Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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March 13, 2012

Pros:

clears skin up pretty good.

Cons:

minor joint issues
i had to stop because i got some ringing in my ears.( Rare side effect)

i took it for two months it cleared my skin up pretty good. but i had to get off because of ringing in my ears. The ringing will fix itself though because i stoped early enough. Its worth a try to take. if you start getting a bad side effect you can always lower the dosage or stop.
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March 11, 2012

Pros:

- Cleared up acne while I was on this pill and for a few months after

Cons:

- Hard on your stomach, with potential long-term repercussions (I actually have serious stomach problems, although I have no way of knowing whether it's related)

- My lips are still incredibly dry, even after the acne came back!

- Very expensive unless covered through insurance (which mine was)

I tried accutane twice, and both times it only worked while I was on it and for a few months afterward. Considering how harsh it is on your body, I would consider it a last resort. Like the previous reviewer says, it works differently for everyone. Zinc, of all things, has finally cleared me up.
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March 4, 2012

Pros:

no oily hair
clear skin
confidence

Cons:

dry lips
occasional nose bleeding because of dryness
is not cure for acne

I would recommend it because it has been the only treatment that has given me clear skin for a while, the problem is that after a year and a half of finishing my treatment I started having acne again and it would not respond to any antibiotics, so I had to take another round of medications and it got rid of my acne, but now I have it back again. I would recommend it no matter what the side effects are, I just prefer having clear skin for a while than no clear skin at all, but it ´s NOT a CURE for your acne.
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February 14, 2012

Pros:

Does get rid of your acne
I had no real side effects (individual)
Free on NHS after trying other treatments

Cons:

cracked and dry lips/ dry mucus membranes
Regular blood tests
I relapsed

I didnt understand what this was when i actually took it. i was only 15/16. I was on it for 4 months, and i must say after my course was finished, my skin was wonderful. It stayed almost totally clear and spot free for about 8 months... But i have relapsed. And i now refuse to take it again. I was told this would be a long term solution and it wasnt. I'd only recommend this to people who are in thier 20's still with acne. Because now at 17 im still getting hormonal outbreaks that are bad. I didnt get any side effects from this drug, but after researching it, i'm not keen on taking it again. There are better ways to improve your skin. -Changing your diet -doing more excersize -getting more sleep -drinking more water -being as gentle to your skin as possible -seeing a nutritionist Seriously. If you want your acne gone for life, there is no quick solution. Change your life to change your face. Its what i'm doing now and its working.
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February 10, 2012

Pros:

Clears up the severe acne
No more oily skin

Cons:

Facial redness
Small outbreak where there was no acne
Dry lip
Warm all the time

I had bad acne when I was about 16 years old. I went on some medication and it went away for the most part. My face has always been clear, the acne never came back after it left years ago. But for the last few years I have always had small breakouts on my should blades. But then last year I broke out on my shoulders and upper arms. It was bad, worse than I have ever seen. So finally my dermo put me on this drug. I have only been on it for 2 months on a 6 months treatment. My shoulders are slowly but surely clearing up but my chest is getting small outbreaks. And make face gets red really easy. It really pissing me off. So I am seeing half and half results. I wont know for sure probably for another month. But regardless, the facial redness and how warm my face gets is really annoying and I hope it goes away after. My brother always had it worse then me but his cleared up on his own by the time he was my age (21). I never thought his skin would get the last laugh. Drug or no drug, I thought I was all don't with this acne BS!
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February 7, 2012

Pros:

unoily skin
unoily-hair

Cons:

dry lios

I have been on accutane for 2 months with my acne only getting worse. I was on 40mg for 2months and have been moved upto 60mg for another 2months. So far nothing, not even side effects, just slightly dry lips and beggining to lose hope in this. is this normal to see no results after 2 months???? please help!!!!!
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February 1, 2012

Pros:

It is starting to clear up my acne after a second treatment. First time on Roaccutane did not work very well.

Cons:

Dry skin
Skin rash on hands
Bruise easy, skin scratches easy
Dry nose
Nose bleeds
Bad mood
Burn very quickly in sun - sensitive skin

The first time I was on Roaccutane, i did not have a very good experience. I started to think that all the side effects that I was experiencing were not worth the treatment, as it wasn't even clearing up my acne as well as I thought. I've now been on my second lot of Roaccutane for nearly two months and I am seeing an improvement and I hope that it works for me this time. I'm already having to wear less make-up, although I still have visible spots on my face. It is not as bad as it used to be. If you can put up with the side effects, then it may be worth trying as it is definitely making me feel more confident.
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January 27, 2012

Pros:

has been clearing skin significantly
no initial breakout
dry skin isnt so bad
no more oily hair
no more oily face

Cons:

dry lips
hair has continued to fall off a lot
back hurts

i have been on this for a little over a month. i am stopping because this medication is too strong for me. although the pros and great, my hair has been falling nonstop and my eyelashes have begun to fall. my acne is pretty minor and i will begin some natural remedies that were suggested to me and i have a great gut feeling they will work. accutane works for some, but i guess im not someone who should be taking it. i was on 40 mg a day. i wish you all the best!
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January 22, 2012

Pros:

Completely healed skin for 2 years

Cons:

i believe it caused infertility :(

Did a 6 month course of this when I was 20. I am a female so I had to do pregnancy test everymonth and do the questionaire before it could be filled. It worked! My skin was beautiful for 2 years but then it slowly came back, but not as bad as before! I was warned about all the serious side effects. I wasnt warned about infertility. I have been trying to concieve for 3 years now. Nothing, not even a miscarriage. And it's not just me, google accutane and infertility. So if you're a woman, please consider this.
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January 19, 2012

Pros:

Controls Oil production of skin.
Gets rid of acne

Cons:

Makes face pink or red.
Dry Skin, lips.

For me, Accutane worked well while I was prescribed to it for 6 months. The first 1 or 2 months made my acne worse, but after that it faded away. At the end of my prescription I still had a little bit of acne, light and occasional. However after a month after my prescription ended I started to get pimples again. Right now I still have moderate acne and am seeking another treatment
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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