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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5
37.1%
4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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August 23, 2010

Pros:

Will get rid of acne
likely not to have acne return for atleast a few years
HAPPY life when acne is gone

Cons:

RED face
Dry skin
chapped lips
aches

If you have sensitive skin then dont go on this. I went on it for three months at a medium dose and I got told atleast three times a day i need to wear sunscreen cause i was burned so bad but it wasnt from the sun it was accutane! my face was so red the whole time i was on it, it was hell. I got off and still four minths later i still have a red tint so if your thinking of going on it with sensitive skin be careful. I was willing to do anything to get rid of my acne but being tomato red all day was worse. if you dont have super sensitive skin then take it, you will not regret it
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August 19, 2010

Pros:

Helps spots.

Cons:

Ruins your body permanently.

Do not use this. It's handed out willy nilly. I don't think its even suitable for people with SEVERE acne. I'm faced with many problems due to this.
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August 18, 2010

Pros:

-My scars are beginning to subside. I am very impressed because I scar easily and they take a long time to go away

-I had a slight breakout but it went away in 2 days

-My skin feels smooth and nice

Cons:

-I've been getting small whiteheads but that's not a big deal

-My lips are a little dry but again no big deal

-My head hurts but I am not sure if its due to accutane or my stress

-This is a weird but I burp more?...LOL yeah I don't know

I've been on it for 6 days and my acne has started to go away. There are side effects but I think it all depends on what dosage the doctor put you on. I take 20mg everyday because the doctor wanted me to ease into a higher dosage without me breaking out severely. So don't be afraid of what other people said because it could be due to the dosage that they started with. But I am not really sure because the dosage is relied on weight too...who knows...anyways get it because I know my acne is going to get better from this day on
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August 18, 2010

Pros:

Skin is 98% perfect, amazing!
I get the odd blocked pore but nothing serious.
I am me again.
Confidence 200%

Cons:

Dry
Made it worse before it got better
It only looked like it started to work in the last month and I was on it for 12 months! I thought there was no hope.
Thirsty
Sun sensitivity
Can't wax AT ALL! Skin will rip off. No joke. And if you don't heal well, it can scar.

Amazing product! Love it! Pros outweigh a year of bad skin. Now I can go out of the house without any make-up complexion is almost 100%, its even, no redness. Heaven!
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August 17, 2010

Pros:

-Temporary clearance of acne
-Confidence even 6 months later
-Temporary clearance of blackheads on nose
-Skin much easier to manage
-Overall great improvement in skin

Cons:

While on Accutane:
-Red face all the time
-Peeling lips
-Low confidence from the above 2 side effects.


Six months after Accutane:
-Starting getting pimples just a week after stopping medication.
-amount of weekly pimples increased significantly over six months
-Blackheads are back on nose
-Must use Epiduo to keep skin decently clear
-Red marks after every pimple I get now
-Stress building up again about this disease

-Possibly more I just can't think

I was on it for 9 months, and I was speechless. It cleared all my acne. I was so confident. A week after I begun getting it back, and I was mortified. I had to go on Epiduo which I don't think anyone else had to go on afterwards. Red marks show up after every single pimple I get. I can't control my acne now, and I am VERY educated on skin. I don't know what to do, school starts next week. This is just my experience, everybody has a different experience. I'm probably going to have to go back on Tane. I recommend it, even though I lay in the 25% percent of people who relapse. You may be different.
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August 13, 2010

Pros:

Acne completely cleared during the 2nd month (no initial breakout) Face was smooth, pores shrunk, skin was glowing and oil-free!

Cons:

*Bad ezema on arms and hands.
*Dry, bloody cracked lips (painful to smile)
*Dry eyes.
*HAIR LOSS!!!! I finished my treatment 3 months ago and my hair is now falling out A LOT!. I did not experience this during treatment, my hair was fine.
*Headaches the first couple of days.

