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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January 21, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my acne

Cons:

Dry lips, blurred vision(the first few days), headaches,dry skin.

I have been suffering with somewhat severe semi cystic acne for 5 years. Just started college and decided it was time for a change. I thought i would grow out of it but that wasnt happening... Took me 3 months to see my dermatologist and finally get some isotretitonin but man was it worth it. Doc gave me 80mg a day 2 capsules(40mg each) i started feeling the difference the first few weeks and after 7-8 weeks i didnt have any new cysts forming under my skin. i stopped after 3 months and ive been clear for 8months. The side effects are annoying but... the feeling of waking up in the morning and looking in the mirror and never having to worry about acne when you go out is the most amazing feeling. Should have done it sooner would have made highschool much more fun. An amazing drug with some nasty side effects but hey.. any drug that actually does something significant is gonna have some side effects.I recomend it to everyone. Good Luck =P
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January 20, 2010

Pros:

Amazing results of clear skin and shine free complexion. It is the skin you have always hoped for.

Cons:

- Expensive co-pays for me including monthly derm visits, bloodwork and medicine. My co-pay cost for the entire treatment was $1050.
- iPledge is a pain and my derm office didn't fully understand it. I had to educate myself on the system (timing of bloodwork) and eventually switch doctors to find one that understood it.
- Dry lips but who cares if your acne clears up??
- Scary risks with being female and childbearing age.
- I had to take two courses 15 years apart. It doesn't last

Amazing drug!! If acne makes you feel bad about yourself you need to do this. It is a huge committment but completely worth it for a 6 month period of time. My co-pays were high but I figure that I've wasted much more than $1000 in over the counter acne crap. I highly recommend Accutane.
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January 18, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin, completely

Cons:

Dry skin and lips, i did feel a little depressed but once i saw the results i got over that, but now that ive been off of it for a year im starting to get occasional breakouts.I-pledge was annoying, THE BLOODTESTS!! omg i hate needles

My dad had severe acne when he was younger and the only thing that worked for his was accutane. I went to the doctor so much because of the acne you would think i lived there. I tried every prescription he would give me and 3 weeks later id be crying looking in the mirror because none of it worked. after suffering from age 11, at 19 he finally gave me accutane after begging. I guess they resist giving it to girls more because of the birth defects, I started it and within the first week my skin and lips were dry but i was seeing an improvement, and by the end of my prescription, for the first time ever, ever, ever, i had clear skin. I was soooo satisfied with this, i do get breakouts occasionally (its been 2 years since ive used accutane), but they are rarely cysts. If you have cystic acne this is the only thing that's going to work. It was made for it.
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January 18, 2010

Pros:

It is the only thing that cleared my skin! I have tried Proactive, every over the counter facial cleaner for acne, all the 'normally' prescribed antibiotics, an antihypertensive medication Spironolactone (Aldactone), and even tried prednisone!! This is MY miracle drug!

Cons:

THE WORST THING EVER WAS THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COURSE AND FOR ME ABOUT 3 MONTHS, MY ACNE BROKE OUT WORSE THAN IT HAD EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE. My doc said it is pushing everything to the surface. But after 3 months of total HELL it started to clear up, and then POOF not even one pimple! Even the blackheads on my nose went away!
Dryness for me wasn't too bad, I just used lotion daily (CeraVe). And kept Vaseline chapstick in my pocket!!! I applied it all the time and it was fine!

Well, to be honest I have used this medication twice. The first time for 6 months (that's as long as my doc would let me be on it at one time). Then about 8 months later I started to breakout again. So....I went back to my doc and he put my back on it. It cleared it up again...(6 month course) and now about 6 months after being off accutane I am starting to breakout again. The breakouts aren't THAT BAD, but it is constant, which means it will get worse...I notice that the oily skin comes back after accutane is stopped (which sucks, I loved that about accutane, no oil!!!). I really do recommend this medication. It has changed my life. I would go back on it right now, however I am in full time medical school and therefore I am not working so I don't have medical insurance, and without insurance there is NO WAY anyone could afford this medication unless they are a millionaire. My local drug stores ask cash price of around $700 a month for the GENERIC! That is not even including the cost of the doctors monthly office visits, pregnancy tests, blood tests....and so on! It would cost about $1,000 a month for me, and if I did this for 6 months, that's over $6,000. I can't afford that as a starving college student. :( If you've tried everything and have lost hope, try this medication. Remember, in the beginning of the treatment, it is ROUGH, I wanted to stop because of the breakouts, but I stuck with it, and got amazing results! You have to weigh the good and the bad. Side effects vs. results. For me, the results are worth all the side effects!
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January 15, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up a lot of my skin ( face, chest, back) in one packet (10 pills). It worked instantly. I have tried many products Differn, Retin-A, antibiotics, even high priced mall products but this is really effective for me.

