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

Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)

Compare To Other Treatments

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars

kmither

September 10, 2011

Pros:

Clear, soft, and smooth skin!
Hair isn't oily anymore
NO acne

Cons:

Dry eyes, lips, skin
slightly more irritable
fatigue
can't drink

I remember listening to people who had perfectly clear skin complain that they were "breaking out," which to them meant they had one tiny pimple. My definition of "breaking out" was numerous painful cycts accompanied by multiple zits all over my face. I wanted so badly to think that breaking out meant one or two pimples. I am so happy to say that this is exactly who I have become. Accutane is a serious drug, but so are all medications. Before accutane, I had taken minocycline, doxycycline, sulfa, erythromycin, and tons of topicals all of which only lessened the problem. My dermatologist told me that accutane can do some bad things, but being on drugs like that all my life would be far worse than six months of accutane. I am so glad I listened to her. Now, my skin is smooth and clear. I have a few scars left over from the treatment, but still I can't help but touching my face from time to time and feeling how soft and smooth it is: not one bump to bring down my excitement. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Side effects weren't fun, but I have clear skin and that is totally worth it.

This Was Helpful

11 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Michelle

September 10, 2011

Pros:

Completely cleared all acne AND SPOTS from face, chest and back. No acne, no spots
No more oily skin
makeup stays perfect all day
could go hours without washing face and still look fresh

Cons:

Initial treatment was to be 6 months. Ended up being 3 years
After a 3 year treatment I about to recommence treatment
Only works while taking the pill, acne returns once off the pill for a few months
horribly dry lips, eyes, nose and have to stay out of sun
DOES NOT cure acne for everyone. comes back
painful knees

Unfortunately for me this pill only works when I am on it. Once I come off the acne returns in a few months. This does not work since I am at the child bearing age and would love to be able to have children now. But since you can't get pregnant while on the pill I have to be willing to put up with horrible acne to go through a pregnancy. I have recently recommenced treatment and may have to stay on it for life if I want my clear skin to remain. But I hate how oily my skin becomes once I am off the pill and can't stand to see the acne return. So I would still recommend it but be prepared that it may not cure your acne and may only work when you are using it.

This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Ross

September 8, 2011

Pros:

- Much clearer, smoother skin
- Cleared my back particularly well

Cons:

- Really dry eyes which made them bloodshot 24/7
-Very inconvenient nosebleeds at the worst possible times.
- The higher dose really started to play with my mood after about 2 weeks on it.
-Joint pain and general fatigue

Basically, it does work. But it's quite horrible when they put you on the high dose. Having suffered from mild to moderate acne since my early teens, I was getting fed up when I was at university and I still woke up most mornings with horrible spots. I saw my GP and they prescribed me lymecycline for about six months, which didn't do much, then doxycycline and tretinoin gel, which had minimal effect again. Eventually i agreed to be referred to dermatology where the consultant started me on 30mg/day isotretinoin. This was a low dose for me because it was during my exam period and the doctor didn't want me to be annoyed by side effects. This worked quite well. It cleared up my back and face by about 60-70% i'd day within 4 weeks. I didn't really have any side effects apart from fatigue and dry lips. Also very dry, red eyes. After about 3 months I finally got another appointment at the hospital (long wait in the NHS) where he increased my dose to 60mg a day for a few weeks to start of with. Almost immediately things were different. I have always been a very stable, grounded and happy person but I started to feel very anxious in social situations and very moody with everyone. Also i suffered from really bad knee pain. Two weeks later, I didn't want to continue anymore and stopped because of my mood and fatigue. By this point I had taken 30mg/day for about 3 months and 60mg/day for roughly 16 days. Approx. cumulative dose 44mg/kg which I believe is nowhere near complete. The results seem quite good though. I have a very clear back, shoulders and face.The doctor at the hospital told me not to worry that it will come back because it rarely does, even when the course isn't quite done? When I wake up I almost never have any spots and my skin feels nice and smooth. Perhaps more importantly now i've stopped I feel normal again. I would recommend the treatment to people but if possible I'd tell them to time it right to avoid times when the

This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Sophie Gonzalez1

September 7, 2011

Pros:

No more oily skin
Pimples dissapear completely!
Smaller pores
Beautiful skin:)

Cons:

