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
January 27, 2009
Cons:
Dry lips, dry arms and back, and dry nose--not too bad considering the cons!
For years I was terrified of going on Accutane--everyone's heard how strong of a drug it is, etc, and lets not forget the blood tests (I have a huge fear of blood and needles!), but after trying everything and seeing few results, I broke down and went on it. WOW. Accutane changed my life. I had moderate, perhaps moderately severe acne and I am now 100% clear. I feel so much better about myself and have gained a new confidence, and people will often compliment me on my skin. The side-affects were so much less severe than I expected. Just stock up on Cetaphil's Ultra Hydrating Lotion and Nivea's A Kiss of Moisture lip care and you'll be fine. For anyone who is hesitating about Accutane and has tried numerous prescriptions without results, JUST DO IT! It was worth every blood test (and believe me, that means a lot for me to say that) and the side-affects were easily bearable. Accutane has CHANGED MY LIFE!
January 22, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin as advertised, boosted confidence, brighter outlook, no active acne!
Cons:
Dry lips are biggest problem, dry skin i found to be manageable with a good moisturiser, blood checks are a slight hassle
The decision to go on Accutane was a big one. I had tried everything, and had pretty bad acne, but had heard al the whispers and warnings about accutane and was a bit worried. I did my research, as someone reading may be doing right now, and chose to go on it. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I HAVE EVER MADE. I wholeheartedly reccommend accutane to anyone who has moderate to severe acne, or is at all emotionally affected by their acne. My acne has cleared, and I feel amazing!
I had a six month course of 40 mg daily. Glaxall base moisturiser is perfect, and using this on yours lips with vaseline over it did amazing work for dry lips. The second month was my "IB", though it wasn't especially bad. Knowing it will get better gives you confidence. By the fourth month I was noticeably better, and by the fifth month I was all but clear. For months after I was completely clear using only Spectro-Jel. I now have a couple pimples, but there barely anything. Accutane is amazing. Please
January 12, 2009
Pros:
6 months before improvement, but wow massively improved loads of comments about how my acne has really cleared up
Cons:
very dry lips, heavy nosebleeds weekly,
this medication does work, but for me it took 6 months before i saw any signifcant improvement, constantly had breakouts on my face for 5 months (my back cleared up almost immediately and i have not had a single pimple on my back for the whole 6 months,) I felt like giving up the medication but my derm insisted i be patient and will see results for which now i am, all i have is very very small little pink marks which my derm has said will clear in another 2 or 3 months no scarring which i thought i might,but no new lesions for a month, so please be patient, for me it has been a long 6 months but getting the results are worth it, i was on 65mg a day. good luck to all
January 9, 2009
Pros:
It has slightly cleared after a good 3 months, My back is almost completely clear so I can be optimistic about future results.
Cons:
Started at 40 miligrams, then to 60 and now up to 80. As a body builder I experience extreme muscle soreness throughout the day. Dryness has reached an incredibly high level and the skin on my arms have gotten scaly and irritated. Also dry lips.
It causes so many side effects, and you feel like sh*t all the time while it's flaring up. But on the other hand, I have had so many friends who have been successful with it that I knew I had to give it a try. I am extremely optimistic and can't wait until I will clear up and recover my full self confidence I once had before acne. I can't really recommend it yet, but I have read good things on this website and everybody really supports the treatment. I think people are wasting their time and money by buying the otc creams and facial washes because they are scams. This is the only medication that is proven to be effective, and it is basically a dream come true.
January 3, 2009
Pros:
approaching month 2 and noticing significant improvement
Cons:
dry lips and skin
hope it keeps working
December 30, 2008
Pros:
I completed a 6month regimen of accutane in July and have been off of the medication for 5 months now. My skin is doing fantastic and I have not had to use any meds (rx or otc) since.
Cons:
Chapped lips, dry skin - nothing that couldn't be fixed with chapstick and lotion! Blood tests/pregnancy tests every month were a pain as was dealing with the pharmacy/iPledge. That being said, the treatment was still completely worth it.
I had moderate to severe acne for 7yrs & have been on almost every prescription and over the counter acne medication there is. Nothing worked. I finally found a derm who listened to me & suggested accutane.
I personally had fewer side effects on accutane than many of the other medications I had been on. My skin began clearing up within the first 2 months. I have had a couple of pimples since being off the medicine - usually around my period. They have been VERY small and clear up very quickly.
Before going on this medicine realize that everyone reacts differently to different medications. What works for one person may not work for you and side effects differ from person to person. Also, it's easy to get excited when you start seeing results but you MUST finish your regimen or the medicine will not work properly and your acne could come back.
If you've tried most everything else and are frustrated I would highly recommend you give accutane a try. I'm very thankful th
December 17, 2008
Pros:
Clears up your skin, no oil on your face, no more acne!!!!
Cons:
dry/peeling lips (carmex works wonders), made my anxiety worse, and irritated my eyes (bloodshot and watery)
I had constant acne on my face for over years. I tried everything there was to get rid of it accutane seems to be the ONLY thing that has cleared up my face. I have been on it for about two months now and am happy with results. Just becareful with the medicine and listen to your doctor! As long as you take it correctly you should have no problems! It is a miracle worker.
November 22, 2008
Pros:
this stuff actually works. I had tried everything and this is the only thing that completely eliminated all acne.
Cons:
it made me very tired at times,gave me dry eyes and lips as well.
the bottom line is that you should definately try accutane if you have had prolonged acne. take it, get enough sleep and eat well, and you will see changes. good luck.
November 21, 2008
Pros:
makes acne disappear!!! smoothes skin texture, my hair wasn't oily anymore either
Cons:
took a few weeks to really start working, my lips were SO dry!, dry hands, mild rash on arms, back aches, joint aches, really dry inside my nose, i still have mild acne 2 years later
IT'S WORTH IT!!! don't be scared of it because it really does work!
November 8, 2008
Pros:
VERY effective; Inexpensive(if You have insurance)
Cons:
If You pop a pimple while on it, it scars much easier; Constant dry lips; Dry skin; Excessive muscle aches after work outs or runs(if You do those things); Having to take those pills on a daily basis
The side effects did not even phase me when I heard about the drug, I didn't care, as long as I got rid of my acne, and now it's gone for good. Dry lips: Brush them gently with a clean toothbrush every night during the last part of Your shower(to exfoliate the peeling dead skin) then as soon as You get out, put on a good amount aquaphor(feels so good) then sleep, in the morning You have soft lips and from then on keep adding some aquaphor throughout the day to keep them from getting dry, burts bees will work too throughout the day. I would reccomend the Honey type. Dry Skin: I use anything from St. Ives. overnight-so that i wake up with smooth, moisturized skin Muscle Aches and Pains: Stretch a lot and don't hold the stretches too long-like You're normally supposed to because I noticed that actually makes things worse. Take an aleve if You must Moodiness: Never experienced anything other than how I normally am, I'm actually less moody now that my skin is cle
Pros:
Essentially CURED of acne! I have smaller pores, virtually zero breakouts, and soft, glowing skin.