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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SAP

February 17, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my skin 100%. Hair and skin are no longer oily. I have only been off it a couple months so I can't comment on the long term effectiveness.
I was on 40mg once a day

Cons:

Side Effects - Mild Chapped lips
Monthy blood work was a pain.

So I was scared to death to try Accutane after reading the reviews, but I didn't have any problems. I had no initial break out. I have a history of mental problems but Accutane did not change anything, I just stayed on my meds I normally take, no issues. I did NOT have joint pains, nosebleeds, bowel issues, vision issues, hair loss (maybe a little thinner but it went from oily to dry so it was really hard to tell), my skin wasn't even really that dry. Did I miss anything? :) I DID have slightly chapped lips (nothing I couldn't deal with) and sun sensitivity. I was tri training and marathon training the entire time I was on Accutane. Working out an average of 12 hours a week (swimming, running, biking, and weight lifting). I ran distances of up to 20 miles with no more pain than if I was not taking Accutane. I normally don't write reviews on things that I don't have problems with (like most people) but after reading so many scary reviews I felt I should add a

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Crystal Clear

February 9, 2009

Pros:

My skin has never looked better - acne is a thing of the past

Cons:

I'm still on a low dose after 9 months, you're lips do get very dry, the risks to children I may choose to have later, given the side affects while on the drug scares me a little.

At 32, with acne that appeared in my early 20's and never seemed to get better for long, I think it's a god sent. I wish that I'd been prescribed it when I was younger believing that the scaring I now have would have been signifcantly reduced. The side effects are scary but if handled in a responsible manner - the results make the risk well worth it.

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Blair

January 30, 2009

Pros:

seem to be on the road to clear skin, less oily hair, reducing pore size, all the clear little bumps on face gone

Cons:

DRY Lips, initial break out, back and ankle pain

I am in my 3rd month of accutane. Honestly I though I'd be clear by now, but it is a lot better. My 2nd month was the worst. I only have 2 or 3 pimples right not, not cysts. I think its honeslty starting work. I no longer have blackheads or little clear bumps. I'm starting to get compliments on my skin. Hopefully by next month I'll be completlely clear. I def have severe chapped lips, aquaphor! My skin isn't too dry, cetaphil is great. My back and ankles hurt constantly though. I'm very weak. After 10 years of acne its worth it. I started on 40 mg once a day and am now on 60 mg (20 in am and 40 at pm). good luck to everyone , I think its going to work.

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Matt

January 30, 2009

Pros:

An amazing product

Cons:

Dry, chapped lips, dry hair, nosebleeds, sun sensitivity

WOW!! For me, Roaccutane was a last resort. After years of trying antibiotics, Differin and over the counter products, Roaccutane was the only thing that worked. Had to be referred to a dermatologist by my GP who ordered regular liver function tests. Very affordable as it is on the Pharmacutical Benefits Scheme. Price went down from $150 per month to $7 per month with brand name Roaccutane.

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pat

January 27, 2009

Pros:

this stuff is the best thing that ever happen to acne, nothing is like it and i would recommend it to anyone with severe acne

Cons:

dry everything

Its a MIRACLE drug

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Kyle

January 27, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin, actually WORKS, increases confidence

Cons:

dry lips, dry skin, sensitivity to the sun

Accutane is that one product that actually WORKS. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to find a good acne medication but none worked. I am only on my second month of accutane out of a six month treatment but im already 50x better than i was before. My IB wasn't bad at all. Bottom line though if you are wondering whether or not to go on accutane DO IT!!! you will be happy with the ending results!!!

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ATLgirl28

January 25, 2009

Pros:

Clears breakouts immediately

Cons:

Dry skin and lips

This is the best thing I ever used. I started it when I was about 15. I used 40mg every other day and my skin was crystal clear in less than 3 months. I had really bad acne on my face, back and chest and this cleared it right up. I had no more scars left and I stopped wearing makeup. My skin also stayed clear for 3 years after taking it. I started to get mild break outs after that for about another 3 years but kept it in check with otc products. Now I'm 27 and I just had a baby and my skin has started to break out pretty bad. I wish I can go back on it but I am on Retin-A and trimethoprim as well as clindamycin lotion. Hope it works as good as Accutane. It was the best!

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buuuka

January 23, 2009

Pros:

I have had acne for 8 years now. This is the only medication which really works!! I love it! My skin looks great, even my deep red scars have almost disaapeared.

Cons:

Extremally dry lips.

Stop wasting your time and money for other medications. This is the ONE you are looking for.

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Squiid

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Cleared skin completely, amazing confidence boost!

Cons:

Dry lips and sensitive skin. Cholesterol raised.

It is SO worth it; I took it once when I was 15, 4'11'' and 100 (yes. I am extremely small) and it cleared my skin so quickly! As they say, it gets worse before it gets better, but my initial breakout was extremely small to what I was expecting. Muscle pain in the first few weeks while my body was getting used to it and dry lips for the whole 5 months and a few afterwards. NO other side effect whatsoever. My acne came back a few months afterwards, worse than before (which is rare) and I am going into my second round of Accutane. Even though the acne came back and is worse the confidence and self steam it gave me remained, I am so glad I went on it! Insurance covered most of it;

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Cris

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Acne gets clearer and skin becomes really smooth after the pimples/ acne go away, less oily hair and skin

Cons:

Headaches, dry lips and skin, burn much easier

I have taken this for about 4 months now and i just absolutely LOVE it. I had moderate- severe acne on my chin mainly but it cleared it up in less than 2 months. I didn't get much of the side effects except for a few headaches though i don't know if that was due to Accutane or other things. The dry skin and lips can easily be maintained by using moisturisers and lip balms and using 30+ sunscreen. I = just totally LOVE Accutane and recommend people who have lost hope in getting clear skin to try it.

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