Acne.org Products
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
July 23, 2008
Cons:
-dry skin, lips
-give it a try if acne is ruining ur life-i did and it worked
July 17, 2008
Pros:
Did a fairly decent job of clearing my skin.
Cons:
Still have slight monthly breakouts right before my period but it's not too bad. Got AWFUL rashes on the backs of my hands and down my arms.
Well, this is the third time I've been on Accutane because after finishing the treatment period my skin only remains clear for a year or two. Good medication overall, haven't experienced any bad side effects except for the rashes. For those of you who suffer from AWFUL RASHES I finally have the answer!!! =) Last time I was on Accutane I got pretty bad rashes and my dermatologist gave me precription creams and nothing worked. However, this treatment period I'm with another dermatologist who recommended an over the counter moisturizer. I thought she was nuts but I tried it anyways and I'm so glad I did. Completely got rid of all my rashes in like four days. I told my other friends who were on Accutane and had rashes and it worked for them too. Anyways, it's called....
AVEENO SKIN RELIEF MOISTURIZING LOTION. It is a godsend. Hope this helps some of you!!! =)
July 9, 2008
Pros:
Cures acne, make you feelamazing when you see your clear skin. side effects go away soon after ending treatment.
Cons:
DRY LIPS. some body acks, dry skin, at first i got really angry and sleeppy but it past after first month.
a doctor once told me there is no cure for acne and thats when i had to pay $150 for retna( biggest waste of time) well doc i found the cure and ist called acutane. after for long months fighting dry lips i have a clear face, best it looked in 8 years. if you can get past dry lips( chap stick works wonders) and dry face( the right lotion fixes this problem) then you can cure your acne too. pluse i only had to pay $6 per month for this.
July 3, 2008
Pros:
One year later = acne FREE!!!! AMAZING!!!!!
Totally worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing that REALLY worked for me.
Cons:
Lips got pretty dried out. I used vasaline on them = just looks like glossy chap-stick lol
and I had several breakouts throughout & after treatment... take it, wait it out & you'll see!!
TRY IT!!! I know what acne did to my self esteem & feeling like I ALWAYS had to wear makeup...
Now I don't have to wear it = I don't even want to! God's miracle pill for acne :) I never thought the day would come where I'd be this comfortable with my complexion.
July 2, 2008
Pros:
Improvement in my face, but not my back and shoulders.
Cons:
EXTREMELY chapped lips. TO the point where they were cracking on the sides and it hurt to open my lips or smile! Cleared up my forehead and half way down my face, but do get breakouts during my period and every 2-3 weeks.
I say, try everything once. If you have tried the rest, why not?
June 23, 2008
Pros:
stops acne, abs no oil and confidence
Cons:
dryness, redness
someone whos reading this also suffers from acne and wondering whether he has to take accutane, plz follow that i say. Dont take topical Retin-A,and other oral antibiotics.They wont work.They will screw ur face. Ask your Derm for Accutane - No Generics!I was prescribed Sotret for 4 months, and it only dried me out.5th month i took accutance, and dryness was gone and acne stopped. Moisturize your face always.I failed to do so and i have severe dryness and redness failed to fade away.But eventually they have to :) This drug was no miracle for me.I was always unlucky.So no big deal.But it WILL work for you.Dont bother to even think abt scary comments by few others.Please use this drug before you repent for the rest of your life - like me.
Trust me guys.This drug WILL make you HAPPY!Cheers and wish you a very good luck and clear face! :)
June 8, 2008
Pros:
Finally! Something that works!
Is clearing my skin, pores look smaller, confidence is back!
Cons:
every hole in my buddy that is supposed to produce mucus is dry.Skin is dry and sensitive. Some headaches, now and then... but I don't mind because it's working! Feel a bit weak and tired.
I've been taking it for a month, had an initial breakout but my skin is so much better now. It works, but I'm just hoping my acne won't comeback after my 5/6 month treatment.
May 30, 2008
Pros:
This is not a treatment it is a cure! (for about 2 years)
Cons:
dries skin badly, especially lips, can cause birth defects in pregnant woman.
It can be very hard to get on.
I had sever Acne in HS, I got on accutane and I was pimple free for about two years. Then it got worse again so im going in for another round. Before, I told my new dirm I wanted to get back on accutane but they said 'well we will give you Tazorac and Minocycline'. His plan was for me to drop 200$ a month for these two medicines that in clincal studies published by the parm company that produces them, after three months you will at best get a "66% reduction in leasions". O and you can't ever get off of them or you will be back to square one in less than a week. (unless you outgrow your acne). Accutane can be used for 5 months and you should be completely clear in 5 months of treatment followed by a two year remission. If you have BAD acne and you are sick of looking in the mirror every morning and feeling depressed/overwhelmed/disgusted/filthy/like hinding(I felt these things), Accutane can help you wake up to clear skin in a way no other acne treatment can.
May 21, 2008
Pros:
Improved skin in 3 weeks,much smaller pores
Cons:
Dry Lips, Dry Skin , Hair thinning
I have had acne on and off since I was 13! I am now 32.
I was prescribed 20mg, which I have been taking for nearly 4 weeks now. My skin has really improved! For lips I have been using Blistex & Vaseline, Sun block on face and E45 cream for dry/itchy skin, hair I don't wash it every day like I used too! Which is great, twice a week does the trick. To be honest, I have also been drinking alcohol, my dermatologist said its fine'but just to be sensible. I have now been prescribed 40mg and have been advised I can switch to 20mg if I feel the side effects becoming stronger.
I have seen people who used accutane when they had acne and you would never be able to tell from there skin now that they ever suffered from acne, Accutane cured there acne with one treatment..so I am very hopeful as I don't have cystic acne more small persistent white head/red spots. I feel so much better and confident since my skin has improved and I really do wish I took this medication years ago!
May 21, 2008
Pros:
clear skin for life
Cons:
chapped lips is probably the worst of them all. dry skin, rashes sometimes on your hands when your dose is raised, joint pains but not so severe that tylenol or advil can't take care of it and that's about it.
For about 4 years I struggled with terrible acne. It worsened as the years went on and I literally tried EVERYTHING. Nothing worked. I would even cry sometimes because i'd get so frusterated. My dermatologist prescribed Accutane to me and it was the greatest decision of my life. It isn't going to severely harm you. All the people saying its terrible blah blah blah, DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. It's awesome and will turn out wonderful and plus... it lasts a lifetime! Just follow the rules and everything will turn out great. Those who are complaining about it "not working" probably skipped their doses a couple of times or didn't have a high enough amount, etc. Just get a good dermatologist that knows what he/she is talking about and you'll be good to go.
Pros:
-Everything you expect