Cons:

dry lips and dry flaky skin but can be easily reduced by fish oil and Vitamin E soft gel pills and carmex lip conditioner . I do suffer from some joint pains.

It really does work for me and I have never been happier. I have been suffering from on and off acne for 10 years. GOOD LUCK!
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January 14, 2010

Pros:

- Completely got rid of my acne

Cons:

- Although my acne is gone, I still have some post marks/spots left over from former acne lesions. However, it's only been one week since I've been off Accutane and the marks are already beginning to fade.
- Initial facial flushing (red face) But that disappeared before I even got off Accutane.
- Mild dry skin
- Very dry lips. They were constantly peeling and looked bad. But they're getting better.

I began developing acne in 8th grade. It suddenly became pretty severe in my Junior year in high school. My dermatologist prescribed me with Doryx which worked okay for about 2 months, but then my acne returned to its original severe condition. I was then prescribed with Minocycline which seemed to be the next best thing besides Accutane. But after a few months on Minocycline, my acne returned again. Finally, my dermatologist prescribed me with Accutane. I was on Accutane for a total of 6 months. My acne gradually improved throughout the course. On my final month, my skin improved so much. Now, I've been off Accutane for about a week and I'm so grateful and satisfied with the results. I feel confident, have self-esteem, and most importantly, I'm happy. By the way, I did not experience any depression or mood changes while I was on Accutane.
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January 14, 2010

Pros:

cleared my skin within the first week. the only thing that has ever worked for me.

Cons:

chance of risky side effects, monthly bloodwork, ipledge -its a big commitment!

if you want to be clear indefinitely and make a huge life change, accutane is the way to go
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January 6, 2010

Pros:

got rid of my acne

Cons:

was the worst 6 months of my life, dry eyes (couldn't wear contacts while on it/a few months after, though I can now), felt lethargic, lost appetite, couldn't go out in the sun, would get red after 10 minutes (not really an issue for me since I am pale and never made sunbathing a hobby but for some people I'm sure it would be a big deal). Back aches, dry lips (manageable with vaseline applied continuously)

My acne severity is listed for what it was pre-accutane. now i would consider it to be very light, yes I do get pimples occasionally, but its been a little over 2 years since I took accutane and my acne is both a million times less and more manageable when I do get it, ie actually goes away when I use topical treatments. I was miserable while on it, but ultimately its the only thing that worked for me and if my acne came back I would use it again. only use it if you have tried EVERYTHING else.
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January 4, 2010

Pros:

Completely cleared my back and chest acne. Gave my skin a nice shine. Unclogged pores on my nose that had been there since i was 13.

Cons:

mildly dry lips

Accutane is the best product out on the market and is worth getting.
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December 24, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin within the 2 months. I only have a couple pimples left but nothing like before. I can't remember the last time my skin looked this good. Monthly tests to ensure your body is handling the meds.Price is cheap compared to all the other creams and potions I have used in the past.

Cons:

Dry lips, dry scalp, achy joints, hair thinning a little. Cholesterol jumped up to moderately high but has not increased since the first month.

This medicine has been wonderful.This was my last resort due to all other treatments failed. I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't had success with other treatments. No doubt this is a medicine with serious risks so make sure you educate yourself and decide if it is right for you. Although I have suffered for many years I am still glad I tried other treatments first. I think this med is only for last resort due to its possible side effects. Many complain about the monthly blood tests but that was the only way I would take Accutane. I don't want to sacrifice my health for clear skin.
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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