Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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5
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4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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June 11, 2010

Pros:

Clears Skin well
Easy to use

Cons:

Dry Skin/Lips
Red Face

I had been on a couple of different antibiotics for around three years and I never had any improvement. I was obviously self-conscious of my acne, but the main problem I had with it was very comfortable, especially when I had large spots of my back. Bumping into something on my shoulder would have been incredibly painful for me. I went on a five month course of Accutane, and I had no improvement until around three months in. My skin is now completely clear of acne (as of three months after stopping). My face looks very good, and while my back has quite bad scarring, it still looks a lot better than before. The Dry skin and lips were a chore to maintain - I had to moisturise my face every morning and I used a combination of Vaseline and Carmex for my lips. I also put Vaseline up my nose as recommended by my Dermatologist (disgusting, I know) to prevent nosebleeds. The side effects were not as bad as I expected after researching the drug, but of course it varies from person to person. I would definitely recommend trying it. Make sure you get a good moisturiser - the first one I used was fine until around half way through, when it only lasted a couple of hours. I used E45 lotion. I also found that Carmex was good for healing dry lips (eg. in the morning when you wake up) and Vaseline was useful throughout the day to maintain my lips. If you exercise a lot, you will experience aching muscles. I cut back on swimming, but when ever I did my muscles were aching after only one or two lengths, but as I kept going weren't as bad. Clearly, the side effects are annoying but in my opinion they are completely worth it. If my acne does come back in the future, I would go back on Accutane.
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June 9, 2010

Pros:

Clear Skin - New found confidence

Cons:

Dry lips?

You people that are saying Accutane has ruined their life sound like your suffering from a little prolonged depression. Get out there and be happy - You have clear skin! :D
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June 7, 2010

Pros:

Clears skin
Exfoliates skin making it appear smooth and clean
Cheap with insurance

Cons:

Severe depression
Dry lips, skin, nose
Easily suburned
Blood test each month

I never had acne before until I hit 20, then it began to appear on my face, arms, and back. it's not severe but it does affect my self-esteem and confidence. I have been on it for a few months and have gotten several comments from friends and co-workers on how clean my skin is and how it's beginning to clear up. As for the sides, number one is depression (full disclosure I have one family member who committed suicide and I have suffered depression in the past) The depression was very severe. Suddenly, I felt alone, nothing to live for, contemplated suicide, began to isolate myself from friends/family, suffered loss in joy of things I normally enjoy. It was bad in the first month but then it went away, I feel fine now going into the second month, hopefully it does not return. It's manageable by hanging out with friends, going to the gym, eating food you love. I would recommend Cetaphil as it's non comodogenic and will not block pores on your face, apply it on your body and face each night before bed or when needed. I noticed if I do not my face starts to get red bumps from dry pores. Carry carmex at all times, other lip balms did not work for me. Other than that no other sides for me. So far I think the positives have outweighted the negatives so far.
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June 2, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin up! Before this I tried soooo many creams, medicines, etc. This was my last resort and I’m happy with it!

Cons:

Dry lips, dry out nose, blood test every month, doctor appointments every month, rashes on my hands and arms but my doc gave me cream and it goes away within a day. I can live with these “cons” since I’m getting CLEAR skin finally!

I'm on my 3rd month of isotretinion and I have to take it 2 times a day for 6 months. At first my parents and I were scared to go on it since we heard all the scary side effects that could happen but I know some friends that were on it and they had nothing but good things to say about it. I'm so glad I went on it! I just wish I had gone on it years ago! Its says not to drink while still taking isotretinion but unfortunately I had my 21st while still taking it but I went out and drank a little just not crazy and I was perfectly fine the next morning. It could damage your liver so make sure if you do drink while on it its only a little and you don't over due it. I recommend isotretinion if you have acne that just won't go away! I got on it when I was 20 wish I got on it when I was still in high school. -5/28/09 ~*~UPDATE~*~ Well now about a year later all my acne is back! I'm a 22 year old female 5'2 125lbs. I'm very upset that my acne is back considering being on this medicine isn't easy plus it's pretty expensive. I may try it again since it did help it just doesn't last. High price to pay to have clear skin.-6/02/10 Recommended: Not sure
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June 1, 2010

Pros:

it clears u up

Cons:

u look horrible for the period u r on it.

with this u have to have some patients. for the period u r on this medication u look like sh*t ur lips are chap ur always sundurned. this is a last resort medicene and i only subjust it for ppl with severly moderate acne or worst do to all of its side affect. I've been off it for a year now my face is staying clear but my back has started to break out again, in tht case go see your dermatologist again I've been using some topical stuff and the stuff is staying away. long story short it will do wonders for u u js have to wait n follow the doctors orders. i didnt miss a day on it
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May 25, 2010

Pros:

It will clear up your acne, slowly but surely!

