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
January 29, 2013

Pros:

Got rid of acne

Cons:

Only short term relief
Horrible initial breakout
Dryness
Lasting side effects

Hi, my name is nick and I took accutane last year for a full 5 months. Please don't take this crap! For some people it may work long term. But for me, it's caused so many more problems than it solved. My acne came back within months, I never used to have chest or back or neck acne, not once throughout the treatment did I get a zit there, yet now I have it all over. Also, I am prone to rashes on my face and my back always hurts. Do not take this stuff! Start with retin a micro
This Was Helpful

Report
January 28, 2013

Pros:

Cleared acne for several years

Cons:

The list is huge! Interstitial cystitis, which isn't listed as a proven side effect, but has been linked to this drug and has caused me 15 years of bladder pain is by far the worst!

Please do your research before taking this drug! I would go back and deal with the acne again any day over having to deal with these bladder issues the rest of my life!
This Was Helpful

Report
JubilantFlow
September 30, 2015
Why would they leave a one star review saying "Please do research before taking!" if it didn't affect them negatively . Do you think they want to put fear into people for no reason?
Report
January 9, 2013

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Vastly Increased Acne
Dry/Peeling Skin
Dry/Peeling Lips
Inflamed/Red Face
Itchy Skin
Scaly Skin
Depression
Headaches
Hives
Dizzy Spells

I do not recommend this at all. I thought it had to work because it was one of the only things I hadn't tried, but obviously not. I had to stop using it within weeks because it caused mental and physical pain.
This Was Helpful

Report
September 24, 2012
I used this 3 years ago. all it did was make me sick, give me cracked lips-severe! and my acne all came back as soon as I stopped. My regular doc wouldn't even prescribe this i had to go see another doc, now i know i should have trusted my own doc! I used zenmed 2 years ago and my skin totally cleared up and stayed cleared up and it didn't do nasty things to my body either. unless u really don't care about your body STAY AWAY from this stuff.
This Was Helpful

Report
September 12, 2012

Pros:

- Dries skin out. My skin (and especially my nose) was oily before this. And now there is hardly any oil whatsoever.

Cons:

- Doesn't get rid of PIH. Still redness and pigmentation all over my cheeks.

- Still get pimples.

- Didn't work at all to me.

- 6 months of wasted time.

- Didn't rid rosacea on tip of nose.

- Didn't get rid of papules on my chin that have been there for the longest time.

- Blood tests every month

- Doesn't help with scars either.

Took for 6 months. Been off of it for 4 months now. Disappointing experience with accutane. 80% of people get completely cleared off Accutane and not one area of my face did get cleared (or is clear now) while I was on Accutane. Waste of time (and money if you don't have insurance).
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 9, 2012

Pros:

None!

Cons:

SIDE EFFECTS!
ACNE MAY RETURN!
NOT WORTH THE RISK!

It has terrible side effects! If your thinking about using this product please don't! The side effects are not worth the prize. So what if you cleared your acne but screwed up a bunch of other things in your body. Please read the side effects of this product and know that there is a good chance that they may happen to you!
This Was Helpful

Report
July 9, 2012

Pros:

Clear skin within a month

Cons:

Hair loss, eyelashes started falling off, eyebrows are also weak.

After years of debating, I decided to finally give it a try. I took accutane and the next day, my hair started falling out. I was on 40 mg, I weigh 123 an am 5'u. About a month into it, my eyelashes started falling out so I decided I couldn't deal with all this hair loss. I stopped after a month and it's been 6 months since and my hair still falls. It's decreased, but I never dealt with this problem. I couldn't believe my body couldn't properly handle it because I was always so healthy. It's worth a shot, but make sure you listen to your body and see how it's reacting! Good luck to all! Stay strong.
This Was Helpful

Report
March 28, 2012

Pros:

Temporarily rid me of my acne, though only partially.

Cons:

-dry, flaky skin
-chapped lips
-could not wax during treatment
-body felt weaker

The Bottom Line is simple, I endured Ro-accutane for six months only to have my acne return to more or less exactly it's previous form. -Three years post-treatment I still get breakouts and my face is still scarred.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 22, 2012

Pros:

none

Cons:

INITIAL BREAKOUT!!
Eyes literally couldn't open for a couple days
Makes acne worse.

I'm sure my case will not be the case for all, but in my experience I was on the stuff for 2 weeks . 30 mg twice a day I had to stop because of chronic eye irritation, if i would have continued my tear ducs would of permanently been broken, I'm still hoping that they heal eventually. My acne is worse that before i started and it's been a while since i stopped the medication. Take this medication with caution my friends.
This Was Helpful

Report
February 17, 2012

Pros:

healthier non-greasy hair

Cons:

no results whatsoever
bad back pains
dry skin (very flaky)
dry lips (always chapped and bleeding)
dry eyes (constant eye infections)
dry mucus membranes (constant nose bleeds)
tiredness and headaches
blood and pregnancy tests every months

I have had acne since I was 12 (im almost 17 now). At the age of 14 it started to get very severe so I started on numerous different medications and creams prescribed by my doctor. I was on each different medication for 6 months - they did not work. Then in September 2011 I started on Roaccutane and it is honestly the worst decision I've ever made. My acne has not improved at all, and I have been on Roaccutane for 5 months so I only have 1 month of treatment left. I am getting so many side effects, and the fact that the medication is not working after all the good reviews I read is taking an emotional toll on me. I know everyone reacts differently, but I seriously am not having any luck with any treatments, especially Roaccutane. This course of treatment has not worked and I definitely will not be taking a second course only to be put through hell again.
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 13
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