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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4
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3
15.3%
2
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1
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Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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April 9, 2010

Pros:

don't have the breakouts I've had, skin isn't as oily

Cons:

wrinkles (just a few), some side effects, very thirsty all the time

I used Amnesteem for a good two months then quit because of a really severe side effect which ended up being very easy to manage (sorry it's an embarrassing one, look at the side effects and find out which one you would never want to discuss with anyone). My skin become very dry, but manageable even though I was shy of two months and it's almost six months after I quit and I do not suffer from the same acne I had. I get one or two or no pimples anymore and I haven't scarred since (I get the pockmarks and indented scars often, not anymore though). I have experienced wrinkles on one side of my face since I used this, but I bet if I would have moisturized and drank more water and cut out coffee and the few alcoholic drinks I had, I would have been fine. really though if you scar (indented) easily or have severe acne, you should try this. I would not recommend it for everyone because of how easy it is to develop side effects and how severe they can be.
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April 9, 2010

Pros:

It works. Cleared my severe acne in 1-2 months.

Cons:

Slightly dry lips, dry hands, dry hair but that's all! I have had VERY few side effects. Amazing medication. The only thing that works for me.

Take Accutane seriously but it's truly worth a shot.
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17 user(s) found this helpful

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April 2, 2010

Pros:

-Clears up all acne in a couple months

Cons:

-dry skin
-getting blood tests

It has been about 4 years since I used Accutane and I have only had about 2 small pimples since then! Accutane cleared up everything. It is the only thing that really works for bad acne. I never had any of the serious side effects that everyone talks about. I just wished that I used it sooner because Im left with the marks and scars from having acne all those years and they will never go away unless I have expensive surgery and I will never be able to grow facial hair. So if you are thinking of going on this stuff dont wait like I did!!!
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April 1, 2010

Pros:

-STOPS oily skin
-Drys up acne
-WORKS!

Cons:

-Side affects
-dry lips, mouth, and nose.
-headaches
-itchy skin
-Monthly blood work

~I have had acne for 13 years and have lived with a new pimple or severe breakout every waking moment of those years! My self-confidence was crushed and I was so envious of clear, smooth, beautiful skin. It wasnt until now that Im 25 that I wanted to do something about it. I visited my derm and she RX me every cream, wash, and antiobiotic known to man. When nothing worked she recommended Accutane. I was really skeptical at first cause the side affects sounded harsh and not something I wanted to live with. But what else was I going to do? Nothing worked! ~So I have now been on Accutane for little over a month and I cant believe the DIFFERENCE. I have never seen a medicine that works right away! Within 2 weeks my acne was drying up and skin wasnt oily. WOW!! I was so pleased! And thats just 2 weeks I still have 4 months of treatment to do and I cant wait to see the result at the end :) ~To ALL who are afraid of the side affects, those are affects that MAY happen and are not gaurenteed. The only side affect that I have experienced is dry skin and lips. ITS def worth it if your tired of acne and nothing seems to work. You wont be disappointed with this treatment. And the side affects arent anything you cant tolerate.
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April 1, 2010

Pros:

-completely cured skin
-hair never got greasy
-cleared other skin problems, like bumps from shaving my legs and a rash i had on my shoulders
-cheap with insurance

Cons:

-joint pain
-dry lips
-dry eyes
-monthly blood tests

Accutane is a serious drug and isn't for everyone, but it was a miracle for me. My joints ached like crazy on somedays and it was hard to move around but it was 100 percent worth it and I would do it again in a heart beat. I wear contacts and I had to buy glasses because my eyes got so dry I couldn't wear my contacts longer than ten hours without getting headaches. My skin did NOT dry out but my lips did, but that didn't really bother me. Blood tests were a pain because you have to go early in the morning since you have to fast. I never had any problems caused by accutane. I highly recommend this if you have tried other medications. I have tried everything else and this was the only thing that comletely cured me. There is no better feeling and any side effect I got was outweighed by the tremendous results. I took accutane for six months. It took about one month to stop breaking out and four more months for all of the old stuff to heal.
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March 29, 2010

Pros:

Perfect skin
No more oily spots on my face
No more break outs

Cons:

Dry lips
Some tiredness... not bad
Itchy scalp and skin
Bloody nose the first month
Expensive

This has been amazing for me. This is my second round. I'm 30 years old and my first round was 10 years ago. I was completely clear for 10 years up until about 6 months ago when I started breaking out again. I'm doing the same plan that I did 10 years ago which is 40mg everyday for 3 months. So far I'm completely clear and it's month two...loving the results. This is worth giving it a try at least once if you have not yet. It works!! Side effects seem to be different for everybody, so keep that in mind as well.
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March 28, 2010

Pros:

One month of baby soft skin
One month of confidence
Still waiting.....

