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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June 4, 2012

Pros:

Worked fast
Clear, glowing skin

Cons:

Acne and oiliness came back
Thinning hair (still...)
Poor night vision (still...)
Low energy
Dry eyes

I firmly believe the only people who should be allowed to write reviews on here for Accutane are those who've been off it for 6+ months. While you're on it, you can't believe how good your skin looks, and you'll happily dismiss most side effects. Of course you're going to write a rave review. I did exactly that three months into my course. But it doesn't last. Oil glands recover. Within a few months of finishing my skin ramped up the oil production again and I started breaking out. My acne started when I came off the Pill after many years on it. I think I have an underlying hormonal imbalance as a result and have come to face the fact that any medication is just going to augment my system even more, and it will take longer to right itself. I'm also worried about the long term effects people report, not beginning until years after they've taken their last dose. I know what it's like to hate your skin and if the results were lasting I'd even say it was worth it for me.... but to have my skin return to what it was awful - to know I made my body put up with months of toxicity for nothing. I wish there was such a thing as a miracle drug - and it does work permanently without bad side effects for SOME (far fewer than they'd have you believe though) - but I'm going the clean diet, gentle exercise, natural skincare, low stress, general wellbeing route. Not as easy as popping a pill, but protecting your health is priceless. Good luck to everyone in their quest for clear skin.
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June 3, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne. Truly a wonder drug.

Cons:

- Initial breakout for some people
- Dryness of skin and lips (nothing that a good moisturiser can't handle)

If you are worried enough about your acne to come on this forum - take this drug! As with all medicines, there are side effects, some more common than others. If it isnt working initially dont give up, go back to your dermatologist and ask for advice. This is the only 'cure' for acne and I firmly believe it should be used as soon as possible to prevent scarring - rather than the current ridiculous advice that it should be used as a last resort. Good luck and post your results on here.
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May 22, 2012

Pros:

-Cleared up cystic acne
-Worked quickly
-Skin stayed completely clear for about 6 months

Cons:

-Extremely dry lips and skin
-Developed eczema after first month
-I still have acne about a year and a half after last dosage
-Huge commitment

I do definitely recommend accutane for those with severe cystic acne. It is a huge commitment, but it clears up those big, painful zits right away. It's been a year and a half after I took my last dosage, and I have been developing acne again. Not as bad as before accutane, but moderate. It's worth a try, but be sure to ask your dermatologist for eczema cream!
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May 21, 2012

Pros:

Cleared my skin completely
Built up my confidence

Cons:

Dry eyes
Dry lips
Very dry nose
Skin rash
Hair loss
Depression & mood swings

I started taking this medication in January I was on 30mgs a day to start with, my acne has been ongoing for a few years now, controlled my some medication for a while but my body soon got us to them, I ahve been on many different drugs over the past 6 years and I was due to get married April this year so I was refered to a derm which said my last resort would be Accutane, after giving this some serious though I decided to take the drug. The first month was fine no real side effects and no bad breakouts, I went back for my second month and the derm doubled my dose to 60mgs this made one huge difference! After a few days my lips cracked, my eyes dryed and the sores up my nose were so painful I couldn't even rinkle my face without it hurting, I came out in a bad rash all over my arms and I started to get really bad pains in my back and legs. I suffered it for the month and went back for more tablets the derm reduced my dose to 40mgs which helps but the problems still persisted. Into my 3rd month here comes the depression, along with sorting out my wedding my mood swings were uncontrolable screaming one min and crying the next I have never felt so bad and after waking up one morning and not even being able to face going to work I rang my doctors and got an oppointment to be taken of the medication the same day! The effects soon got better the rash dissappeared and the cracked lips and dry eyes got better over the next couple of weeks. Also my moods improved greatly I was back to my old self within a couple of weeks. At this point my skin looked amazing just a few scars which I could cover with make up, I felt great and my wedding pictures look fantastic which was what all this was for! If it wasn't for the fact I was getting married and having to look back on my photo's for the rest of my life I would not have taken this medication the effects are to dangerous and i hate to think what it has done to the parts of my body I can't see.
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May 21, 2012

Pros:

- Only medication that worked
- Completely stopped breakouts

Cons:

- Dry Lips

I had personally tried EVERYTHING before finally deciding to go to my dermatologist. All of the over the counter cremes(Proactive, Neut. ID, others....), pills, natural products, peels, but none of it worked. I would STRONGLY recommend you go to your dermatologist right away when you 1st start seeing signs of acne. I went through several years of pain and stress over my acne situation, but it only took 1 month to stop breakouts. You will get that 1st initial breakout, but that is common....just stay the course.
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May 17, 2012

