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
October 5, 2017
Help
Im currently on accutane taking 60gm a day today is my first day to month 4 am still breakingout but only on my face my back is completly clear now i have moderate acne any ideas why or what i should do?
Solomon92
November 15, 2017
Just stick with it you will clear up. I'm at of month 4 my self on 60mgs it's doing great.
September 3, 2017
Acne comes back and it has side effects, but you have to keep trying
I had persistent mild acne all over my face, back and chest since I was 12, but when I turned 15 all the tiny pimples disappeared and instead I developed huge cystic pimples exclusively on my cheeks. My doctor prescribed me accutane right away. I started with 20 mg, and swtiched to 30 mg after the first box, that lasted about four months. I experienced light skin and lip dryness, but they would go easily away with moisurizing products. One worrying side effect I had was nose bleeding, which I experienced daily, but I've always been prone to that. I stopped for two months because summer came and the sun was dangerous for my skin while I was on those pills. In september I started treatment again for almost 6 months, again with 30 mg. When I finished the treatment the dryness took almost three months to disappear, but as soon as it did the acne came back, although not cystic but persistent light acne. After 6 months I've started the treatment again, but by now I'm experiencing light hair loss and hairline receding, which I have never noticed before. It is barely noticeable unless you look verly closely, but I'm a little freaked out because of fear of going bald, but I think if I stick to low doses over large periods of time I can minimize it and regrow hair once i finish. Overall I think it's still worth it.
November 15, 2017
It will grow bsck once accutain is out of your system
March 16, 2017
i didn't complete treatment
I used it for 2 months but didn't complete the dose because I traveled and couldn't get supply. I've been off accutane for almost 2 months. Can I continue with the dose or I'll have to start all over? My acne was clearing but it seem to be coming back
December 22, 2016
Estrogen levels
I took Accutane about 10 years ago. Since then I have been battling with my estrogen levels being too low. Causing long drawn out periods that come early and can last for 2-4 months without stopping. I also am at a lower chance of being able to get pregnant. This means I take artificial estrogen on top of birth control which is an increase to developing cancer. Wondering if anyone else has had these issues or similar after taking this med?
January 9, 2017
I have no experience with accutane, but I have experienced low estrogen levels due to PCOS & other hormonal imbalances. Do not take artificial estrogen, it's very risky. Instead, look into the DIM supplement or bioidentical estrogen.
November 4, 2016
Works wonders
I've struggled with cystic acne since the beginning of my teen years and into my adult years as well. My dermatologist first placed me on a round of Doxycycline as a precautionary measure, but that didn't help much so the next step was Accutane. I took 1 course in my early high school years and another towards the end of my high school years. Miraculously, my acne was gone after the first treatment and stayed that way for a while until it started to creep back a year or so later. This is quite normal in severe acne patients. Since my 2nd course ended years ago, I only struggle now with the random hormonal bumps around that time of the month (Caziant bcp has helped tremendously with that). Yeah the monthly blood draws suck and skin dryness is a pain, but it's well worth it. Just stock up on tons of Aquafor (a TRUE lifesaver and something I still use today). I didn't have any other adverse side effects except for mild joint pain and hemorrhoids from time to time.
June 13, 2016
Ugh
I hope my review will be helpful to anyone.
So I have been on 30 mg per day dose, which is the minimal dose for my weight, I am 58 kg, it makes about 0.5mg/kg.
I have stubborn acne on my jaw that would never leave no matter what I tried.
I have been on isotretinoin for 1 months- I have lots of break outs, since the begining of treatment, the whole month, it is very depressing.
I am trying to stay positive and patient, but I didnt have a break from increased zits since I started the drug.
If it is an IB, how long does it usually lasts?
June 22, 2016
My lasted 3months. Worst initial breakout. Worse than my acne before i started.
