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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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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June 21, 2011

Pros:

cleared acne 100%

Cons:

dry chapped lips
heart palpatations
hands were always shaky
acne returned after a year

I feel like the accutane helped in the short run with my acne which was wonderful, but for my long term health, i don't think it was a smart decision. Doctors don't even know how it exactly works, and because it is a relatively new drug, the future potential long term side effects aren't known. Use caution when putting drugs into your body. I still have problems with my acne, but I know one day that it will get better!
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June 16, 2011

Pros:

It gets rid of so many types of acne.

Cons:

It has severe side effects!

It did clear up my acne. I had moderate to severe acne. I used to get the big red ones that hurt like crazy. I was put on accutane when I was around 16 years old. I am now 31 and I have had complications with my stomach. They told me I had crohns disease because of the accutane I was on. I was put on it for 6 months. It did wonders on my face but not sure if it's worth the side effects and according to almost everyone that has used it, they have complications years later. I did rate it a 5 because it did work but I'm not sure if it's worth it because of the side effects.
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June 12, 2011

Pros:

-Dramatic clearing of acne: systs, pustules, papules, even blackheads all gone.

-Improvement in skin tone

Cons:

Although Isotretinoin can have many many side effects, these are just what I experienced over my treatment:

-Dry skin and lips
-Dry scalp (only in first few weeks)
-Back pain at night
-Hyper-sensitive thin skin all over body. Its very easy to get cuts and skin yourself.
-Inflamed, sunburned-looking face at times.

With some bothersome(but tolerable) side effects, Accutane absolutely DESTROYED my acne. :) I'd say that the side effects that one may endure are definitely worth the clear skin. TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING ON IT: If nothing else has worked for you, just give it a shot. It's the most effective medication and will most likely clear you up. If you're worried about the side effects, just make sure you're prescribed the medication by a caring dermatologist. They will take care of you if you encounter any problems and if you're having trouble, your dosage will be reduced.
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June 6, 2011

Pros:

dramatically better skin! less oily hair

Cons:

change in eyesight, dry eyes, dry nose/bleeding, rashes on the back of my hands, lower back pain, chapped lips, consuming alcohol is not recommended, monthly blood tests

PROS: after a week or so of use, I noticed my skin was getting much,much better. my friends were beginning to notice a change in both my face and my self esteem. I no longer have to wear layers of coverup to try and hide my acne. also, living in canada, Accutane is covered by health care, so it's free! CONS: my eyes have always been dry, but Accutane has made it worse, especially if you are staring at a computer screen for extended amounts of time. the change in my eyesight is not bad enough to motivate me to get new glasses, but i definately notice it. things are a little more blurry than they used to be. For about 2 weeks, i had been sick, so i was constantly blowing my nose and sniffling. this led to massive nosebleeds that went on for 25+mins each time. very scary when you are going to school and trying to go about your normal day. the worst was when i had 4 in one day! Not too long after starting accutane, i noticed small rashes on the backs of my hands. unsightly as they are, they are not itchy and can be minimized using moisturizers and polysporin. My lower back pain causes me to stiffen if i am in a specific position for too long. it is painful to straighten up quickly, so it takes me a while to loosen up agin. it makes me feel so old!! The common side effect of chapped lips makes it necessary to carry my handy Burt's Bees chapstick around all the time. i have to exfoliate the dead skin from my lips constantly and lipstick is a definate no-no! Although consuming alcohol is not recommended, i have still done it. what you may want to know is it lowers your tolerance. A LOT! you will get drunk very quickly! Lastly, the monthly blood tests. although its a pain -you have to fast for 10 hours each time before you go- it really is for your benefit. your MD could detect some other health problem that you otherwise would not have known about. It may look like the cons outweigh the pros, but that isnt so; all of the cons are bearable
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June 2, 2011
Just wanted to state that my last review should have been five stars (or whatever those little people are meant to be!), not zero! That's the trouble with doing this on your phone, rather than a computer!
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May 29, 2011

Pros:

Cleared my skin in 2 weeks

Cons:

None- (unless you count the fact I can't stop raving about Accutane)

This is the only product that worked. I had severe acne for 2 years (I could not touch my face and sitting hurt my bacne was so awful) My doctor informed me we had run out of options. It was Accutane or nothing. In two weeks my skin cleared. I had NO side effects (seriously). I went to Europe on this stuff for two weeks and went without makeup. I pray at the altar of Accutane. Also I have NO SCARRING!!!
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May 27, 2011

Pros:

Clear my face almost completely but only temporarily.

