Do the side effects of isotritinoin outweigh the benefits from its acne treatment? how can such side effects be reduced?

Depends on severity: Whether the risks outweigh the beneifts is truly a matter of severity of the disease as well as the importance to the individual. Acne is rarely, if ever, a life threatening disease. Therefore, it can essentially go untreated if it doesnt bother you. However, to others, the disease can cause great psychological distress and issues with self esteem/confidence/image. In this case, benefits may win.

If appropriate: Isotretinoin is not cheap, pleasant, or risk-free. It is the only medication that will control severe acne and the lifelong scarring that result from it. Most people who go through it are extremely happy with the results. You're hopefully under the supervision of a dermatologist; ask whether a short course of Prednisone (itself a nasty medication) is worth considering.