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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37.1%
4
33.4%
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15.5%
2
7.3%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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July 28, 2009

Pros:

It is a miracle in a little pill that you easily swallow each day. Ive only had a few of the minor side effects(only a few people have the major ones)

Cons:

If you dont have insurance the blood work, dermetologist appointments and medication adds up to big money! Like 500 dollars a month(but I only have to use it for four months)

Ive been on accutane for a little over two months and I went from tons of red bumbs ontop of red bump all over my neck, cheeks and entire face, to about one on each cheek that are going away more each day. Ive had dry lips and a few scabs in my nose but its nothing and way worth the outcome.Drink lots of water, and try not to be in the sun to much and you will be fine. I went to the beach a few times and was fine but only for a few hours. My hole life has changed! I walk with my chin up and am comfertable going to the beach, talking to girls, and not havnt to feel bad everytime someone looks at me or I look in the mirror! Some people may have worse side effects then me or take longer to clear up then me but it is still the best choice you could make in your life today and for your future. It has changed everything for me and I wish everyone with this horrible problem would give this a chance.
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July 26, 2009

Pros:

ill tell you when i get there!

Cons:

dry lips and skin, monthly blood tests and doctors appointments, upper back pain, tiredness and headaches

I have been on isotane for about a month. after the first week my skin cleared so i thought i wasnt going to get an initial breakout like the doctor said i would, but after a month i am starting to get pretty bad breakouts - that might be because the doctor put me on two 20mgs a day after 3 weeks instead of 1 a day like i started out. My lips arent too bad but my skin is starting to dry up and i also get a red face easily. Use a lot of chapstick and moisturise often and drink a lot of water. it does help. Also try taking fish oil or evening primrose capsules as it will help with the dry skin.
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July 18, 2009

Pros:

Acne cleared up completely and hasn't returned.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips

Accutane works. Some of the side effects suck, but it's definitely worth it.
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June 15, 2009

Pros:

no more acne!

Cons:

irritable bowel syndrome, nightmares

took accutane ten years ago when i was in high school. i was on the lowest dose for a little under a year. it worked miracles for my skin. and it has stayed clear ever since! the only side effect i had while on it was alot of REALLY scary nightmares. a year or two after taking it i started having stomach problems. i've been diagnosed with IBS which could have been caused by accutane. if someone had severe acne that didn't respond to any other treatments i would probably recommend taking this as long as they were well aware of the side effects, some of which can be long term
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April 24, 2009

Pros:

skin (especially the face) less oily
Reduced breakouts of acne (as i used to suffer from daily breakouts)
Medicine is free for NHS patients (In England)- this is brilliant as i have spent so much money on products and treatments in the past!!!

Cons:

Bad headaches when i first started treatment
Dry, chapped lips- constant application of lip balm/ vaseline necessary and dry skin especially around the nose

After trying anything and everything available topically for acne i have found this medication to be the best thing in stopping the acne and improving the look of my skin. I suffer from severe acne and have done for many years. My face is completely covered in blemishes, severe scarring and redness. After seeing a dermatologist and agreeing to start this medicine i have noticed such an instant improvement and i am extremely pleased with the outcomes. I feel it is totally worth all of the side effects because at the end of the day my skin is looking much much better and my acne seems to be disappearing. After years of suffering with acne i cannot tell you how amazing it is to finally find something that works. This is a very strong drug though and it can be quite toxic for the body. Everybody experiences different side-effects with it so you need to discuss it in gr8 detail with your dermatologist before you start taking it and have a good think to see if it is the right choice for you.
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April 17, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne well. Skin is less oily too. Works after a few weeks and keeps acne away even after you've completed it.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips. A little more tired than usual

The product is great. And to avoid the side effects, get plenty of sleep, use Cetaphil or Garneir Skin Renewal moisturizers, do NOT use a prescription face wash, use Cetaphil Daily wash. And for dry lips I recommend Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment-DCT.
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April 14, 2009

