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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jane

July 4, 2008

Pros:

Worked after 6 months. Cleared my skin for 5 months.

Cons:

Acne returned after 5 months. Dry lips and nose. Aching body.

Worked well for the time I was on it, as nothing else has worked. But as the acne returned wasn't really a point to it. Was very frustrating going through such a strong medication for little result. Furthermore, it is very toxic. However it works for some, and maybe I was one of the few it didn't work for :( I would say try it once if you are desperate, but don't go on another course if it doesn't work the firs time.

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Kari

June 29, 2008

Pros:

it cleared up my acne to a certain extent. i was one of the 10% of people who it didn't work completely for.

Cons:

super dry skin (face, lips, etc)

it was worth it, but it didn't clear it up perfectly. i still use the topical tazorac for breakouts.

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Tom

June 12, 2008

Pros:

Will get rid of all your acne and will make you look like you've never had a pimple in your life.

Cons:

Dry eyes and lips. Possibly contributed to minute hair loss.

I had really bad skin as a teenager. About 3 and a half years ago I took Roaccutane for 9 months. My skin cleared up completely. I then left school, travelled around Europe and North America, got married and did a whole lot of things that I never would've enjoyed if I was still covered in zits. My acne never returned and I've basically forgotten what it was like to have acne. Look after yourself while you're on it and you'll be fine.

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Jacquie

June 1, 2008

Pros:

Deinitely works. Acne free for about 2 years. Cleared my skin within the first month. I have never had more beautiful skin.

Cons:

Dry,dry,dry everywhere. Hair began falling out at three months. Immediately stopped taking Acutane. Hair began growing back after 6 months to a year.

I am considering going on Accutane again, as my acne has returned. I don't mind the dryness, but the loss of hair does scare me a bit.

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May 24, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin, smooth skin, smaller pores, never greasy hair

Cons:

chapped lips are the worst for me. i also have some red discoloration where my acne used to by that my doctor says is from the accutane and will go away. also sunburn and pealing face skin

My father had cystic acne in his teens and after two cycles of accutane he never had a zit again. I've had mild acne since I was 11. It was never particularly bad till I turned 15. It got worse and worse, and I had used sh*tty proactive, tons of over the counter, tons of prescription pills and prescription creams and none of it worked, one bit. Finally I got my doctor to prescribe accutane for me and i'm very glad I did. The side effects are a pain in the ass, but after about 2 and a half months i saw definite improvement in my skin. I'm on my fifth month now and today i woke up with my first zit in a few months. It's small though, not like my old acne. I'm very frightened that when I go off treatment it will come back, because my skin is so much clearer now. I'm on 80mg a day, which i think is the highest dosage.

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Stacie

May 21, 2008

Pros:

Dried up my oily face and scalp, don't have to wash my hair every day, acne is getting better but still not where I want it to be. But doctor said it would get worse before it gets better

Cons:

Blood work, pregnancy tests, dry lips, dry face and scalp, back aches, and nose bleeds

I've been on it for about 6 weeks and I've noticed some improvement but not as much as I'd like. The side effects aren't fun but they are worth it for clear skin! Aquaphor has helped my lips and Cetaphil cream is great on my face! Still haven't solved the dry flaky scalp problem. Doc said acne would get worse before it gets better so I'm trying to be patient. I have friends and family members who took it and never had skin problems again!

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lena

May 19, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin within the first week!

Cons:

Dry lips an eyes but when u see it workin like that u forget about the effects.

I never had acne untill i turned 17.It was the worst thing that happened to me.I tryed everything from Proactive to thousands of dollars to docter appotmants. NOTHIN WORKED! I was so frustrated that i lost all selfestem. Then one day i was reading a magasine an found how a treatment named accutane helped them get thire clear faces back.So i went an asked my doctor if i should go on it.HE agreed. The first week i saw major results the started dissapiring one by one each day it got better an better.By the 5 month my whole face was clear an under control. I have know been off it for 3 months an i feel great! I go out more an people complomns my face all the time. So dont wast any more time IF U HAVE ACNE GO ON ACCUTANE! its that simple.

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Andy

May 14, 2008

Pros:

NO ACNE! Clear skin, no bumps, really smooth, much smaller pores, not oily, less wrinkles, no redness, clear skin over whole body

Cons:

dry lips, dry eyes

if you have acne, TAKE ACCUTANE!!!!!!!! Do it! I'm 23 and used dozens and dozens of over-the-counter stuff, and many perscription pills and creams-- I finally took accutane, and I wish I would have done it when I was 15- It is the best acne treatment ever mande! I've been on it 3 months, and it is AMAZING! I really can't believe how much it has changed my appearance, confidence, and everything- I've wasted SO much time, effort, and money on stupid acne products that don't work! Over time I've spent probably $200 on proactive, $500 on perscriptions, and literally thousands on face washes and creams and lotions that have NEVER worked! And now it costs me $20 a month, for like 5 months and I don't have to use all that other junk, or spend any time applying stuff or worrying. Basically, you take 2 pills a day, and that's it. No more trying to make all those other products and regiments work.....PLEASE, if you have acne, TAKE ACCUTANE!!!! in my experience, it's the only thing that works!!!!

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acnelog

May 4, 2008

Pros:

i took it for 11 weeks , skin is cleared , no acne in abt last 4 weeks!!! finally my 4 year ordeal ends! :D

Cons:

dry dry dry , dryness of worst form, itchy , red , some sort of eczema appeared on my left hand ( now it has vanished!) , excessive peeling of skin , dryness over eyelids.

i counted the number of nodules/cysts/pimples before the treatment it was beyond my calculation cud take me abt 50 or so :( now its 0 , seriously i loved it , i wish i got this wonder drug before, ppl actually say " wow ur acne has cleared up!" :) though i still hav scars but i don complain , m happy , thanks sotret! here it costs abt Rs. 120/10 tablets (sotret) and 90-100 for cipla , its very much affordable keeping in mind wht all one has to bear by not opting it. (1 USD= 40 Rs.) i had taken it with other medications .

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Maggie

April 26, 2008

Pros:

cleared up my severe cystic acne on face, chest, shoulders and back. I was terrified of this medication and still am but it was the one and only thing that ever cleared up my acne. the results were incredible.

Cons:

dry skin, very dry lips.
Also, I'm still worried about the long-term affects this drug might have, since it's only been on the market a little over 30 years.

Starting at age 12, I developed severe cystic acne on my face, chest & back. I tried nearly every prescription medication but nothing worked. When I was 15, I had my 1st course. It helped but I still needed a 2nd course. That worked wonders. My skin was "normal" (a few zits here and there) for around 3 years. During this time, I was also on Yasmin. However, now 4 years later, my acne is returning. I'm considering a 3rd course.

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