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
July 27, 2008
Cons:
it makes you very depressed, possibly suicidal
It truly works wonders for your skin, but it will make you depressed. Numb to feelings, people, and anything else. I lost my prince charming because he used this drug and became a changed person. This medication will clear up your acne, but leave permeant scars on your life and the people who care about you the most. It is not worth the risk, trust me.
July 12, 2008
Pros:
will get rid of the acne after several months depending on severity
Cons:
it will scar your skin, discoloration in areas where you had acne, hair loss after 5 months, rashes on hands, exhaustion, can't concentrate on things
im really divided on accutane. i do have about 15 days left on it (6 month course), and my acne is gone mostly but it left behind TREMENDOUS damage. and when i say scars, i mean both discoloration and dents in my face.
prior to taking tane i had persistent acne, mild-moderate at best. tane gave me an incredible break out with CYSTS that i never had before. i went from having moderate acne to full blown cystic severe acne..pencil eraser sized monster cysts. never before have i had that. it was embarrassing walking around in public for 3 months.
yeah i cleared, but at what cost? my skin looks SO damaged. now i have shallow rolling acne scars (it looks like someone scooped collagen out of my face in spots).
i'm not trying to scare anyone, but i'm just trying to warn you that it is VERY likely that tane will make your skin scar and derms downplay the risk.
i thought it wouldnt happen to me since i DIDNT PICK and used expensive moisturizor.. yet here i am, discolored
July 10, 2008
Pros:
Gets rid of acne and scars
Cons:
dry lips, sun sensativity.
Accutane works great I have only been on three weeks and have only had one pimple and it went away within one day. I tried everything and had very bad cystic acne. I was on ampacillian for four months with a month break and then the accutane. Before the ampacillian I did two treatments of blue light levulan which was a waste of money for acne treatment and every over the counter med you can think of. I was also on retina micro and clyndamician gel for 6 months; no help there either. The only thing that worked for me was the ampacillian got me moderatly clear and the accutane seems to have finished the job and I am only on month one. It looks like my scars will be gone by the time I finish the treatment. My doctor is leaving me on for 5 months.
June 24, 2008
Pros:
definitely works so I give it a 5, though it doesn't last.
Cons:
doesn't last, acne comes back like before sometimes worse than before, which was the case for me
i totally regret using accutane, it cleared my skin for about 1.5 years. for all the money and the damage it probably did to my liver and body, not worth it. the acne came back after 1.5 years and it was worse, felt like all the acne was suppressed inside and all 1.5 years worth came back all at once. ARGH!
June 22, 2008
Pros:
Drys out pimples, scars slowly fading, skin not as oily, and can see that I am slowly gettin great skin!
Cons:
easily sunburnt, dry skin, which makes me itchy and occasionly pimples
I am taking Sotret, which is generic of Accutane and its really slowly but surely working. I feel so better, and its worth all the money!!!
June 22, 2008
Pros:
Gives you the beautiful face you've always wanted.
Cons:
Super uper dryness, 3 doses a day.
I took Accutane the same time I had one of the worst fevers of my life. After 3 days, I started feeling super depressed and irritated. I immediately stopped taking the medication, and though my depression slowly went away, I had clear skin for a week or so. This stuff is amazing, and no matter what the side affect is, you could live through it. After all, I heard that only 2% of Isotretanoin users are affected with depression. I was one of those :[ You guys are lucky!!! You all deserve it though so go for it
May 29, 2008
Pros:
Wonderfully clear skin and pores. Return of self-esteem.
Cons:
Dry lips and nostrils until end of treatment, aches and pains and short of breath for the first few weeks, easily sunburnt.
DON'T drink to excess when taking this because of your liver.
In my early 30's I developed deeply scarring acne around my mouth which I'd never had before, due to hormonal changes and taking the pill. I couldn't get rid of it no matter what I tried, and was getting loads of scars.
I went to see my dermatologist and she immediately prescribed Isotane, which I VERY highly recommend. DON'T FEAR TAKING THIS TREATMENT.
It took me lots of research & trying Yasmin & natural alternatives such as Vit C, Zinc and Agnus Castus , plus cutting out dairy, (all of which help the healing process) before I made the decision to take this, despite a history of depression, which did not affect me during taking this drug.
I was scared about the side effects, but in fact they were easily dealt with.
By far the best lip balm (you'll need a truckload of it) is CARMEX with the yellow lid. Better than the most pricey ones.
Look around on the internet for NEUTRAL FACT about this drug (Wiki is good) and research the other alternatives to get perspective, & t
May 4, 2008
Pros:
Gives your skin a real glow, shrinks pores, clears old scars, no oil or grease - THIS IS A MIRACLE PILL!!!!
Cons:
No Cons for me - Roaccutane is a miracle pill and in the space of 2 weeks my skin is glowing, smooth and not breaking out as much as it used to! I can wear make up and no worry about breaking out or it sliding off! Its the best pill out there!
I have tried everything out there Dianette, Erythromycin, Lymecycline, Differin, BP, and spent money on all the best face washes and all that jazz but nothing has cured or helped my skin like roaccutane!!! Nothing compares to this pill - it really starts its job the first day you take it! I am on a low dose and in the first few days of taking it i was unsure and throught it could be too little dosage but within a few days i was pleasantly surprised as i noticed my skin starting to clear and glow. I have no grease or oil what so ever and for the first time in months I can wear make up without it sliding off and looking a greasy mess - I now have confidence and can look people in the eye were as before i was so embrassed and had zero confidence!!! It has really made me smile and i now look in the mirror and smile and like what i see rather than looking at all the pimples and feeling depressed!
I could kiss my derm as she has given back my happiness all in the name of roaccutane!!!
April 27, 2008
Pros:
My acne cleared altogether only after 6 weeks of treatment ,and i also becme fair with it
Cons:
i developed a little crusting of my lips otherwise its a drug can be tolerated easily
After about 5 months of my 6weeks course of RoAccutane i m again developing inflammatory acne, i want to get rid of them forever, can i use it again, what should be the duration,i m going to marry in october and i cant use contraceptives , what should i do , i m upset
April 25, 2008
Pros:
this IS the miracle cure. i've had acne forever and had tried everything. was a bit sceptical at first but 6 months later, i had the most perfect skin imaginable.
Cons:
blood work, joint pains,bloody dry lips, acne came back after a year of being off the treatment.
well, the acne's back. but for a year i was at my happiest- skin wise. i'm on antibiotics and topicals now. have also been diagnosed with mild PCOS, so i'm also starting yasmin. if this does not work, i'm going back to sotret. it's truly life altering.
Pros:
it clears up your skin in ways no other acne medication can