Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Results
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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June 14, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my mild/moderate, persistent (as in I'd had acne for 7 years)acne! Very mild side effects which were all completely worth bearing for the results :)

Cons:

Didn't totally clear up the small white lumps (milia?). That's about it!

Fabulous stuff...don't hesitate to take it out of fear of the side effects. I was suprised by the number of friends who had taken it but had never mentionned it. If it were such a dangerous drug, I doubt so many would have taken it and experienced little to no issues.
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June 12, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my skin quickly, highly effective

Cons:

Dry lips and eyes, sore joints, some fatigue

I have had acne in one form or another since I was 15 or 16. I am now 54, yes you read that correctly. Over the years sometimes my acne is mild with one to three small pimples and other times I might have several or more of the deep cystic type. I have tried various antibiotics on and off for many years. Twenty years ago I was prescribed accutane when it first became availble. I took it for about 5 months and it worked very well. Mostly cleared everything up for about 5 years or so. It gradually came back and I was put back on oral and topical antibiotics. My doctor is now trying me on a low dosage of accutane (Claravis)and it is working very well so far. My skin is much less oily and I am not breaking out at all. I have only been on it for about one month. I'm hoping this time it will stay away for good. It's no fun having acne at any age but it is especially depressing when you are older. There are plenty of other medical problems to worry as we get older.
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June 12, 2007

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

dryness of lips and skin around the mouth area

i came into this website curious about week to week improvements and side effects from different users. i know a lot of people are more curious as they first start treatment. so im hoping i can help. ive struggled with acne for about 6 years now...im now 24. i recently started accutane. im 110 pounds so the derm prescribed me 40mg doses once a day for the next 5 months. been on accutane for a little over a week now...i didnt notice anything the first few days but now at week one i notice dry lips esp around the corners of the mouth. im having to apply a combination of chapstick and vaseline every hour. the skin around my mouth and nose have started drying out but using LA ROCHE POSAY's hydraphase lotion for dry skin has helped TREMENDOUSLY. i also drink at least 6 glasses of water. it helps! i can wear makeup as usual skin started breaking out continously since three days ago...but i think thats subsiding already. other than that no other joint problems or mood swing
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June 12, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my skin up

Cons:

Had thoughts about killing myself

Wouldn't let me dog take it.
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June 11, 2007

Pros:

It clears (cystic) acne!!!

Cons:

A lot of TEMPORARY side effects...they may be harsh, but they're temporary.

IT WORKS!
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June 11, 2007

Pros:

After dealing with persistent acne (mild with moderate flares from time to time) for 20 yers, I finally tried accutane. I was clear within 3 months of treatment (face and back). I've been off of it for 4 months and still completely clear.

Cons:

None for me. The worry about severe side effects was worse than the actual mild ones I experienced.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend accutane to anyone. I'd be willing for my sons to use it if they wind up with my (pre-tane) skin.
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May 31, 2007

Pros:

Got rid of my acne completly for almost a year and now only hav a few spots that are easy to manage

Cons:

lips were so dry it was ridiculous
face went red because of the sun (but may have been my fault for not using sun cream all the time
break out at 1st although wasnt as bad as i expected

i hated being on it as it made me look worse than i already did but im sooooooo glad i did go on in as my face was completely clear for a long time and now i only have a few spots got it on the NHS too...woop
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May 28, 2007

Pros:

clears even the most severe acne

Cons:

had to go to derm. & lab corps. every month, drying and peeling, lips crackining, skin healed very slowly, not the cure for acne :( tho

i had bad/severe acne for a while but was too scared to go on accutane but by senior yr of high school..i decided i need to look good for prom & graduation...i went on accutane 7 months before prom and stopped 2 wks before prom...the results were drastic..i looked great at prom....thanx to accutane..i still had scars and red marks..but a little make up covered it up...i am off of accutane now and i can NOT say that i am acne free because occassionally i do get a few pimples here and there but its nothing compare to the face i had before accutane..
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May 28, 2007

Pros:

starting to clear my skin

Cons:

dry lips, acne flare

I would not recommend accutane to someone who wants a quick fix. Only if you have tried everything and your acne bothers you enough try accutane. The bad thing I have a severe flare during the first 4 weeks and also a skin infection that I had to take antibiotics for. But it is beginning to clear up and I am literally peeling the zits off my face.
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May 26, 2007

Pros:

i am 100% clear

Cons:

dry skin, chapped/peeling lips, eczema, easily torn skin, depression

This medication definitely affected my personality and made me feel depressed. Without a doubt it was caused by this medication. It wasn't severe or anything, but it was there. I would still say this product is a miracle. The amazing results outweighed the side effects for me.
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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