Acne came back after 1 year
Dry skin
Chapped lips
Nose bleeds

I started getting acne in sixth grade, and it got pretty bad in 9th grade. I have homestly tried everything there is. In 9th grade i started taking diane 35 which is a birth control made specially to treat acne. It kept my skin decent, but the weight gain that accompanied it wasnt worth it to me. After i stopped taking diane 35 my acne came back 10X worse!!!! I kid you not. Finally after begging (i was desperate at this point) my doc gave me accutane. The initial breakout was baaaad, but after 2 weeks it subsided & my skin started clearing up. 2 months of taking accutane & my skin was completely clear. The side effects were minimal & defenitely worth it for the results i got! I virtually did not have one blackhead on my face. If i forgot to wash off my makeup i wouldnt wake up with a million pimples like i had before. This product was a miracle worker! One year after i stopped taking it I unfortunately started breaking out again. So i went to the doc & am now starting my 2nd course. I am actually looking forward to it though. The results that come from this pill are incredible! Just make sure to moisturize ALOT & carry chapstick because there will virtually be no oil on your face!!! I believe i am a rare caase, usually you wont have to take the drug again, i would highly recommend this. It changed my life & boosted my confidence! Another pro is that your hair doesnt get greasy for days so you dont have to wash it eeryday:) goodluck!

This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report

TSS

August 25, 2011

Pros:

-No oil production! After years of blotting oil off my face, I could go a whole day with no shine. Also didn't have to wash hair much (every 3 days)
-No cystic acne
-was on 40, 80, and 120 mg for 5 months--now its 2 months later and my skin isn't clear, but much better than how it used to be before treatment

Cons:

-Dry/gross lips (stopped wanting to kiss people...in college this is not okay!)
-Helped, but didn't clear my overall problem which is lots of blackheads and little zits
-Not supposed to drink, but I did occasionally...made me feel guilty
-Slight depression b/c of circumstances...being in college (no tanning, gross lips/overall flakey skin, guilt from drinking) so it kind of made my spring semester suck a little
-dry stool/bleeding sometimes...eeek
-Didn't completely clear my ski

Reading reviews can scare a lot of people, and I hesitated throughout high school to try this stuff. Looking back, I wish I would have done it back then--before college!!! It really isn't that bad. I think the emotional problems come from feeling a little gross (no tanning/sun, dry skin, dry eyes, dry lips), some days are hard and you might feel like crap, but its never that bad. It truly does get rid of oil. I LOVED this. Not looking shiny is so nice. Plus, you don't need to (and shouldn't have to) wash your hair very much---that doesn't mean don't shower haha! Invest in a shower cap :) Big, ugly pimples will be gone--especially after a few months. I didn't notice major changes until my 4th month--so stick with it. Unfortunately for me, I am still left with noticeable pores, blackheads, and some zits here and there. But regardless, my skin looks a lot better than it did before Accutane (Claravis is what I took). I do not regret taking it and am thankful for the changes it did make--even if it didn't go perfectly. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! For all those you are on the fence, just go for it. Be positive, do your research, try (unlike myself) to follow ALL the rules. I was resistant to really bad side-effects...so take my advice with that in mind.

This Was Helpful

10 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Knass

August 25, 2011

Pros:

During Treatment...
-Pores become invisible
-Zero Oil
-100% clear skin
-Only had to wash my hair every couple of days

6 months after treatment...
-Still 99% clear
-some oil has come back but I'm still about 65% less oily than before
-all side effects (except the good ones :) ) have completely gone away

Cons:

-Hair fell out for about a month after treatment
-Excema on lips was a nightmare
-Excema on hands, arms, legs
-Burning, flaking, dry, red skin
-Initial breakout (only worse bc of accompanying side effects)
-Headaches at first
-must avoid the sun at all cost!
-developed IBS-like symptoms

I wanted to wait and review this drug until 6 months AFTER completing my course. Back when I was reading reviews and trying to decide whether or not to take accutane, I was frustrated that people were reviewing it after 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months of taking it. My main concern was relapse rate and would it be worth all of the horrible side effects if my acne and oil were just going to to come back?? So here is my fair, honest, un-biased review after the initially bliss of clear skin has worn off..... I had severely oily skin (think 10 oil blotting sheets a day), persistant pimples, black heads, uneven skin tone, and usually 3-5 large cysts on my face at any given time. I took 20, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg per day for 5 months and it absolutely changed my life. Yes, the side effects were horrible. Yes, I was miserable the entire time. Yes, it is a serious drug with serious potential risks. But was it worth it? 100% Had I known what I was going to get myself into as far as side effects, I probably never would have taken accutane. Had I know what the results would be like, I would have taken it 10 years ago. Everyone must decide if taking accutane is worth the risks involved, so I'm not going to say that everyone should take accutane right now! I consider myself lucky that my worst side effects were a little hair loss and IBS. Bottom line, Accutane saved my life and I am SO glad I took it!

