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 24, 2008
Cons:
Nothing besides a few of the common side effects I had a really good experience on this medication. I didn't even have dryness!
Its the best medication for anyone with severe or moderate acne. I wouldn't recomend trying anything else before the accutane. Go straight to this before wasting your money on anything else.
January 6, 2008
Pros:
Clears up skin periodically but is unreliable
Cons:
Nasty dark bumps, rashes on skin, dry itchy scalp etc etc
I have been on this drug for 4 months now and I am still breaking out. I cant believe it, this was supposed to be the answer but I am SO disappointed. Now I see why it can cause depression. My breakouts arent as bad as before but they are still coming. Considering coming off it.
December 29, 2007
Pros:
None yet, it's only been a month.
Completely free as i'm under 16 so get it free on the NHS. No contraceptives and its so much easier not using gels and creams every day. I dont have to wash my hair as often as its just not getting greasy.
Cons:
very dry lips, dry skin but not that bad. Initial breakout was pretty bad. Blood tests every month (i am terrified of needles)!
I have suffered from acne since the age of 11 and im now 14. I have been on oxytetracycline, eyrythromycin and minocycline and ive tried so many gels and creams. None of them worked so now im on 20mg accutane.
Its been a month and so far the oil has stopped and my initial breakout is passed and is just starting to clear up. I've read other reviews where people are saying that all of their blackheads have gone but i've suddenly got more all over my nose, cheeks and chin and they are really really obvious. :(
Hopefully these will go. I dont know what ill do if this doesnt work.
December 11, 2007
Pros:
Reduces acne and oily skin. More convenient than topicals.
Cons:
Raised my cholesterol, increased my acne during the first month, increased scarring from cysts. Acne comes back quickly after discontinuing. Expensive if you pay out of pocket.
I've used it 3 times. The first month is hell. I had severe breakouts. But the reason I regret taking it is because it increased likelihood of scarring from cystic acne. I have a number of scars from cysts and virtually all of them occured while I was taking accutane. It's not a coincidence when you've had acne for 16 years, and >90% of your scars occured during the months you took accutane. When I stopped taking it, the acne and oil skin came back within 2 weeks.
December 7, 2007
Pros:
gets rid of oil and blackheads. Has completely gotten rid of my cysts on my back.
Cons:
Really chapped lips, I've only had one nosebleed so far, dry eyes, sore back, tired
I've been taking sotret (another form of accutane) for almost 2 months. The first month was at 40mg daily and working toward the second month I take 40mg and 80mg on alternating days. My face got oilier before it got drier. I am on day 58 and I have mild dryness on my forehead and around my mouth and chin. It is a little more like a rash on my arms and hands, but I HIGHLY recommend it so far!
December 4, 2007
Pros:
very,very good!it's the first&fastest treatment that works!after only 6weeks my skin is clearing!i no longer wake up and literly wipe the oil off my face!all my blackheads and large pores have gone!my skin feels and looks better!so pleased!hope!
Cons:
ummm...cracked lips but not bad at all,dryer skin but not bad just not oily :D my skin is a bit redish,i felt tired at first but nothing bad.all in all i can't fault it!
i'm 14 and have had them since i was 10,i've tried every lotion the doctors and shops could give and have been on various tablets for 2 years.honestly i can say none of them have worked as fast or effectively as these!they actually give me hope that they will go!i get craked lips all the time anyway,my skins not falling off just smooth n not dripping in oil and my hair can go days without getting oily(wash it anyway lol)no bad dandruff and i love smothering my face with cooling soothing moisturisers!yes my skin is a bit rosey but thts better than bumpy and horrible!i'm definetly not depressed tho i had been many times before taking them due to nasty comments,looking in the mirror and crying,not feeling able to leave the house without make-up and having a sad false hope of 'with this cream/anti-biotic will make be feel beautiful'.after 3-4 weeks of taking them i began to feel a bit tired for a week or two but i think that was for another reason.i love touching my new,soft,healing skin!x
December 3, 2007
Pros:
Crystal clear skin .. and for me it happened in about 3 weeks. I suffered no IB and after being plagued with severely oily skin my entire life my skin is now "normal". My co-pay on this drug was $10 per month. (I took Amnesteem).
Cons:
For me, none. Sure the chapped lips are a pain, but sooo worth it. It was also important for me to stay very hydrated.
I took Accutane at age 38. For me, it has been an absolute miracle. I have battled acne since age 11 and in my 30s it has been the most stubborn. My only regret is that I did not try it earlier. Accutane was life-changing for me.
December 1, 2007
Pros:
THE only thing that works. Seriously.
It is cheap as heck. 25 bucks per month, plus 15 bucks per derm visit.
No major side effects (relief!)
Cons:
scary, I am afraid of long term effects. But I have confidence that this will not be a problem.
iPledge may be needed I do not know, but it is SO SO SO annoying. I am a boy so it is not too bad.
First, I tried almost everything. Too numerous too list. Once antiobiotics, just did not cut it, the last resort is tane. Antibiotics, for me was fine, and honestly I have expierenced more annoying side effects on Doxy than on Accutane. Like upset stomach and throwing up twice (on Doxy), and I got mediocer results.
However on Accutane, I got clear amazing skin after a few months of treatment. I did not get an IB, so basically it was improvement from day one. Applying lip balm will become hard wired into your brain. It was very hard convincing my mom to let me go on it, she is an anti medicine person, and hearing all the bad things about this drug just scared her. She refused at first, but after making her understand how this was my only option, and how important clear skin was to my mental health, she let me go on. The packaging is very intimidating, and almost made my mom say no again, because it is a huge difficult box. No room le
November 30, 2007
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a blemish anywhere
Cons:
I had no side effects at all!
I had severe acne, I tried all sorts of Rx meds, both oral and topical. as a last resort my MD gave accutane and it was the best! I didn't have a single side effect.
October 18, 2007
Pros:
Clears up acne very well, doesn't leave scarring.
Cons:
Chapped lips, dry skin, sun sensitivity, joint pain. Acne came back.
I've taken RoAccutane twice now and about a year after both treatments my acne started to come back and gradually got worse. I am going on it again this time on a higher dosage then a maintenance dose.
Pros:
Everything! This made my skin clear and bright again, helped with some of my scarring and I haven't had a breakout since my 3rd month on it.