Oral Retinoid
Efficacy
87%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Use with EXTREME CAUTION: Causes severe birth defects and fetal death.
Oral Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
The nuclear option. It works reliably and provides long-term remission of acne, and even severe acne, in about ⅔ of people who properly take an adequate dosage. However, it permanently and irreversibly changes the skin and the body forever and users may experience long-term side effects for the rest of their lives. It’ll nuke it, but there is no going back.
Oral Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 27, 2009
Cons:
Pain in the butt to do the blood tests and get on all the birth control stuff haha, but my skin became perfect within a month. I've been to one of the best derms in Seattle and have been on every line and drug under the sun.
I would have continued to take it, if it weren't for the biggest and most devastating side effect. While I've always struggled with depression, I was actually doing pretty well when I started taking the medication. However, suicidal thoughts became constant, and I attempted in September. While it's impossible to know how much of an impact the drug truly had on this situation, I feel strongly that if I wasn't on the drug it never would have happened. As you can imagine I got off the medication right away. And what do you know, the acne is back! Joy. The bottom line is that it is an extremely powerful drug with major side effects- and that's why it is different from everything else out there. I would definitely recommend this product, but I strongly urge EVERYONE taking this medication to closely monitor their emotional state.
October 26, 2009
Pros:
Clearer and less oily skin
Cons:
severe chapped lips and some dryness on body
Acutane has saved my life, my skin is clearing up rapidly and im not breaking out at all anymore. The skin on my face hasnt dried out at all the only side effect im feeling is dry lips and some dry skin on my body but its totally managable with a good dry skin moisturizer. SO happy i finally decided to go on the drug..there were so many listed side effects and negative light on it I almost didnt think it was worth it but I feel amazing! Worth the risk :)
October 26, 2009
Pros:
Clear Skin!
Cons:
Extremely dry skin, chapped lips, and a bit moody.
I tried everything there was to clear up my skin and nothing worked! Then I decided to give Accutane a try and it cleared up my skin like you wouldn't believe! At first you don't really see a difference besides dry skin and chapped lips (chap stick becomes your best friend!) but around the 3rd month I really started to see my face clearing up in pictures. My friends and family said that I had a glow in my face by knowing my skin was getting better.
October 25, 2009
Pros:
clear skin
Cons:
dry, raw lips
For my acne, this has been the only solution. I'd tried over the counter creams, prescription topical treatments and several antibiotics. Yes, I have had dry lips but thats a tiny price to pay for my acne disappear. Not only have my spots gone, but my pores are invisible and my skin is so much smoother. 100% recommended!
October 25, 2009
Pros:
Works great, gets skin clear!
Cons:
Chapped lips
The only thing that cleared up my skin, works great. I've suffered with adult acne for about six years and I finally decided to go for it. I was very hesitant considering all the side effects I've read about, but it turned out to be not a big deal. I'm finishing my 5th month and my skin looks great compared to before, completely clear! The only side affects I've experenced are chapped lips. Just stock up on chapstick, have it everywhere, in the car, gym bag, by your bed, etc. you'll be fine. Go for it, you've suffered too long!
October 24, 2009
Pros:
had really bad bacne for years and accutane cleared it all up. Not afraid to take my shirt off anymore. Gave me so much more confidence that i had lacked for years.
Cons:
only had dry lips and minor dry skin.
I had perfect skin up until i was about 18, then all of the sudden my back, shoulders and chest exploded with it. My face was still perfectly clear, but body acne can be just as devastating. I tried so many other prescriptions and soaps, but nothing worked. I finally went on accutane and it totally cleared my skin. It gave me all my confidence back. Dont let the horror stories scare you, all i suffered from was dry lips and very minor dry skin. Accutane saved my life.
October 23, 2009
Pros:
It cleared up my severe acne for 2-3 years, then I needed another course.
Cons:
blood tests monthly, wreaks havoc with your liver long-term
Altogether, I have been treated with this 5 times, 6 months at a time. Each time, it worked when no other antibiotic/topical combo had for me. Unfortunately, results are not permanent for me, and I need to continue repeating it. Of course, the doctors are very cautious about prescribing it again, and would prefer that I keep my severe cystic acne than to use this again.
October 22, 2009
Pros:
It works amazingly! My skin is 99% clear after a little over 3 months!
Cons:
dry lips, ocassional nosebleed
This stuff works. The benefits definately outweigh the cons. Why wouldn't you want to put up with a bit of dry lips so that you could have awesome skin and increased self esteem as a result! I am so happy with the results and i'm not even finished yet, so my face will keep on getting better :) Every couple of days i get compliments from people and it just feels so good. This medication gets talked about in such a negative way when the side effects are certainly manageable and the end outcome is so worth it!
October 22, 2009
Pros:
AMAZING! My face, neck, chest and back had acne all over and i was put on 40mg once a day and it worked like a miracle : ) i've been off it for over a year and its returned. Im back to taking it again though. hopefully it works my 3rd time!!
Cons:
Severe Dryness (especially Lips****), Mood Swings
It works! Pricey but its affordable.
October 22, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin!
Cons:
DRY lips and fragile skin
Like many of you on here, I have tried nearly everything to clear my skin. Topicals, anitbiotics (3 different kinds), ProActive and everything over the counter. Acne took many years of my life. Where I went, and what I did depended on how my skin looked at the time. I first got acne when I was 14, I'll never forget that year, and had it up until I was 23. My skin wasn't as bad as some, but rarely was there an occasion where I didn't have at least one or two on my face. I started Accutane about 4 months ago and couldn't be happier. My skin is completely clear, and not oily (it used to be oily all hours of the day), I'm one of the lucky ones who has suffered no side effects other than the dry skin and lips. If acne is causing you not to be yourself, and is pretty much controlling your life, you need to give this drug a shot. It seems like a big decision to make, and kind of a hassle, but it changed my life.
Pros:
It actually WORKS.