People mainly take Accutane for skin & hair, pain & inflammation. Based on 7 first-hand reports and 3 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #972 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 33% are positive.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: Physicians and patients may have an evidence-based discussion regarding the known risk of cutaneous surgical procedures in the setting of systemic isotretinoin therapy. For some patients and some conditions, an informed decision may lead to earlier and potentially more effective interventions.
PubMed 28658462 ↗Conclusion: Off-label isotretinoin is an effective treatment choice for dermatological conditions beyond acne. Further prospective, randomized human trials are needed to clarify when and how to prescribe off-label isotretinoin for maximum efficacy and safety.
PubMed 33151346 ↗Conclusion: Current evidence on isotretinoin use in rhinoplasty patients is limited, with small sample sizes and mixed findings. While some studies suggest potential benefits in patients with thick nasal skin or severe acne, the long-term effects and safety profile remain unclear. The popularity of "Accutane rhinoplasty" on TikTok contrasts with the scarcity of rigorous clinical data, underscoring the need for further high-quality studies and greater clinician engagement in online discussions.
PubMed 41184659 ↗As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“I had a hunch the drug accutane contributed to mine”
“poisoning yourself with vitamin A”
“Accutane. It is the ONLY treatments that will give you the results you’re looking for. It will literally regenerate all your skin and reverse photo-ageing. Source: worked for me”
“it (most likely) has given me a bunch of side effects like joint/tendon problems and hair loss, but on the other side my cystic acne was severely affecting me mentally”
“Accutane which can have awful side effects”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate