Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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July 1, 2010

Pros:

Cleared acne.

Cons:

- Extremely sensitive skin
- Chapped lips
- Dry eyes
- Very bad anxiety (read below)

Ok, so I went on this drug after about 12 months of deliberating and trying other medications, mostly antibiotics and various creams that my dermatologist prescribed me. This was to be the "final solution". I was prescribed 40 mg a day for three months - a relatively weak dose. The first two months were fine. I experienced increased sensitivity to the sun (far worse than what I had experienced on Minocyline and other various antibiotics/creams), dry eyes and flaky skin - but nothing that I was particularly thrown or worried by. Just before the three month mark, I had the option of extending my treatment to four months as I had one more repeat left. I seriously considered this as I thought it would be good to give it a final punch. This is when the psychological stuff kicked in. Now I first want to mention that I was not the kind of person expecting to experience psychological dramas - albeit a genetic predisposition to depression, I considered myself healthy and mentally strong. In the lead up to my exams, I experienced very bad severe anxiety. Now - most people I told thought it was a case of me being "a little nervous about exams", it being "just normal". No - I experienced anxiety so bad and so persistent that it made me want to kill myself. It was like waves of continual anxiety that drowned me and destroyed my self-confidence, almost making me depressed. I know that it was the drug because I have been through many exam periods and have never had the same situation. In all other aspects of my life I was fine - I was fit, had plenty of social time with friends etc. - I definitely knew that it was the drug that was inducing this anxiety. Fortunately I told my mother who had similar problems as a depressant. She got me straight off the drug and ever since I have felt the anxiety receding. I want to stress that this is a very good drug for severe acne. But please be aware it can have very serious psychological
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June 30, 2010

Pros:

cleared skin from inflammatory acne
no more oily skin

Cons:

it took about 4 months to clear acne
initial breakout is bad!!
if you pick at your acne you are way more susceptibly to scar (plz dont pick!!!!)

I had nodules deep under my skin. Although I would get around 3 to 4 at a time only, in addition to the smaller acne blemishes, it looked bad, especially without makeup. my dermatologist said that since i didnt have that much acne, the initial breakout would only last about 1 month to 1 month and a half. I was so sad when a month and a half had passed and the acne was still painfully present. I started the treatment in december 5 and it was not until early april that the acne cleared!!! I was relieved to have no more acne. however, i did get a bunch of red marks and small texture changes. before taking this medication, i would pic at my acne and i would never scar. but while on this medication, i would scar, not severely though, thank the Lord!!! so dont pick, esp if your suseptible to scarring!!!!! honestly, the process was painful, especially the initial breakout!!! for most people (i think) it gets way worst before it gets better!!! but I am so thankful to God to be acne free!!!! I still get a few comedones and blackheads bt i think their really unnoticeable. i think retin-a really helps to prevent future breakouts. I wish all of you can be acne free very, very soon!!!:) Best Wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!! one last note for girls, plz check your hormone levels. I have been off of isotretinoin for like 2 months but i have been taking mileva35 for about 2 months and a half to make sure my hormones dont give me acne.
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June 28, 2010

Pros:

-clear back and chest
-clearer(erererer) face
-confidence

Cons:

Dryness and headaches. Then egsma and other rashes (one in an unpleasant place). Use liberal amounts of Burts Bees on the lips - i went through five containers a month. Use Eucerin Calming Creame for your body parts.

I suffered from prolonged acne all over my body. I had been on stuff for four years with nothing working. I took accutane reluctantly since I had no other option. It has paid off. There is no better feeling then your best friend looking at you, smiling and saying, "I cannot believe how much better your face looks." Or for the first time in my life, I took off my shirt in public without fear. This is no miracle remedy. I am not 100% clear but I would take it again. I survived and I feel better about me. I was on accutane for six months (80 mg). Take the chance for yourself.
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June 21, 2010

Pros:

-lightens scars (fast)
-less breakouts

Cons:

-slightly dry lips
-cant wax your eyebrows while your on it, or 6 months after
-expenisve!

Well I've been on this for almost a week now. I haven't had any big changes so far, except my acne scars are way lighter. im not sure if its the accutane or if its because i recently started using clinique's even better line. A lot of people say that by now they have a lot of dryness, but i've only had dry lips, and it's not that bad, i just have to but chap stick on every few hours. Maybe its because its only been a week though. Oh and my skin is still really oily, which i think is kind of weird. I have high hopes for this, im 15 and being in high school with acne is not fun. I'm on the cheer team and just about all the girls have perfect skin and I'm constantly having to pack on my foundation, which is really annoying. So im hoping it'll get rid of most of the acne before school starts
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June 17, 2010

Pros:

You know it's working --> relief
No more greasy hair/skin
Fast results

Cons:

Chapped lips
Nose bleeds
Dry skin/scalp
Limited drinking
Monthly derm. appointments/blood tests

