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

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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July 9, 2007

Pros:

saw progress within 1 month and i only have a couple zits on my face after 3

Cons:

extremely dry lips

it dose what its supposed dont expect to see instant results this stuff is a gift from god
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July 7, 2007

Pros:

CLEARS SKIN SOMEWHAT BY THE FOURTH MONTH.

Cons:

GET WORSE AT FIRST. VERY DRY SKIN/LIPS. DRY EYES.

I AM 17 STARTED THIS ON FEBUARY 23RD I BELIEVE. I BEEN ON THIS Sotret PRODUCT FOR 5MONTHS NOW, ON THE FIFTH MONTH NOW. DIDNT SEE MUCH IMPROVEMENTS UNTIL NOW. I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE PIMPLES NOW. HAD cystic acne. IT HAD CAUSED ME TO SCAR EASILY. EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE PIMPLES NOW I HAVE SCARS AND RED MARKS ON MY CHEEKS. MY DOCTORS SAID THIS WOULD GO BY TIME BUT I REALLY WANT THOSE SCARS TO GO AWAY. I USE VASELINE LIKE CRAZY, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T HELP STILL KEEPS MY LIPS AND SKIN DRY. SOME PEOPLE WON'T SEE RESULTS FOR AWHILE ON IT, I DIDN'T BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH A TRY. CUZ I DO THINK IT IMPROVED SOMEWHAT. MY SKIN FEELS SMOOTH BUT THE MARKS ARE THERE.I'M PROBABLY GONNA BE ON IT FOR THE 6TH MONTH AND MAYBE 7TH MONTH TOO(HOPEFULLY YES BECAUSE I STILL THINK IT HAS A LONG WAY TO GO) AND THEN I AM OFF OF IT FOR GOOD.
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

cleared up cystic acne 100% by the 3rd month.

Cons:

Possible emotional side effects, although hard to tell b/c there were other stresses in my life; dry lips, dry nose, back pain.

I was hesitant to go on Accutane b/c of the side effects. I have had persistant cystic acne on my face for over 10 years (I'm 27 now). I would get approx. 1-3 new cysts per week. I tried EVERYTHING else. W/in the first month of taking Accutane, my skin was improving. I wasn't getting pimples as often, and when I did they actually popped, as where I used to have to get them injected. I only have about 5 weeks left to go with the course, so I can't say how long these results will last. Lastly, the side effects. I have had a lot going on in my life and am having trouble dealing with these issues. I have had terrible anxiety, aggressive, short-tempered, and had crying spells. I don't know if I would be able to deal with these issues better if I was not on the drug. The physical side effects are a breeze. Dry lips and nose and back pain -- but all well worth it. I will post again after I'm off the drug to give an update on my emotional state.
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

Works quite quickly to clear skin

Cons:

Dry eyes and lips bothered me the most, also aching in my back

My acne is the result of a hormonal imbalance and I never got it until the age of 21, before that my skin was perfect and I was troubled when I started to not be as attractive as I was in my teens so I got depressed and started using isotretinoin in 2001. I had mild but persistant acne and my face was oilfree with no new forming pimples by three weeks.. so i continued the treatment. WOW I thought this is a gift from God!! NOT.. after about 1 year of coming off the medication, the acne was all back again so that was 2002, now its 2007 and getting progressively worse, after a while you learn to live with it but now that its worsening Im considering the adrogen blocker instead as like the androgen blocker, accutane only works for as long as you take it, as soon as it is finished its all back again and within a year.We cant be on it indefinately coz its wrecks havoc on the liver so its really a teaser, we think wow beautiful clear skin then finish the treament only to have it all come back
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July 5, 2007

Pros:

PERFECTLY CLEAR SKIN, no depression, made me feel so much better about myself

Cons:

dry lips, dry eyes (still can't wear contact lenses), nose bleeds (every day for over a year), anxiety

I took accutane for 5 months. I had severe acne, and this was a last resort, after too many things had failed (antibiotics - 3 different kinds over 3 years, every over the counter product, birth control, natural remedies, etc). It was about 2-3 months before I saw a difference. My face was SO dry, I had to use moisturizer all over my body, and vaseline in/on my nose 2-3 times a day, so much lip balm. I also had to have mineral oil every few days to keep my insides moisturized. I had horrible cystic acne (sometimes lasting for a month or two), constantly all over my face, but since my treatment has been over, I have yet to get a cystic pimple. My face was finally clear for the first time since I was 11. I was able to go to my prom and graduation without any makeup on my skin. It was amazing. It has been a year and a half since I finished, and I am getting pimples again, but it was well worth it. I wish my face stayed clear, but I would do it again if it got to how it was.
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July 2, 2007

Pros:

My face was clear in 3 months. I went from huge cystic acne on my face and back to smooth clear skin. I took this medication when it first came out over 20 years ago and I have had any acne problems since or longterm side effects. This stuff works.

Cons:

Severe dry skin. My lips were dry and wound cracked in the corners every morning. Had some minor headaches.

This was the best thing that could have happend to me. While in the high school a got picked on everyday with comments like "hey pizza face" and "could I get some mayo". Finally my mom took me to see a DR in Charlotte NC and he prescribe me accutane for six months. I took the meds during the summer break and 3 months later, my face was clear. I started the 11th grade a confident with a clear face, and new outlook on life. Have 3 months and a clear face, I stoped taking the meds. Thank God, for accutane. My bother also took this medication and he too had the same results.
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July 2, 2007

Pros:

My first cycle kept me clear for five years. I'm on week 2 of my second round because my face decided to go nuts again. I'm already almost clear. Hopefully this is the last time!

Cons:

Dry lips!!!

It's really expensive, but it is so worth it!
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July 2, 2007

Pros:

skin has cleaned up, althougha month aftert treatment i have some white heads on nose but not too bad.

Cons:

very dry lips, dry rash on arms, caused me to scar very easy! i have scars now which are so much worse than the actualacne! i was on it for a YEAR!

i think ne 1 should give it a try it might work for you and if you have bad acne then what have you got to lose?
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July 1, 2007

Pros:

Works like a charm! My skin never looked better than it did after I finished Accutane...

Cons:

... but all my acne came back after a year of being off Accutane. I would have to go through a second treatment of this stuff if I wanted clear skin again.

I'm guessing my case is rare because for most people it works the first time. I'd say try it, definitely. I hated having to get up at weird hours to take it (because of conflicts with eating times) and 2 pills a day was just so much work for such a long time without guaranteed results (for me). But otherwise, the medicine is a God-sent.
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July 1, 2007

Pros:

Works for some people.

Cons:

Extremely dry lips and everywhere else, soreness

I had really bad acne and my doctor recommended Accutane as the last thing after nothing else worked. Initially it got a lot worse than it was and by the 5th month it was a little better than it used to be. My doctor told me I was taking it for too long of a time period and I had to stop the treatment and now my acne is just worse than ever. It didn't work for my buy my other 3 friends that took have completely clear skin that you could never even tell they had a pimple. I would definately try it but it doesn't work for some pepole.
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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