This Was Helpful

19 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Pheeebs

August 23, 2011

Pros:

Clear skin! Got my confidence back! Less oily!

Cons:

Back ache to begin with, horrendously dry lips (These go after you come off the pills), & slow progress (but stick with it the results are worth it)!!

After fretting over this for months & reading every review available on the net, I decided once I'd tried accutane i'd leave a review about my experience be it good or bad. Before using accutane I was a shadow of the girl I used to be. I was shy, awkward, hated people looking at me & was convinced I would never be able to be as pretty or as confident as the girls I saw around me every day. It was safe to say the bad thoughts inside me had taken over & I was spiralling in to depression & no self-esteem very fast! I was put on accutane after being refferd to my derm and was taking 3 20mg tablets a day for 4 months. In the first 2 months my skin became so much less oily & my one greasy hair was grease free pretty much all the time! The acne hung around until the last month, but eventually did go. I've been off the pills for a month now and I have ONE spot on by my right ear (and that I can certainly live with!!) I'm aware the acne does come back for some people and a repeat course is required, but at the moment everything looks fab! My confidence is on its way back & i'm making new friends & loving it! It's ridiculous how something as little as those tiny spots can be so damaging to someone's life, and those who don't have spots have no idea! I don't know what the future holds or even if my clear skin is perminant but given the chance again I wouldnt even think twice about taking accutane. It has been a god send for me & I really hope the rest of you get the same results! Good luck! Everyone deserves to be as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.

This Was Helpful

26 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Anon333

August 23, 2011

Pros:

+ no acne
+ smooth skin
+ no dandruff (?!)
+ changed my life for the better

Cons:

- many side effects (for ex. chapped lips, dry/flaky/coarse skin, bloody stools, lower back pain, week nails, ...)
- a massive breakout in the 2nd month
- weakens your body (immune system)

Roaccutane did help me alot. It chaned my life for the better! After 5-6 months my skin was perfect, although it did cause me to develop mild dermatitis (which is now GONE). It has been a year since I stopped Roaccutane. Not long ago my back stopped hurting. So, hearing this you realize than Roaccutane is very harsh medicine. My body needed a year to heal itself and restore its immune system. I would reccomend it 100%, but with caution! The price for me wasn't a problem, since where i live, everything is covered by health insurance. But I payed for the private dermatologist, which let me took Roaccutane in summer and let me took it without birth control pills. It was our agreement.

This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report

riverrevery

August 22, 2011

Pros:

clear skin both times

Cons:

-developed diabetes with no family history
-mental health problems
-nose bleeds
-irregular menstruation
-photosensitivity
-bad night vision
-dry skin, lips, hair

definitely not worth it.

This Was Helpful

Report

amber

August 16, 2011

Pros:

- No more oily skin
- Cleared up my acne (there wasent a single breakout left)
- Smooth skin
- Hair also wasent oily anymore

Cons:

- Severe nosebleeds in the beginning (I used Vasaline, it worked well)
- Extreamly chapped lips
- Really dry skin
- Acne came back after almost a year (Not as bad)
-Still had many acne scars

I would recommend this product because I had pretty bad hereditary acne all over my face for about 3 years (I'm 16 now), & this completely cleared it up. I was so happy & I didnt have to be so insecure about my skin anymore. I started in May 2010 & ended in September 2010. About 7 months later, my reign of clear skin had come to an end & I started to get some breakouts on my forehead, which is where my acne first originated when it was severe. It has now been almost a year & on a scale of 1-10, I would rate my acne at about a 4 which is definately not as bad as before (which would probably wouldve been an 8. I'm really sad it didnt really have lasting effects for me, but I did go back to my dermatologist & she said that acne does come back in about 35% of the people who use accutane. I was unfortunately apart of that percentage. She told me that I could take it once more & there will be a better percentage that my acne will clear up for good, but I'm still trying to convince my mom on that one since Accutane is a strong drug & she worries that taking it too much might damage my liver. But I really hope that I'll take it again & hopefully have better, longer lasting results. Overall, I would recommend it because although it didnt clear my acne for the good, it did make it less severe.

This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report

1 … 63 64 65 66 67 … 202

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Prescription acne medications

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

Finding a Doctor

Be sure to:

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

Red flags:

New Report

Close