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
August 24, 2009
Cons:
Very dry skin, dry lips, irritated skin, major break outs, made me extremely depressed.
This made me look worse then ever. My acne got terribly worse, and I completely wish I had never wasted my money on something such as this! I was 15 when I first started trying this, so you can imagine how embarrassing this would have been at school. I say you shouldn't risk it. I'm very disappointing in this product, and I should get a refund.
August 22, 2009
Pros:
Cleared most of my acne in the first couple of weeks.
Haven't experienced any of the side affects other than the obvious dry lips everyone experiences.
Cons:
-Dry Lips
-May be too expensive for some people, but my mom's work insurance pays for all prescription drugs (%100) :D Apparently my 3 month prescription costs over $250 if I had to pay out of pocket expenses.
I'll recommend this to anyone suffering from moderate to severe acne. I was nervous to even start on this program due to the 'side effects' all written everywhere on the package and online. But I wish I hadn't because I wasted weeks of valuable time. Don't hesitate for weeks people! Take a day to take it all in, but no more than 2 days. Start on it immediately and start living an ordinary life!!!! *I am not at fault for whomever suffers from severe side effects after being enticed from reading my post.*
August 21, 2009
Pros:
Perfect poreless skin, and acne clear uo to 5 years from treatment
Cons:
Horrible dry skin, cracking and peeling lips, and nosebleeds.
I took Accutane 14 years ago and I loved the results, my skin really had a glo to it. Five years later after pregnancy I saw more outbreaks and the oilyness come back. I do not have the same acne I saw before but I have oil skin and enlarged pores so I just went to the doctor to get back on Accutane I start in a month! The side effects are worth the results, and I am tired of dealing with topical creams that make skin peel for months with no real results. I can't wait!
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Did clear skin after 6months
Cons:
dry skin, lips turned a very pale color (color restored after treatment), eyes looked dry, very serious health risks, had to visit doctor once a month to check for liver complications, made my kinda irritable
This did not work well for me. My acne was moderate, but it was persistent. My skin cleared and stayed clear for months after the treatment, But now, about 1 yr later my acne has returned and im back looking for other solutions :( I know this does work for some, but its not work the health risks or the money to me.
I tryed Doxycyclene a few yrs back, and that, paired with a healthier diet, lots of water and and a consistent skin care regimine offered better results than Accutane ever did for me, without the scary side effects.
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Cleared my skin completely :)
Cons:
pushed out a few piercings, dry lips, flaky scalp, weak hair, constant nosebleeds, sun sensitivity¬ being able to get wrecked ;) & no waxes for 10 months.
I tried everything to get rid of my acne as i got bullied at school for it.
After nothing worked- the doctor suggested it, but didn't recommend it as can have varied side effects.
Regular check-up's and all the con's seemed worth it in the end!
Although i have had a few little spots here and there- better than acne!
I am still not allowed to wax- and because my skin is still sensitive after the treatment, all my piercings are ripping out (luckily, not painful!- just a complete waste of money!) Well, i did get it for free i suppose :)
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin, no oily scalp/face, more confidence.
Cons:
Headaches, some back pain, trouble sleeping, DRY skin, occasional nosebleeds and a little over-emotionalness.
It's worth it, I'm nearly finished and would do it all again for these results. I have had acne since I hit puberty, and am now 28. Working as a professional with acne is embarrassing, so Accutane was a good choice for me. The hardest thing was the dry/flaky skin and the chapped lips. I soon learned that the key is to moisturize often! For chapped lips I picked up the Aquaphor from Eicerin (it's in the lotion aisle of most stores), it works wonders. The only thing I had a hard time with was the time and cost. With monthly bloodwork and appointments, it was hard to schedule with work and the cost got a little out of hand, but that was due to my lame insurance company. Overall, I'd do Accutane again.
August 18, 2009
Pros:
Starting to see a difference
Cons:
VERY dry lips! Dry eyes. Dry skin all over body. Bad mood swings
Iv been using Roaccutane for 7 weeks now and im just starting to see a difference. I had a MAJOR break out a couple of weeks into treatment and i very nearly gave up. It has got better now. Still getting break outs now but they are not as sore as it was before the treatment and they clear up alot faster without leaving purple marking as before.
The side effects can be pretty bad but so far i do think its worth it.
At work im reffered to as the pretty girl with the bad skin! I hope when this treatment finishes they cant say that about me.
And for anyone who is thinking about using this treatment i reccomend buying lots of lip balm, Body moisturiser and eye drops!
August 17, 2009
Pros:
100% clear face back and chest....
Cons:
dried eyes, nose, and lips which isnt too bad.. for dried lips and nose get AQUAPHORE its better than chap stick.... minor joint pain and stomach pain... minor depression
WORTH IT!!!
August 17, 2009
Pros:
Does a good job of reducing oil. Still waiting to see major improvements.
Cons:
Facial redness and dry lips and skin. Initial breakout is a downside.
I've read a lot about accutane before actually taking it. I've read that it DOES get worse before it gets better and I still have strong confidence that it will work and that these first few weeks are bad, but I'm just so tired of acne that I can take a few weeks of breakouts to have the results that I've seen and heard. I also believe that the depression is not a result of this medicine, but instead a result of people not seeing results fast enough or to their standards. Patience is key.
August 15, 2009
Pros:
Dried my oily skin
Nothing to really add since i just started a month ago.
Cons:
Breakouts were kind of bad. lots of big type pimples came up on my forehead and some little ones on my jaw line and cheek.
been experienceing dry skin, dry lips, dry eyes(this is the worst cuz i wear contacts too), coldness,
I think that even though i just started this a month ago, i have hope that it can work for me despite all the terrible things ive read on here... i know its suppose to get worse before it starts clearing up but i feel so ugly when i go out. extemely self conscious.
i feel like my acne was better before i started this treatment, and now its just disgusting but im hoping it clears up soon in the next 2 weeks before university starts again.. first impressions mean a lot there. and i dont wanna look like this. i do feel kind of depressed but i was already before taking it, and i do believe that if this works, my self esteem will skyrocket since im not usually a depressed guy... but i just cant feel like "myself" if i look so disgusting and noticeably zit infested.
Pros:
Helped at first, otherwise made my skin worse.