May 15, 2016
Accutane two months in
Hi, I've just started on Accutane in April I started my first month on 20mg and now I've got up too 40mg not really seen much of a difference if anything my skin has more spots and bumps under my skin :( and I'm suffering from dry lips and inside of my nose is dry too. I hope I see an improvement in my skin after these 6 months and the spots that have came out now will they stay till the end because I can't take any more bumps on my skin? I've been using clinque anti blemish moisturiser it's brill for the dry patches and cetaphil cleanser as its gentle on my face and so my skin doesn't flake too much and blistex for my lips it really does help.. If there is anymore tips to help me along this Accutane journey please let me know. And another question I take my tablets at ten clock every night but sometimes I'm ten or 15 minutes late taking them but I read you have to take them on time will it affect my treatment if I'm late by 15 minutes. Many thanks Melissa
April 30, 2016
Does what it promise
I took it mainly for scarring though my facial acne was a little worse than mild-moderate with monthly cysts*can't really call mild when having cysts).Acne on back was extensive but again,no bad lesions.Just the average pustules and papules.Has been on accutane for over two months and seeing less acne as time goes by.My back is almost clear and my face and arms get little weekly zits.But the truth is the skin peeling due to the excessive drying made my scars worse.
Giving it a 4 stars now and will give it 5 once I get clear and continue to be that way.
February 18, 2016
Wouldn't reccommend
After trying just about everything under the sun I decided there was no other choice but to revert to Accutane. I'm 31 and have had cystic acne since I was 18.
Unfortunately it did not cure my cystic acne however the 9 months I was using the drug it did improve my skin by around 50%. Now that I am off it my skin has gone back to being inflamed and red. Very frustrating.
Given the noticeable side-effects and damage it does on your internal organs I would advise people to stay away. Soon enough someone will have to break the acne-vinci code, hopefully it isn't too long.
November 14, 2015
Slowly getting my confidence back
I read loads of reviews the first time I thought about taking Accutane and freaked myself out. If I have started it then I wouldn't have gotten 100 times worse and been driven deeper into depression. My only regret is that I didn't take it sooner.
My side effects were normal. Dry nose, lips and sometimes eyes. I bought Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on ebay for 13 euro usually 34 in store and it is amazing. It's basically, I think, a nicer smelling Vaseline. I found it worked a lot better to, but that's just me. Use it on your lips nose and skin. It's unreal made my Accutane journey a lot easier.
I know when I read all the side effects I thought no way, but if you buy any drug they all have side effects the length of your arm. Some people don't feel any side effects. I was very lucky. My back was sore the first few months but I started Pilates on youtube and it helped. Also mind your teeth!
Stay strong!!!
November 24, 2015
I am 45 and have been suffering with cystic acne for 20 years. Once a month I would get a very large cyst on my chin which would last for 2 weeks and the scar would last for much longer. Often times I would have the cysts injected with cortisone. My skin was also overall very oily. Throughout the day, I would use oil blotting pads. My skin also was flushed with tiny broken capillaries on the nose and rosacea. I have been on Accutane for 2 months and am soooooo happy. The results are amazing. The first couple weeks I started acutance I got 3 small pimples on my cheeks. They went away quickly. After that I NEVER had one more pimple or cyst. I still wake up and feel my skin waiting for that hard lump under my skin but it never comes. I weigh 105 and I am on 40 mg a day of Zenatane (20mg after breakfast and 20mg after dinner). The only sides effects are dry lips and skin. I use aquaphor on my lips and Dan's ([link removed]) moisturizer on my skin. Both products take care of the dryness. It is no big deal at all. I only wash my hair every 4th day now. I used to have to wash it every day. I love not having greasy skin. My skin is no longer flushed and the tiny veins by my nose have disappeared. For the first time ever, I am getting compliments on my skin. I don't want to stop taking Accutane ever! My doctor has put me on it for 6 months. I have to have blood work and a pregnancy test done every month and have to answer about 10 minutes worth of questions for the Ipledge program. Although a pain, I much prefer doing this than fighting with my acne. I give Accutane a 10 plus. It has been a life saver for me. In the past, I have tried EVERYTHING from diet to being on antibiotics for over a year. Love Accutane:)