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.

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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:

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February 29, 2012

Pros:

Clear skin

Cons:

Photosensitivity terribly
Constant dry skin
Eczema rashes occur at times

I would not recommend this at all. The distress and negative it has caused definatly outweighs the no acne situation. I am currently on holiday with my fiancé FOUR MONTHS post tane. And it has been a nightmare. I cannot expose my skin at all in the sun as I made the mistake of doing so and I am now severely sunburnt with blisters etc even though I used factor 50 SPF. I know for a fact it is because of the tane as i had very good skin in the sun before accutane. I cannot stress enough the negatives that can come from this medicine I regret taking it. Please read all of the negative comments about accutane before thinking it is a miracle drug. There are real people out there who have a lot worse outcome than myself which could happen to you.
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May 20, 2008

Pros:

you will think it works, but....

Cons:

VERY DANGEROUS! CAUSES BACTERIA DISBALANCE IN YOUR DIGESTION, YOU RUN HIGH RISK OF HAVING CANDIDOSIS AFTER USING IT!!! CANDIDOSIS CAUSES ACNE!!! STOP AS SOON AS YOU CAN! ACNE WILL COME BACK

it is absolutely clear that this medication is highly dangerous and has not cured anyone in long term! You will end up treating your candida for the rest of your life! Please read: Accutane - Dangerous Answer For Severe Acne ([link removed]>Accutane and alike, provoke an overgrowth of fungus called candida- WHICH CAUSES ACNE!!! Yeast infection is almost impossible to treat! you will be on a strict diet for the rest of your life or will end up not knowing what has actually happened to you, blaming it on different external treatments. Please investigate before using it! be more careful! doctors who write prescriptions for it make huge mistake and they know it!
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December 16, 2011

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

messed my eyes up
messed my stomach up
dry skin
still bad acne

Don't take this it better to have acne then have bad health now i need to take medicine for my stomach and I still have pain sometimes. I still don't know what wrong with my eyes. Plez don't take this for the sake of your health! My problems are not big but still don't take this it better to have no problems!
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November 7, 2009

Pros:

So far I haven't seen any improvement in the appearance of my spots but they are less sore.

Cons:

Blood test every month. And I've experienced so many side-effects. Cracked lips. Dry peeling skin. Red itchy flaky patches on my arms. Red bumps on the back of my hands. All the dryness is making my skin feel like it got burned.

I haven't had any improvement in my acne probably because I haven't been on the medication long enough. I'm going to continue to take it for 6 months as advised by my dermatologist and hopefully it works.
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March 23, 2013

Pros:

so far its been 11 days on accutune. Pros, it really does dry up your skin! iv read so many reviews about it working in the long term so i hope it does. My skin isn't as oily as it use to be. The size of the pimples have decreased and i only get small ones now.

Cons:

It makes you really moody and im still breaking out a bit. And really dry and flaky lips and flaky skin! So hard to wear makeup with! And iv never been so depressed in my life!

Have to wait a little longer to see results as its only been 11 days. My skin hasn't really changed much except i have been breaking out a bit. Im dying to know how long til i see results and i really dont want to go through a major breakout likes your meant to. Ahhh.
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January 9, 2013

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Vastly Increased Acne
Dry/Peeling Skin
Dry/Peeling Lips
Inflamed/Red Face
Itchy Skin
Scaly Skin
Depression
Headaches
Hives
Dizzy Spells

I do not recommend this at all. I thought it had to work because it was one of the only things I hadn't tried, but obviously not. I had to stop using it within weeks because it caused mental and physical pain.
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August 9, 2012

Pros:

None!

Cons:

SIDE EFFECTS!
ACNE MAY RETURN!
NOT WORTH THE RISK!

It has terrible side effects! If your thinking about using this product please don't! The side effects are not worth the prize. So what if you cleared your acne but screwed up a bunch of other things in your body. Please read the side effects of this product and know that there is a good chance that they may happen to you!
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May 29, 2011

Pros:

Cleared my skin in 2 weeks

Cons:

None- (unless you count the fact I can't stop raving about Accutane)

This is the only product that worked. I had severe acne for 2 years (I could not touch my face and sitting hurt my bacne was so awful) My doctor informed me we had run out of options. It was Accutane or nothing. In two weeks my skin cleared. I had NO side effects (seriously). I went to Europe on this stuff for two weeks and went without makeup. I pray at the altar of Accutane. Also I have NO SCARRING!!!
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April 16, 2009

Pros:

i havent gone on it yet.....my parents are scared about me going on it

Cons:

i had depression and basicly all the symptoms that they say you are gonna have so im kinds scared

i cant wait to go on......im nervous but i know people on it that it has worked well for them......my acne is underskin and somewhat already scarring my face wen i saw the doctor he said you wont get that bad surface acne it will just kill all the stuff under skin so heres's hoping for the best! i have had acne since seventh grade and now im going to be a junior in high skewl so iv had for about 4 years and im tired of wearing so so much makeup where its clearly noticeable... its been a real pain wakin up early to put makeup on or not wanting to sleep over friends im fear of having to wash ur face and them seeing it.im scarred by acne and i just want it gone gone gone
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March 6, 2009

Pros:

it should get rid of my acne hopefully!!! i live in UK so ithe treatment was free for me!!!

Cons:

Well I have got really really dry skin on face its really bad worse than having acne. With skin peeling on face and dry lips. Burning skin.

I am on 60 mg each day. My skin is peeling on my face really dry skin and dry lips. I am on my second month but cant's see any difference apart from a new spot!!! My skin gets red and burns. Don't know if it will work for me as I have been trying other tables and lotions, creams and now on this tablet. But nothing ever worked all prescribed by my Doctor around 2 years and finally referred me to the dermatoligists.
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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