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
March 1, 2012
Cons:
Dry Lips
Dry Eyes
Dry Skin
Sunburn Easy
Muscle Fatigue
No Alcohol
It works and I do not regret going on it. Was tough being on it. Over a year later now I still get some break outs but it seems if I clean my skin every night and put retinol A cream on, then the pimples are kept to a very minimum, i.e. 1 or 2 small ones on my face. You have to remember to keep washing your face, putting pimple cream on after you come off the drug. It is a good drug but i found that it didnt stop break outs caused by not washing my face etc. My advice, go on it, get it done with, its not that bad and move one with your life
August 4, 2011
Pros:
Clear skin
Less oil on face, hair, & skin
Cons:
Really chapped lips
somewhat dry eyes
can't drink alcohol :(
I am now 22 years old and I used to have cystic acne which were really deep, painful acne. Although it wasn't as severe as some cases, it still drowned my self confidence. I constantly had at least 3 on my face at all times and around my period I would get a lot more. After suffering from acne for about 2 years my doctor finally brought up the product Accutane and warned me about it's side affects but I was completely up for it! After 5 months of still having acne I thought it didn't work! I was still getting cysts but just not as many of them so I thought I was going to have to do round 2. But then about 2 months of completing the 5 month process of Accutane, I now have clear skin! I only get one around the time of my period but that's it!!! I did start doing "The Regimen" when I thought Accutane didn't work and I learned a lot about how to properly wash and treat your face which I also think has helped tremendously! Accutane works trust me! I am still on the birth control I was prescribed which was Seasonique and you only get 4 periods a year which I think also helps me get less acne. Accutane and The Regimen completely changed my life and I hope it can do the same for you! ;)
May 27, 2011
Pros:
Clear my face almost completely but only temporarily.
Cons:
Heavy mood changes. Depression. Dryness everywhere. Can't drink alcohol during treatment. Monthly blood check ups.
I am 27 now. I used Accutane in 2006 for 6 months and then in 2008 for 9 months, both dosis were 30mg. I wish I never used this pill because, although it cleared my face only for a few months, it was very costly, and my mood has changed a lot since then. I have become very depressive, moody, anxious and nervous, which I never was before taking that pill. I don't recommend this product.
March 21, 2011
Pros:
Continuing to clear skin from day one
Cons:
Knee pain, back pain, feel like my whole body was hit by a truck! Not pleasant at all.
Ive only been on this 6 weeks. I can see that its working but I'm really wondering whether these side effects are worth it. I keep reading about how it can lead to complications and i am battling with myself not to come off it
March 16, 2011
Pros:
- Very effective
- Definitive results
Cons:
- Dryness
I was 26 when I went through Isotretinoin treatment (it lasted 18 weeks). I had moderate to severe acne since I was 13 years old. It was the only treatment that really worked for me. I wish I had taken the treatment at least 10 years before!! I still have acne after the treatment, but it is rare an SO light that I still really recommend this treatment to anyone that suffers with acne.
June 16, 2010
Pros:
Cleared Acne
Cons:
only cleared acne until i stopped using it
made me depressed
red skin
chapped lips
dry skin ( some spots worse than others)
I used for 7 months and after the first few months of the chapped lips and sensitive skin it worked and cleared all of my acne...until i was taken off of it and now my face has gone back to the way it was before.
May 25, 2010
Pros:
It will clear up your acne, slowly but surely!
Cons:
-dryness everywhere (skin, eyes, hair)
-joint pain
-hair loss
-very dry lips that looked disgusting!
-long term side effects that can last your whole life
This is my opinion people. Roaccutane (accutane) is a VERY strong drug. It will definitely work to clear up your acne. But should only be taken if you have SEVERE ACNE such as cystic acne or if you have very persistent acne and your over 20 years old. the way i see it is that acne will naturally go away with age once a person leaves their teens, that is when oil level naturally reduce and so there's no point of jeopardizing your long term health for clear skin. My story is that im going to be 20 in a few months but my acne was light, as in i would (and still have) a couple red spots on my face and my skin (and hair) were very oily! they're noticeable but nothing significant. And my acne is not only on my face but on my back and scalp which is a pain!! i tried most things but then my GP here suggested roaccutane to rid me of acne everywhere once and for all. Since its free in the UK i thought why not. i did do research but then once being on it for a month i really thought its not worth it. Accuntane has both long and and short term side effects which i personally feel are not worth going through just to clear up something like acne, unless like i said before its severe or your 20+ years old. i was on accutane for one month and then noticed my hair started to become very thin which scared the sh*t outta me! Not only that but my joints were sore and im a sporty person and its summer here in London. I just hope and pray that my hair becomes thicker as it used to be! Bottom line: EVERYONE CONSIDERING ACCUTANE NEEDS TO THINK VERY HARD!! i made the rash choice because the drug was free and quickly available so i saw it as a quick fix for my acne but boy do i regret it!! If you have light or mild acne and are still in you teens then try not to sweat it people! You will grow out of it! LIFES TOO SHORT TO BE DEPRESSED OVER YOUR SKIN! SMILE AND BE HAPPY! BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY...EVERY LITTLE THING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT! :) Hope this was hel
December 7, 2009
Pros:
Clears Acne when taken in high doses as prescribed with water and fatty food. Beautiful, super model skin.
Cons:
Severe back pain, dry skin, severe dehydration, chapped lips, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness.
Give me awful back pain, disgusting lips and die-hard dehydration any day. I'd rather have it than acne. Accutane works.
November 1, 2009
Pros:
Cleared grade five acne completelyonly very minor scaring on cheeks left after 3rd month
Cons:
Left depressed and anxious unable to lead a normal teenage life wishing she had never heard of the treatment and only had bad skin to worry about.
Do not - repeat do not use this drug. Spots are much easier to live with than depression
October 8, 2009
Pros:
clear skin.
Cons:
broke out at first .. DRY LIPS AND SCALP NOSE AND SKIN. made my stomach hurt for a month or so... pretty okay.
it works. you should definantly consider it if you have bad acne and the side efffects you can just deal with there minor.
Pros:
Cleared my skin 95%
Only thing that worked, tried anti-biotics, creams