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
January 22, 2007
Cons:
I had horrible mood swings, severe lower back pains that caused me trouble for over a year after finishing, and the constant blood draws were a pain. Invest in lots of good lotion.
My acne was actually not super severe, but I had tried everything and nothing ever cleared me up so the doctor finally just put me on Accutane. My skin became really bad after the first month but then cleared up quickly. It made my skin beautiful, which was amazing, but now 7 years later I have acne again which I'm treating again. Just be careful on it and you'll be ok.
January 18, 2007
Pros:
clear skin,smoother skin. Plus my health coverage covered everything in addition to my mom working there..at the most from what i remember i think i had to pay like 10 bucks..
Cons:
really dry lips,dries out whole body, some hair lose, decrease in weight...depression and mood swings..
I took it when I was in middle school and only for a few months and it cleared me up so well..my back too...when I got to high school nobody would have ever thought I had bad skin just a year prior to beginning high school..people tell me I have nice clear skin..its great! now im 19 about to be 20 and for the most part my skin has stayed clear..when im PMSing i do tend to get 1 to 2 pimples but they are small and you can hardly see them...this drug is a miracle worker...yes the side effects do suck pretty bad but im telling you just stick it out for the time you need to be on it and in the end you will be soo happy! i know that i sure am! its honestly amazing and I feel beautiful..clear skin can do wonders for ones overall apperance....so basically if you havent tried accutane yet or ur debating it im living proof that this drug is a miracle worker!=)
January 10, 2007
Pros:
breakouts every now and then, improved alittle. No more oily skin
Cons:
dry skin, peeling lips, getting tired easily, mood swings
get this if u want clear skin, the side effects are worth it. I have mild acne as told by the doctor. i was on 20 mg on the first 2 months and 30 mg on the last 4 months. I am 145 lbs so it is based on weight. doctor will tell u.
January 2, 2007
Pros:
greatest product in the history of acne products. i have had moderate acne for 6 years (since 14) and i have always been discuraged from trying accutane but i did anyways and it CLEARED ALL MY ACNE and left my skin looking INCREDIBLE
Cons:
dry lips, but there not a big deal at all. would you rather have a bunch of red zits on your face and oily skin or slightly dry lips? its a no brainer
GET ACCUTANE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ACNE. IT WILL BE THE GREATEST DECISION YOU EVER MAKE. no jokes, this stuff is mind blowing. dont believe the negative hype that you read. those reveiws are from hypocondriacts or people who react poorly to medicine. i wouldnt recomend this product if you are either of these people though because it can screw you up pretty bad. but if your healthy and want to permanently have incredible/hastle free skin (which is absolutely amazing by the way) spend the money and get accutane.
December 25, 2006
Pros:
Clears acne!!!!!!
Cons:
Dries lips,nose,and face.
This acne drug is the best! Proactive doesn't even compare to accutane. About the side effects, they aren't that bad. Think of it this way, would you rather have cystic, nodular acne or dry lips that will go away with chap stick!!!
December 3, 2006
Pros:
slight improvement initially
Cons:
dry dry dry lips,face,bleeding
I've been taking Isotane for about 1 1/2 months
acne did worsen for the first week then a welcomed change did oocur although the dryness and bleeding nose still happens the improvement so far is well worth it.
November 29, 2006
Pros:
cleared me up completely 4 almost a year
Cons:
horrible being on it, face was soooo red, but i dont know if that was cuz i didnt wear enought sun cream, lips were ridiculous...so dry and flaky and nothing could stop it!
sooooooooo glad i took it! but spots starting to come back now but nothing like before but i am sooo glad i took it!
October 16, 2006
Pros:
Nothing really! Not for me anyways!
Cons:
Everything about it!
I was on Accutane for about 6 months before my doctor took me off it because it was not working at all! It helped at first, about the second month my skin became some what clear, so I was excited. Then the next month it all came back, but now I also had the dry skin, aching bones, nose bleeds etc. It never cleared after that! I was super disappointed since I paid almost $200 a month for the treatment (accutane, birth control etc). It was pretty much just a pain in the butt! I heard it works for most people, so I guess its trial and error! hehe
August 14, 2018
Holy grail if u can deal with the side effects
I started getting acne when i was 18, having never suffered from bad skin at all in my early teens. I tried everything, from changing my diet, drinking a shit tonne of water, different teas, antibiotics, topicals, different birth control etc. I was told that my acne was hormonal and probably caused by progestin from my bc pill. I'm going into my 4th month of accutane and omg my skin is clear and glowing, it's the first time in years I've felt confident enough to go out without makeup and I'm getting compliments as well! I will say I've had some side effects, sore heads for the first month or so, extremely sensitive and dry lips, dry skin everywhere, dry eyes, i get scratches and bleed easier and terrible joint pain if i exert myself in the slightest. My face also flares up and goes bright red out of the blue. But in my opinion, it's all manageable, just very inconvenient. I just hope that my skin stays clear when i come off the medication as I've heard that hormonal acne has a tendency to come back when u stop ur regular doses.
December 23, 2017
Definitely worked but with side effects.
I started isotretinon when my whole face, especially cheeks were full of very painful, large cystic acne. I noticed difference in 30 days itself. And in the next 20 days, I had only small pimples that would last 3-4 days and then go away. I did not use it more than 50 days. Reason: it damaged my liver. It increased my ALT/AST levels by almost 8-10 times the normal. Before I got the liver function test done, I was going through a horrible condition. I would sleep almost 14 hours a day, and yet I felt tired and struggled to stay awake in the remaining hours. I had started dreaming excessively, could barely concentrate while studying and felt depressed too. I was able to make the connection when I stopped the pills and within 4-5 days I felt very active, would sleep 7-8 hours, and felt lighter and happier. These pills are no joke. They work, but if you must use them, then educate yourself about the side effects and ask your doctor how you can minimise the side effects. I do not think there has been any long term side effect for me (my liver test came normal after a month of quitting the pills).
April 29, 2018
Did you take it with fatty foods? or drink alcohol while taking it? Were you on other medications? Did you drink enough water while on it? Do you have a family history of liver or kidney problems?
Pros:
My skin became baby soft and smoother than ever. Every scar disappeared.