My face was completely clear during the 2nd month and stood completely clear throughout my treatment. After stopping my treatment I notice that I started getting small and very mild breakouts (maybe once a month) but most importantly MY HAIR!!!! It's thinning BAD and I'm terrified. I read that it's temporary and the hair will grow back but can takes months even years. I can deal with thin hair (I guess) I just don't want to go bald! :(
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August 12, 2010

Pros:

-First Clear Skin in 2 Years
-Confidence
-Happiness

Cons:

-Quite emotionally draining
-Dry Lips
-Eczema
-Scared about other side effects
-Initial breakout

After suffering with bad acne for over 2 years of antibiotics, creams and home remedies, the emotional effects of acne began to take their toll. At first I was very afraid of the side effects (especially hairloss), but after 6 months of Accutane I experienced none of these "scare stories". The hair loss is extremely scary for those who suffer it- but honestly you would be shocked how many hairs you lose daily anyway- and sadly i think many people stop despite purely normal hair shedding. I very nearly did, and 6 months down the line am SO glad I carried on. You cannot put a price on clear skin- i say if your acne is bothering you- don't let anyone stop you from sorting it out. There are side-effects, but all of these are nothing compared to the side effects of acne.
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August 12, 2010

Pros:

cleared up acne

Cons:

side effects

Part 3 (this is the end!) 8. feeling not your usual awesome. Is it the acne? Is it depression? Accutane is a strong drug so you need to keep you body in top shape to deal with it. I take a multi vitamin, a fish oil supplement, and vitamin D supplements. I think the fish oil is good for the achy joints and keeping triglyceride levels down (which is what they're looking for in those blood tests), and I suspect the decrease in skin oils inhibits the body's ability to absorb sun for vit D production. Hey, it doesn't hurt! 9. feeling tired. And thirsty. Drink tons of water! This med is designed to dry you out-- stay very very hydrated. There's no such thing as too much water; it can't hurt! 10. sensitive to sun. Your derm already told you about this. Wear sunblock. Especially on your lips. I am the kind of person who never burns, and I foolishly went out in the sun for just an hour and got a terrible burn that turned into me shedding an entire layer of skin for the next week. It was like a walking snow storm. A trail of skin flakes everywhere I went. Don't test your boundaries. QUESTIONS ON LIFE POST ACCUTANE These are my tips for coping with Accutane. It's made my life livable, I hope it helps you too. I'm starting to think about life post Accutane. My skin is clear now, will it stay clear? Should I still treat it like acne prone skin? Will it be oilier? Will is stay dry like it is now? And now that I don't have acne, how do I deal with acne scars and hyperpigmentation? What treatments can I start immediately, and which ones should I wait on? And how long should I wait? I'd love to hear some input on post-Accutane treatments! In closing, I emphasize that Accutane is a medical treatment and lifestyle change. It is highly toxic to the liver, so keep your overall health in mind. It is, however, highly effective and the side effects are bearable. Patience is key-- think about how long you've been stru
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August 7, 2010

Pros:

Clears skin very well

Cons:

Dryness of lips, skin, nose. Cuts take longer to heal

Accutane is the only thing that seems to be working for me, so I figured I would write a review about it. Accutane gets too badly represented by the internet. If antibiotics don't work for you then take accutane. My skin dried out horribly and my lips are getting worse still, but my skin is getting clearer as this happens. I am doing judo as I take accutane and my performance isn't affected by the drug. I do take glucosamine for my joints. I still have 2 more months to go and I encourage all of you guys to try accutane through a dermatologist. Stay up!
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August 5, 2010

Pros:

After one month, no longer have oily skin even after a long day. Pimple breakouts have eventually stopped and only have 2 active pimples which are drying and healing faster than usual.

Cons:

Initial breakout - more oily in first 2 weeks, no improvement. IB hit at 12 day mark, lasted a week (forehead and chin).
Mild headache for first few days. Itchy scalp for first two weeks. Slightly dry lips after 3rd week - no cracking or bleeding (I recommend Dr Dan's Cortibalm). Light ezcema on back of hands. A bit of dryness/peeling around mouth and nose. 4 nosebleeds in the past month (easy to manage). Also I've had bouts of tiredness, but I always do, so can't say if Accutane's the cu

My only regret is not starting this earlier, following years of managing acne on and off with (now useless) antibiotics and retinoid creams. If you're thinking about taking the leap, I would recommend it. It seems to be the only thing closest to a 'cure' for acne.
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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