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 4, 2009
Cons:
You'll get really chapped lips, and the occasional nosebleed. Everyone complains about skin getting redder, but that's just something you'll have to get over, because your body needs to get used to the medicine first.
This is a product that really did the job for me, unlike Proactive, Clearasil, Clean and Clear, etc. The side effects aren't that severe, and are manageable, but they can vary from person to person. Just make sure you aren't pregnant or have a history of suicide attempts, because it does cause a bit of depression. However, stay positive, because there are things much worse out there than just a skin problem that half the U.S. population deals with. If you keep to a moderately healthy diet, wash your face regularly and drink plenty of water, it'll really help the medicine do its job. Sure the treatment and doctor visits can be a hassle, but just remind yourself how much you want it. It'll probably also take 3-6 months for more severe cases of acne, just wait it out. I've had acne for seven years, from the beginning of middle school to the end of high school. I'm glad I won't have to suffer from it anymore.
September 4, 2009
Pros:
I took it when I was 17, my skin looked great and stayed that way until now after my third child I am breaking out again.. now 29
Cons:
at least 10 years of clear skin.
I had to bring my son to the doctor today, after he was done with him the doctor asked me what I am doing for my face. I told him proactiv (started last week). then I told him about my accutane treatment 12 years ago. he is going to put me back on once I get my prego test. But after reading the side effects I am not sure if I want to do this again!! I don't remember no side effects with my first treatment.
September 3, 2009
Pros:
Beautiful clear skin. Cleared Black heads, pimples and scars too! No more random breakouts.
Cons:
Drys out everything including the vagina. Gets worse before it gets better. Anxiety problems that come and go. But I was depressed when I had acne. Now I'm clear.
A pound of makeup, hair in my face and head in hands feeling like nothing will ever fix this. I've tried ever drug under the sun to clear this stuff up and have had the oilest skin ever. I had the body acne, deep painful jaw line zits and everything else. Accutane sucks for side effects but you get use to it. Cleared completely after 6 months. Definately worth the wait. I've wasted so much time and money with everything else. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I was only on 40mg the whole time too. Scars go away too, so stay on it. People comment on my skin all the time now. :):):):)
September 1, 2009
Pros:
Starts clearing your skin immediately.
Cons:
Dry lips, skin takes longer to heal. dry and flaky face. dried out eyes. headaches. High cholestrol
Works really well! and everyone ought to try it... but every1 will have a different response and u should get your blood tested every month
August 31, 2009
Pros:
clears up the skin, less oily
Cons:
dry lips, flaky/dry skin
Take it! I'm about half way through with the 6 month duration and it hasn't been bad at all. I was on 60 mg for about 2 months and then my dosage was upped to 80 mg which i just started recently but I am able to go back down to 60 if it bothers me too much. I still get some acne but it's not so bad.
August 29, 2009
Pros:
Totally cleared my skin. Didnt get a single pimple for months after usage.
Cons:
Slightly dry skin/ lips. You have to get a few blood tests.
Best medication for me. Took about 4 months to work, but i didnt get a single pimple for 6 months after I stoped using. But my acne has since come back, so it only worked for about 8 months for me.
August 28, 2009
Pros:
Stops oily skin, controls the cyst acne that hurts so bad.
Cons:
Have had every sympton under the meds, dry peeling hands, feet, face, body, nose bleeds, body aches muscle and bone, hair loss, fatigue, mild depression. Cost
I am in my second monyh and I am clearing up after my first month initial break out that was awful. The oil that I was experiencing is gone my skin feels so different so clean . I even though having all the side affects will say this medicine is magic. I suggest it highly.
August 27, 2009
Pros:
no oilyness (scalp/face)
Cons:
dry skin everywhere, skin takes longer to heal, nightmares, mild depression
i've been using isotane for 3-4 months now, and my skin is worse than when i begun the treatment. going to keep taking it in the hope that my acne is due to the bad stuff still coming out.
August 27, 2009
Pros:
The result of this medication have been great, but not worth the risk
Cons:
Severe effects: Extremely dry lips, arms, and face. Developed blisters on face and body. Jaudice and liver function in bad shape. Vitamin A in body was high.
This medication is not to be taken lightly. I was given 40mg for my first month, I didn't notice many side effects other than dry lips. On my second month they bumped me up to 60mg. This is when my prolbems started to arise. My face became very dry along with my arms. I was constantly having to put on lotion and chapstick. In the morning I would alaways use a lotion with SPF 30. One morning I took my dog for a walk (around 15mins) later I had developed severe blisters on my lips and arms, and later had to go to the ER to have them drained. My nose also constantly bleed. I had become very depressed due to my appearance, I looked like a leper. Not all the make-up in the world would help. About 2 1/2 months in I became extremely ill. I was rushd to the ER once again. I had jaudice, and my liver and pancreas were not functioning properly. They found an abnormaly large amount of vitamin a in my body. I imedately stopped the accutane.
August 24, 2009
Pros:
All is going well. I can feel the dead skin star to flake, like especially on my nose. The dermatologist said i will get a heap of blackheads then they will reveal all the nice skin underneath. I can't wait to be 100% clear.
Cons:
-Just a tad bit of lip dryness
I've been on 40mg a day for 1 month now. I have had no side effects except dry lips which are easily manageable. I can't wait to see the full results! Only 5 months to go haha.
Pros:
It did the job. When you put aside all the side effects, it really did clear out my acne all over my body. I had very oily skin, and it was nice having soft, smooth skin for a change. With military insurance, it's basically free.