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 1, 2009
Cons:
I had the usual dryness and typical side effects during my six month course. Now, three months later my skin is a dryer then it used to be, which can be annoying, but its much better then the oil it used to have. Also,i have mild persistent back pain
DON'T BE AFRAID. TAKE THIS MEDICINE. I took it for six months, the first two at 40mg, 80mg for the next three, then back to 40mg for the last month. I have never been more pleased with an acne treatment. I stopped taking it three months ago and since then i have had only one tiny zit. Before taking it i had very persistent acne on my cheekbone, chin, forehead with nasty nodules on my back. Acne is now a thing of the past for me and i can finally live my life. I suffered from the typical expected side affects of dry skin and lips, a bit of joint and muscle pain, as well as eczema during the treatment. They were annoying but well worth it because Accutane worked so well. If you have suffered with acne and other things haven't worked, i strongly suggest you take this.
September 4, 2009
Pros:
I took it when I was 17, my skin looked great and stayed that way until now after my third child I am breaking out again.. now 29
Cons:
at least 10 years of clear skin.
I had to bring my son to the doctor today, after he was done with him the doctor asked me what I am doing for my face. I told him proactiv (started last week). then I told him about my accutane treatment 12 years ago. he is going to put me back on once I get my prego test. But after reading the side effects I am not sure if I want to do this again!! I don't remember no side effects with my first treatment.
September 1, 2009
Pros:
Starts clearing your skin immediately.
Cons:
Dry lips, skin takes longer to heal. dry and flaky face. dried out eyes. headaches. High cholestrol
Works really well! and everyone ought to try it... but every1 will have a different response and u should get your blood tested every month
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin, no oily scalp/face, more confidence.
Cons:
Headaches, some back pain, trouble sleeping, DRY skin, occasional nosebleeds and a little over-emotionalness.
It's worth it, I'm nearly finished and would do it all again for these results. I have had acne since I hit puberty, and am now 28. Working as a professional with acne is embarrassing, so Accutane was a good choice for me. The hardest thing was the dry/flaky skin and the chapped lips. I soon learned that the key is to moisturize often! For chapped lips I picked up the Aquaphor from Eicerin (it's in the lotion aisle of most stores), it works wonders. The only thing I had a hard time with was the time and cost. With monthly bloodwork and appointments, it was hard to schedule with work and the cost got a little out of hand, but that was due to my lame insurance company. Overall, I'd do Accutane again.
August 17, 2009
Pros:
Does a good job of reducing oil. Still waiting to see major improvements.
Cons:
Facial redness and dry lips and skin. Initial breakout is a downside.
I've read a lot about accutane before actually taking it. I've read that it DOES get worse before it gets better and I still have strong confidence that it will work and that these first few weeks are bad, but I'm just so tired of acne that I can take a few weeks of breakouts to have the results that I've seen and heard. I also believe that the depression is not a result of this medicine, but instead a result of people not seeing results fast enough or to their standards. Patience is key.
August 14, 2009
Pros:
cleared up 100%, look great feel great, easy to use
Cons:
dry skin, dry lips, really dry red eyes, takes awhile to see results
WAYYYYYY WORTH IT... half way through i wanted to quit sooo bad but just dont quit! seriously the stuff is the sh*t
August 9, 2009
Pros:
Haven't noticed anything yet but I need to be patient
Cons:
Nothing to bad noticed my lips are becoming dry
I'm tired of looking for medication that I know will have no effect what so ever. So I decided to go on accutane since I have been hearing about it's miracles. Many people say accutane has too many bad side effects but you know what you just have to deal with it and not let it get to you. I guarantee you this is going to be one of my best decisions
August 8, 2009
Pros:
I dunno not much has happened.
Cons:
Dry lips
I have been using the Australian version of accutane called 'oratane' for 13 days now. Not much has really happened, i have just got a few new breakouts but they don't last to long. I haven't had an initial breakout because i was on doxycycline for 3 months prior to starting oratane. I litteraly went from doxy to oratane in 2 days. I believe that the doxycycline did something and helped get the bacteria to the surface but my derm thought otherwise. I look forward to the next few weeks and for the rest of the program to see the results :) I am going to start taking 40mg instead of 20mg in two days so that should be exciting... Wish me luck! Note: The dry lips are manageable with Lucas's Paw Paw ointment. Another Australian product haha. Trust me it really works.
July 24, 2009
Pros:
It is a wonder drug. you end up having the soft and pretty skin that babies do. I love it.
Cons:
dry lips, some joint pains but nothing that you can not handle.
I stopped my birth control pills 5 years ago and I started having acne in my chin and very irregular skin texture that was caused by enlarged sebaceous glands, My face was bad and with make up looked even worse. I also had Rosecea. nothing helped until I went on accutane and even after three days taking 40 mg each day, my daughter noticed a difference. After a month my skin was perfect. After 5 months the redness and irregular shape of my pores were completely gone. I stopped and they gradually came back, not as bad a before.I have to be on, at least, 60 mg a week to maintain my look. I look so much younger and feel so happy with accutane. No depression whatsoever.
July 6, 2009
Pros:
It does work and that is the only pro.
Cons:
I experienced horrible side effects. My lips were always super dry, I became depressed, had suicidal thoughts, and I had irritable bowel syndrome, panic attacks and I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I had to get of after just 2 months.
I do not recommend Accutane to anyone. I understand that not everybody experiences the side effects, but please don't take a chance because that's exactly what I did. For acne scars I recommend laser surgery. It might be expensive, but it really works.
Pros:
My acne is gone. My skin is great, I look great, and I feel great. It made my skin and hair less oily, and it changed my life for the better.