Cons:

Always sleeping
Big crusty dry lips
Dry bloody nose
Moderate acne turned into severe during second month and continues.....

I am 30, and I have suffered with mild/moderate acne for years, nothing major but enough to affect my confidence. The same story nothing worked, however I have tried to control it over the years with diet. I was put on 30mg for the first month which cleared my amazingly, I couldn't believe the results I was so happy! Then my derm upped my dose up to 60mg, then oh my God! Almost within the first week of the second month, massive acne breakouts with millions of red spots (I have never had this before in my life) plus I have started to get spots in places where I never suffered! This has continued into the third month, which has shredded any confidence I had left. I have since lowered my dose back to 30mg, as the 60mg seems too harsh and seemed to turning me into a beast! I would like to know if this has happened to anyone else??
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March 25, 2010

Pros:

no more oily skin and hair! cleared spots within first week of treatment

Cons:

dry lips (blistex intensive moisture is brilliant!!). dry skin on arms. flaking skin on face - especially around mouth/chin. dry eyes with blurry vision - blink a few times and it sorts it out.

I'm 32yrs and have suffered acne on and off with varying degrees of intencity for 15yrs. As with everyone, I was worried about taking this treatment but my derm department at the hospital (Exeter) were fantastic. Everything was explained making the whole course easy and reassuring - even doing a depression/anxiety check each month along with bloods and preg. tests. So, with my concerns in mind, they started me on 20mg for the first week, 40mg the second week with the rest of the course at 60mg a day. I saw results within the first week. I've now got 1 week left and I've not had a single spot since the beginning - fingers crossed they won't make too much of a return! Please try this treatment if acne is making you low. Talk to your derm if side effects are too much, they should amend your dosage accordingly or advise the best way to continue. I'm pleased with the results I've seen, I hope it works as well for you - good luck!
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March 25, 2010

Pros:

It works very well on clearing up both the agressive nodular acne, whiteheads, blackheads and reducing scaring.

Cons:

Headaches, dry skin and mouth, suicidal thoughts during the third round, constant nose bleeds.

This product was a god send for clearing up my Acne. I won't lie, it worked so well. By the time I was 13 my Acne was so bad that even though I was a bit young to be taking it, and the drug was still in the "Unknown if you take it several times" phase because it was still new I took it. It took 3 rounds (at 13, 15 and 17) to clear it up, but my skin looks actually pretty good. You can barely tell I had any of the severe skin problems I had. Sadly I had migraines all ready, and the medication made them worse each time I took another 6 month round, with the symptoms not going away even after being off of the medication. And frequent nose bleeds I experienced during the third round, as well as the dry skin on my forearms, and lower legs never went away nor did my constantly chapped lips. To this day, I'm not sure if very clear skin was worth the side effects of taking 3 whole rounds of this drug. Maybe two. But not three.
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March 24, 2010

Pros:

I always had a really bad skin.Very very oily face and hair the same time. I always knew there was something wrong with my hormones. I've tryed every single advertised and not advertised cream, lotion, gel,face mask, face scrub,with and without alcohol things and nota single thing did worked on me. I lost a small fortune on the items(Lancome,Elizabeth Arden,Clinique,Simple,Garnier,Loreal etc)

Cons:

I'm 28 now and got quite late acne...I gues scince I was 19. I mean my face was getting so oily that after I did washed my face in the morning maybe 1 hour later It became so oily that I could remove the oil with my hand and my hand was shiny from it.

Anyway I got offered Accutane 3 months ago, I'm starting my 3rd box now. Ant I think I got evert possible side effect that's underlined on leaflet.....

I have very very dry lips.There's nothing i can do to moisturise them.Every day day and night the skin is pelling and cracking. Dry rest of the body skin. Eczema on both of my hands Nose Bleading, Depression and Suiccidal thoughts(I had them for a month)not they are gone. I was really sleepy and lost my energy-Ussually I'm very enthusiastic and active person. Diarrhea My hair are falling out as well, much more than ussualy My skin did improved but when I thought Its gonna stay like that I got a invasion of spots just few days ago. I got really got pissed thinking I went all the way and was suffering for nothing....
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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