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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Megan

September 16, 2008

Pros:

Temporarily helped my acne.

Cons:

Dry skin, emotional problems for teenagers- lack of focus and depression.

Ok, I took this stuff when I was 17 and I am considering going on it again. I stopped taking it a month or two before my derm recommended because I was feeling depressed and anxious a lot, and could not focus in class. (I still have terrible acne, came back a few months later but they say the 2nd round usually zaps it for good) But now I know a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was a hormonal teenager and I am also hypoglycemic so I have to eat a little differently. Now I am 21, a graduate student, and I hate people telling me I look like I'm 18 or 19 because of my acne, so I am giving this another shot. I'd recommend this: Do not be afraid to go talk to a therapist as a young person, especially if you are on this medicine. Also be honest about whether or not you are prone to depression, as I was.

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Siava

September 15, 2008

Pros:

Months of no oil production. Can go more than 1 day without washing hair. Cleared acne quickly.

Cons:

A plethora of side effects: dry lips, skin, and eyes, fatigue, joint pain, fragile skin, photosensitivity, diminished night vision, mood swings.

This is not a drug for the faint of heart. It can cause serious issues and should only be taken after serious consideration. Maintaining good communication with the dermatologist is crucial. I'm sorry I didn't go this route before. After 12 years battling persistant acne, I finally feel care-free about my skin. I used Sotret, the generic, and it worked great.

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Joshuah Smith

September 12, 2008

Pros:

Clear Skin. Fast Results!

Cons:

Dry Skin, Nose-bleeds, increased moodiness :)

When I was 18, I had tried everything for my acne. My zits began getting zits of their own! :) I tried every over the counter and prescription drug available. Finally, I went back to my Dermatologist, and he told me about Accutane. He warned that some people experience side effects, and took a blood sample from me for testing. After the test came back, he gave me my prescription and told me to take two pills per day. I took my first two right away, and when I woke up, my skin was 1/2 clear! The next day, almost no sign of acne! My skin was, however, very dry. After my skin dried completely, I made another appointment, and my doctor told me to only take one pill every other day. My acne was completely gone! The only side effects that I noticed was I had two nose-bleeds (never happened to me before), and I could get moody at first. To me, those were small prices to pay for clear skin. My self esteem was boosted, and people now compliment my skin all the time! (Didn't expect tha

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Rikki

September 11, 2008

Pros:

It worked. 5 months post accutane my skin is beautiful and I rarely break out.

Cons:

Dry skin and lips. Major sensitivity to the sun. I flushed really easily. Aches and pains. Thin fragile skin. ipledge is a pain in the ass. Blood tests and birth control.

Going on accutane was definitely a long drawn out journey, and I had a love-hate relationship with it while I was on it. After I was off for a month or two my skin started looking wonderful. I rarely break out and I don't have to do much to keep it clear. I get compliments all the time. It's a pain, especially with the dry lips (aquaphor sucks too...make sure to get something better) but it was worth it in the end and I would do it again if I had to.

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Joyce

September 11, 2008

Pros:

It works

Cons:

It makes you dry!!!!!!!!! dryness causes early set of wrinkles

You're going to go through hell while you're on it! but it works. I had to apply carmax lip balm every 30 minutes, hand lotion and body lotions were my best friend. Needless to say those were not comfortable times. Make sure you stick with the program. I went through it two times before i finished (it was that difficult for me). The only drawback: wrinkles under the eyes that i didnt have before accutane and dry eyes all the time (even after the program). Acne is almost gone... continually using topical cremes. Even with insurance, it gets really expensive- with all the doctor appointments and blood work. Plus Ipledge is a hassle just like everyone else said...

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Steven

September 9, 2008

Pros:

its cheap in Australia
its almost completely cleared my skin.
complexion has improved.

Cons:

sore knee joints
dry lips, dry eyes, at times feel tired.. not sure if its from the medication though.

i have been using this product for 4 months, and i still have 2 months left, it has almost cleard up all of my acne, it does take a while to see results but its worth the wait if you want clear skin. i have not experienced any mood swings or depression, and the side effects have been very tolerable, they're barely noticeable.

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Mike71

September 7, 2008

Pros:

I don't have anymore breakouts. I don't have to worry about having a shiny, oily face. It has made my self - esteem so much better.

Cons:

Regular derm visits, blood work and it gets pricey after all is done.

If you have tried different products with little results, then I suggest you give accutane a try. I haven't been more pleased and happy in my life. I have struggled with acne for so long, and I am so glad that after years and years of trial and error, I decided to give it a try. It's been the best thing I have ever done. And to be completely honest, this is my 3rd month and the only side effect I've experienced is chapped lips, which really aren't even that bad. It's as simple as taking one pill, and the rest is history. I have been prescribed so many topicals, and it ended up being so expensive... especially if they didn't help your skin at all. If you're tired of acne, please give accutane a try. It's been well worth it for me.

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sam

September 3, 2008

Pros:

does exactly what it says helps clear acne

Cons:

dry skin and lips

i have been on 30mg for 6 weeks no bad sign effects for me all small whiteheads and blackheads completely gone, back completely clear, derm now put me on 65mg for 8 weeks cos still getting pimples daily but no where near as bad i recommend this for anyone who wishes to try it and suffers from acne, follow instructions to the book. good luck to all

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Becki

August 28, 2008

Pros:

REALLY cleared up my skin very quickly
Inexpensive if you have health insurance

Cons:

Achy joints, VERY dry lips, irritability, very expensive if you don't have health insurance-even generic. Ipledge program is absurd and pointless, very inconvenient medication to take. DON'T use hot wax while on this medication! (Sugar waxing fine)

I suffered mildly moderate acne for the past 6 years (never cystic, though) When my dermatologist first recommended taking accutane to treat it once and for all, she made me promise not to read what other people say on the internet. I kept that promise until now- month 4- and I'm happy I didn't read comments before! Yes, for me it does chap my lips-aquaphor is my new best friend-and it does make me very mildly irritable, my joints are achy, but my skin started clearing up after one week-it never got worse before getting better for me- and is better and better each month-almost flawless now, scarring is almost gone! I absolutely cannot wait to be done with my fifth month (40 mg 2x a day) but overall everything has been tolerable for me, and has been WELL worth it. My derm is very confident it will be pretty much "cured" by the end of 5 months, so if that's true then it is a miracle drug.

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Ash

August 26, 2008

Pros:

cleared my face for straight 5 years,but..(read the cons). Well had skin dryness(acceptable compared to face full of acne),mild burning of eyes, chapping of lips, nothing much.

Cons:

its 5 yrs since i took accutane, but now its back to bad face days,and its back with vengeance, damn! getting them again on face, back, and hips(i shampoo almost daily, so don't suggest dandruff). have some hair loss too.

Use it, it surely cured my severe acne problem. but 5 yrs down the line, i am back to square one. i have vampire horn like bald areas on both sides of my head. Plus a peace of advice for some silly docs, acne is really not related to diet, or uncleanliness, but something else.. wish i knew that.

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