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updated January 07, 2009

Accutane Review

accutane

Accutane is a prescription acne treatment pill derived from Vitamin A. Aside from Accutane is available in either Oral or Topical forms, marketed under several other trade names including: Isotane, Sotret, Amnesteem, Claravix, Decutan, and Roaccutane.

Despite a long history of use scientists still have been unable to isolate the precise mechanism that combats acne and is responsible for the success of Accutane. Until Isotretinoin’s release in 1982, high doses of Vitamin A were the treatment of choice for Acne. Not only was the release of Isotretinoin a breakthrough, because it was shown to be as effective as Vitamin A, but its side-effects were less severe than Vitamin A.

Now despite Isotretinoin’s better safety than Vitamin A, there are still quite a few possible side-effects associated with Accutane. Some of the more common side effects include: discomfort with contact lenses; joint pain, back pain; feeling dizzy, drowsy, or nervous; dryness of the lips, mouth, nose, or skin; or cracking or peeling skin, itching, rash, changes in your fingernails or toenails. Due to the possible severity of side-effects Accutane and similar products are usually prescribed after all other types of treatment have failed.

While Accutane has a long history of success, it has some definite safety issues. Please do not take Accutane without a doctor’s prescription as it can result in serious side-effects.

Have you tried Accutane? Write a review!

User Reviews

"My daughter has very bad acne. She is only 13. We have tried all kinds of creams and that. She has been on Accutane tablets for a while cleared up for a few months and are all back again. What do we do now?"

- Kitty McNally

"Accutane definitely helped clear up my acne, but I couldn't take it as recommended. It made my joints ache and my back hurt. I was only 16 at the time but I felt like I was 80 years old. It also dried my nasal cavity/mucous membranes so much that I would get a bloody nose every time I blew my nose."

- Dan

"My son who is 15 years old was on Accutane for 5 months. His acne did improve while on Acutane and shortly after like 3 months after he was off Accutane the acne came back. Really disappointed and we are looking at new ideas to help him with controlling the acne. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. HELP!"

- Karen Gonzales

"I don't care how bad your acne may be, stay away from this drug. I was in sheer misery for months. For starters, I had to go once a week for a blood test. The drug dries up your entire body. The slightest breeze irritates your eyes, your nostrils are dry and you get frequent bloody noses. All the chapstick in the world can't ease the discomfort of your dry lips, and not to be graphic, but even wiping your behind is painful. Now lets not forget about the diet. You can eat almost nothing. No dairy, no meat except turkey and not much more. I hated it. Plus its a proven fact that is causes depression and the really frightening part is woman should not even touch the pill. Coming in contact with their skin can cause birth defects in unborn children. Men, even if you have a huge zit on your face, go into your Mom's room or ask your wife for help. Put some make-up on it, then go to the drug store or Dermatologist. Please don't take Accutane."

- John Haggerty