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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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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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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December 7, 2009

Pros:

Clears Acne when taken in high doses as prescribed with water and fatty food. Beautiful, super model skin.

Cons:

Severe back pain, dry skin, severe dehydration, chapped lips, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness.

Give me awful back pain, disgusting lips and die-hard dehydration any day. I'd rather have it than acne. Accutane works.
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December 7, 2009

Pros:

Sucks accutane did not clear me up at all and i was on it for 7 months

Cons:

the worst side effects ever.... bone pain joint pain muscle weakness dry skin bad rashes bad head aches tiredness bloody noses...

waste of my mothers money...... Never again
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

The only thing that has ever completely cleared my face. It took about 3 months to clear up.

Cons:

Cost of lab tests, doctor visits, and medication if you don't have great health insurance. Slight muscle aches, dry scalp and lips. Easy to get paranoid reading about so many horror stories.

The side effects I encountered were very mild and nothing compared to living with severe acne for almost 10 years. This was a last resort treatment because no other medication or treatment worked. I know there are serious risks involved but when my acne was so bad it was painful and preventing me from going out, I made the decision to take a chance. I am very glad I did and it was worth the money (although the cost of this drug is absurd). Anyone considering this treatment has to decide for themselves if curing their acne is worth the risk. It's the same with any drug. Tip: Price can vary tremendously among different generic brands so shop around. Also, it was far cheaper to alternate between taking one and two 40mg pills everyday instead of two 30mg pills everyday even though they equal the same dosage.
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

none yet(2 months)

Cons:

headache, tired, i feel my eyes tired

i`m 2 months in(20mg/day in the first month and 30mg afterwards)...i had massive breakouts at the beginning, but now the pimples are smaller...but still many...and i don`t want to have pimples and redness during winter break!!!! (Christmas, new year...u know) what can I do to improve my face? acne treatment or peeling? anyone any idea? thanks
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

Cleared totally!

Cons:

Dryness and irritation

Took 40 milligrams and skin was clear after 3 months. DO NOT STAY ON SUN! (I did same and I become so black :) Made post about it [link removed]
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up skin tremendously, unbelievable results! Liver status monitored very carefully during treatment.

Cons:

dry skin, nose bleeds, skin rash (in the beginning)

My 17 year old son is on his 4th month of Accutane. I hesitated putting him on Accutane because as a registered nurse, I am well aware of the potential damage this drug can do to the liver. He has tried every topical cream, aggressive skin care system, and prescription antibiotic available, and nothing worked. After 4 years of battling acne, and doing alot of research, we decided to try accutane. He was placed on 40mg twice a day. The first three months were somewhat difficult, in that his acne looked pretty bad, plus his skin was flaking, peeling, and very dry. Our dermatologist kept telling us to be patient, that it would be 3 months before we saw improvement. It was hard being patient, but I'm so glad we rode it out, because his face looks FABULOUS!! He hasn't had any new acne or breakouts for the past month. He still has some redness from old acne, but it's slowly fading away. He has had no depression, or suicidal thoughts. 1 more month, and he's done. Best decision i ever made
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

Back and Chest cleared up!

Cons:

Severe Headaches, nose bleeds, dry skin, dry lips, Cholesterol went up, skin rashes, depression, nausea, diarrhea, and night blindness

Every possible side effect u could get I got! I spent the first month locked up in my apartment to depressed to come out. Then all the other side effects started. Taking the drug was a big mistake, something that has that many warnings and federally mandated like it is must be. I only took it for a month and a half until I finally couldn't take it anymore. You should look at all the lawsuits against it before you make the decision to take accutane.
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December 1, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin on and off. Last month of it.

Cons:

Flaky skin, bipolar amplifier (I'm bipolar), loss of interest, motivation, personality, etc. Even for my friends who aren't bipolar, it's still a "living hell".

My back acne wouldn't clear up after 2 years of treatment. Now my back has 1 or 2 zits on it and tomorrow is my last dermatologist visit (last month of Accutane). I have very mild bipolar syndrome, and the Accutane makes it worse than it's ever been. IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED OR BIPOLAR DO NOT START ACCUTANE TREATMENT. PLEASE!!!!! You will regret it as I have, but luckily I'm almost done with it. This is purely a last resort medicine.
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November 30, 2009

Pros:

nil

Cons:

major disruptive side efects

Discontinue offering this product.It's dangerous.My daughter has suffered in the extreme and has continued using it.This drug is now on the Canadian list of drugs to avoid.Naturally she is feeling better.
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November 29, 2009

Pros:

Skin less oily and less irritated in just one week.

Cons:

Gastritis and urethritis.

I could not take this drug. After the first week, I was in constant pain. My stool turned almost black and my stomach was in knots. I had sharp pains in my bladder and burning with urination. My doctor said it's rare to have such a negative reaction but I had to stop. I'm going back to topical retinoids. Tazorac works well enough.
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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