Cons:

-dryness everywhere (skin, eyes, hair)
-joint pain
-hair loss
-very dry lips that looked disgusting!
-long term side effects that can last your whole life

This is my opinion people. Roaccutane (accutane) is a VERY strong drug. It will definitely work to clear up your acne. But should only be taken if you have SEVERE ACNE such as cystic acne or if you have very persistent acne and your over 20 years old. the way i see it is that acne will naturally go away with age once a person leaves their teens, that is when oil level naturally reduce and so there's no point of jeopardizing your long term health for clear skin. My story is that im going to be 20 in a few months but my acne was light, as in i would (and still have) a couple red spots on my face and my skin (and hair) were very oily! they're noticeable but nothing significant. And my acne is not only on my face but on my back and scalp which is a pain!! i tried most things but then my GP here suggested roaccutane to rid me of acne everywhere once and for all. Since its free in the UK i thought why not. i did do research but then once being on it for a month i really thought its not worth it. Accuntane has both long and and short term side effects which i personally feel are not worth going through just to clear up something like acne, unless like i said before its severe or your 20+ years old. i was on accutane for one month and then noticed my hair started to become very thin which scared the sh*t outta me! Not only that but my joints were sore and im a sporty person and its summer here in London. I just hope and pray that my hair becomes thicker as it used to be! Bottom line: EVERYONE CONSIDERING ACCUTANE NEEDS TO THINK VERY HARD!! i made the rash choice because the drug was free and quickly available so i saw it as a quick fix for my acne but boy do i regret it!! If you have light or mild acne and are still in you teens then try not to sweat it people! You will grow out of it! LIFES TOO SHORT TO BE DEPRESSED OVER YOUR SKIN! SMILE AND BE HAPPY! BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY...EVERY LITTLE THING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT! :) Hope this was hel
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May 24, 2010

Pros:

cleared up acne 100%

Cons:

extreme fatigue
sore joints
rash on arms
hair loss
decrease in memory and concentration
killed sex drive

I highly recommend not taking Accutane. I took it in 2000 while in high school and have regretted it ever since. It worked fine, but side effects started showing up a couple years later. I used to enjoy life before taking Accutane. I enjoyed hanging out with friends and playing sports. Now, I am tired all the time and have no interest in socializing. My neck, back, and knee joints are constantly sore. The worst part is that it absolutely killed my sex drive (link for non believers, [link removed] I'd rather have my acne back times 10 instead of taking Accutane. Also, you don't always get the side effects while taking the drug. I just had nose bleeds and dry skin while taking the drug, but the bad ones showed up a few years later.
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May 24, 2010

Pros:

Cleared skin amazingly

Cons:

Dry lips
Eczema
Achy bones / muscles
Tiredness
Mood swings
Abnormal liver function results
Sore inside of nose
Regular conjunctivitis
Couldn't drink as much, terrible hangovers if i did
Generally feeling flat & ill & crap!!

I finished a 4-5 month course in Feb and despite the odd tiny pimple, my skin is oily again, yet clear. I took 25mg for 4 weeks and then 55mg for 14 or 15 weeks. There's lots of nasty side effects and it doesn't get rid of existing scars BUT it does stop you from getting spots. At what cost to my liver and how long i'll stay clear for, i don't yet know. 100% recommend if your acne is bad because otherwise you'll be so tempted to give in sometimes as the effects can be so harsh. I know i've listed alot of cons, i did experience all of them and the 1-2 months were particularly rough. But the side effects vanished within a matter of weeks after finishing the course. The bottom line is - I WOULD still use Roaccutane again if my spots returned. It works wonders and to have clear skin for the first time in over 10 years feels amazing.
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May 24, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my acne for seven months

Cons:

- Redness
- Flushing
- Dry lips
- Dry skin
- Nosebleed
- Problems with concentration

Well this is not what you want to hear. You are probably all going to mark this as not helpful because all you want is positive reviews. It is been seven moths since I stopped Accutane and its the worst decision in my life. My face is extremely red, and the flushing is ruining my life. I have stopped going to school, stopped partying, stopped meeting friends, literally stopped living, and its all because of accutane. Everything i do; eating, drinking, stressed, embarrased, exercising, and so on makes me flush. And I NEVER flushed prior going on accutane. I this doesnt fade my life is ruined. There are extremely few people that get so hard side effects, maybe one out of hundred. BUT IT MIGHT BE YOU, IS IT WORTH THE RISK OF POSSIBLY RUINING YOUR LIFE?
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May 24, 2010

Pros:

Really cleared my acne, much less oil production

Cons:

Extreme dry skin, bloody noses, cracked skin, depression, high cholesterol

Accutane was a last ditch effort to get rid of my acne while I was in college. Everything else I had tried didn't work. The accutane dried me out. I was so dry I had to put a vitamin A & E cream on my lips so I could talk without them cracking and getting bloody. I would randomly have bloody noses. My cholesterol levels jumped up 50 points, and I was moody and stressed. I only had to wash my hair once a week because I wasn't producing enough oil to get it dirty! For about six months after my skin was beautiful and flawless. No acne at all! Then it came back. Not as bad at first, but a couple years ago it got worse than it had been before. Long term the drug might have given me Lupus like symptoms. The warning label for that has now been added to the drug, but when I was taking it I had no idea it could do that. Now my joints ache all the time and my eyes have never regained their normal tear producing abilities. My cholesterol did drop back down to it's normal levels after I stopped taking it. I wouldn't recommend accutane for anyone. Too many long lasting effects and it was hell while I was taking it. Even as a last resort I would urge people to really weight the pros and cons before taking it.
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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