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
34.1%
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
May 30, 2008

Pros:

95% of acne is gone.
Oil went away.
Confidence in public.

Cons:

Like all good things in life, gets worse before it gets better.
Very dry lips, eyes, inside nose and skin.

I have been suffering from acne since I can remember, all the medications I tried in the past worked but it werent a cure, the acne always came back. This is the first time I feel and see a significant change. In my opinion its all worth it to finally have clear skin.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 25, 2008

Pros:

cleared nearly all my acne up

Cons:

dry lips etc and NO alcohol lol

ive been taking it for 10 weeks today and its cleared 80 percent of my acne up. clearer than it has been for about 5 years. ive just turned 20 and ive had acne on my back and face for since about 14/15. my face and lips av been dry but no other side affects, no alcohol is the worst, especially as its summer nearly.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 24, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin, smooth skin, smaller pores, never greasy hair

Cons:

chapped lips are the worst for me. i also have some red discoloration where my acne used to by that my doctor says is from the accutane and will go away. also sunburn and pealing face skin

My father had cystic acne in his teens and after two cycles of accutane he never had a zit again. I've had mild acne since I was 11. It was never particularly bad till I turned 15. It got worse and worse, and I had used sh*tty proactive, tons of over the counter, tons of prescription pills and prescription creams and none of it worked, one bit. Finally I got my doctor to prescribe accutane for me and i'm very glad I did. The side effects are a pain in the ass, but after about 2 and a half months i saw definite improvement in my skin. I'm on my fifth month now and today i woke up with my first zit in a few months. It's small though, not like my old acne. I'm very frightened that when I go off treatment it will come back, because my skin is so much clearer now. I'm on 80mg a day, which i think is the highest dosage.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 22, 2008

Pros:

less oil, smoother skin,dry facial skin < some of ya said it a con but i feel i rather have dry on my face than grease sticky shiny face right?

Cons:

Ipledge program, blood tests, dr appointments,price ( dont have insurance coverage)dry lips

I think we all have the same story on acne but mine is alittle different. I have mild acne when i was 20 (everybody called me Pizza Face) i tried almost every damn products on the store shelter then one time i picked up a product called Loma Lux AcnePill (homeopathic medicine). I took 3 pills/day according to my weight, dont get me wrong it works like a cham. i could see the result the next day,no lie. My face was so pretty and glow like i never had acne b4 and it getting better better day by day and last for a month.( happiest month in my life).Second came when its side effect are taken over, oil comes out like crazy, then cysts,whitehead,blackhead..i looke like a monster.I quit my job,stay in the house 24/7 cuz i dont wanna to see nobody and dont want nobody to see me i felt like i live in the prison or something 2years pased and decided to go to derm and he prescribed me accutaune, yay. Anyways today is my 24th day on Sotret i feel like i just won 10 mil$ cuz my face looking good
This Was Helpful

Report
May 21, 2008

Pros:

Improved skin in 3 weeks,much smaller pores

Cons:

Dry Lips, Dry Skin , Hair thinning

I have had acne on and off since I was 13! I am now 32. I was prescribed 20mg, which I have been taking for nearly 4 weeks now. My skin has really improved! For lips I have been using Blistex & Vaseline, Sun block on face and E45 cream for dry/itchy skin, hair I don't wash it every day like I used too! Which is great, twice a week does the trick. To be honest, I have also been drinking alcohol, my dermatologist said its fine'but just to be sensible. I have now been prescribed 40mg and have been advised I can switch to 20mg if I feel the side effects becoming stronger. I have seen people who used accutane when they had acne and you would never be able to tell from there skin now that they ever suffered from acne, Accutane cured there acne with one treatment..so I am very hopeful as I don't have cystic acne more small persistent white head/red spots. I feel so much better and confident since my skin has improved and I really do wish I took this medication years ago!
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 21, 2008

Pros:

Dried up my oily face and scalp, don't have to wash my hair every day, acne is getting better but still not where I want it to be. But doctor said it would get worse before it gets better

Cons:

Blood work, pregnancy tests, dry lips, dry face and scalp, back aches, and nose bleeds

I've been on it for about 6 weeks and I've noticed some improvement but not as much as I'd like. The side effects aren't fun but they are worth it for clear skin! Aquaphor has helped my lips and Cetaphil cream is great on my face! Still haven't solved the dry flaky scalp problem. Doc said acne would get worse before it gets better so I'm trying to be patient. I have friends and family members who took it and never had skin problems again!
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 9, 2008

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

chapped lips, dry peely skin, blood tests.

welll . . the first 3 weeks i was on it i was on the 20mg dose and ALL my acne went away. then the next week all of it came back ? so i got put on the 60mg dose amd ive been using it for 3 more weeks and there have been no improvement at alll . i hope its just pushing it all out before it gets better ? but im not sure why it got really good before then got worse again.
This Was Helpful

Report
May 7, 2008

Pros:

My face wasnt getting oily the first day i started using it!! And it wasnt even really that dry either!

Cons:

My face/lips arent really dry. Im getting back pain but I havent been moody. I feel the same and I feel great (excpet for my back, but its not too bad)

Its awesome so far! I dont think Im getting much results yet because I just started but I think its been helping prevent breakouts because I havent had a breakout since. :) Just be careful while taking it! If you feel suicidal or depressed, PLEASE remember its just the medicine. If its getting out of hand, please please please stop taking it immediately!
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 6, 2008

Pros:

FLAWLESS skin for the first year!!

Cons:

Veryyy dry skin lips and hands (my hands still get extremely dry in the winter)

I know many people than have one used it once and it has given them PERFECT skin (I' couldn't even believe they have acne before!) It was did wonders on my skin since the first week of use and it didn't get any worse at first. However, about a year and a half later I got the acne bad maybe not as bad since it greatly controls cystic ance but I'm still very unsatified for the moment. I will soon go ton it again for 2 months. I DEFINETLY reccomend it thought!!!! It's the only thing that "cures" (to whatever extent depending on the inividual). SOOOOO worth it!
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 6, 2008

Pros:

Definitely cleared my skin. it works great! im completely clear and staying clear with little effort. its certainly the final solution to acne if you just want to be done with it.

Cons:

dryness,(not that bad though), stomach ache, sunburn, (not to mention some other pretty extreme side effects on the warning label) and for people who have eczema or rashes- it make them worse

A good solution for ance, no more daily face regiment, just clear skin! worth it all the way.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 47 48 49 50 51 … 67
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