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 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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37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.5%
2
7.3%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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July 25, 2013
Clear skin but terrible side effect including sever depression

Cons:

severe depression
effects liver function
just not worth it

After having a few months of dry chapped lips, dry eyes ect my skin as very clear however the worst part was to come when I became severely depressed and it really changed me as a person. After suffering with acne for over 10 years I can honestly say that having bad skin is way easier than dealing with emotional issues that developed for me on this pill. Would not recommend
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July 22, 2013
Clear skin > Scars

Pros:

CLEARS YOUR SKIN

Cons:

doesn't rid the scarring
slow healing time
back/joint pain

I've had Cystic Acne for 3 years till taking this drug. While i was on this drug i experinced joint/ back pain, dry everything, and easily tearable skin with slow healing time. 40 mgs twice a day everyday did clear my skin i can proudly say i have clear skin (i really do) but i have bad scarring and ugly pigmintation, which can not be covered with makeup. I have to wait a whole year till i can have surgery to remove my scars. The doctor said they will tone down and possibly go away after a month of this product (i got off this yeserday) and i hope so because having this tore up skin sucks
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June 14, 2013
best decision i ever made - wish i did it sooner

Pros:

great skin
long term effects
better complexion

Cons:

really dry eyes
peeling can be a little annoying
very chapped lips

i had acne for about 3 years before i decided to use accutane. i got acne as a freshman and it wasnt bad, i was able to treat it with antibiotics and topical perscriptions. summer before my junior year (about a year ago) was when it started to get really bad and nothing was working. I really didnt want to use accutane cause its a very powerful drug and i have heard horrific things about it but it was all i had left to try and my skin was depressing me. so i did it and it was amazing, i had no initial breakout, it worked pretty fast and i havent had a pimple in months. i just finished about a month ago and everything is still going well. i was on it for a total of 7 months. my eyes are still really dry but my skin is producing oil and not peeling anymore. also another annoying thing is your lips are SUPER chapped you need to carry some sort of lip moisturizer at all times or your lip skin will peel and sometimes bleed! CHAPSTICK IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! best decision, my self confidence is a million times better. i recommend to anyone with moderate to severe acne and bad self esteem it turned my life around. if you are considering it, try it!!!
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February 27, 2013

Pros:

Clear skin
Great results
Worked fast
Clear skin for years!!!!

Cons:

Dry skin
Chapped lips

I went on Acutane when I was 15, after trying so many different meds for 5 years. My skin stayed flawless for about 10 years until I went on birth control and it ruined everything! For the passed 3 years I have been experiencing moderate to severe acne. I am now 29 and going to the doc to ask for Acutane again. Nothing else has worked for me besides Acutane.
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February 22, 2013

Pros:

Clear Skin
Stays clear for a long time
Easy skin care afterwards

Cons:

VERY dry everything
Expensive$$$$
Back aches
Blood tests, lots of appointments

Accutane is a pain, but it is SO worth it. I took it for about 6 months, and by month 4 my skin was totally clear. I've been off of it almost a year now, and I am just starting to get breakouts again. Scarring went away fairly quickly and the past months of perfect skin have been heaven. The pros far outweigh the cons, accutane is great!!
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February 17, 2013

Pros:

Acne is gone. It's been 5 months since I stopped using it. I didn't get depression, even though I was diagnosed and treated for depression 10+ years ago.

Cons:

Had to stop drinking for 5 months. But, I didn't care because I was getting compliments from women left and right about how good my face was looking.

Do it. Remember that most online reviews are written by the negatives. I almost forgot to post my review because acne has been out of sight and out of mind.
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February 12, 2013

Pros:

HIGHLY Effective
Lasting results
Absolutely clear, smooth, oil free skin
Cheap compared to other treatment options

Cons:

Positive effects take time (8 weeks)
Moderate dry skin (lips, face and some body)
Dry Nose
Mild back soreness
Lethargy (tiredness)

I have been off Isotretinoin for about 2 months after a 7 month course (40mg per/day) of the drug. It is far and beyond the best acne treatment i have ever encountered after trying countless other treatments (antibiotics, LED light therapy, Creams, 3 step programs, topical prescriptions etc). The side effects are well and truly MANAGEABLE. If your acne gets you down, youve tried the other avenues and you are considering using accutane JUST DO IT. It might change your life like it did mine.
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January 10, 2013

Pros:

- facial acne is gone
- chest/back acne reduced
- hair is less greasy (seriously!)

Cons:

- SERIOUSLY chapped lips
- moderate hair loss
- very dry skin
- expensive..

I tried about 10 different oral+topical acne treatments prior to accutane. I had severe acne on my face, back and chest. I was TERRIFIED to try this product because of all the potential side effects, but realized I had no choice. It hasn't been a silver bullet, but it has been very effective. I've been on it for 6 mo. and my facial acne has disappeared, and breakouts on my back have been very reduced. I had no serious side effects, other than chapped lips, dry skin+bit of hair loss.
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November 6, 2012

Pros:

Cleared acne VERY QUICK
cleared whiteheads
made skin much, much smoother

Cons:

very dry lips. my lips bled day and night
first week I had a bad appetite and trouble in bowel movement.

Accutane is a great product. It may have side effects, but for me, it worked fine because my acne stopped popping up after just 3 months. It was amazing. Acne simply stopped. My skin got a lot smoother too. However, I recommend users to consult a doc first. It might have bad side effects for others.
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July 17, 2012

Pros:

has the potential to nearly clear your acne
don't have to take it for extended amounts of time like oral antibiotics

Cons:

hit or miss: it doesn't work permanently for everyone
monthly lab tests
acne gets worse before it gets better
lots of dryness and itching
nose bleeds
can make you fatigued
can make joints achy
makes you very sun sensitive.

i am taking accutane (claravis brand name) for the second time in my life. my dermatologist told me that the younger you are when you take it, the more likely your acne is to return, and that 25% of all users need a second round in their lifetime. i find this to be true. i have 3 friends who took accutane as teenagers and have beautiful skin still now that we're in our early 30's...but i'm the 25% that needs a second round. :( my first round of accutane was when i was 15, and it gave me GREAT skin for about 12 years...but i starting having massive breakouts on my face, neck, jawline, hairline, chest, and back about 3 years ago. tried every oral antibiotic under the sun, used every prescription topical. minimal results. when my acne started back up again, i was really disappointed that my insurance would not cover accutane (it is horrifically expensive in the US). i'm thrilled that now it DOES cover it for a mere $30/month copay! i would have gone back on it in a heartbeat 3 years ago if my insurance had paid for it. i've been on my second round for a month, and i'm having the expected dryness, but this is just how the medication works, and i'm willing to deal with it for 4-5 more months. i'm lucky that i do not have any of the hair loss or mood swings that other people report. all the side effects i have are minor and a bit bothersome, but not awful. a good moisturizing body wash (i use an all natural shea butter based soap from my local health food store), a good lotion with SUNSCREEN (living in florida, i feel like i'm frying after about 5 seconds in the sun - no exaggeration), and a good lip balm (i use carmex) make my accutane treatment very manageable.
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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