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
June 28, 2009
Cons:
dry lips, eyes, hair, and skin. blurry vision. lower back pain (helped by drinking A LOT of water and tylenol). thinning hair around temples and top of head (not noticable to others yet). slight rash on arms. very sensitive to sun even w/spf
Getting ready to go speak with my doctor about the side effects and if it's actually worth staying on. I am sensitive to perscription drugs so I seem to be seeing a lot more side effects than most. Very costly for me. I have very good insurance and it has covered just about everything I have ever been on BUT accutane. I take the generic Claravis- one 40 mg pill twice daily. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this will work. I like the results I'm seeing, but it's summer and I can't go outside during the daytime because I burn even with high spf.. so much for music festivals, baseball games, and pool during the day... I haven't been on long enough to recommend it or not.
June 28, 2009
Pros:
I went through two total Accutane treatments. It a lot of work to remain strict to diet and deal with side effects. It worked well after the first 6 weeks and for a year following treatment. But acne returned.
Cons:
Acne returned approximately a year after the first 6 month treatment ended. I tried a second 6 month prescription and acne returned about 18 months after treatment ended.
Had I known I would not have a lasting effect from using the Accutane I would never had taken it. I had tried several antibiotics before Accutane with luck, but did not want to stay on them for extended periods of time. I have actually had my best luck and am totally clear after finding out about this web site and giving Dan's regimen a try (with nothing to lose). After two weeks my acne has totally cleared up and has remained away for the past month. I hope it continues to work as well as it has been. I wish I would have found out about this site earlier and saved me time and money.
June 26, 2009
Pros:
It cleared my skin! Absolutely Amazing! Still works after treatment, for a few months!
Cons:
Dry skin. Limited sun exposure. Oil production was cut off big-time! Some mild acne continue to show up after treatment.
Do it. Its worth it all the way. I read about all these dangerous side affects, but it turned out it was worth it. Nothing else would work for me, and this did it!
June 16, 2009
Pros:
smoother skin, less redness and only 1 or 2 pimples
Cons:
small lines, dry lips, dry skin
Hi,
I've been on roaccutane for 6 weeks now at a dosage of 30mg per day. I have very very mild acne, but all through my teenage life and adult life it came and went and used to flare up when I was really stressed. Now I am on roaccutane, it has improved a lot, but I am noticing small wrinkles around my eyes and on my forehead. I mosturise regularly. I have been recommended a six month course but want to stop around the 4th month. Don't want permenant wrinkles. What do I do? Does this medication really cause wrinkles?
June 15, 2009
Pros:
It cleared up everything & it gave me back my confidence.
Cons:
It made my acne way worse during the first couple months & i had to take it for about 6 months & too much blood word & my side effects were: really dry lips, gave me some kind of rash on my arms and hands for a couple weeks, my skin was too dry.
Well. I had the worst acne ever, it was actually grose, i was afriad to show my face to anyone. So then i took this. My acne was even worse when i first took it, then it started getting better around the 4th month. Anyways i been off my accutane for about 9 months now but you know what, im starting to get my acne back :( & apperantly once you took it it cleared your skin forever...
June 10, 2009
Pros:
gives self-esteem and confidence, cleared my mild acne completely
Cons:
blood work, joint pain, sensitive skin, dry eyes, dry lips,
It cleared my mild acne completely. Now all I have are little red marks to deal with! Really this drug has helped me become more social and has really raised my self-esteem and confidence. If this is your last result likeit was fpr me, just TRY IT! You won't be disappointed.
May 31, 2009
Pros:
Clear Skin, less oil all over, no more oily hair, no body breakouts at all!
Cons:
dry lips, sunburn easily, occasional nose bleed, leg cramps
I love this stuff! I tried everything for years. I no longer have acne. My skin is flawless which i haven't had since I was in my 20's. I would definately recommend this to anyone struggling to find something that works and continues to get breakouts on their face or body. I was a but discouraged at first because it took a little longer than I expected to clear up but by the second month I started to notice real results. I am now on my 6th month and will be on it for at least 3 more months. This is definately worth the time and money to do the treatment. This treatment was extremely expensive since I do not have prescription coverage.
May 27, 2009
Pros:
amaazing results, cleared my skin up completely in 2-4 months, i didn't have to wash my hair as often as i had to before the drug, amazing skin!
Cons:
dry lips, make up didn't stay on my face one the dryness hit, and about a year after taking it, acne is starting to come back :(
great short (ish) term product for teenaged acne
May 20, 2009
Pros:
less frequent breakouts, skin is much less oily, severity of breakouts is already improving.
Cons:
monthly blood tests (i hate needles)
the usual dry skin and chapped lips aren't too bad, but i have had severe joint and lower back pain. also, if not taken with food or milk, the medicine causes upset stomach.
The pros definitely outweigh the cons. If you take the medicine with yogurt, the stomach aches are completely manageable. I definitely recommend using a good face moisturizer and plenty of chapstick prior to, and during the course of treatment. Also, I've found that Neutrogena Gentle Face Wash (it's the one in the blue bottle) doesn't irritate the skin compared to other cleansers I've tried. Your skin will initially get worse before beginning to improve, just be prepared for that. The cons are mostly just nuisances that are completely manageable. It's totally worth it to put up with the few side effects.
May 15, 2009
Pros:
reduces oil, improves texture of skin, simple to take
Cons:
Can be costly for some, I had a few side effects like lower back pain and nosebleeds
I am going into my third month on it and have seen little to no improvement in the actual break-outs! In fact, it got much worse in the first few months with them most painfull acne i have ever had. But the oil is greatly reduced and i don't have to constantly shlop on topical medications. Hopefully i will see improvements soon.
Pros:
It's humid where I live and for once my face isn't oily and broken out. Less makeup. Hair is less oily. Seems to be working?