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.

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3.9
2787
Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.6%
2
7.4%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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September 29, 2008

Pros:

I had this a few years ago, I took it for the entire length prescribed by my dermatologist. It completely got rid of my acne

Cons:

Had to get regular lab tests for liver and see my dermatologist regularly. Also noticed some dryness

If i had acne, i'd recommened everyone to try this as I believe this is a miracle worker :)
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August 12, 2008

Pros:

Got rid of acne -- for most part.

Cons:

Extremely dry lips. I wear contacts so I got dry eyes somtimes as well. Can't drink alcohol. Still get decent amount of facial acne.

Stuff is great. I had horrible acne on my back and shoulders -- whiteheads all over. I had some pretty bad acne on my face as well. I took acutane and it was great. I have no more bacne or acne anywhere except face. I didn't get any of those crazy side effects. The only problem is that I still get acne on my face a decent amount. Most of that is from laziness though, as I don't follow the greatest cream treatment (SA-BP). When I do though, I hardly get anything. I totally reccommed this product as long as your healthy (not depressed). I don't know where I would be without it.
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July 28, 2008

Pros:

i had mild acne but either way :
gets rid of pimples
reduces sebum oil production, inexpensive.

Cons:

dry skin and lips
sensitive skin and im on a second dose now because my skin became very oily and i got TINY pimples so yeah im taking a second dose of sotret for another 2 months

i had a mild case of acne but and started using it in october 07 till december 07, benefited , but like i said skin became oily again, i dont know why that happened but yes :S , so now its end of july 08 and i will continue treatment till september 08. hopefully ill be oil.pimple.scar freee , cant waiiiiiit :D ! Oh and in india since everything is like super cheap i am paying only 3.8 dollars for 10 pills. so yeah thats pretty insane :D
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July 20, 2008

Pros:

-Clears skin up within 6 months for most
-Acne usualy never comes back
-Confidence

Cons:

-I have had one nose bleed so far
-Cost
-More moody

150 per month for derm visits, I dont have to go every month. The pills costed me like 10 bucks though. I have been using for almost 2 months and a half now and there my acne is now very mild, though there is a lot of scarring. Mederma should solve that though xD. It's VERY good I recomend this. You will be good looking again.
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June 9, 2008

Pros:

been on a month , skin looking a lot lot better, hope to have clear skin by end of month

Cons:

dry lips and eyes, well worth it

take it if you have acne!!!
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May 8, 2008

Pros:

Takes about 2 months 2 c results kickin in.

Cons:

Chapped lips. Dry skin. Soreness in knees and middle of back. U can scar easier and takes a while 2 heal.

Best acne killer available. Been on it 4 4 mos. Ok. I'm a guy and b4 I started my acne was horrible 2 the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror and had 2 put on concealer. Which isn't ez 2 say comin from a guy. But it didn't do much because they were huge, red, painful, and were impossible 2 cover up and I could tell ppl can notice and that's the worst feeling. When u try talkin 2 ppl and instead of lookin at u they're starin at ur zits. Its very depressing cuz I didn't feel normal. I felt like I was Quasimoto or sumthin. Well I'm happy 2 say that I no longer feel like that. Its such a great feeling goin out in public and not feelin insecure about urself. And I still got 2 more mos left of medication 2 take. And best of all. No more concealer! Here's my regimen: I take 1 pill once in the morning. I wash my skin with gentle cetaphil cleanser 4 all skin types. I then moisturize with spf 15. Cetaphil. I bathe with dove body wash 4 gentle skin. I use regular aveeno m
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May 2, 2008

Pros:

Fresh, bright, smooth - wonderful skin! Makes me feel like a "real person" one who isn't afraid to face people and talk.

Cons:

Dry lips, itchy skin, long course of medicine, multiple sets sometimes necessary. I get headaches, but they are manageable.

I'm middle aged, with very embarrassing cystic acne. This product helps me see how "grown ups" must feel - getting up every day without zits! Although this is my second session of Accutane in 5 years - I love the results. My son took it and hasn't had a recurrence in those 5 years. The hardest part for me? Not stopping every person with acne to convince them to use it!
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April 10, 2008

Pros:

- cleared up my skin, complexion amazing
- hair is not as greasy, can wash hair less often!
- more self confidence, less makeup

Cons:

- joint/heel pain/stiffness, not being able to go to the gym
- dry, peeling, red lips
- nasal dryness/bleeding

go for it...this is as close to a cure for acne that exists...there are some side effects...but it definitely works..i have general/annoying acne that is continuous from age 16 (I'm 25 now)...and nothing helped/worked...wasted so much time/money/grief/pain/stress over my acne...accutane took all that away...for ME the benefits totally outweight the risks.. :)
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March 24, 2008

Pros:

Cured acne problem for good

Cons:

BAD side effects, annoying monthly blood tests and derm visits, took forever for results to kick in, bad muscle pains especially back pains, runny nose constantly, dry skin, chapped lips etc....

I had acne for 2 years, nothing worked, no antibiotics and no creams including proactive helped. I finally took accutane. the side effects kicked in right away, however the results didn't. My acne got so much worse for most of the course. I took it 5 months. After month1 my face was worse than ever. I got the worst nose bleeds from this stuff, they were so bad it looked like a murder scene. I had bad depression but not sure how much of that this drug was responsible because i was depressed b4 i srarted this medication. It wasn't working at first so my derm gave me erthromycn pills to take with it, and the combination of the 2 used to give me bad fatigue spells to the point where i was aboutta faint. It was an up and down battle. But finally at the very end my acne went away, only to leave red marks, which was dissapointing, however over time they went away. I finished this drug almost 2 yrs ago and i've been 100% clear since no breakouts at all, and no1 today can tell i ever ha
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February 1, 2008

Pros:

Amazing. Only pill that cleared ALL face/chest/back acne. Also, it kept my hair mysteriously clean and shiny while I was on it.

Cons:

Dry lips? Also a year later I had a few months of bad hair loss. But it wasn't like I had chunks of bad spots-- it was more like I had hair balls on the ground (which I have NEVER had) so I knew I was losing hair. It stopped after 5 months.

I had tried every pill that my dermatologist knows of over the span of 6 years. I responded to nothing until Accutane-- it kept me clear for abut 1.5 years (which, to an acne sufferer, is a LONG LONG time to not be ashamed of your skin). However, I now break out on my face again, and a tiny bit on my chest, but my back has stayed clear. I recommend it to ANYONE who has tried everything with no satisfaction. The only regret I have about it is that I didn't try it sooner. It was the best 1.5 years, especially since I was in high school and overly self conscious about going to dances, pool parties, etc. where I had to show a lot of skin.
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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