mg daily (based on weight and resistance to medication). TOO expensive for private pay! Very few people could afford this amount if it was out of pocket--but my insurance was GREAT. Nose bleeds, dry skin and lips, shorter tolerance for contact lenses. All very worth the 8 months on medication because now only occas. individual pimples on face, no cystic acne and nothing on my back. My self esteem has soared. Must bear in mind the potential for birth defects and take this very seriously!!
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September 25, 2007

Pros:

Significantly reduced oil production on face during the first 2 weeks! Half way through and praying that it rids my mild and persistant acne for good! Have tried everything, spent houndreds of dollars over the past 3 years on creams etc.

Cons:

Side effects are real. I have most of them but they are mild. Dry skin all over body, except face (which is wierd), change in mood (depression) but for me worth it if it clears up my skin!, slight joint pains. Will update when finished taking it!

I am half was through my 6 journey. Skin was looking great until my dermotologist performed ance surgery to remove deeply pitted white heads under my skin, marking was not so bad until i started picking at them myself! Do not pick your face on this medicine! I have been scabbed up for 3 weeks now. I suffer from persistant (over the past 4 years) ance that would probably have cleared up by now if i never picked at it. Picking caused my pores to enlarge and capture excess serebum oil. I feel my pores shrinking while on acutane. I am a very healthy eater (natural foods only) rice, vegtables, oatmeal, lean meats, fruits, veggies etc. So acne cant be from poor nutrition! I also excersise 5-6 times per week. ALSO dont drink alcohal while on this medication. Had a friend whos husband drank while on it and started LOOSING HIS HAIR! not to mention what he did to his liver because this medicine is harsh on your liver. I would reccoment this medicine for people that have tried EVERYTHING!
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September 24, 2007

Pros:

Got rid of the oily yuckyness on my face and skin is >C L E A R< OF ACNE! Been on it for 3 weeks now and will continue using it for 6 months =)

Cons:

Very dry lips soemtimes nose bleeds,thats all .

I'm 19 years old and i tried everyacne treatment there is,differin,isotrexin,(retin a) and many many more they helped but didn't give me the results i wanted.I really recommend accutane,if your acne is annoying you and you can tolerate the cons then accutane is for you..Get on it as soon as possible before your face gets filled with scars,i just wish i had been put on accutane before the other BS.Definately WORTH IT!
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September 23, 2007

Pros:

its does clear acne for a little bit

Cons:

extreme dryness and i hurt all over when i was taking it. im an active youth and the pain that it caused me in my joints made it hurt for me to even pick up a 15 pound box. its usually only a three month regimen and i took it for 4.

My acne did clear about 85% after 2 months or so. the acne was supposed to stay mostly away and it came back within one month of not taking the medicine. i was on the yellow pill (which im pretty sure is the big daddy) I have no idea what kind of internal, long-term damage it did. hopefully it wasnt too bad. I dont think people should take this drug unless they are comletely aware of what it does.
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September 21, 2007

Pros:

Dries up the skin and makes it more managable. Clears up your face. Gives your face that overall clean feeling after you cleanse. NO initial breakout for me.

Cons:

Very very MINOR dryness. Slightly chapped lips.. Just used chapstick. Felt tired after taking the medication.. So take it at night after dinner. Minor headaches in the first week which I can also attribute to stress of moving into college.

Accutane works. The side affects are minor if you're on 40mg or lesser dose.. Of course side affects are dependant upon the individual.. If you've tried everything over the counter, under the counter, and all around then I recommend giving Accutane a try. After three weeks all the acne on my face has dried up and is going away. My cystic acne has been improving daily and the large mass it was three weeks ago is nearly gone completely. It is indeed the miracle drug.. Even if I need to go on another round of it I will.. Side effects are negligible. Ipledge will be your biggest problem.. Good luck!!
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September 21, 2007

Pros:

kill's all ur acne, but if u dont wash ur face it will come back after using it, so be careful!

Cons:

dries face but nothing lotion cant fix :]
it may give u some sadness here and there but keep ur chin up and dont go emo.

dries skin = no acne, works lika charm. and makes u sad, dont go emo!!!1
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September 20, 2007

Pros:

Got rid of the acne; my face was oil-free all day

Cons:

Dryness; Took a while to work
Mood swings - which sucks especially b/c I'm a guy
Less energy

This stuff works, but you have to consider any possible consequences. For me, nothing else worked and I was sick of living with acne, so I decided to do it. Luckily for me the side effects weren't too bad and it got rid of all my acne, which felt great. I've been off it for about 3 months now. The acne has started to come back, but its not even close to how bad it was before.
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September 17, 2007

Pros:

None

Cons:

Very unpleasant side effects, nearly killed me and hugely changed my life for the worst

I was rushed to hospital 3 years after finishing with isotretonin and they found a freak rib bone spur that had punctured my heart. They put it down to the isotretonin. To this day I still suffer for that 3 month course 17 years ago. When I think back to my youth, I have clear memories up until the accutane course where all memories become kind of scrambled. I really would not recommend anybody take this drug, it's really not worth the unknown.
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September 15, 2007

Pros:

gets ride of acne

Cons:

damaged liver, not to mention all the listed side effects not worth it..

DO NOT! use accutane yes there is no doubt it will clear up you acne but it will come back worse in a few years. It suppresses the oil glands and damages them so bad they can't do their job correctly... think about that how good can that really be for you. Not the mention the years taken off you life from liver damage and your liver is a key part in having a acne free life. I feel your pain of having acne and being ready to do ANYTHING to get rid of it no one likes it and it can be embarrassing. But they have no clue what is in store for the people that take it now you could have liver cancer or some other disease 20 years down the road they don't know, all they know is that they are making millions off people and doctors get a percentage. NOT WORTH IT AT ALL but who am i to tell you what to do.
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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