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
2449
5
37.1%
4
34%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
June 12, 2007

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

dryness of lips and skin around the mouth area

i came into this website curious about week to week improvements and side effects from different users. i know a lot of people are more curious as they first start treatment. so im hoping i can help. ive struggled with acne for about 6 years now...im now 24. i recently started accutane. im 110 pounds so the derm prescribed me 40mg doses once a day for the next 5 months. been on accutane for a little over a week now...i didnt notice anything the first few days but now at week one i notice dry lips esp around the corners of the mouth. im having to apply a combination of chapstick and vaseline every hour. the skin around my mouth and nose have started drying out but using LA ROCHE POSAY's hydraphase lotion for dry skin has helped TREMENDOUSLY. i also drink at least 6 glasses of water. it helps! i can wear makeup as usual skin started breaking out continously since three days ago...but i think thats subsiding already. other than that no other joint problems or mood swing
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 26, 2007

Pros:

i am 100% clear

Cons:

dry skin, chapped/peeling lips, eczema, easily torn skin, depression

This medication definitely affected my personality and made me feel depressed. Without a doubt it was caused by this medication. It wasn't severe or anything, but it was there. I would still say this product is a miracle. The amazing results outweighed the side effects for me.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 25, 2007

Pros:

i think it cleared me a little

Cons:

nada .. i can honestly say i didnt feel a thing. i was so worried about peeling, eyes, lips .. not being able to put on my makeup. and i actually didnt feel anything.. it was great

try it. who cares what others think
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 22, 2007

Pros:

No more emabarassingly oily skin, cleared my pimples within short time

Cons:

dry eyes, chapped lips, sore joints, (just praying i won't have long lasting side effects)

I'm 27 now and wish I had started Isotane much earlier, maybe when i was in high school coz i was such a nerd and having dry eyes and chapped lips would nt have bothered me! Its working well, just worried that i didn't take it for 7 days whislt on holiday and the acne was slowly coming back, so hope when i stop treatment i'll be lucky and the acne will never come back!
This Was Helpful

Report
May 20, 2007

Pros:

Miracle drug - no acne, no worries

Cons:

Dry lips, bloody noses, expensive

Totally cleared my cystic acne, never to return. Light to moderate acne would return 12 to 18 months after use. The side effects were very minimal for me. Accutane by Roche is the name brand version that worked great for me. I used a generic version and it did not work. When I switched back to Accutane by Roche the effects were almost instantaneous. My dermatologist said that she had seen similar instances with the generics.
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 13, 2007

Pros:

THIS STUFF IS AMAZING!! I have had horrible acne my entire life. My dermatologist at age 14 mentioned accutane but I was soo scared of the side effects I opted out. Finally at age 22 I was so sick of still having a terrible complexion (horribly bad),

Cons:

that I decided that I would try accutane. I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH how amazing it is! Anybody who is older (or younger) and is considering accutane but isn't sure, please contact me. I would be more than glad to talk to you. Yes, there are some cons

to the drug, but I would absolutely LOVE to talk to you. It has been by far one of the best decisions I've ever made. I had horrible acne and severe cysts. I would have anywhere from 15-30+ pimples/cysts on my face at a time (i know, gross). You should seriously see me now. I will gladly send pictures and talk. I've been off for about 2 months now and haven't had anything except maybe a tiny whitehead here and there which is NOTHING. One of the biggest cons, make sure your insurance will pay for it!! Mine wouldn't and I was paying anywhere from $437-530 USD a month! and this was for 6 months! BUT I WOULD DO IT AGAIN!!! Feel free to contact me whosethatgirl49@[link removed]
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 12, 2007

Pros:

Stopped new breakouts after the first week. Skin started to clear by the 3rd week.

Cons:

Chapped lips, occasional nosebleed, initial back stiffness...but all of these symptoms were mild and worth it for clear skin.

HOWEVER, my hair started to think by week 2 and continued to thin at an alarming rate throughout my treatment.

I was so distraught by the rapid hair loss that I quit 2.5 mths into it. My acne promptly returned and now I'm back to square one...only with less hair.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 27, 2007

Pros:

Smooth and clear face, with barely any skin imperfections.

Cons:

Very dry flaky skin, peeling like a lizard. Lips that dry up fast, even begin to peel as well. Being tired and having no patience for some family members and friends.

I was hit with moderate to severe acne late in my teens. I went for the most radical approach first: Laser Skin Resurfacing and Microderm. Dropped 2-grand and underwent a lot of pain but ended up with a beautifully matte face with refined pores and soft youthful looking skin. That didn't last because the oil-production sped up because of m hormones and I began having more acne outbreaks. With my face worse than before, I turned to PROACTIV. Don't ever use that crap-- it made my skin worse by making my skin dependent on the benzoyl peroxide in all the creams. It cleared by simple and uncomplicated acne for the first month or so, but then when things looked better my acne turned out just to better my acne was pushed lower into my skin and my face became common ground for painful cystic and nodular acne. Went to the dermo and she put me on Accutane. Was very hesitant at first but to be honest, I'm kind of regretting not asking for that in the first place. It's worth it.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 24, 2007

Pros:

Clear, smooth skin

Cons:

I would not recommend anyone to take this medication. It is so harsh, upon taking it I succummed to violent mood swings and mild depression as well as a long initial breakout. If you looking for clear skin you must be prepared to pay alot for it.

Take it only if your doctor says its okay and you are absolutely adamant on having clear skin.
This Was Helpful

Report
April 19, 2007

Pros:

Wonderful clear skin.

Cons:

The side effects. I had dry cracked skin on my hands, patches of dry skin on my legs, and I became very emotional/depressed.

I know how miserable it is to have acne, and I would never tell anyone not to try Accutane because it does work. However, I urge anyone going on Accutane to be careful. The side effects can be extreme. I was extremely depressed and I do believe it was because of the medication. In my case, the side effects were not worth the end result (the acne came back). Even though it worked when I was on it, I will never again take Accutane.
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 23 24 25 26 27 28
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