I'm a 20 year old guy who first started getting acne at 17. It never got that bad during high school, but once I got to college it escalated drastically. I've been using minocycline/doxycyline for about a year and a half. They tapered the acne at best. When my derm put me on the tane last month, it was only about 70% of the worst it has been (still pretty bad). I'm on day 30 of accutane at 60mg/day, and I'm about to start an 80mg/day regimen. I know some people go higher, but I have a phenomenal derm who highly recommends not going above 1mg/kg, and I'm 6ft 170lbs. I convinced her that I should go to the elevated dose b/c I'm trying to complete a cycle in 15 weeks (I want to be off the tane when I return to college --> I like to drink heavily :D but i do care about spiked triglycerides and liver failure). So it's been a month now, and I'm already looking better than I have in years. Most people don't seem to get results this quickly; maybe I'm just lucky. The initial flare-up lasted from about day 7-14 with a couple nasty cysts, but nothing apocalyptic happened. Then, all of a sudden, everything sort of faded. Sidebar: my moderate back acne got zapped even more effectively. Okay, so negative aspects. The chapped lips are killer. Aquaphor is great for it, but it's not very portable. I gotta re-apply chapstick at least several times a day. Another bad side effect is joint pain, specifically the back. I 've never had problems like this before. If I'm not very active it's fine, but working out can be really excruciating. I'm also working at a paper mill doing manufacturing work this summer [read: I'm doing heavy lifting and various other manual labor --> my back aches constantly]. Also the whole dry face thing can be taken care of with aquaphor; it makes your face look AOK. Oh, and the dry skin thing isn't a bid deal for me, but then again I have eczema (something the rest of you should be thanking god you don't have; it's just as
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June 15, 2010

Pros:

Clear skin while you are on the drug and for a couple months after
Skin is soft and younger looking (while on the drug)
No greasy hair

Cons:

The acne comes back!!!!!
DRY LIPS!!!
Flaky Scalp
Waxing burns off skin
Joint pain (on second treatment)

I had to do two treaments about 6 months apart. The acne comes back....yes it does......it takes a couple of months but it comes back!!! The reoccurence of acne is not as bad as it was originally but the skin is no where as clear as it was while on Accutane. During Accutance I used E45 Body lotion (English brand). Great brand! Chap stick for lips....nothing really works so this one was the best. Have to reapply all the time. Clinique liquid facial cleanser for oily skin. Very gentle. Facial Moisturiser - Anything oilfree.
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June 14, 2010

Pros:

Made skin much less oily
Cleared some areas
No serious side effects for me
Cheap with insurance

Cons:

Didn't clear biggest problem area
Chapped lips
Some eczema

I am a 22 year old female who has had acne since I was a teenager, but it has worsened in the past few years. My biggest problem area is the side of my face, right below my cheeks. My skin in very oily. I completed 5 months of claravis (generic accutane) and I definitely saw improvements. I have very oily skin and it completely fixed that when I was on it. It made my lips chapped but Aquaphor is the absolute best thing for that. I stopped having body acne completely. Acne on my face cleared except in my main problem area which continued to have about 1 new blemish a week during the course of this medication. I developed some eczema but after moisturizing regularly, it cleared up. I finished 5 months, and when I stopped taking the medicine, my face regained all oiliness within a month, I got body acne again, and my face broke out in places where it hadn't broken out in a very long time! I hope to do another course of this medicine when my dermatologist will allow it. I would absolutely recommend this medication, especially if you have oily skin. I had no serious side effects at all, and really the only annoying thing was the chapped lips and the monthly appointments.
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June 7, 2010

Pros:

Clears skin
Exfoliates skin making it appear smooth and clean
Cheap with insurance

Cons:

Severe depression
Dry lips, skin, nose
Easily suburned
Blood test each month

I never had acne before until I hit 20, then it began to appear on my face, arms, and back. it's not severe but it does affect my self-esteem and confidence. I have been on it for a few months and have gotten several comments from friends and co-workers on how clean my skin is and how it's beginning to clear up. As for the sides, number one is depression (full disclosure I have one family member who committed suicide and I have suffered depression in the past) The depression was very severe. Suddenly, I felt alone, nothing to live for, contemplated suicide, began to isolate myself from friends/family, suffered loss in joy of things I normally enjoy. It was bad in the first month but then it went away, I feel fine now going into the second month, hopefully it does not return. It's manageable by hanging out with friends, going to the gym, eating food you love. I would recommend Cetaphil as it's non comodogenic and will not block pores on your face, apply it on your body and face each night before bed or when needed. I noticed if I do not my face starts to get red bumps from dry pores. Carry carmex at all times, other lip balms did not work for me. Other than that no other sides for me. So far I think the positives have outweighted the negatives so far.
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May 13, 2010

Pros:

Skin began clearing up within two days, felt much more confident,

Cons:

Dry lips, little back pain

I wish I had done it sooner. I've had moderate to severe acne since my freshman year of high school, and I am now about to graduate. I was going to start treatment last year but I chickened out because of some online reviews...But this year (my senior year) it got so bad that I just got fed up and took the plunge. I've been on it for about a month and the results have been awesome! Yes, the dry lips are a pain, but vaseline twice a day is all I need! The acne on my forehead, chest, and back has entirely cleared, and my cheeks are slowly becoming less red and dot-covered.
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May 10, 2010

Pros:

clearer and smoother skin, confidence

Cons:

dry lips, nose, scalp, etc. back pains, peeling skin on arms

I've had severe acne since the 7th grade. I'm now a sophomore in highschool and i've been fed up with my acne. I finally went to my derm a month ago and got on accutane starting at 80mg a day. i didn't experience anything until the end of my first week. My lips slowly got really dry but my face also started getting smoother and slightly clearer. I was slightly depressed at times but my girlfriend helped out with that. My skin looks a lot better now and i'm looking forward for more good results in the months ahead
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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