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.

 [more]
3.9
2787
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
April 16, 2013

Cons:

long term issues, older looking skin

The 7 pills that ruined my life. Truthfully, before I thought about taking this drug, I would read the reviews thinking that the people that said negative things about it where exaggerating. I started taking Claravis over a year ago and took it for only 7 days and I regret it every day. It did nothing for my acne at all but has made me feel like a 50 year old. I am in my mid 30's in within a month after taking the drug I have 2 ruptured discs in my back as well as arthritis now. Also, maybe because am older, but the skin around my eyes is parched and is full of wrinkles and the skin on my neck is always dry now. Of course, it would be uneducated of me to say that I am certain that the drug did this to me, but before taking it I was very athletic and an avid figure skater training to go into the sheriffs academy and now I am lucky if I can skate two times a week and sit ups are out of the question with my bad back. I have back pain daily now and I feel like I look more aged, all from taking those 7 pills. The truly crappy thing is that my skin is now flawless after finding the right topical and over the counter med after ten years of searching. I wish I would have just experimented more with other things before taking those pills and perhaps I would be my old self. Now I use Aczone and Alpha Hydrox 14% Intensive serum and I have never been happier with my skin. Maybe it's because I am older that this happened or it could be that it was bound to happen anyway and had nothing to do with isotretinoin. Who knows? My suggestion is to exhaust every avenue before you try this.
This Was Helpful

Report
April 13, 2013

Pros:

oil free, acne free skin

Cons:

delusions
impaired cognition
colitis
dry skin
schizophrenia

Try Lazer Treatment for Acne before you resort to this.. Ok so yes the effects of it were amazing although not permanent, I decided to not not through the full treatment, because it was literally making me stupid, and often throughout day I'd suddenly not know why I was where I was, my friend's mother took it and got ulcerative colitis for life, and schizophrenia, and I wouldn't be able to think straight, my grades dropped by 2 letter grades, so try everything else out first, you don't want to become acne free but get stuck with colitis for life...
This Was Helpful

Report
December 8, 2009

Pros:

Claravis worked great for my skin! It took just a couple of weeks before I didn't see anymore breakouts. I stopped using it after 3 months.

Cons:

Very dry lips (constantly putting lip balm on), muscle aches especially in the morning and night blindness. It made me sad and more emotional. Somedays I felt crazy and not myself.

I would recommend at least trying it. It does have A LOT of side effects but like my doctor said "How bad do you want clear skin?" I'm also blessed to have health insurance to afford it otherwise it would run about $600 a month (co-pays + prescription).
This Was Helpful

Report
November 17, 2009

Pros:

this s^%$$ works

My cousin took accutane about 10 years back when she was about 15. I remember both of us had acne but hers was way more severe than mine. Her face was just ugly looking with nasty looking bumps all over her face. Mine was just a few big pimples here and there and white heads all over but nothing compared to hers. Well anyway, at that time she took accutane I didn't want to take it cuz I thought my acne was not as bad and I am 26 now and I am still suffering with acne, too scared to take accutane at this point. My cousin has been acne free ever since she took accutane. I have never ever seen her with a pimple and her skin is flawless and beautiful ;(. I wish I could have taken it 10 years back. I have depression now and it would just make it worst. I am currently on taz. Hopefully it works for me.
This Was Helpful

Report
September 30, 2009

Pros:

I had severe acne in on particular spot which was my forehead and in between my eyebrows, since i started 8th grade. I used everything from proactive and prescription cream, but accutane was my miracle solution! After 4 months i was completely clear

Cons:

I got some heavy headaches and dry lips but it wasnt a big deal. For me my skin did get worse for the first two months before it got better. My skin is not as clear as when i was taking the pill, but it is 100% better than how it was at the beginning

It is an amazing drug that i would only recommend to people that have severe acne. There are many side effects that may or may not affect you so you should really talk to your doctor first. I personally loved it and even though it didnt have the lasting "perfect skin" i wanted i still would recommend everyone to use it.
This Was Helpful

Report
April 16, 2009

Pros:

My skin isn't as oily as it was, and pimples for the most part have cleared out.

Cons:

Multiple bloody noses a day for several weeks at a time (I hadn't gotten a bloody nose for a couple years before this), nose clogs up at night because of the nosebleeds, dry itchy skin on my sides, dry eyes, horrible bad breath, puffy bleeding gums (

If you're on antidepressants already like me, then make sure you have someone around to notice any changes in your behavior so you can get it taken care of. While this stuff is scary, you won't be on it for long. Nothing else was working to get rid of my acne and I was getting sick of trying to get it under control. If you have the nose bleed problem like I do, don't bother with cream inside your nose like they recommend, find a nasal spray that constricts blood vessels and use that. I'm still up in the air about recommending this to someone else.
This Was Helpful

Report
July 12, 2008

Pros:

My skin was friggin fantastic while I was on it!!! and it cleared up the acne on my forearms.

Cons:

About 3 weeks of being off of it, my face broke out and has been broke out!

I've been off of accutane for about 2 months and I'm freakin pissed! My skin was AMAZING while I was on it, I'm talking not one blemish or black head. It was AWESOME! But after about three weeks of being off of it, I noticed my skin starting to be oily again and then my face slowly but surely started getting new pimples, and now its back to how it was!!! bummer!!! the only good thing that came out of it was my arms are still clear. THANK GOD.
This Was Helpful

Report
June 20, 2008

Pros:

After two months, my skin was completely clear. Its now a month after I stopped using it and my skin still looks perfect.

Cons:

I understand that some people experience much worse side effects. I may have been lucky in that mine were very mild. Only side effects were dry lips and dry eyes.

In my opinion the only treatment that actually works. I spent many years trying everything and just got more frustrated. I could have never imagined then that I would ever have skin this clear. It is a risk though, and anyone who takes it should be aware of the side effects and should have monthly blood tests and all that. Also, make sure to drink lots of water, because it tends to dry out your body. At the end of the day, I am very happy with the results.
This Was Helpful

Report
January 11, 2012

Pros:

clears most acne
makes you feel confident
reaal cheap, $3 for every subscription , as it is subsidised.

Cons:

drys lips reaaaallly bad , cracks them.
makes skin dry
still get breakouts , not so much
red skin

i have tried all the acne medications there are , litterly. as none of them worked for me . i went on accutane, i use to have light acne but to me it felt like alot !! my doctor told me my skin wasnt even bad but i still wanted to go on the drug , i was nowhere near confident ! i would cry everyday waking up and looking in the mirror, i even left school because of my skin, yes i know its pathetic but thats just how i was., i hated it. i had acne on my chin , and accutane cleared that up. I still get some breakouts but not as much , only when i have my period. Also for the dry lips i would reccomend pawpaw ointment. remember to moistrise everyday , dry skin is ugly :)
This Was Helpful

Report
November 3, 2009

Pros:

None yet

Cons:

very dry lips and face, depression, nose bleeds

have been on 60mg a day for over a month now. no success yet, and acne has gotten worse. hope to see effects soon.
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 205 206 207 208 209 … 212
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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