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
April 3, 2008
Cons:
It has gotten a little worse so far. Dry Skin...dry, cracked lips but not too bad
i have a great feeling about this medicine after being on everything else, and i mean EVERTHING...proactiv, oxy, duac, benzaclin, ziana, soloyn, phisoderm,u name it i was on it....i just went on this about a month ago and everythings clearing up pretty well except around my mouth which is where its pretty bad....forheads great and my back looks awesome already. I'm goin to th derm tommorrow and hopefully hell bump me up from 40mg's to 80mg's
April 2, 2008
Pros:
DEFINATELY clears skin up. Got a nice lip-moisterizing prescription from my doctor that i still use :-]
Cons:
started taking it over 3 years ago, havent taken it for about a year due to the fact that i got TERRIBLE mood swings, i had crying spells, my skin dried out real bad for the first couple months, and i got nauseated sometimes after taking it
I had real bad side effects, majority of the ones that they warn you about.
-but-
It's worked perfectly for a girl i know. it's different for everyone i guess
March 25, 2008
Pros:
I've only been on this for about a month and my acne did about a 270. Almost there! =)
Cons:
chapped lips and dry skin
use this stuff. it works. most of the time all of the side effects that you read about aren't the side effects that you'll get. most of all it's chapped lips and dry skin.
March 24, 2008
Pros:
Skin is left soft and smooth, redness has gone down considerably.
Cons:
None so far, I haven't experienced the dry lips, depression, or fatigue. The only con is the monthly blood tests but that is minor.
Before being on Accutane I tried everything from various antibiotics and creams nothing worked! I have been on Accutane for only a week now and my skin is soft and smooth, the bumps have gone away and the redness has gone down. I must admit before getting Accutane I was hesitant to start taking it but honestly I don't really feel much different at all. I would highly recommend to those that have tried everything and have gotten no results.
March 3, 2008
Pros:
less oil, no blackheads
Cons:
really bad IB, dry skin, weird rashes, moods
Im 15 and its been just over 3 months and i still can't see proper improvement. Am i just kidding myself that its still going to work or is there still hope? My IB was horrible, most spots have gone but they have all left marks that look as bad as the actual spots. Please can someone reply to this and tell me if it could still get better. Im only young and i dont want to be stuck wearing makeup every day for the rest of my life.
January 31, 2008
Pros:
dry skin, dont need to wash ur hair as much, confidence, happiness. IT is amazing
Cons:
nothing so far
Been on it for 3 months so far. Only have 1 zit on my face. I now get a zit once every 2-3 rather than 2 zits a day. I don't know if this is forever...but even if i have nice skin for 6 months i am happy. I havent had nice skin in about 7 years. no side effects
January 10, 2008
Pros:
dried up my oil glans. didn't have to was my hair as often. did clear it up somewhat.
Cons:
SIDE EFFECTS. night vision is bad, always tired, not as hungry (lost weight), very touchy (little things made me mad), scaring of breakouts i got while on it and any cut i got, bloody noses, depresstion, joint pain,
skin looked better while on it, but i still had probems. after the first time on it went back to how it had been before. and i went on it again. side effects the 2nd time were worse than the first. but i have heard it work wonders for people, but it doesn't work for everyone. but it is worth trying
January 7, 2008
Pros:
clear, non-oily skin when NOTHING ELSE worked
Cons:
took about 4 months to work, dry skin during treatment, extremely chapped lips, frequent nosebleeds, aching joints
here is my brief story: I started off with mild acne and used products like benzaclin and duac, 2.5% benzoil peroxide creams, to help. Those didn't work, and when my acne became "moderate", I was put on doxycycline. After four months of doxycycline and retin-a alternating with benzoil peroxide, my acne worsened. I tried natural treatments, basically every acne product on the market. It wouldn't go away. After much contemplation, I was put on accutane. Fast forward four months-- perfect skin. People telling me that they want my skin. What a turnaround! I do have some minor scarring but it's not much at all, and it is very easy to cover up. I went from severe acne with no hope to perfect skin. If you've tried what I had tried and it didn't work, go on accutane immediately. You deserve it.
December 20, 2007
Pros:
I've been on sotret for about 2 months and my acne got worse at first. Now it seems to be getting better and I hope it continues.
Cons:
Dry lips and skin but that's it. For clear skin it is completely worth it.
It's worth a try.
December 11, 2007
Pros:
It cleared my face temporarily. I took it for 6 months then was off for two years, then took it for six months again and I still have acne.
Cons:
A lot of office visits, blood drawns, follow up appoinments. Seemed like my life revolved around derm appointments.
It is the only thing that has ever worke but it is onlu temporary. It will come back with a vengance. My face looks horrible and I am in my thirties. I have battled this for 15 years and still am. Nothing helps. I have spend thousands of dollars on everything on tv, over the counter, and presciption medications. Nothing works.
Pros:
i've been on this for a month and it's cleared up my forhead very well and my back has cleared up dramatically already but not my trouble spots around my mouth