Isotretinoin (Accutane®)

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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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Sufferer :[

February 18, 2007

Pros:

Smooth skin where it clears it up. No grease.

Cons:

Dry lips, dry skin on hands, wrists, elbows and knees. Horrible scars.

I've been on 60mg of Isotretinoin a day for the last three months. My doctor prescribed it, along with a steroid and an antibiotic, because the skin was infected. The skin pretty much got less lumpy by the time I finished the course of antibiotics, but the Isotretinoin has done sod all to be honest. My skin is really horrifically dry, and I'm getting enormous boil-like spots with tiny heads just beneath my eyes and on my nose. My forehead's clear but no doubt it'll become disgusting, just like everything else has. Because I'm only 15 and still in school, there's shedloads of prejudice, and my confidence is literally on the floor. I just hope it works soon...I've heard it works for a lot of people. Fingers crossed for you guys.

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acnemaster15

February 12, 2007

Pros:

cleared back and chest acne completely, and most of facial

Cons:

dry lips

After hearing about all the side effects with this product I was a little reluctant to begin. However after a few weeks I began to notice a huge change, my self esteem grew as the weeks past and I finally felt confident enough to wear clothes which revealed my chest and back. The dry lips were annoying but where a small price to pay for the clear skin.

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Shan

February 11, 2007

Pros:

Deep sore pimples go away over couple months. Don't need to wash your hair much, only twice a week.

Cons:

Very dry lips- use vaseline constantly. Dry rashy skin on arms/legs- moisturise every day. Takes about a month and a half before pimples start really going away slowly as each day passes- patience is required.

It has been two months since i started Isotane- the NZ name for this medication. Requires alot of patience as results take a long time to see. Ask your derm for hydrochortisine aswell to combat redness. Also i was prescribed Stieva-A cream to apply at night and this helps prevent pimples from forming after first bringing them out. Basically things get worse before they get better but now things are looking much more positive and pimples are dissapearing one by one each day and have gone from giant sore deep pimples to small whitehead pimples. Unforts the scarring from the large pimples remains but im sure they wil fade eventually. recommend isotane.

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Rachael

January 12, 2007

Pros:

Skin starts to clear within a month. Hair also a lot less greasy and don't need to slather on makeup.

Cons:

SUCH dry lips. Its nuts! Bleending noses, dry eyes, slightly lethargic and worst of all for me, terrible joint and muscle pain though is apparently a less common side affect. I can't even move my hand today after a game of golf.

After only about a month the jury is still out but at 30 years old I feel confident right now about finally dealing with it. The joint pain is hideous but I have 2 friends who have both been on it and they look great. Wonderful skin so I am sticking it out and praying for the same results. It can be tough to get through but I think it will be worth it. I just hope I'm not one of the people it reoccurs in. The lip dryness is nuts so deposit lip balm everywhere you go regularly so your never without because its HELL if you get caught short. Headaches, yes they happen too, as does lower back pain. God, I'm not really selling this am I? In all defense, I now feel comfortable not wearing makeup and I can wear tops that show off my cleavage instead of hiding the acne on my chest. I say, as long as your doc agrees, go for it.

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Brian

January 12, 2007

Pros:

works very well after about a month or two

Cons:

i had to stop the treatment due to some of the mental side effects; i was doing fine then all of a sudden i became severly depressed and was on the verge of suicidal thoughts.

it's a great drug; just watch out for some of the serious side effedts

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January 10, 2007

Pros:

breakouts every now and then, improved alittle. No more oily skin

Cons:

dry skin, peeling lips, getting tired easily, mood swings

get this if u want clear skin, the side effects are worth it. I have mild acne as told by the doctor. i was on 20 mg on the first 2 months and 30 mg on the last 4 months. I am 145 lbs so it is based on weight. doctor will tell u.

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shona

January 5, 2007

Pros:

The idea that the acne could be gone forever!(with mild breakouts of course)

Cons:

The lips! My lips from week 1 on have been so sore and nothing seems to do the trick (vaseline works okay, but somewhat sloppy)
My derm told me not to consume ANY alcohol (which none of the above comments mentioned) due to the impact on the pancre

my sis was on it and it did wonders for her, so I am staying positive and if the dry lips and back aches are part of the investment, then so be it! I have always wanted my skin back as I did not break out into acne until age 18, now 21 I will pretty much do whatever it takes.I believe that with a confident derm, a good understanding of the medication (85% of people who take accutane get rid of acne)it will be a wise investment. And as far as the price goes I live in canada and have bennifites so i pay about $18.00 canadian each month.

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Laura

December 11, 2006

Pros:

Does clear up acne for a short while.

Cons:

Extremely dries you out. Lips are the worst. Toward the end I got bad headaches.

I took accutane twice... yes twice. The first time it worked wonderfully (except for the expected dryness... the lips dried out the worst... you need to use more than just lip balm... i found that aquaphor healing ointment from eucerin worked wonderfully for dry lips.. i actually still use it!) I was on the treatment for the reccomended 20 weeks or whatever it was. About 6 months after I got off accutane, I started to break back out again. My dr put me back on and it worked some but again soon after i was broken back out again. Also, towards the end of the second time I got horrible head aches... I've never had migraines but im pretty sure thats what they were. They stopped as soon as i stopped taking accutane. Long term effects: dry skin. you dont hold a tan as long. slightly more sensitive skin. accutane helped the current breakouts while i was on it, but not future ones. Maybe its just my stubborn skin b/c ive heard of a lot of people that this has worked on.

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December 4, 2006

Pros:

Clear skin, no more breakouts or oily skin. Look much better than before.

Cons:

VERY dry lips and dry eyes, sore joints and makes you feel more tired than normal.

Even though the side effect are horrible, you get to have beautiful skin. Thats enough for me!

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Chloe

December 3, 2006

Pros:

slight improvement initially

Cons:

dry dry dry lips,face,bleeding

I've been taking Isotane for about 1 1/2 months acne did worsen for the first week then a welcomed change did oocur although the dryness and bleeding nose still happens the improvement so far is well worth it.

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