What It Is: Isotretinoin, often known by its brand name Accutane ®, is an oral medication approved for severe, scarring acne that is normally prescribed for 15-20 weeks. Accutane® (Isotretinoin) is a type of retinoid medication that treats severe acne. A healthcare provider may prescribe this medication if other acne medications don’t work. Isotretinoin is a prescription medication that can treat deep, painful acne cysts and nodules. Treatment usually takes about six months but may be longer or shorter. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved isotretinoin to treat patients 12 years of age and older. Accutane is a medicine that is used to treat a severe type of acne called nodular acne, this is when you have acne with red, swollen and tender lumps in the skin. It should only be used if your acne has not improved using other acne treatments including antibiotics. Accutane is a very concentrated form of vitamin A that comes in capsule form. Vitamin A is found naturally in the body and in some foods, but taking this form of it by mouth in a highly concentrated dose is incredibly effective at treating acne. Overview: Isotretinoin is used to treat acne. It reduces oil on your skin and changes how your skin cells grow and shed so they do not clog pores or form acne. Common side effects may include. Isotretinoin is used to treat severe, disfiguring nodular acne. It should be used only after other acne medicines or antibiotics have been tried and have failed to help the acne. Isotretinoin may also be used to treat other skin diseases as determined by your doctor. Isotretinoin is a prescription medication used to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne. While isotretinoin is beneficial for some patients, there are risks associated with this drug. Isotretinoin, also called Accutane, is a powerful treatment for severe acne that doesn't respond to other therapies. It's effective, but it comes with significant side effects and risks, so discuss these with your dermatologist before you decide to use it. What is Accutane? Accutane is a form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly. Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments, including antibiotics.