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 18, 2009
Cons:
See the Bottom Line. Please read the whole thing.
It was a miracle the first time I went on accutane 3 years ago and i was left with the perfect skin that I had only dreamed of. I had had slight stomach problems and a bit of a downed mood toward the end of the treatment that quickly went away when i went off the medication. After a year and a half, it came back, but not nearly to the degree that it was before. Because of the treatment, I am the extremely self-motivated, self-confident, down-to-earth girl I always knew I was, until acne made me wear a suit of armor to the world. I just went on accutane for the second time. Dryness, yeah whatever. Its called vaseline. I had to stop the treatment early and I am now seeing a therapist for dysthymic disorder. Coincidence? I think not. We'll see how life is a few months down the road but I am starting to think that clear skin was not worth risking my mental health. I reccommend this medication with GREAT CAUTION. If you feel depressed, STOP. Start with a lower dosage and bui
March 11, 2009
Pros:
It clears you skin fast, if you drink lots of water you barely know you are taking anything, your blackheads come out at night and wash away in the shower!!!
Cons:
Monthly blood tests, iPLEDGE program (while I know why they do it, it still is annoying). can raise cholesterol and tryglycerides
I know a lot of people can have negative side effects, but it is different for everyone and you should consult your doctor. I waited as long as possible to take it (I am now 27) and I am glad because I think it is important to know your body before you take it. While some people really suffer and don't get the results from Accutane, so many people have wonderful, life changing results. If acne is ruining you life and making you not want to go out and be yourself, it is definitely worth the risk of all of the side effects. Most people barely even know they are taking it. I am sorry for all of the people who haven't had the same experience.
March 5, 2009
Pros:
It definitley kept me clear for about 6-8 months, not worrying about the way your skin looks is great!
Cons:
Joint pain, extreme dryness, overall fatigue (you dont feel like yourself), I wound up getting Viatamin A toxicity (really dangerous) and was bed bound for a week or so.
Isotetrioin (Accutane) works.... for most people. If you have tried everything definitley push for it. Make sure you fully complete the treatments... my acne came back beacause I only made it a month. Don't be afraid to try it, but be well aware of the risks... like permanent joint damage, hair falling out, long-term systemic reactions. They use this stuff to treat malignant melanoma (skin cancer) in some cases, so dont take it lightly. Respect it and definitely think about it before you use it. Really ask yourself the question "Is my acne really bad enough to use this stuff?".
March 2, 2009
Pros:
Gets rid of acne but comes back
Cons:
Leaves very bad scarring. Skin gets much worse in the beginning (ie. large cysts and pustules)
I've used accutane when it wasn't really necessary. My acne was very very mild and what ended up happening was it left scars all over my face. I regret ever being introduced to Accutane in the first place. I am Korean and have very sensitive skin that is prone to scarring. If I had known accutane would leave these permanent marks on my face, I would have thought twice about using it. I am now undergoing scar treatment. For Asians out there, be careful with this. If your skin is sensitive, ask your doctor if this is right for you. Spironolactone works much much better! :)
February 16, 2009
Pros:
Good things about this medicine is the only medicine that will give u clear skin......
Cons:
Bad things about this medicine is that it won't last forever.I try it two times before. The first time I try accutane, it breakout like crazy and its totally unacceptable. Second time I try it, it come back after one month.
this medicine is the best method to cure acne. I didn't experience any side effect, but it doesn't work pretty well on me. Guys who taking it do not expect it will cure you forever. Because it does not work on me either. Final word: I hate acne. ACNE SUCK.
February 15, 2009
Pros:
Not too bad side affects.
Cons:
The first few weeks got really sick and was super dry.
The rest is just cracked lips and bloody noses.
Supposedly gets worse than better.
I just finished my second month, on a 5 month treatment.
I pound down 80mg a day.
I have severe acne around my jaw, upper back, shoulders, and dead center of my chest.
I have moderate acne on my forhead, temples, and upper arms. Since then its only gotten worse. Yet I'm only on my 3rd month. It just sucks because I pay alot for it, I deal with the side affects, and my acne hurts, peels, bleeds, and pops like an s.o.b. I really hope it doesn't come back once its gone like other users have said above and below me.
February 10, 2009
Pros:
No more acne!
Cons:
everything just gets really dry
Let me just start by saying- I waited for 2 years sifting through all of these stupid forums waiting for my skin to clear. I (as I am sure many of u have) took every single other type of pill besides accutane, all of which never worked. Acne made me lose all of my confidence....Then I took accutane The first two months I saw absolutely nothing
The third month my skin got a little better but not really noticably to anyone but me
The fourth month my acne literally stopped. I havent popped/seen a pimple in 2 weeks. It was such an amazing feeling from someone who has had acne for so long. Now please, dont envy me- just get accutane- it really was a miracle and was very cheap for me. DO IT- stop wasting ur time on forums and get ur skin clear so u can get with people and have confidence MYTHS DISBARRED
1. Accutane doesn't make u moody- it gives u a reason to let urself get moody. Dont fall into that trap
2. U can still drink on accutane (i did) u just get drunk qui
February 8, 2009
Pros:
Permanent results.... literally destroyed my acne. Suffered no depression as a result of use whatsoever.....which suprised me as I have been diagnosed with depression in the past and spent years on prozac before i recovered.
Cons:
The dry lips i suffered looked just as horrible from a cosmetic point of view as the acne did. This was the reason i stopped using the medication early.
I took accutane for 2 months which is not as long as most dermatologists would recommend. There are pros and cons. As I stated earlier, the dry lips were VERY severre. My lips literally crusted over to such an extent that I felt I looked like a clown with big lips. Now that I'm off the drug however I cant say enough good things about it. I stopped taking the drug 3 months ago and my acne still hasnt come back. It has totally cleared up. I continued to drink heavily while on the drug and suffered no liver damage (I do NOT recommend this, it was irresponsible of me and is very dangerous!) I would recommend that high school students who are self concious about their appearence use it over the summer when they wont be in school. If you are self concious about your appearance, the dryness that occurs may temporarily damage your self esteem.
January 31, 2009
Pros:
In about a month my skin was already clearing up. And at the end of the 5 months i was on it, it cleared up completly. After i finished taking it, i hardly ever broke out, and if i did, it would just be one and by the end of the day it was gone.
Cons:
Dry lips, and skin, and extremly terrible back pains. which i still get till this day. and every month you have to have blood tests done and go to the dermatoligist.
It was pretty amazing how it just cleared my skin completly. i had been on antibiotics since i was 11 and finally resorted to taking accutane when i was 17. i had acne all over my cheeks, forehead and chin.Accutane kept me clear for about 2 years. but over the past year i started breaking out again and the past 4 months i have had it come back bad. regardless of my acne coming back, it felt great to know and remember what it was like to have clear skin for the past two years.
January 30, 2009
Pros:
An amazing product
Cons:
Dry, chapped lips, dry hair, nosebleeds, sun sensitivity
WOW!! For me, Roaccutane was a last resort. After years of trying antibiotics, Differin and over the counter products, Roaccutane was the only thing that worked. Had to be referred to a dermatologist by my GP who ordered regular liver function tests. Very affordable as it is on the Pharmacutical Benefits Scheme. Price went down from $150 per month to $7 per month with brand name Roaccutane.
Pros:
I have been on it on two separate occasions and by the time I have been done each treatment the skin on my chest, back, and face was left PERFECT.