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
November 8, 2008
Cons:
dry lips nosebleeds
replying to KP NZ, yes i improved ist month break breakouts then the same 2nd and 3rd month now on60mg daily much improving on 4th month but loads of little red marks but no breakouts as such, my derm told me this will all be gone by end of dec 08, but i sometimes find it hard to believe, told to be very patient with this treatment and not to miss a dose, so goof luck to all
October 29, 2008
Pros:
Really works, all my labs showed everything was functioning correctly during my regimen.
Cons:
Numerous doctors visits, irritating prescription process, and of course the dry lips.
I had moderate acne with once a month nodular cysts. I used the Accutane for 6 months, starting on a low dose and then it was hightened a little bit. I had the regular dry chapped lips and occasionally below my nose. I didn't experience a since idiosyncratic effect, or anything overly adverse. I think all the warnings and hype are the results of too many lawsuits. I still have my blood drawm regularly to make sure everything is normal. My liver is normal, my bones are normal and I have no problems with depression. I have no lasting effects except for much clearer skin!
October 18, 2008
Pros:
I have been on it for twenty days now and have definitely noticed a huge improvement. I've had acne off and on for over fifteen years and am hoping that this fixes it for good...So far it's looking promising...
Cons:
DRY lips (use Aquaphor) dry skin (use moisturizer), fatigue (minimal for me), dry eyes (use lubricating drops).
Too early for me to say for sure, but so far I'm seeing results and the side effects have been tolerable. I'll give additional feedback after I've been on it for a few months. I pray that I don't get the deep cystic acne that others reported as they progressed through....
October 3, 2008
Pros:
Only been on it a week, already have noticed a change.
Cons:
Dry red Lips, have noticed my eyes are dry and itchy"(not too bad but still noticable) My skin has started to feel itchy all over
(again not too bad)and my scalp also itchy.I have had a lose of appetite or just getting full faster.
I have been dealing with acne since I was 15,I have triedn EVERYTHING. The best thing that worked before Accutene was Minnocycline it always worked, but I had to go on it for 4 months out of every year for 3 years, that antibiotic, or any for that matter, is not good to be on for a lengthy period of time, and I didnt want to be on it for the rest of my life, so I went to this hopefully it will work. Make sure u try EVERYTHING before going on this its very potent.
September 22, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my hormonal acne like magic!
Cons:
It wont last forever! About a month after finishing i started developing whitheads but thats it. No pimples!
It works wanders. I was on it for 5 month at a very low low dose and was clear by the end of month 4. After finishing i started using differin and duac and taking Vit A and Zinc. Seems to be working well.
September 16, 2008
Pros:
Temporarily helped my acne.
Cons:
Dry skin, emotional problems for teenagers- lack of focus and depression.
Ok, I took this stuff when I was 17 and I am considering going on it again. I stopped taking it a month or two before my derm recommended because I was feeling depressed and anxious a lot, and could not focus in class. (I still have terrible acne, came back a few months later but they say the 2nd round usually zaps it for good) But now I know a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was a hormonal teenager and I am also hypoglycemic so I have to eat a little differently. Now I am 21, a graduate student, and I hate people telling me I look like I'm 18 or 19 because of my acne, so I am giving this another shot. I'd recommend this: Do not be afraid to go talk to a therapist as a young person, especially if you are on this medicine. Also be honest about whether or not you are prone to depression, as I was.
September 15, 2008
Pros:
Months of no oil production. Can go more than 1 day without washing hair. Cleared acne quickly.
Cons:
A plethora of side effects: dry lips, skin, and eyes, fatigue, joint pain, fragile skin, photosensitivity, diminished night vision, mood swings.
This is not a drug for the faint of heart. It can cause serious issues and should only be taken after serious consideration. Maintaining good communication with the dermatologist is crucial. I'm sorry I didn't go this route before. After 12 years battling persistant acne, I finally feel care-free about my skin. I used Sotret, the generic, and it worked great.
September 11, 2008
Pros:
It worked. 5 months post accutane my skin is beautiful and I rarely break out.
Cons:
Dry skin and lips. Major sensitivity to the sun. I flushed really easily. Aches and pains. Thin fragile skin. ipledge is a pain in the ass. Blood tests and birth control.
Going on accutane was definitely a long drawn out journey, and I had a love-hate relationship with it while I was on it. After I was off for a month or two my skin started looking wonderful. I rarely break out and I don't have to do much to keep it clear. I get compliments all the time. It's a pain, especially with the dry lips (aquaphor sucks too...make sure to get something better) but it was worth it in the end and I would do it again if I had to.
August 22, 2008
Pros:
Clears up my acne completely. never had an acne free face since school days. only lasted for 1 year before it all comes back.
Cons:
was on very low dose (10mg/day)..took 8 months to clear up..hate the side effect (chapped lips,)..the initial breakout was really bad making me so inferior..the acne went cystic and pops up like nobody's business..and the scarring was hell
i would never do it again..while it is effective i wouldnt want to go thru the initial breakout before it heals. and u recover with ugly scars..just when the scars fading away, the acne strikes back!!!!..sighhh
July 30, 2008
Pros:
its worked very well for me, i still have another 3 months left, im really happy with the way its been working.
Cons:
it makes your skin dry, and quite sensitive. but the pros definatley outweigh the cons.
its worked wonders for me, my skin is still continuing to improve, and it does take patience, but its worth it. i havent noticed any changes in my personality and i have not experienced any depression. my knees do get sore at times but its tolerable. my hands are dry, but i think that might be a combination of winter and the tablets. its an effective medication and i do recommend it.
Pros:
improving very very slowly