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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4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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August 13, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up my acne completely and left skin super soft

Benefits lasted for about a year from starting course

Side effects did not bother me

Cons:

My acne always returned about 6 months after finishing product, to similar severity as before (3x courses on this product)

Necessary to visit dermatologist regularly

I have been on 3 courses of roaccutane during my 20's (now 28) and it worked like magic. Initially it made my skin red and sore, but I applied masses of aqueous cream which left it super soft. However, sadly I was in the small number of people for whom the drug is not a cure. Having been on it 3 times, my acne is as bad as ever (possibly worse due to stress) and I can't try the drug again as (a) it probably won't work long-term and (b) I'd like to start trying for a baby soon. However, I am really pleased I tried the drug as it gave me several years with clear skin which really boosted my confidence when I most needed it. I'm now happily married, and my skin does not bother my hubby (although recently, benzoyl peroxide has started to work wonders) My brothers have both been on roaccutane and it improved their skin dramatically. Friends have also been successful. Although I suffer from some anxiety and depression, so I was worried that roaccutance might make these worse, these actually subsided whilst I was on the drug due to the positive benefits of having clear skin.
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August 9, 2011

Pros:

No more acne
Oil gone
Scars/hyperpigmentation went away
Confidence
A whole new life

Cons:

Chapped lips
Bloody noses at first

I just finished a 6 month course of 40mg twice daily, so 80mg a day. I never got an initial breakout or any problems during treatment. I had pustules on my back, face, and chest before treatment. Spent $10 a month on pills and about 100$ a month on blood work+office visit. It was worth it for me, but it can come with risks. I tried everything else over 3-4 years before going on the medicine. Try other options before trying something with potential long term side effects. I haven't had any problems and all my bloodwork came back great, but not everybody has the same results.
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August 7, 2011

Pros:

no more oil!
no more acne!
easy, no topicals to apply!
rosy glow
improved scars
cheap
effective

Cons:

inconvenient especially for females
it has a scary, very biased reputation
chapped nose, lips, and skin

Finally my skin is clear. Don't listen to all the horror stories, please, it is worth a try! search for a doc you can trust who is not afraid of accutane. I took 80mg for 5 months, sometimes twice a day. No side effects. I drank alcohol, was in the sun somewhat and, even with hx of depression had no sx of depression. It was the acne that depressed me!! you can skips days if you are too dry. Communicate with your doctor. I am so pissed it took dr's so long to prescribe it to me. I'm 30! Look, having acne IS is about your health, so advocate for yourself, please.
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August 4, 2011

Pros:

Works for acne
Decreases oil production

Cons:

Expensive
Makes skin very thin
Sores around mouth
Very dry, cracked lips

It works but is very drying. Do not use waxing on face while on accutane, it will rip your SKIN OFF! I got dry itchy sores around the mouth from the dryness. I could not keep up with the lip balm either! Accutane is not the solution, it should not be used for long.
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August 4, 2011

Pros:

Clear skin
Less oil on face, hair, & skin

Cons:

Really chapped lips
somewhat dry eyes
can't drink alcohol :(

I am now 22 years old and I used to have cystic acne which were really deep, painful acne. Although it wasn't as severe as some cases, it still drowned my self confidence. I constantly had at least 3 on my face at all times and around my period I would get a lot more. After suffering from acne for about 2 years my doctor finally brought up the product Accutane and warned me about it's side affects but I was completely up for it! After 5 months of still having acne I thought it didn't work! I was still getting cysts but just not as many of them so I thought I was going to have to do round 2. But then about 2 months of completing the 5 month process of Accutane, I now have clear skin! I only get one around the time of my period but that's it!!! I did start doing "The Regimen" when I thought Accutane didn't work and I learned a lot about how to properly wash and treat your face which I also think has helped tremendously! Accutane works trust me! I am still on the birth control I was prescribed which was Seasonique and you only get 4 periods a year which I think also helps me get less acne. Accutane and The Regimen completely changed my life and I hope it can do the same for you! ;)
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August 4, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up most of my skin
No more chest or back acne
Skin not as oily
Cheap with copay

Cons:

Dry skin and chapped lips
Still have some minor acne
Must take two pills a day, sometimes I would forget.