Cons:

Heavy mood changes. Depression. Dryness everywhere. Can't drink alcohol during treatment. Monthly blood check ups.

I am 27 now. I used Accutane in 2006 for 6 months and then in 2008 for 9 months, both dosis were 30mg. I wish I never used this pill because, although it cleared my face only for a few months, it was very costly, and my mood has changed a lot since then. I have become very depressive, moody, anxious and nervous, which I never was before taking that pill. I don't recommend this product.
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May 25, 2011

Pros:

Skin so soft and acne free!!
(length of time being acne free can result from the dosage..get a good doctor that has experience with accutane. Then, your acne may never come back)

Cons:

Dry skin, noise, hair, etc.
DRY LIPS. Chapstick is a necessity
Depression
Acne scars can appear if you mess with/pop your pimples
General scars can appear if you get cut. (even a small cut can scar)

Accutane is great, but it is a LAST resort. I look back and wonder why I even went on it, but of course, it cleared up my skin. Bottom line: the possible side effects are scary. Depression seems to be common with this drug.. I had depression on this medication, but I would always tell myself, "calm down, its the medication." I am not sure if the medication caused the depression or if I would of been depressed regardless. I think that a lot of people are depressed on this medication because clear skin does NOT solve all the problems associated with it. For example, I thought all my social problems would go away with clean skin, it would solve all my problems...That sounds stupid, but it is a big change from having acne to having none. Just like a fat person becoming skinny. lol Realizing that as freeing as being acne-free is, it does not mean that your crush will like your or that people will treat you differently. WARNING: make sure that your doctor puts you on a high dose in order to get clear completely. I was not put on a high enough dose and not only did some of my acne return, but it never was completely cleared. Now, I am currently on Tazorac and Solodyn. I want to clear up what accutane didnt because of the low dosage. I want to go back on accutane with a different doctor, but the side effects are concerning. I am just not sure. Overall, it is a personal choice. Acne is a disease and is depressing. Weigh the pros and cons, then make your own choice. Accutane is the only cure for acne. (when on the right dosage.) I personally recommend Tazorac and Solodyn as a way to go if not Accuntane. Hope this helps!
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May 24, 2011

Pros:

HIGLY EFFECTIVE (only if it's used under strictly dermatologist advices).

Cons:

Very annoying and aggresive symptoms caused by Isotrerinoin.
Very high price (at least in my country).
Use only in severe acne.
Needs at least a combination of other 4 products.
Need a supervision of a doctor and in some cases blood tests during the treatment.

Im 17 years old, the treatment was for 6 months after that i enjoy a pefect face 0% acne, that was just for the 2 months after i finished with the Isotretinoin. One day i discovered a black point in my face, i think i would be normal because of my past several acne but by the time pass my acne became much more severe and in few weeks just after my 2 months of glorius skin, my face was worse than ever. I heard about so many people that the treatment was 100% effective for them and the effectivness was for a long time but for some reason it wasn't effective for me. If you choose Isotretinoin you have to be sure to handle first the annoying symptoms caused by the medicine (in some cases the symptoms of the medicine are worst than a light or moderate acne, i recommend to choose alternative products) and second you'll have to maintain (for the rest of your life) very clean your face, if you don't want acne come back and repeat the treatment again like me. Now seriously im thinking of taking the treatment again because the effects of the medicine, i don't know how but i have learned to accept and to be more confident in myself and i think its the most powerfull remedy for the acne.
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May 23, 2011

Pros:

90% of People taking this treatment will never get symptoms of acne again.
The most effective medicine for acne i've tried.

Cons:

Dry Lips, Dry Skin.
Got some muscle aches at the start but not so much now.
Had to curb alcohol intake.

Very effective results. I have much clearer skin and see this continuing to be the case. I can see that some people complained about this stuff a lot but If you have a bombsite of a back like mine did due to acne then this medicine is a godsend. Feel much more confident and there isn't as much pain.
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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