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Is Accutane Making a Comeback?

You likely have two thoughts when you hear the name Accutane: "Isn't that a scary drug" and "Does that stuff still exist?" Unless, of course, you're one of the people using it. If you thought Accutane disappeared, it turns out it's still here, and it's still the top prescription to fight severe acne. "If someone has severe scarring acne, it is still the gold standard, meaning after all these years no company has manufactured a safer, better alternative," says dermatologist Richard Mizuguchi, M.D. of Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. "It has been out long enough now that a lot of parents who have used it are requesting it for their children." There's also a reason you might have thought…

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 My Accutane Experience Before and After

Despite the side effects and discomfort, I found Accutane to be an excellent solution for my long-term acne. If you decide to give it a try, you'll definitely want the guidance of a good dermatologist to help you through — especially when the side effects get intense. I was able to stick it out, and I'm so glad I did.

Articles of Interest

Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects

Dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin to treat deep, painful acne cysts and nodules. When other treatment fails, this medication can diminish or clear severe acne and prevent new acne scars. You may have heard this medication called Accutane® instead of isotretinoin. Accutane is a brand name of isotretinoin that is no longer available. Whether you call it Accutane or isotretinoin, myths and misconceptions about this medication are common. This is especially when it comes to side effects. It's important to remember that all medications have potential side effects. Here’s what you should know about the possible side effects of isotretinoin.

A Bunch of People Are Claiming Accutane Gave Them a ‘Nose Job’—Here’s What Derms Say

We got the truth behind those dramatic before-and-afters on TikTok.

Acne The Roaccutane Diaries: I went on the controversial drug as a last resort for my acne, here's what happened month by month

The closest thing to a cure there is available right now is controversial drug Isotretinoin (AKA Roaccutane), but four years of antibiotics, topical creams, toothpaste, and not being comfortable taking my makeup off in front of anyone later, I was willing to give it a go.

Acne’s Wonder Drug Is a Mental-Health Puzzle

Accutane is already controversial for its possible links to depression. It could also have a range of other effects.

Babies, Blemishes and FDA: A History of Accutane Regulation in the United States

The acne drug Accutane is one of the most dangerous products on the market today. The drug causes serious side-effects, most notably birth defects. Accutane is also one of the most effective prescription drugs available. This combination—unique efficacy coupled with unique risk—has posed a serious challenge for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Over the past two decades, FDA has grappled with how manage the completely preventable but persistently serious problem of Accutane-induced birth defects. On several occasions, the product spurred FDA to take unprecedented regulatory action.

Debate on Acne Drug's Safety Persists Over Two Decades

Accutane, whose generic name is isotretinoin, is a synthetic molecule derived from vitamin A, which is involved in growth and maintenance of skin. The drug prevents pimples by shrinking the glands attached to hair follicles that, in acne sufferers, overproduce an oily substance known as sebum, which can clog pores. Accutane is one of Roche's top three selling drugs worldwide, with annual sales of more than $700 million.

Doctors urged to reconsider controversial acne drug

Acne treatment including the highly effective acne medication isotretinoin should be made more readily available despite reports of its association with depression and teen suicide. That's the implication of a study just published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

I'm on Accutane, and These Are the Products Saving My Dry Skin

I've had acne for more than a decade (thanks hormones and PCOS), so I'm no stranger when it comes to acne treatments. Through the years, I've learned to (mostly) control my breakouts and oiliness with the appropriate products. However, that all changed when I started taking the intense oral acne medication called isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane. All of a sudden I had to figure out how to deal with the side effects, including very dry skin, which is something I've never had before. My lips have suffered the most, and I've experienced severe dryness around my eyes, nose, face, and body — all of which has resulted in a lot of peeling.

New study may deal final blow to acne drug Accutane

In its tumultuous 27-year history, the drug, also known as isotretinoin, has been found to cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and to possibly increase the risk of depression, including suicidal behavior. Women who take it must register with the government, sign a consent form saying that they understand the medication’s risks, use two forms of birth control, and submit to monthly pregnancy tests. The fact that it’s still on the market puzzles some former users and consumer advocates -- and reflects the profound lengths to which doctors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and patients have gone to ensure its survival.

Oral retinoids can harm unborn babies. But many women taking them for acne may not be using contraception

Other countries such as the United States and countries in Europe have pregnancy prevention programs for women taking oral retinoids. These programs include contraception requirements, risk acknowledgement forms and regular pregnancy tests. Despite these programs, unintended pregnancies among women using oral retinoids still occur in these countries.

The Scorched-Earth Acne Solution

Isotretinoin, better known as Accutane, is the acne drug of last resort. It let me shed my skin—literally—for the price of some gnarly side effects.

The Truth About Whether Accutane Can Actually Cause Depression

Accutane is the most well-known form of isotretinoin, but it was discontinued in 2009 after researchers found it potentially increased the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. Although that brand name for isotretinoin is no longer on the market, the drug is still available today under names like Absorica, Claravis, and Sotret.

Resources

9 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting Accutane

It's now a year after I finished my treatment. And ultimately, I'm so glad I did it. I wouldn't go so far as to call it life-changing, but it absolutely had an effect on my outlook and how I feel about myself. My skin today isn’t perfect, but it’s leaps and bounds better. It wasn't an easy process, though. Going on isotretinoin is a serious undertaking that involves pregnancy tests and flaky skin. The decision to go on this medication shouldn't be taken lightly.

Accutane

Accutane® was the first isotretinoin introduced; since then, the Accutane® brand has had a long history of treating patients, with over 19.8 million prescriptions written in the United States. Even though there are many acne treatment options on the market, isotretinoin, the active ingredient in Accutane®, remains an effective treatment for severe nodular acne that does not respond to other treatments.

StatPearls

Isotretinoin is an oral prescription medication that affects sebaceous glands and is used to treat severe acne. The drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 to treat severe, resistant, nodular acne that is unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics. Non-FDA-approved indications include moderate acne, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, neuroblastoma, and prevention of squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk patients. Isotretinoin has also been used in the treatment of rosacea, folliculitis, and pyoderma faciale.