Pros:

Completely cleared acne

Cons:

Experienced all the side effects

After trying everything from antibiotics, differin, retin-a, etc. the derm finally (as a last resort) prescibed accutane. This was nearly 6 years ago, I stayed on the drug for about 4 months. Unfortunately, I experienced horrible side effects such as aching joints, where it was actually hard to get out of bed, worst joint pain was felt at night and in the morning. My face was terribly dry and literally flaking off. I also experienced severe depression. If you are prone even slightly to depression, I would advise taking an anti-depressant before and during accutane. I was fine for the first month and then out of the blue started crying one day and couldn't stop. My GP put me on prozac and then switched me to Zoloft. I had never been on an anti-depressant prior to nor since being off accutane. However, even with all the side affects, I swear by accutane. I am starting the cycle again, this time w no insurance. The Dr. said it will average about $700 per mo. but it's worth every penny!!
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April 10, 2009

Pros:

clears up most of the acne, blackheads r gone, whiteheads r much less noticeable.

Cons:

dry skin, dry lips, terrible mood swings

overall this really helped me. i had very bad acne and i tried everything, i just finished accutane this past month and i read tons of reviews on all kinds of sites and after hearing of crazy side affects i was very hesitant. when i was on it my mood swings were the worst out of everything your always crabby and very emotional but as the months progressed i didn't have a problem with it. tips- use vasoline for your lips, it works like majic and any kind of chapstick or anything like that didn't work at all for me. also use clinique's dramatically different moisturizing lotion because it moisturizes your face without looking oily and if u use it often u will have no peeling and if u do it will only be a tiny bit. also make sure u do your ipledge right away or your account will get locked and its a big pain to call in and to a million things before u get your perscription. i think this is an amazing product and as long as u don't get pregnant and r safe while on it u should be fine
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March 30, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin 100%. I no longer wake up with greasy hair or skin. I no longer have to wear make-up to feel confident and pretty.

Cons:

Dry lip's (nothing a little lip chap can't handle), Sore shoulders (I went for the odd message and had warm baths which helped), I got migraines while on my period (DRINK WATER to prevent headahces!!!!)

It has saved my life, my job, and personal relationships. I have never been so happy in my life. NOTE: some advice for people who are going to go on this medication. -DRINK WATER! you have to get your 8 glasses a day. I cannot stress this enough how important it is to drink water. -Watch what you eat, I kinda let myself go while on this drug because it says to eat with something fattening. (this doesnt mean go ahead and eat cheeseburgers) ha ha pick a healthy fat such as nuts, avacado, or fish. -Last but not least, BE OPTIMISTIC! Try and keep yourlself positive. Make sure you have happy and positive people around you, this will change your life. I never thought it would work for me and it did. THANK YOU ACCUTANE! ( I did not have to pay for this medication because my insurance covered it 1oo%)
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March 9, 2009

Pros:

Very effective. Will completely nullify the most severe acne.

Cons:

Side effects are not only present during the the medication, but sometimes after the medication. Skin is very high maintenance after medication is taken. Excessive moisture is needed, or acne will come back.

Accutane has saved my life. I had disgusting acne, like really bad. When I took accutane, it started to clear up and my skin was perfect. However, during the medication, my face got really red, my eyes were bloodshot almost 24/7, and my skin was very dry. At the end of the medication, my acne was diminished completely, but the redness was still present. Soon after, my acne did come back, but I doubt it will ever be as bad as it was before I took the medication. When taking accutane, I recommend drinking LOTS of water, not only to keep the redness down, but to keep the blood with blood distribution and circulation. Also, I recommend eating a fattening food , or any food for that matter, before taking the daily dosage of accutane. When the criteria of nutrition and moisture are met, you have a higher chance of getting rid of acne for good. And try to miss as few days as possible! P.S DO NOT stop washing your face just because you are taking accutane!
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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