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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5
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4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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August 17, 2008

Pros:

it's the only thing that works and uproots the acne problem!

Cons:

just expensive because my insurance doesn't cover it

i've been plagued for almost 10 years by severe acne since the age of 15. i've tried most well-known topical treatment and oral antibiotics for acne. none of them worked. then my doctor introduced this as the "ultimate weapon." it miraculously cured my acne in 3 months! there is no discomfort or side effect i felt inside. but since the degree of my skin moist underwent such a dramatic change (that's how accutane works), i had skin peeling, keratosis pilaris, and breakouts of hives during the medication. regardless, once the medication was over, acne was gone. and the only side effect is keratosis pilaris, which i can accept.
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August 10, 2008

Pros:

too soon yet to tell

Cons:

very dry lips and itchy scalp

I am 49 and fed up with the constant battle to get rid of the spots etc. Was prescribed minocin for 15 years ( which I have since found out was far too long) This had a detrimental effect on my liver, so was taken off them and put on Isotretinoin 3 weeks ago. Cholestrol level has risen slightly, but liver function has now returned to normal. Just waiting patiently for an improvement in my skin now.
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June 25, 2008

Pros:

Clears severe acne fast, no more oily skin, clears acne on neck and back as well as face.

Cons:

Very dry skin at the beginning, severly dry lips. Takes a few weeks to really start clearing everything up.

I started having severe acne at around the age of 14. It was embarrasing and it would cycle every 2 months. I tried everything you could think of and nothing work. Oral anti-biotics definitly stopped me from breaking out with severe acne but it didn't stop oily skin and I continued having severe acne right after I got off the pills. I went on Accutane for 4 months and I'm safe to say it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. While on Accutane I no longer had oily skin and I never brokeout not even with mild pimples. After I stopped, my acne was clear for about 6 months. Although my acne is no only moderately bad, I'm going to start another cycle because I do not want it to get back to severe.
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June 11, 2008

Pros:

It did clear up the acne and decrease the oil on my face, for the time I was on it and a couple months after the 6 month treatment.

Cons:

I finished the treatment about a year ago, and although my face does not break out as bad as it used to. There is still acne on my face, lately it's been a bit worse.

Dryness, cuts take longer to heal, I developed a form of psoriasis.

If you have absolutely tried everything and anything out there, with no results. Go for the Accutane. The side affects can be annoying, but as long as you stock up on good moisturizers (My favorite was Aveeno) and drink plenty of water, they shouldn't be that unbearable. Be prepared for plenty of blood tests, only 1 week to drop off and pick up Rx, and if your not careful about what you eat you might gain weight. Like I said, I repeatedly developed some form of psoriasis on my hands and arms, but It went completely away after one or two applications of Vanos cream. Your dermatologist should have free samples. I recommend starting your treatment around spring, that way you don't have to deal with the dry winter months.
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May 7, 2008

Pros:

not sure yet

Cons:

not sure yet

I start accutane in one month. However, for those still debating. I have adult hormonal acne; all in the jawline. I never experienced acne until a year ago and it got so bad but I tried to avoid accutane. I did levulan blue light therapy twice (no impact), did Doxyclycline (no impact) did clindamycin, retina-micro, ampacillion, dephrin and every over the counter you can imagine. Only thing that helped was the ampacillion and the retina-micro; but not enough to my satisfactory. I still have cystic acne under my jawline and a few on the checks. I give up... accutane it is. I start in June and can't wait!
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May 7, 2008

Pros:

Made it slightly better but nothing amazing

Cons:

Dry lips, Itching scalp, Dry skin, Redness/soreness of the face.

Im 20 years old and have been on isotretinoin for 4 weeks on a dose of 80mg a day. So far I've had all the Cons everyone are saying but not much of the Pros. I'd be lieing if i said it hadnt got better at all, but the it has hardly made a dent in getting rid of the acne. Its early days I guess and still have another 3 months on it. I jsut got back from holiday and the sun helped a lot but since i've been home they seem to get worse again. I would reccommend it just because of other peoples reviews not my own, as everybodies different it may work better with them!
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April 18, 2008

Pros:

It works, but it costs your body and mind more than you pay in cash.

Cons:

1. Fact: Accutane will make your acne 100% worse before it gets better. 2. Dried my face and lips. 3. Blood work. Blood work. Blood work. This medication is serious stuff. 4. Acne returned 1 year later, but no where near as bad as before Accutane.

If you call 15 cysts on your face a good day, then you should get on accutane. You have to do your blood tests as required. If the accutane itself won't make you depressed as some claim, then the massive surge in acne halfway through the treatment will. My doctor timed it so i would be out for summer vacation during the rabid peak of acne. Thank god. Unfortunately, my acne returned to a different area. The areas that had acne before accutane have not seen cysts in years. Now I am on a milder med. Stay tuned for further updates.
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April 10, 2008

Pros:

Clears acne up and you never have another break out again.

Cons:

Severe break during first 2 weeks then subsided, dry nose, dry lips, dry skin, muscle / bone pains.

I tried quite a few of antibiotics, which didn't seem to make my acne subside as much as I wanted, Isotretinoin is doing that for me.
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April 7, 2008

Pros:

It has pretty much cleared my skin

Cons:

It's so expensive, it has dried my lips and the skin of my nose incredably!

Being 64kgs, I have been on 30mg for 6 months. Yesterday was my last day. My skin went from really pretty bad, to very light acne (both blackheads and pimples), which I still have now. Am a little confused because I thought it would clear up altogether. Nevertheless, what a difference, wow! So I would deffinately recomend it, because overall it did work. I suffered no depression (thank God) like I did when I was on Dianette.
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February 14, 2008

Pros:

Definitely started to work fast and stayed consistent with nothing to worry about

Cons:

Took getting used to in my head and with my body. I felt more aggressive and easily agitated. But never got violent which is good.
Chapped Lips consistently through treatment and dry skin, flaky, at first. Dont pick!

It definitely worked, and kept my skin clean for about 5 months after 2 months of treatment. had to stop because of how easy it was to damage my skin and bones. While snowboarding, small falls in terrain parks became painful for days. Even slipping on gravel would cut hands deep. And never needed stitches once in my life until i was on this med. and then needed it 3 times in 2 months. So if you can live your life indoors tho, and not do too much activity this medicine may be right for you. But I wasn't the biggest fan for that reason. and now 11months after i started i am trying something new but wont try accutane again.
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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