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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Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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Alex

July 16, 2009

Pros:

Excellent cleared skin.

Cons:

Dry lips, skin, some bleading through my nose and a little tired.

I've tried it all from proactive, Benzacline, Tazorac, Antibiotics however, this has been by far the best product I have ever used and on top of that has been the cheapest with ofcourse my BCBS insurance.This product works and I would highly reccomend, its worth the shot.I was tired of buying cream. I wasnt sure though at first since my doctor had me 40mg 2x a day but it worked for me A+ Product!!!

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Louise21

July 15, 2009

Pros:

My acne was completely gone within a month. I had cystic acne along both cheeks that caused much pain/embarrassment, and within two months had gorgeous, porcelain skin.

Cons:

I experienced EXTREME dryness and broke out in exema. My eyes were so dry I had to seal them closed with drops at night. It affected my vision-I saw double when reading and couldn't see properly at night. My hair also thinned/fell out.

I'm very glad I took it, but I don't know if I could do it again. My hair has still not grown back properly, though the vision has improved. I'm worried if I go on it again my hair will never grow back properly. My acne is also starting to come back (I finished accutane seven months ago) and I don't know what to do now. I would recommend it to people who are at their limit-it definitley works, and there will definitely be side effects. It depends on whether you think you can handle them or not. To me, getting clear skin was worth it. I was on 40mg/day for 3.5 months (I stopped early because I couldn't handle the side effects)

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Catcat12

July 14, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my skin on my face, chest and back. Can now wear whatever I want, pretty much.

Cons:

Ear pain and Tinnitus two months post-'Tane (waiting for it to clear up and it has reduced a lot); persistent dry eyes and eyes seem more red now as a result after Accutane

I don't think I would have taken it had I known I would fall into the small percentage to experience Tinnitus. It's crap and I didn't know my ear would ever react like that. It's reduced a lot, and my doc thinks it will disappear. Still, my acne was mild for the most part except for a few cysts on my cheek. Sometimes the risk is not worth it. You take the risk and you hope not to be a minority, but you just don't know.

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Rev

July 11, 2009

Pros:

Clears acne up, clears marks and scars, gives newfound confidennce

Cons:

dry lips, eyes and skin patches, some joint pain, SOME anxiety, blood work, monthly checkups...BUT it is a miracle.

I'm 16, and I tried everything before I finally went on accutane(Commercial products, antibiotics, retin-a, differin, ziana,etc). My acne was not horrible but i think it was really bad especially being in high school. I got accutane at the beginning of this year, and I believe that this has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. It's given me the joy of being able to go out without feeling as insecure and newfound confidence.

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joseph

July 10, 2009

Pros:

it worked while i was on it and 2 months after

Cons:

it came back shortly after i was finished with the course and very dry skin

well it is good for bad acne but some people have remision as my self 2 -3 months after my course was through it came back not as bad as it once was like cystic acne but it did cum back pretty bad

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johanne Quinton

July 8, 2009

Pros:

it is the best acne drug I have ever used and will use it again. I had big nodular cysts on my neck and I was very depressed until I got introduced to this drug. I am so happy I am on this

Cons:

dry lips, dry eyes and bleeding nose sometimes aches at the back of my legs every once and a while, nothing severe.

bottom line if you want a clear complexion and you have tried everything else in the drug store this is the best drug to use.

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Grace1

July 7, 2009

Pros:

It works! My skin is clearer than it has ever been, and I have even been receiving compliments on my complexion now. I had tried everything and nothing else seemed to work - Proactive, Mary Kay, Avon, over the counter treatments, and prescriptions.

Cons:

Very dry lips, crack open and bleed, dry nose, dry skin on face. Very sensitive to sunlight - burn very easy even with sunscreen. And now, just as I'm nearing the end of treatment, stomach cramps and diarreah.

Overall, it has been worth it for me. Everything has cleared up nicely and seems to be staying that way. My skin isn't oily anymore. I did have some breakouts a little while ago and a very bad sinus infection which the doctor said wasn't related but I belive it was. Also, my sister had been on the drug a number of years ago and had trouble getting pregnant later in life, again doctor said there wasn't any relation but I believe otherwise. Now I have had the stomach cramps and diarreah for about two weeks. I called in to see if this would cause problems, I have a history of colitis and irritable bowl syndrome in the family. I was told it wouldn't matter or have any effect, they actually told me it wasn't related at all. I'll be very glad to get off of the medication.

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LOLO

July 1, 2009

Pros:

getting clearer faster than other products

Cons:

dry lips and face {but i was using othe medicine wth it}

go get it im 17 and i had sever acne for years i tries exposed,acnefree,clear skin, and even proactive. this is the only one that had a hoard hitting effect its only a shame that i dident try it earlier

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Taylor

July 1, 2009

Pros:

Hair never gets greasy, same w/ face, acne somewhat subsiding

Cons:

fatigue, nightmares, dry/sensitive skin, chapped libs, dry nose & eyes, slightly thinning hair, can't drink, negative affect on athletic performance

Side Effects - It seems like I have a lot of cons, but it looks worse when I write it out than it actually is. I try to subside most of the cons; skin - spf/moisturizer, lips - chapstick, eyes - eyedrops . . . make sure to take multivitamins without vitamin A. I've never been frightened enough by the nightmares for it to really affect me. I will say the fatigue is pretty bad, I've been an athlete my whole life and have never felt so run down so often for how much I workout and should be in very good shape. Acne - My dermatologist is having me start at 20mg a day for a month, then 40 mg /mnth . . . . 60 mg . . . . 80mg (just started 3rd month). She said that she would work me up to 80mg and still go another 4-5 months on that. That seems like a lot, I think, but i'm a pretty big guy (6'4" - 215). It seems like after each monthly change my acne gets worse then gets better towards the end of the month, so I'm confident that it will work well once I am a couple months into

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June 26, 2009

Pros:

It cleared my skin! Absolutely Amazing! Still works after treatment, for a few months!

Cons:

Dry skin. Limited sun exposure. Oil production was cut off big-time! Some mild acne continue to show up after treatment.

Do it. Its worth it all the way. I read about all these dangerous side affects, but it turned out it was worth it. Nothing else would work for me, and this did it!

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