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
August 11, 2007
Cons:
dry nose, sore joints, dry lips, tiredness, expensive
It didn't work for me until month 3. I'd severe acne, and my skin has been reletively clear with a number of months now. I could go a month without a spot! My mood hasn't changed, but I find it quiet expensive at nearly €160 a month! Well worth it though.
August 7, 2007
Pros:
Was on it for 5 months, started to see good results after month 2. Once i finished month 5, skin was 95% clear
Cons:
DRY LIPS, dry skin, itchy eyes, RED flushing when exposed to great amounts of sun. Body pain(chest and joints)
Last resort for acne, i have been on it all and this stuff was the only thing that cleared my skin.
August 3, 2007
Pros:
So far, so good. It does take awhile to work, I am almost at 8 weeks on this medication and my skin is nearly clear. It definitely works! Skin isl less oily, and the pores and almost invisible.
Cons:
dry lips, dry skin. Skin broke out very badly until just now. It took about 2 months to show an improvement. Monthly testing is a pain.
If you are struggling with bad skin do not wait!! This may help you. I had very persistent mild acne that was not responding to anything!This seems to be the only thing to work for me.
July 19, 2007
Pros:
Amazing results (What more can you ask for?)
Cons:
Dryness of skin, lips, and nose, especially in the beginning of treatment. The dryness of my skin and nose improved with time. Follow the derm's instructions, buy chapstick, lotion, etc. I also found a humidifier also helps with dryness.
I struggled with acne for years. My dermatologist prescribed everything under the sun(triaz, tazorac, differen, betacline, a number of oral antibiotics, and others I can't remeber). I faithfully followed the regimens with no results. My derm never mentioned Accutane. In desperation, I traveled 2 hours to a new derm for a consultation about the Blue Light Treatment. The new derm looked at my skin, reviewed my file, and decided to prescribe Accutane. I am thankful that she did. It hasn't always been easy. I had to watch my cholesterol intake, keep my skin moisturized, and keep my lips and nose moist (it sounds disgusting, but a little vaseline up the nose before bed helps tremendously). However, I am a month from ending my treatment and couldn't be more pleased with the results. After years of acne, thanks to Accutane, I love my skin.
July 5, 2007
Pros:
PERFECTLY CLEAR SKIN, no depression, made me feel so much better about myself
Cons:
dry lips, dry eyes (still can't wear contact lenses), nose bleeds (every day for over a year), anxiety
I took accutane for 5 months. I had severe acne, and this was a last resort, after too many things had failed (antibiotics - 3 different kinds over 3 years, every over the counter product, birth control, natural remedies, etc). It was about 2-3 months before I saw a difference. My face was SO dry, I had to use moisturizer all over my body, and vaseline in/on my nose 2-3 times a day, so much lip balm. I also had to have mineral oil every few days to keep my insides moisturized. I had horrible cystic acne (sometimes lasting for a month or two), constantly all over my face, but since my treatment has been over, I have yet to get a cystic pimple. My face was finally clear for the first time since I was 11. I was able to go to my prom and graduation without any makeup on my skin. It was amazing. It has been a year and a half since I finished, and I am getting pimples again, but it was well worth it. I wish my face stayed clear, but I would do it again if it got to how it was.
July 1, 2007
Pros:
Works like a charm! My skin never looked better than it did after I finished Accutane...
Cons:
... but all my acne came back after a year of being off Accutane. I would have to go through a second treatment of this stuff if I wanted clear skin again.
I'm guessing my case is rare because for most people it works the first time. I'd say try it, definitely. I hated having to get up at weird hours to take it (because of conflicts with eating times) and 2 pills a day was just so much work for such a long time without guaranteed results (for me). But otherwise, the medicine is a God-sent.
June 27, 2007
Pros:
Virtually cleared up my skin while I was on the medication.
Cons:
Blurred vision and of course dry skin. Acne reappeared about a month after I finished. It's not as bad as it was before but it's close. Also, my skin feels oiler than it did before I was on the medication.
It's worth a try and if it works for you, that's great. I thought it would work for me because my skin cleared up while I was on it, but now it's back to the way it was before.
June 21, 2007
Pros:
made my skin completely clear up
Cons:
muscle aches, dryness, chapped lips, takes awhile to work
i'd go for it if you really want your face cleared, but if you're an athlete it's harder because you can get really bad muscle pains
June 12, 2007
Pros:
clear skin
Cons:
dryness of lips and skin around the mouth area
i came into this website curious about week to week improvements and side effects from different users. i know a lot of people are more curious as they first start treatment. so im hoping i can help.
ive struggled with acne for about 6 years now...im now 24.
i recently started accutane. im 110 pounds so the derm prescribed me 40mg doses once a day for the next 5 months.
been on accutane for a little over a week now...i didnt notice anything the first few days but now at week one i notice dry lips esp around the corners of the mouth. im having to apply a combination of chapstick and vaseline every hour. the skin around my mouth and nose have started drying out but using LA ROCHE POSAY's hydraphase lotion for dry skin has helped TREMENDOUSLY. i also drink at least 6 glasses of water. it helps! i can wear makeup as usual skin started breaking out continously since three days ago...but i think thats subsiding already. other than that no other joint problems or mood swing
May 28, 2007
Pros:
starting to clear my skin
Cons:
dry lips, acne flare
I would not recommend accutane to someone who wants a quick fix. Only if you have tried everything and your acne bothers you enough try accutane. The bad thing I have a severe flare during the first 4 weeks and also a skin infection that I had to take antibiotics for. But it is beginning to clear up and I am literally peeling the zits off my face.
Pros:
Vast improvement in my skin