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®)
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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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February 2, 2007

Pros:

Miracle Drug!!

Cons:

Expect your entire body to be dry while on the medicine. Use a lot of moisturizers!

It works. I think that the gov. has made too big a deal out of it. Having acne is what made me depressed. Your skin will be dry, but its only for a couple of months.
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January 28, 2007

Pros:

I took accutane for 6 months. I have been off it now for 7 months and I haven't had any blemishes.

Cons:

Worsening of acne (the worst in my life) for the first 3 months (I work with kids and 1 asked if I had the chicken pox). Extreme dryness of skin. Painful lips. Nose bleeds, vaginal irritation and occasional vaginal bleeding.

I am almost 40 years old and really wanted to get my acne under control. The side effects were awful to get through but I am glad I hung in there. I have had no acne since coming off, but I was left with a significant amount of scars. My bottomline. I should have done this years ago.
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January 22, 2007

Pros:

My skin became baby soft and smoother than ever. Every scar disappeared.

Cons:

I had horrible mood swings, severe lower back pains that caused me trouble for over a year after finishing, and the constant blood draws were a pain. Invest in lots of good lotion.

My acne was actually not super severe, but I had tried everything and nothing ever cleared me up so the doctor finally just put me on Accutane. My skin became really bad after the first month but then cleared up quickly. It made my skin beautiful, which was amazing, but now 7 years later I have acne again which I'm treating again. Just be careful on it and you'll be ok.
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January 21, 2007

Pros:

Clear, non-greasy skin. Easy to use, spend less time messing with face wash and creams.

Cons:

Dry, chapped lips, dry skin.

This stuff is awesome after having tried so many over the counter and prescription medications. I had very oily skin and persistent acne that did not respond to other medications, this little pill took care of it all. Best part of it all, confidence is through the roof.
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January 18, 2007

Pros:

clear skin,smoother skin. Plus my health coverage covered everything in addition to my mom working there..at the most from what i remember i think i had to pay like 10 bucks..

Cons:

really dry lips,dries out whole body, some hair lose, decrease in weight...depression and mood swings..

I took it when I was in middle school and only for a few months and it cleared me up so well..my back too...when I got to high school nobody would have ever thought I had bad skin just a year prior to beginning high school..people tell me I have nice clear skin..its great! now im 19 about to be 20 and for the most part my skin has stayed clear..when im PMSing i do tend to get 1 to 2 pimples but they are small and you can hardly see them...this drug is a miracle worker...yes the side effects do suck pretty bad but im telling you just stick it out for the time you need to be on it and in the end you will be soo happy! i know that i sure am! its honestly amazing and I feel beautiful..clear skin can do wonders for ones overall apperance....so basically if you havent tried accutane yet or ur debating it im living proof that this drug is a miracle worker!=)
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January 15, 2007

Pros:

Clear Skin, people actual say they wish they had skin like me!

Cons:

Dry eyes, lips. Have to use alot of moitsurizers (big deal)

I was on Accutane wthe first time when I was 19 yrs old (19 yrs old)and it worked amazingly then. My skin and even hair were normal instead of oily. It was great to feel so normal and have such confidence after feeling ridiculed and embarrassed by my peers in school for years. Unfortunately my acne cam back in my 30's and it was the very painful cycstic kind that leave terrible scars. I went back on last year for 6 months and it worked like a dream. 4 mos after my treatment I started breaking out all over (back, chest arms, face, etc...) they put me back on for a 2nd round and it's working agin. I'm beginning to think my skin will only stay clear while I'm ACTUALLY TAKING accutane. MY QUESTION IS WHY CAN'T I TAKE A LOW DAILY DOSAGE OF ACCUTANE? I can handle the mild side effects and I can't actually get pregnant so what is the dangers? By the way Dr. Dan's CortiBalm is the best accutane lip balm out there. Google him on the net and you can order his product.
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January 13, 2007

Pros:

Great.

Cons:

NONE

Don't listen to all the side effect garbage. If you know yourself and body, you will realize something is wrong. This stuff is great. I had acne from the time I was 16, it got much worse by the time I was 22. So I finally went on Accutane, and it cleared my skin 95%, I only did a 5 month twice a day treatment. It kept my skin 95% clear for about 10 years, but the last 3 I have had acne consistanly only never as bad as before. I am now going on it again, hoping for the same results. I never had any side effects except for dryness. There is a generic called CLARAVIS, its the same as ACCUTANE but half the cost.. Good luck all
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January 12, 2007

Pros:

Skin starts to clear within a month. Hair also a lot less greasy and don't need to slather on makeup.

Cons:

SUCH dry lips. Its nuts! Bleending noses, dry eyes, slightly lethargic and worst of all for me, terrible joint and muscle pain though is apparently a less common side affect. I can't even move my hand today after a game of golf.

After only about a month the jury is still out but at 30 years old I feel confident right now about finally dealing with it. The joint pain is hideous but I have 2 friends who have both been on it and they look great. Wonderful skin so I am sticking it out and praying for the same results. It can be tough to get through but I think it will be worth it. I just hope I'm not one of the people it reoccurs in. The lip dryness is nuts so deposit lip balm everywhere you go regularly so your never without because its HELL if you get caught short. Headaches, yes they happen too, as does lower back pain. God, I'm not really selling this am I? In all defense, I now feel comfortable not wearing makeup and I can wear tops that show off my cleavage instead of hiding the acne on my chest. I say, as long as your doc agrees, go for it.
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January 12, 2007

Pros:

works very well after about a month or two

Cons:

i had to stop the treatment due to some of the mental side effects; i was doing fine then all of a sudden i became severly depressed and was on the verge of suicidal thoughts.

it's a great drug; just watch out for some of the serious side effedts
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January 11, 2007

Pros:

Clears your face. I used accutane for eight months.

Cons:

Dries out your lips and skin and other side effects that come along with accutane :(. I have had nose bleeds also.

Conjunctivitis (``pinkeye''), dry or fragile skin, dry or cracked lips, dry mouth, dry nose, itching, joint pains, nosebleed.

My face has never been so beautiful. I have had acne since for 9 years. Just finished my treatment 4 months ago. I had so low self esteem and didn't want to show my face to the public but life must go on, right? (SIGH). I thought of myself as ugly and prayed to God not to make anyone look like the way I looked. I used to cry a lot and my high school years were spent in misery. But now I am acne free, confident, and willing to face the world. Before I had acne, I was afraid to express myself and give world the best of me but not anymore, thanks to accutane. Now whoever sees me tells me that I am the most beautiful woman and one of the girls even said that they wanted to look like me. I paid $40.00 CDN with Insurance and without insurance it's very expesnive. So I say give it a go and good luck. I guarantee you that you will be very pleased with the results even if it is worth all those side effects. WEll not all but the dryness.
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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