Pros:

clear skin
confidence
non greasy hair & skin

Cons:

initial breakout
dry skin/lips/eyes

I had been struggling with acne since the 7th grade. I literally probably tried every dermotologist prescribed medication on the market. Finally, my derm prescribed me accutane in 11th grade. My skin at this point was BAD. cystic acne all over my chin mostly. I was so insecure I would leave at the bell and go straight home. I was too embarassed to have much of a social life. I'm not going to lie, the initial breakout was horendous and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. My skin got about 10X worse before it started clearing up. But it was worth it. By the 2nd month my skin was mostly clear. My lips however were suuuuper chapped and cracked. At the end of my 5 months of accutane my skin was completely clear and I was amazed!!!! My acne stayed away for most of 12th grade and I was back to my confident self. However, when I approached 2nd semester of college my skin started to break out agaiun. I am on accutane again and hope to see the same results. The initial breakout was, once again, horendous.but lucky for me I went on a trip and had 2 weeks off of work :) I really hope this is the last time I have to go on accutane but it did change my life for the better. You just gotta keep at it and be educated and prepared! good luck!
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May 17, 2012

Pros:

best acne medication ever

Cons:

dry lips
dry skin

I had rally bad acne, moderate too severe. I used acne.org treatment that worked for a summer. I used all the benzoyl peroxide prescribed by a doctor. I took antibiotics and used 'retin-a' for 3 month and help me reduce some of my acne and I just started using Accutane a month ago and everything changed. It went from very oily skin too non oily in 2 days, I had some initial breakout but not a lot, but the most important is that I am 95 % acne free. Sure you will have dry lips and dry skin. But just use the proper products with it. I use: Lip balm: Blistex complete moisture Moisturizer: acne.org moisturizer Cleanser: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser Also I take 20 mg a day of Accutane
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May 16, 2012

Pros:

The number one benefit of taking this medicine is that it works! My acne is gone, period. I can honestly say that taking Accutane was the best medical decision I ever made for myself.

Cons:

For me, there were basically no "cons" related to Accutane. I had very minimal side effects-- some dryness of the lips and occasional flushing. I suppose one non-medical con is the cost; I entered $25.00 for the price paid, but that was the cost after I got new insurance. For the first three months, I had insurance (Aetna) that did not cover Accutane so a 40 day supply cost $315.00. It was still worth it. For the last 3.5 months, I had Blue Cross Blue Shield, which thankfully does cover it

I have suffered from acne since the age of 12. Most of my acne in my teens was moderate, but I began getting painful, scarring cysts in my 20s. I've tried every OTC product out there as well as prescription topicals, antibiotics, and Spironolactone. As my 28th birthday approached, I realized I had spent all of my teens and now most of my 20s worrying about my skin. I decided enough was enough and told my doctor I wanted to go on Accutane. My husband was very much against it at first, and I myself was very worried after reading all the horror stories online. We want to try to have children in a couple of years, so my main concern was the health of a future baby. My doctor assured me that the danger for pregnancy is while you are taking the medicine, not in the years following. My husband's main concern was for me--I have a history of clinical depression and he read about the controversy over Accutane and depression. I promised to be open about any change in my thoughts and moods. But honestly, the only change was that I felt WONDERFUL after seeing the medicine work its magic. I was lucky enough not to have an initial breakout, and my skin began to clear dramatically within the first two months. I still got a few cysts, but they were smaller and much less frequent. By the fourth month, I was completely clear. My skin began to look creamy and soft, and for the first time in my adult life, I didn't need to wear makeup to look normal. Now, I just wear makeup for fun on special occasions. Most days I only use a sunscreen. My doctor kept me on a 6.5 month course to ensure that the acne would be gone for good, and since I never had any negative side effects, I was happy to stay on it as long as she would allow. Now, one month after finishing my course, I am still clear! My next step is to treat scarring, but if my skin will just stay clear, I could be happy even with the scars. I would recommend this medicine to a friend or loved one in a heartbeat!
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May 14, 2012

Pros:

Cleared skin completely, gave me confidence again, made me love my skin.

Cons:

Dry lips(easily fixed with chapstick)
Dry skin(easily fixed with lotions)
Migraines

Because of accutane i got my life back. My skin is so clear and soft now. I can walk out side without worrying about make up. Socially it has greatly improved my life. Im so proud of my skin.
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May 12, 2012

Pros:

Acne 95% of acne gone in the 1st month, life changer.

Cons:

nothing

Accutane is a gift sent from God this changed my life I took 40mg of acctuane once a day i had no break outs, no joint pain or anything else i am a soccer player so even though i run a lot and weight lift accutane had no bad effects on my muscles or joints. DO NOT be scared of all of these negative reviews, the only problem i had was chapped lips but lip balm takes care of that. so please guys do yourselves a favor and get on this drug there is nothing to be afraid of and BTW the blood tests are not bad at all they only take about an ounce.
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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