First let me state that my acne was never severe like some peoples, but nothing I did could get it to go away. I have tried everything before trying accutane, but my acne was incredibly resilient. Accutane seemed to me like it worked very well in the first month or two, and then the effects seemed to diminish. My acne is still much much better than it was when I started. However, I still have some under the skin acne (no whiteheads or blackheads), I don't really get nasty cysts like I did before I started which is really nice, but I do still have bumps. Overall, accutane has worked much better for me than any other treatment (and believe me, I tried EVERYTHING). I was lucky enough to not experience any negative side effects other than some very dry skin, which isn't even that big of a deal as long as you have a good moisturizer and carry around a tube of chapstick! I would definitely recommend accutane to others with bad acne.
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July 29, 2011

Pros:

Takes care of oil problem and cleared some acne.

Cons:

Did not clear the majority of acne even after 6 almost 7 months.
Very dry lips
nose bleads (not really a big deal)
soar joints

Works great for oil but did not clear my acne. I know my case would be considered rare but even though I am not clear I would do it again because my oil problem was fixed. Before accutane my face would be oily 10 min. after I washed my face but now I don't have any oil at all. The nose bleads only came about once a week so nbd but the dry lips were challanging to deal with. I am constantly reapplying lip balm. My skin never became too dry only a few flakes and a rash once which can be taken care of with some lotion. I do reccomend this as a last resort. Also don't get your hopes up early I will soon be in my seventh month and still have breakouts. Oh and I'm 105 pounds and on 40 mg.
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July 25, 2011

Pros:

Clear skin
Clear blackheads, whiteheads

Cons:

Based on my experience:
Dry skin
Chapped Lips
Headaches
Joint/back pain
Only temporary, may cause long-term health risks

Like other acne products, accutane may not be for everyone. The main difference though, is that while most acne products are harmless, accutane can result in serious long-term health effects. I tried accutane about a year ago. I tried it for several months, and for those few months I was really happy because my face was clear for once and everybody complimented on my face. Yes, I underwent some side effects (as mentioned above) which were bearable, and the doctor had blood checkups with me regularly, but know that once you stop taking it, and you think that you no longer need to take it, there is a high possibility that it will come back. Like most has mentioned, your face will be really dry and you will feel discomfort as the process goes on. Your face will break out and it will be worse in the beginning before it starts to clear and get better. Basically what it does is that your skin just peels off due to it's dryness so you face thins a lot. At first it may seem worth it...and I was going to start taking it again, but then I realized it's not worth it. Shortly after I stopped taking accutane, my nipples darkened, dried up, and liquid was oozing out of it. It was serious to the point where I had to have biopsy. Whether or not this has to do with accutane, I can't be 100% sure, but why would this occur out of the blue? Then I think to myself. Those consequences listed on the package, though it is rare, it COULD happen to you. You could be the 1/10 people to experience it. Liver damage, incapable of pregnancy, whatever it will be ... I'm not willing to give this a second chance. I trust my doctor, but really, who knows? I would rather have acne all over my face (literally, as of now), than to risk my health. And I would know how important my health is, because when you personally know someone who suffers from pain through cancer everyday, you would think twice about taking this. Not trying to scare anyone...
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July 25, 2011

Pros:

-Cleared up EVERYTHING, completely (:
-Loss of appetite

Cons:

-Headaches
- Severely dry lips/ skin
-Acne gets worse before it gets better
*(for about a month)*

I had acne my whole life all over my chest back nd face, I tried everything, but let me tell you, it takes so long to get these pills, you cant just get them, its a long process. You have to try tons of different pills/antibiotics before doctor will prescribe Accutane to you. You have to be reasonably broken out. You have to take monthly pregnancy tests if your a female, and monthly blood tests for cholesterol etc. The pills cost up to 400$ out of pocket, my insurance covered it completely though, we have medical. You have to take monthy online tests because this is a serious drug, and if your a female you have to be on 2 forms of birth control even if your not sexually active. This is the only thing that will take acne away. Its literally a, miracle.
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July 24, 2011

Pros:

-clears skin when nothing else will!

Cons:

-acne can come back (not permanent)
-dry, fragile skin
-monthly blood tests
-expensive without insurance

Accutane was the only thing that ever successfully cleared my skin, and I tried countless thin, many over the counter products and many perscriptions. However, it's been 5 months since I ended my 6 month course, and my acne is back. :(
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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