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
February 11, 2009
Cons:
I've had mental problems as long as I can remember. I didn't think about getting depressed again because I was so quite normal/happy before accutane. Now I feel depressed, it's silly as my face is so much better and I should be happy! But just can't.
I DO NOT REGRET this at all. I'd do it again if it needs. My knees hurt when I do pilates and got headaches randomly but they all passes away. I was practically sh*tting my self becase I was so scared to start this accutane course, but to my surprise they are not that bad. I mean, I will survive this like everything else. I'd just hoped I would've started taking this years ago!
Altho my depression returned, I still got a good support from my friends and therapist.
If you're cutting your social life becase your face, take accutane if nothing else works. It's really worth it. A miracle drug for me.
Still got roughly 3 months to go and I take 40mg/a day (or just 20mg if feel really dry, doctor's advice).
January 30, 2009
Pros:
seem to be on the road to clear skin, less oily hair, reducing pore size, all the clear little bumps on face gone
Cons:
DRY Lips, initial break out, back and ankle pain
I am in my 3rd month of accutane. Honestly I though I'd be clear by now, but it is a lot better. My 2nd month was the worst. I only have 2 or 3 pimples right not, not cysts. I think its honeslty starting work. I no longer have blackheads or little clear bumps. I'm starting to get compliments on my skin. Hopefully by next month I'll be completlely clear. I def have severe chapped lips, aquaphor! My skin isn't too dry, cetaphil is great. My back and ankles hurt constantly though. I'm very weak. After 10 years of acne its worth it. I started on 40 mg once a day and am now on 60 mg (20 in am and 40 at pm). good luck to everyone , I think its going to work.
January 27, 2009
Pros:
this stuff is the best thing that ever happen to acne, nothing is like it and i would recommend it to anyone with severe acne
Cons:
dry everything
Its a MIRACLE drug
January 23, 2009
Pros:
I have had acne for 8 years now. This is the only medication which really works!! I love it! My skin looks great, even my deep red scars have almost disaapeared.
Cons:
Extremally dry lips.
Stop wasting your time and money for other medications. This is the ONE you are looking for.
January 22, 2009
Pros:
Acne gets clearer and skin becomes really smooth after the pimples/ acne go away, less oily hair and skin
Cons:
Headaches, dry lips and skin, burn much easier
I have taken this for about 4 months now and i just absolutely LOVE it. I had moderate- severe acne on my chin mainly but it cleared it up in less than 2 months. I didn't get much of the side effects except for a few headaches though i don't know if that was due to Accutane or other things. The dry skin and lips can easily be maintained by using moisturisers and lip balms and using 30+ sunscreen. I = just totally LOVE Accutane and recommend people who have lost hope in getting clear skin to try it.
January 19, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin, boost in confidence.
Cons:
Dry skin and lips, mild muscle ache, monthly blood test, but still worth it.
I have been suffering from acne for many years now. Recently (for the past one year) my acne became very severe. I used to get huge red and painful cysts around my chin, jaw line and upper lip. Have tried every thing from otc to antibiotics. Nothing worked like accutane. I started noticing a difference after two week. My derm put me on antibiotic (bactrim ds) one month before I started accutane (40 mg)which I continued until one month of taking accutane, so total of two months. It helps with flare up that occurs with accutane in the first couple of months. I started noticing a difference in two weeks after taking accutane. Never had a new breakout after that. For dry lips I use aquaphor. Its the best! I am about to pick up my second prescription. I am very optimistic about it and hope that my acne will be cured.
I really recommend it for anyone who is suffering from acne. This stuff is really good and it works. The side effects are not as bad as people say.
January 13, 2009
Pros:
gave me confidence knowing that it would go away soon, very cheap with insurance, anddd stopped most my forming acne in its tracks
Cons:
dry @$$ lippsssss nd face, sore joints, flaky hair sometimes, and thats about it. but im in track and field, so when i run my ankles throb, and sometimes my legs also
cleared my blackheads right away from my nose, stopped backne, face is clearin up more and more as time goes by, im just anxious to finally be clear so i can be more social and interact with girls more ya diiiigggg
January 11, 2009
Pros:
Works well - cleared EVERYTHING for finally flawless skin! Side effects were not bad and went away when doseage was lowered and after my course.
Cons:
For me, it took 11 months on the first course to finally stop getting cysts. Results lasted about 6 months after ending, now the oil is back and I'm breaking out again. Breakouts are higher in quantity than before, but less in severity (no cysts).
I'm starting a second course without reservation. I'd be willing to do a third course if needed. Prior to Tane, after being on years and years of RX topicals, oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, etc., nothing else cleared my skin. It's the only thing that worked and was a huge confidence booster to not feel embarrased by my bad skin all of the time.
December 27, 2008
Pros:
Worked really well.... Have been off of it for about 4 months now...And still keeping my fingers crossed, that my acne will not come back..
Cons:
I was tired, moody, chaped lips, dry eyes, dry nose, and sometimes had a bloody nose...
Proactive does not work!!! Nor does any other acne medicine that I have tried.... I got my first pimple when I was 14 and wish I would of known about Accutane then.. I am now 23, and hope to keep my clear complexion, for the rest of my life....
December 26, 2008
Pros:
VERY effective. Absolutely worth blood tests and dryness. Accutane changed my life for sure!
Cons:
Dry, cracked lips. Blood tests, and very expensive w/out insurance. I had mood swings also.
I had the worst acne before i went on accutane...and now my skin is completely clear! accutane is totally worth every blood test and every time you have to put on chapstick. i would definitely recommend accutane, especially if you are self-conscious about your acne.
Pros:
I'm on my third month and my face is glowing! I dont regret taking acctuane at all. Even my hair which annoyed me as it got greasy so easily (had to wash 2 times in a day if I was going out in the evening). Now my hair stays clean and so does my face