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
September 15, 2009
Cons:
Dry lips, but totally managable. After I ended, my pore looks a little bigger just because the dead skin cells stretched inside because of drying my "oily skin" so intensely.
Best Acne treatment out! Truly a miracle drug!
September 14, 2009
Pros:
It cleared up my acne COMPLETELY, and worked like a miracle.
Cons:
During the session I got chapped lips, dry skin, more acne, eczema on my arms and legs.
If you've tried everything OTC and prescription, definitely try Accutane. I took it for 5 months and at first I would always break out in eczema and my acne got worse and my lips were extremely chapped but with time everything started clearing up. Now my acne (which was pretty bad) is completely gone and my face is so clear, and I'm much more happier.
September 14, 2009
Cons:
dry lips, sun-sensitivity ( just use sunscreen if its a problem, i have rosacea on my nose but it doesnt get red w/ sunscreen.) hmmm expensive if you dont have insurance, with decent insurance i getit for 5$.
amazing. the best decision of my life. i was depressed, having suicidal thoughts, all over stress n the way i looked. i had common days where i would "rather" stay in just for the sac of not fearing who sees me. honestly, if you wake up with a new pimple / zit every day, and you feel nothing else has worked effectively enough, try it. for the first 3 weeks my skin was not great. so over the 2 week period i had unhealing cysts, but they only stayed the same til i managed to get by and THANKFULLY was able to stay on accutane. I started accutane 2 weeks before college so at first it was hard but omg now i feel alive. i didnt talk to girls, avoided to many ppl. these days im on top of the world. lets put it this way, if you have the chance to get accutane thru insurance, and have bad acne right now, SEE YOUR DERMO NOW :) trust me its unregretful, dont listen to the BS rumors. you dont deserve to be told its bad by ppl who have perfect skin , or even any skin but yours.its h
September 13, 2009
Pros:
Brand Accutane was a miracle drug for me. One 5 month dose and I was cured of Acne for life. I took it in 1984. I am now 45 years old and have never broken out again, even during/after 2 pregnancies.
Cons:
Dry palms, dry lips, dry hair. Acne gets worse before it gets better.
I took brand Accutane in 1984 for 5 months. I had been battling cystic acne since age 15. My skin would clear up on antibiotics and after a few months they would stop working and the cysts would return. I tried several prescription topical treatments in addition to chemical peels and facials. Nothing worked and I begged my parents to let me take it. I am now having to make the decision to put my daughter on it. While I feel comfortable putting her on it, I'm very dissapointed that Roche has taken the brand Accutane off the market. I don't want to wait until she gets all the scarring I got from all the cysts I endured before taking the Accutane. When I took Accutane, it was very new and there was no data linking it to depression. I have depression in my family history and yet I expreinced no side-effects except for dry hand, dry lips and dry hair. All of which went a way a couple of months after finishign my course.
September 10, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne
Cons:
extremely chapped lips
I've had acne issues since I was 12 and I'm 30 now. I took Accutane for the first time 6 years ago and again, for a second cycle 2 years ago. NOTHING has ever cleared up my skin like Accutane. I had nodular cystic acne and I've tried everything from Differin, Retain A, and a lot of other topical medications that my derm prescribed to Proactiv, Murad, DDF, Boscia, Peter Thomas Roth, and almost everyother acne product that Sephora sells. Accutane is the best thing ever for my skin.
September 10, 2009
Pros:
NONE!
Cons:
I was on it for over NINE months, it did nothing but enflame my acne even worse. I have found other products since. I had to suffer through side effects with no results at all.
If it doesnt' work after a month, move on. Increasing the dose will only make things worse.
September 8, 2009
Pros:
it cleared up all my acne that i had for years that was very servere
Cons:
the product worked but at took forever, i almost gave up plenty of time and my lips was dry is ever. it made my face 10x worst and i couldn't deal with it. i had the worst case because it took 12 weeks to clear and that was the biggest pain in my LIF
if there is no solution just get accutane as last resort because i believe it works for anybody its just a matter of patience because im clear and feeling good and acne cause some people insecurity
September 8, 2009
Pros:
amazing!no more pimples!!(btw i had nodular cystic acne)
Cons:
dry skin,lips,nosebleeds,rashy arms,red acne scars a bit of redness
get it
September 8, 2009
Pros:
Uhmm, cures acne for 90% of people? If you have a reason to whine about it then just give up on clearing acne, its a miracle drug. I'm on my 3rd month and my skin looks perfect. I get dry lips but if you use a chapstick you shouldnt need to whine!
Cons:
NOTHING, its perfect!
Dont listen to uneducated people, you get a blood test after a month of using it, if it comes out okay then YOU'RE FINE. Dont be a frikken hypochondriac, i was really scared because i was on the internet and found a bunch of bad opinions of it, if you're gonna be afraid and whine about taking it, dont take it and give up on life, because sometimes to get what you want you have to take risks. It has worked perfect for me so far, no noticeable side effects people could point out, it just makes my skin really sensitive to acne products, you have to find a really gentle yet effective face regimen. I'm not saying it will work perfect for everyone but if it does, your life will change!
September 4, 2009
Pros:
clear up acne and blackheads, less oily face and scalp. My pores are less visible and face feels smoother.
I get one or two tiny zits around my period now; not completely get rid of acne but has definitely helped a lot.
Cons:
dry lips, corner of mouth is flaky. Face is prone to redness and feels sore, especially after washing and brief sun exposure. Also have occasional eczema on arms. Mood swing and was more paranoid.
I am in my mid 30's and suffered from acne since as a teen. Like all acne sufferers, bought most OTC acne products and was prescribed everything my derm could think of and was able to stay clear until one day my acne could not be controlled then I was prescribed Accutane as my last resort.
On 40 mg /day and near the end of my 5th month of a six month course. The initial 2 months was the worst because of the IB and dryness. After 2 months, my face started to clear up and I got compliments. Body soreness after exercise and more severe toward the end of my course. Becasue I still get 1-2 small zits around my period and my derm told me Accutance does not help get rid of hormonal acne, so I may go on a low dose maintenance course.
My Liver enzyme went up slightly by the 4th month so to say this drug is strong is not an overstatement. It works, but MUST be careful with this drug, get regular check up and blood work is important
Pros:
Honestly, a MIRACLE drug! Cleared my hormonal acne within 3 weeks, and since I have ended it (6 months ago), haven't had a pimple since!