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
May 14, 2009
Cons:
dry lips, skin and hair which can all be taken care of with good products.Severe fatigue and joint/muscle pain in final months of treatment.Can't go out in the sun for prolonged periods, even with sunscreen I got a rash and mild sunburn.
I noticed the side effect are worse in the last couple months of treatment, the fatigue was unbelievable, and I couldn't make it to the gym more then a couple times a week due to fatigue and severe muscle strain after going. However nothing was unbearable especially knowing the course of treatment ends after 5 months and the pros of clear skin definatly outweigh the cons in the end.
May 2, 2009
Pros:
It did reduce break out and oiliness of skin, temporary.
Cons:
IT CAME ALL BACK after eating it for 1 year. Thin hair.
It caused hair thinning, it gave me false hope. and suddenly, it came ALL BACK.
April 25, 2009
Pros:
Clears skin up fast
Cons:
dryness, high sensitivity to UV, some muscle pain
I'm just about to finish a seven month course, and it worked great. I do still have scarring, but whatever it's better than acne. Get this. It works.
April 15, 2009
Pros:
Clears acne reletively fast.
Cons:
Very dry skin, redness, and chapped lips.
It's worth it.
April 15, 2009
Pros:
clears up acne, FOREVER. a true cure not just a treatment.
Cons:
incredibly expensive, side effects.
I experienced absolutely none of the side effects from this medicene and benefitted fully from its miracle powers.
I was on it about a year ago, and have had about two pimples since then.
I had moderatly severe acne and had been through everything from two years of anitbiotics to countless topical treatments. My derm finally brought this up to my mom and I, I was all for it.
There is monthly blood testing, not so bad. And appts. But it was SOOO worth it. Even my paretns (who were the ones paying through the nose for this stuff) agree.
The reason it was so incredibly expensive for my family was our insurance policy did not cover it, our perscriptions all go toward a ridiculous monthly deductable (we have since changed this).
April 13, 2009
Pros:
Clears up skin 100%, Results work long term, Success rate of like 95%
Cons:
Dry Lips, Dry skin and eyes, Cost (derm appointments etc) but so worth it.
This is fantastic. Was on it 6 yrs ago and it cleared me up 100%. Asked my derm for it again just to get rid of some acne that is slowly starting to come back. Its awesome tho. I reccommend it to everyone.
April 6, 2009
Pros:
the accutane eliminated my acne within the first month. I am currently in my 5th month of taking it and am very pleased with the results. my skin and hair are no longer oily.
Cons:
depression, dry lips, dry skin, vision blurriness
I am lucky I haven't had horrilbe side effects like others listed and so far my acne is completely gone. i have not had a pimple since December. drink lots of water and exfoliate, otherwise your skin will be very flakey. make sure you also moisturize and use sunscreen. LOTS of chap stick too.
April 2, 2009
Pros:
Cleared my skin on the first course. my acne did come back, but not as severe as it orginally now. Now im on my second course -3rd month running, i dont see a change yet. Guess have to wait til my last month!
Cons:
DRY LIPS, DRY SKIN
Works wonders, but I'm on my second course and its not helping me out yet.
April 1, 2009
Pros:
The first time on accutane it cleared up in a couple of months. From there it was better and better each month. Life changing ! Finally i was able to leave the house! Do things i never dreamed i could because i didn't have to worry about my skin.
Cons:
Two months after my finally dose i started to notice breakouts and oily skin. My doctor made me wait a few months and my skin got a little worse each month so a began treatment for a second time. In about two weeks my skin was completely clear again-
It's been 4&1/2 months still doing great ! just hoping i don't need a third treatment!
Bottom line you have to try it!
It's Life changing!
March 27, 2009
Pros:
dried up my oily skin; cleared pimples
Cons:
god! i felt like i was going crazy. was so depressed; no energy whatsoever (couldn't get out of bed...); couldn't concentrate or focus (nearly dropped out of college - but I was valedictorian in high school) - oh and painfully dry, red skin..
this medicine messed me up. only made it two months in then had to stop. my sister had a similar reaction so maybe its a genetic thing. try bactrim DS twice daily - it has saved me!
i swear accutane made me suicidal/verging on psychosis. feel like a different person off it (it made me lose 15kgs - had no appetite; my sister gained 20kgs on it. scary stuff. but obviously it has different affects on different people)
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN!!!! This is the only important pro for me. But other pros are no more oily face and hair, make up stays put instead of dissolving after an hour.