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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37.1%
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15.3%
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7.3%
1
6.2%

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November 8, 2007

Pros:

No acne. After 3 months most acne stops. By 5th or 6th month bearly any acne on my body whatsoever. Finished the treatment with 0 (thats right none) active acne.

Cons:

Dry lips, always having to carry chapstick. ALWAYS. The odd bleeding nose. By the last few months I had a extremely red face. Skin sensitivity such as minor scrapes would cause large cuts.

Accutane is the best acne drug ever. I've tried face washes, benzoyl peroxide based products, antibiotics (minocin) and NONE worked. Accutane has the best chance at taking out and PREVENTING further breakouts that any other drugs. The side effects are annoying and by the end of the treatment you just want off. BUT it's totally worth blemish free skin. DO IT
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November 7, 2007

Pros:

Can you say 99.99% clear, gorgeous skin?

Cons:

Very expensive, monthly bloodwork and doctor appointments, the evil system of IPLEDGE. Affects did not last for me; acne returned after about two years.

The pro of finally achieving clear skin --after years and years of trying to "cure" my acne through natural remedies, cutting out certain foods, perscription antibiotics, expensive creams, washes and lotions from medispas -- outweighed all the cons. I started on 40 mgs once a day, then increased starting the second month to 40mgs twice a day. I had dry lips and skin, but that was about it. I went broke paying for it, but didn't care. For two years I stayed relatively clear with very very mild acne from time to time, but it has slowly and surely returned. I wanted to see if I could tackle my acne this time on my own through healthy living and natural products, but my skin has still become a living nightmare. An obssession. I am a positive and optimistic person, but I am getting depressed and enough is enough. I am going back on Accutane at 20mgs instead of 40mgs and cannot be happier. I think this is a wonder drug. I am an Accutane Advocate!!!
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November 5, 2007

Pros:

I've been on it almost 5 months, and my skin is near flawless. It was BAD before.

Cons:

It began with extremely dry skin and horribly chapped lips. I could wash my face and moisturize and go out, but within an hour my face was so dry AGAIN and flaking off. Somewhat embarrassing, but completely worth it. My skin cleared up after month 3.

Not recommended unless you have BAD acne. The side affects, into my fifth month, got drastically worse. I am more sad, VERY achy, skin is so dry. I recently started getting nosebleeds, chronic UTI's and very constipated. However, I'm almost done and happy to say my skin looks fabulous and it was worth it, overall... I think.
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October 27, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my really bad skin pretty much in the first two weeks of taking it.

Cons:

very very very chapped lips..dry face..achey

Make sure you take other antibiotics before you go on roacutanne
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October 22, 2007

Pros:

Completely stops the oil! Really helped clear my skin as well. Hardly any side effects at all, although I was prepared for the worst.

Cons:

Dry lips, dandruff in my hair. Also, for me the oil CAME BACK one month after stopping the medication but I am still clear.

It is expensive, but worth it in my opinion. It really helped clear my skin with minimal side effects, and I am ready and willing to go on a second course if I need to. It has helped me more than anything else ever has.
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

stops acne in its tracks

Cons:

dry lips

should be used as last resort.
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October 18, 2007

Pros:

Clears up acne very well, doesn't leave scarring.

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry skin, sun sensitivity, joint pain. Acne came back.

I've taken RoAccutane twice now and about a year after both treatments my acne started to come back and gradually got worse. I am going on it again this time on a higher dosage then a maintenance dose.
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October 12, 2007

Pros:

cleared my acne up about 80%.

Cons:

dry lips, bloody nose, dry skin.

it has stopped alot of my active acne, i've been on it for 2 months and there's no major side effects. i have tried tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline, a ton of topical products, none of them worked at all. i am confident that this will clear my skin up in the next four months.
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October 5, 2007

Pros:

Quick acting, easy to administer (no creams or gels), covered by medical plan, no serious side effects (depression, liver problems, etc...).

Cons:

Dry Lips (Use Burt's Bees Wax Lip Chap), Dry nostrils, The odd bloody nose, slightly dry skin (in winter more than any other time), possible chance of having to do two separate 15-20 week cycles, no drinking, monthly blood tests, & expensive.

All in all this is the only product worth spending your money on. Dan's regiment is good and worth trying if you can't afford accutane; but for those of us who've tried everything and who are sick and tired of different medications that never seem to work or take too long, this is the right road to go down. Don't let the side effects scare you away, a very small percentage of people taking accutane get depressed and thats because of low self-esteem. The blood tests are a bit of a hassle, but nothing to worry about. STOP DELAYING AND GET ON THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE IT WORKS ! Talk to a dermatologist to begin your treatment !
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October 5, 2007

Pros:

My face had absolutely no oil, was really smooth, and by the end of 6 month course my acne was nearly gone!

Cons:

DRY SKIN AND LIPS!!!!!
Back pain, bloody nose, skin peeling and increased sensitivity to the sun. I also hate needles, so it sucked to do the blood test every month.

I am 19 and Caucasian. I had pretty moderate acne with whiteheads, blackheads, cysts you name it and accutane took care of it all. I did indeed have the initial breakout which lasted from months 2-4, and it was some of the worst acne I have ever had. But it cleared up during month 5 and my skin was starting to slowly heal itself. I had a couple zits every week during the last few weeks on the accutane, which is better than I could have ever hoped for. I just finished my 6 month course a few days ago and I could not be happier. I wish my acne scars and redness would go away, but that's another thing to deal with. I'm just hoping that my acne won't return for a long, long time. If you are looking to take this miracle drug, take caution of the side-effects and know what you're getting into.
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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