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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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.
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July 9, 2011

Pros:

after my total treatment with accutane, my skin was clear. I didn't have any pimples for about a year or two.

Cons:

I've since started to break out almost as much as before accutane

I started the treatment when i was 19. I was on it for about 4-6months. My acne had seemed to be gone. After about 2yrs. my acne came back! Now I'm a 26yr old who looks like their 16. Nothing seems to work. The doctors wanted to put me back on accutane recently..... I just don't think it is ultimately worth your health. Read over all the side effects very carefully and decide if it's worth possible liver failure, etc. and then have your acne come back!
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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 19, 2011

Pros:

doesn't even matter

Cons:

tons of side effects.
makes you want to die

Stay away from this if you have a history of depression, this will make it so much worse and harder to treat, its not worth it at all. If you're a guy resort to makeup and birth control before using this, seriously.
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May 14, 2011

Pros:

Cheap If you have insurance
-generally works

Cons:

Its not worth the risk!
-Depression
-Derealization
-Unusual Dreams
-Dry skin
-Dry Lips
- Developed eye floaters!
-Runs risk for permanent long term side effects!

Basically dont take this. Are you really willing to risk long term side effects to be acne free? acne is completely normal, why would you want to risk your health for something loads of people deal with? I was on this for about 3 weeks until i began feeling strange. I felt out of body and out of mind, depression then kicked in. I developed so much anxiety on this medication it was scary, one day my chest began to hurt and I literally thought i WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEARTATTACK! I have never been so scared in my life. Also the second day into my course I had a disturbing dream. In my dream i dreamt that i had a gun in my hand, i walked up to my dad and then put the gun in my mouth and ended my life, this was very disturbing. I used to be a happy go-lucky guy before i took this garbage, now I have depression, derealization (absolutely horrifying, would not wish this on my worst enemy), visual static, and eye floaters. My doctor now reffered me to a neurologist to test for schizophrenia. Basically i can't seem to get my life on track ever since taking accutane. I feel bad for my family cause they are very worried about me. PLEASE PLEASE PEOPLE STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG. Once you have a life changing experience like I did you will learn how important health and life is, dont take life for granted. i can't even see a future for myself right now but if I ever feel normal again I will treat everyday like its my last, life is beautiful dont risk it with accutane you never know what can happen. I learned this 2 weeks into treatment and got my act together and threw this garbage away. YAY ACNE and HEALTH! Taking this medication is just plain stupid, no matter how bad your acne is realize that people dont look at you any differently. Thanks an make the right choice here guys. Hope I could help
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April 16, 2011

Pros:

mainly clear skin

Cons:

SEVERE and major depression which has remained for the 10 years since I took roaccutane
have to remain on the *pill*-Diane/Juliette to keep my skin clear after course of roaccutane

Yes, my skin is mainly clear now but my life has been ruined by the depression caused by taking roaccutane. I also developed anorexia nervosa and can no longer work as a physiotherapist. Be VERY careful with this drug, that's all I can say...
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March 17, 2011

Pros:

nothing!!

Cons:

cracked and dried my skin so bad I still have scars
made me depressed
changed something in my body that showed up on a blood test and I was immediately taken off of it
didn't work for my acne

I used this a few years back after trying everything else. Almost immediately I got so dry and my lips and nose cracked so badly i still have scars - even though I was sure to moisturize well in advance! After 5 months my blood work came back bad and my doctor took me off the meds saying it wasn't helping my skin anyway. It took a long time for the nausea and depression that I got while I took it to go away. This is horrible horrible stuff!!!!
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March 3, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne fast WHILE ON IT
helps when nothing else will

Cons:

acne comes back
sore muscles
made me very intolerant to all types of foods
dizziness
tiredness

I have struggles with acne for years. At 16 I went on it and had to go off of it, but it cleared my acne for the 2 months I used it. Then tried it again at 17 and it cleared my acne, but once again had to stop taking it. At 19, I finally decided to take it for the 6 month course and push myself through all the harsh side effects. My skin was absolutely radiant and beautiful!! I loved it so much that I could deal with the fact that I only ate 1 or maybe 2 times a day because anything I ate KILLED my stomach. I had to have an endoscopy because they thought I had IBS or something. But everything was fine because I only had a few months left. I was on 40 MGS, and cut it down to 20 the last month. I tapered off of it and literally a month later after stopping I had all of my acne come back with a vengence. I have gotten it in places I had never had before and I have 3 months before my wedding. Accutane has ruined my life and made my skin unbearable...I cry almost everyday and not to mention I can barely eat different types of food still. I am so intolerant to gluten and I had never had any problems before. It may work wonders for some people, but from what I do know it does come back for a lot of others. Unfortunately, mine came back a lot worse. Good luck if you're going to take it and be strong because it is a HARSH medicine.
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January 29, 2011

Pros:

It worked to clear up my skin. My acne is now pretty mild and completely manageable.

Cons:

As of writing this, it's been approximately 9 months since finishing up my course. I still have have bad sexual side effects that onset right after my course was over.

It wasn't worth it for me. My acne was leaving scars and I would still gladly take it back to get rid of what this drug has done to me.
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January 27, 2011

Pros:

Cleared cystic acne

Cons:

Makes you very moody.
Makes lips very dry.
Monthly blood test required for females.
Hard time getting insurance after taking this medicine.
SERIOUS birth defects possible if you get pregnant.

My dermatologist put me on this for about 5 months. He claimed it was "The miracle drug". I had some cystic acne, it cleared it up about 95%.After I went off the medicine I started a new job a few months later and worked for a company where I had to find my own health insurance, one of the questions on the application asks if you have taken this medicine.I said yes and Blue Cross declined me. Cigna approved me but is charging me 20% more because I took this medicine. Bottom line is there are far too many negative side effects that I was unaware of when I started taking this.My doctor did not inform me of all the side effects, he mainly focused on the fact that it causes birth defects, I was so caught up with trying to clear my skin I didnt research it enough. Now I see all the commercials about people that took Accutane and how it can seriously mess up your colon and other parts. I now use the Clinique Acne solutions 3 step and my skin is 99% clear without all the crazy side effects that Accutane brings. I would suggest trying all other options first and only using this as a last last last resort.
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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