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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September 25, 2008

Pros:

Less oil production (shine), only have to wash hair twice per week MAX.

Cons:

Dry, cracked, sore lips, dry skin but nothing that moisturiser can't cure

Only using this accutane for a month now. On 30mg but this will increase next month to 60mg. So far not suffering too much. Im not half as depressed as i was when my face was covered in HUGE red spots. Can now only wear tinted moisturiser going to Gym : ) instead of a cake of makeup.
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September 22, 2008

Pros:

I've been taking this drug for a month now and my skin feels sooo much better. Yes it's a little dry but I haven't got raised pimples anymore which I was very self-conscious of. I'm not thinking of my skin all the time, which i was before.

Cons:

Dry lips, mood swings, slight joint aches, dry eyes, dry skin (hands, face). But nothing too awful yet!

I'm 25 and after suffering from frequent bouts of mild acne from early on in my teens, I then developed severe acne during my teacher training course last year. Probably linked to stress, it was just awful. I put up with it for a year just persauding myself it might get better and I tried everything to clear my acne. Eventually I went and got a referral to a specialist and was prescribed Roaccutane. I'm on 30mg/day and although I've felt better, I'm not wanting to wear a plastic bag over my head everytime I walk outside. I'm starting to get a bit of confidence back at last and I would say to anyone who has sufffered through their teens and now twenties, just go for it, otherwise acne rules your life. I've still got a long way to go by all that I've read about the drug but I am pleased I sort help and am now taking Roaccutane. Costs a bit if you go private but we may do it differently here in the UK. Good luck to you all!!
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September 14, 2008

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

EXCESSIVE FACIAL HAIR

i really really wish someone told me this..thats the only reason im on here to write this post is to maybe help someone thinking about taking htis medication. i have never had hair on my face, well other than eyebrows, but about 4 monthsinto this medication, i started growing hair under my chin that went from just a few, to almost half of my under chin looking like a GUYS. i swear that on my life. it causes more depression than acne. ance you can cover, hair you CANT. i have to wax it weekly and it grows in, literally, like a mans hair, that THICK n BLACK look. its really depressing. i would rather have acne than depressing thick man-like facial hair..which i believe my doctor called 'hirsutism'. please, jjust take something else, i wish someone told me this. im getting married in a few weeks and im so depressed as to how i can cover such thick/black/frequent facial hair.
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September 11, 2008

Pros:

Decreases production of oil, not as many major breakouts

Cons:

Very chapped lips throughout treatment, bad headaches at the beginning of treatment

I've been on a low dose of 10mg/day for 2 months. I've had severely oily skin for as long as I can remember, and no topical or BCP has worked in the slightest to decrease oil production. While my complexion isn't totally clear (still have some minor breakouts), I don't have to blot my face every hour/worry about looking like an oil slick/makeup sliding off within an hour. So far, so good.
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September 3, 2008

Pros:

Clears skin for several months to a few years at a time. Dries oily skin. Affordable.

Cons:

Very dry lips and flaky skin around the mouth. My joints ached in the beginning but got better after a couple of weeks. I didn't notice irritability or psychological affects. The IPledge program is a pain but easy to participate in.

I did three rounds of Accutane a few years apart. The first round cleared my skin for a few years but the acne keeps coming back. The last two rounds have been generic versions of Accutane and clear my skin for a few months. It is worth trying once, but I won't do it again.
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August 30, 2008

Pros:

worked extreamly well acne gone i mostly had those puss filled pimples not too much of the red ones and it cleared those away made me happy

Cons:

for everyone who are about to take it read about all the side effects and rethink bout it becuse dont regret later im 16 im done now but found out it stuns your growth made me sad also dry skin and lips very dry and made me mad 24/7

idno take it it works but dont just make a quick decion because you might just end up saying a few years down the road i wish i had never taken it. messes your whole normal life style. also thers a huge chance your acne might come back
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August 24, 2008

Pros:

Supposivly clears acne.

Cons:

dryness of lips and nose... nose bleeds.

acctuane does work but side affects are very strong.
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August 18, 2008

Cons:

dryness was only side effect....but 2yrs later came back

arnd3months n actually i cleard all my acne but it was only for around 1n half year but now again i have started acne problem
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August 16, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up very well. Hardly broke out while I was on it. Effects seem to last. I had no initial breakout (though some do). Better than anything I had ever used. Simple to take a pill everyday.

Cons:

Acne came back (though much milder) a year later (for some it doesnt). Does not help much for red marks. Cannot use any other treatments (peels or topicals) while on it. Lots of potential side effects. Can be expensive. Not easy to be prescribed.

Basically, this drug stops your oil production so that you do not get acne. At one point on it I did not breakout at all for months. This effect is supposed to be permanent but for some people a milder form of acne recurs some time later. This medicine requires lots of blood tests, birth control, and pregnancy tests and surveys. You have to got through the iPledge program which can be a pain. Without insurance you will spend thousands on this treatment at the end of it all. While on Accutane, there are many side effects. Some experience an onslaught of side effects and elect to stop and most experience at least some of the common side effects. Common side effects include dryness of skin, dry eyes, chapped lips, joint pain, back pain, sensitivity of skin, and a slight reddening of skin. Other side effects include blurred vision, headaches, hair loss, depression, and high triglycerides. You cannot go on this while pregnant. Despite it all, it can work wonders when used properly.
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August 13, 2008

Pros:

It does as promised, clear skin and no oil!

Cons:

Dry lips (chap stick easily remedies this)
and... not everyone experiences depression, but i did (having zero history of psychological issues) and that was really unpleasant. So just beware. I still don't regret it.

If you want to finally, clear your skin, no gimmicks, no false promises...... Accutane will do it. Be patient and hang in there!
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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