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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March 21, 2008

Pros:

Got rid of acne, left skin smooth and soft

Cons:

Acne came back after a year

I didn't experience extreme drying of the lips or skin. The product works great, just disappointed acne came back after a year. When i was taking it, people complimented me on how beautiful my skin was. It was great!
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March 20, 2008

Pros:

totally clear, soft, smooth skin

Cons:

VERY dry lips, occasional bloody nose and headache, ipledge program is a total pain

female, 19 about 6 months ago i was looking at reviews wondering if i should go on accutane...nothing else had worked for my acne, and after 6 years battling it my derm finally put me on accutane. i was hesitant...the side effects sounded scary. but honestly, this is THE BEST treatment EVER. the first couple of weeks were rough, but after that my skin only got better and better. the side effects should be that bad...just make sre to have a really good moisturizer and have lip balm on hand at all times. accutane has totally changed my life...i am so so happy i went on it!!
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March 14, 2008

Pros:

It made my skin completely clear and once I got off it, the scars and redness went away.The product actually changes how your skin works. Flawless skin.

Cons:

I had extremely chapped lips, nose bleeds, and I went back to horrible skin about eight months later.

Great product, but I wish it lasted.
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March 11, 2008

Pros:

I had really terribly cystic acne everywhere on my face. Accutane totally cleared up my acne - perfect skin afterwards - no major side effects to speak off.

Cons:

Slightly dry lips - nothing to complain about. Abotu 6 months after I stopped using Accutane, my acne came right back just as bad as before.

Good to try as a last resort - maybe the effects wil llast for you!
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March 9, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up all but a few spots from my moderate acne, the side effects were minimal, i only experienced dryness, flushed cheeks with are now gone 3 months post tane and occasional rashes the back of my hands which went away after applying moisturiser

Cons:

Left my skin with a horrible texture which i can get rid of with a chemical peel though

6 month course definitly reccomended after all other products i used failed on me and believe me i went through them all
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March 7, 2008

Pros:

no more acne or spots
lots of scars though.

Cons:

LOTS OF SIDE EFFECTS.
i mean it when i say lots.
severe back and joint pain, extremely dry skin, extremely dry lips, headaches.. it goes on.

It's worked for me. I would recommend this to anyone who has tried literally EVERYTHING. I have so many creams and soaps that I've tried that are sitting in a drawer; it is almost overfilling. The back pain is what is most annoying, it's hard to stretch and workout. If you can handle the side effects and want the payoff badly enough.. I say go for it. I'm glad I did.
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March 3, 2008

Pros:

less oil, no blackheads

Cons:

really bad IB, dry skin, weird rashes, moods

Im 15 and its been just over 3 months and i still can't see proper improvement. Am i just kidding myself that its still going to work or is there still hope? My IB was horrible, most spots have gone but they have all left marks that look as bad as the actual spots. Please can someone reply to this and tell me if it could still get better. Im only young and i dont want to be stuck wearing makeup every day for the rest of my life.
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March 3, 2008

Pros:

clear skin...i hope

Cons:

dry lips---not fun esp when prone to cold sores
dry hair and skin patches----
headaches and earaches back pain ---nosebleeds are the worst for me so far

it sucks...its not gonna be fun...but its going to work ....and im going to have clear skin...so grow up deal with the side effects and look to the future
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March 3, 2008

Pros:

the stuff works wonders...it's true. Don't waste your time with other methods of treatment. after the treatment your skin gets clear and beautiful

Cons:

only dry lips...but I could live with it for 3-4 months. Unfortunately I had to repeat the treatment after 8 years, but it worked wonders again...my skin is clear

when acne insists, accutane is the only solution. no creams or topicals during the treatment that make skin dry and flacking (that was a relief) and after 3-4 months skin as good as new. no make up, no worries, just clear, balanced skin it is worth the try! just take the necessary blood tests during the treatment
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February 25, 2008

Pros:

Number of breakouts dramatically reduced, smooth clear skin. After my 4 months on it, prescription creams started to actually work!

Cons:

Dry lips, dry skin and joint pains(in knees which was a killer for soccer)

I had used at least 7 prescription creams up to Accutane and went to 4 different dermatologists. Accutane is amazing, I saw improvements within weeks and cleared up skin(shoulders, chest and face) within a month. I have two friends with really bad severe acne and I recommended it to them and they are both seeing the same improvements. If you have severe acne and have tried many other things, then this is definitely for you, I would highly recommend bringing it up with your dermatologist. It, just works. However, when you take this, there are a number of side effects(they are listed on the iPLEDGE form) but, I was desperate and found it worth the couple side effects to finally see clear acne.
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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