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
May 25, 2007
Cons:
nada .. i can honestly say i didnt feel a thing. i was so worried about peeling, eyes, lips .. not being able to put on my makeup. and i actually didnt feel anything.. it was great
try it. who cares what others think
April 25, 2007
Pros:
Clear perfect skin
Cons:
The only con I ever had was waiting 4 months for the treatment to be over, but it cleared up completely within 4-6 wks. And 4 months goes by so fast.
Dryness, but it was so mild that it shouldnt be bothersome, as long as you have a few skin produ
Fabulous, at least for me it was. I sarting clearing up within 2 weeks. It basically changed my life. I don't know if it really can cause depression, however I even have a genetic connection to depression and accutane didn't trigger it so I don't know. I have tried EVERYTHING I can tell you and this is the only thing that works. My doctor even told me that, expecially for sufferers of severe acne, it's the only treatment that can actually be consistant even after you stop using it.
It's been about a year since I last used accutane, and I only got one or two small pimples, and they were so small that I can easily cover them up with makeup anyways.
March 21, 2007
Pros:
It works like nothing else
Cons:
Who said that about 'being upset about comments and actions of other people that wouldnt usually upset me'? It's exactly what I am experiencing! I am usually such a calm, stable person. I find myself getting annoyed easily, but not depressed
Accutane, I should have used you two years ago. Because now I have so many scars and I work so hard to get rid of them....lemon, yoghurt, vitamin e, cocoa butter,tumeric, papaya mask....but the scars remain. The emotional scars are perhaps more deep...I lost my confidence, I missed out on socialising like a normal young person in her twenties. And now, I'm picking up the pieces. So please, if anyone is reading this and thinking about accutane...please stop delaying...get on it now. You deserve it.
March 4, 2007
Pros:
This is my second time to start Accutane therapy. The first time I was 20 and in college. I remember my face being terribly dry … my lips so chapped they bled daily … and getting so very sunburned even wearing sunscreen.
Cons:
After doing my first round of Accutane therapy I was told by a second dermatologist that it did not prove to be effective as my main problem was rosacea, not acne. Well, here I am six years later, having one of many major acne flare-ups since the
first round of therapy. My GP kept giving me the five day steroid packs. I was loving it as the redness drastically decreased and the acne seemed to calm down. I finally got into a new dermatologist as I'm living in a different state from my previous therapy. She informed me that the steroid packs are not good, in fact, they cause scarring. She put me on Solodyn and Tazaroc until I could get my first Accutane script after starting the iPledge program. So today is day three of taking it. I have noticed my lips and face to be slightly dryer, but I can't tell if it's psychological, or if it has already started to effect me. I'm starting to see what others on this board are using for their facial dryness as I will need to stock up soon. Last time around my best friend was aquaphor for my lips, so we'll see what I need this time around. All right, I'll post again once I have more to say about this time around :)
February 23, 2007
Pros:
Clear, flawless, skin, no oil.
Cons:
Dry lips, aches and pains. Initial breakout, cure is usually just temporary.
After several months off, the acne comes back. Have been through two courses. Still not clear. Still have long term after affects from using.
If you want 3-6 months of good clear skin then go for it. Just be willing to endure for 2- 4 months of terrible, dry skin that may be riddled with more acne than you originally had. Aches and joint pains and possibly other side affects. This is not a cure for everyone. Very few people actually get rid of their acne forever after accutane, but the after affects can last forever.
January 15, 2007
Pros:
Clear Skin, people actual say they wish they had skin like me!
Cons:
Dry eyes, lips. Have to use alot of moitsurizers (big deal)
I was on Accutane wthe first time when I was 19 yrs old (19 yrs old)and it worked amazingly then. My skin and even hair were normal instead of oily. It was great to feel so normal and have such confidence after feeling ridiculed and embarrassed by my peers in school for years. Unfortunately my acne cam back in my 30's and it was the very painful cycstic kind that leave terrible scars. I went back on last year for 6 months and it worked like a dream. 4 mos after my treatment I started breaking out all over (back, chest arms, face, etc...) they put me back on for a 2nd round and it's working agin. I'm beginning to think my skin will only stay clear while I'm ACTUALLY TAKING accutane. MY QUESTION IS WHY CAN'T I TAKE A LOW DAILY DOSAGE OF ACCUTANE? I can handle the mild side effects and I can't actually get pregnant so what is the dangers? By the way Dr. Dan's CortiBalm is the best accutane lip balm out there. Google him on the net and you can order his product.
January 10, 2007
Pros:
i have been on 10mg tablets once a day for the past month and my skin has improved so much! still have a few small bumps and black heads but no big pusy sore ones!
Cons:
really dry lips
is working really well for me and havn't had any major side effects! its worth the cost of the dermatoligist!
December 4, 2006
Pros:
Clear skin, no more breakouts or oily skin. Look much better than before.
Cons:
VERY dry lips and dry eyes, sore joints and makes you feel more tired than normal.
Even though the side effect are horrible, you get to have beautiful skin. Thats enough for me!
November 30, 2006
Pros:
My face is no longer oily and i have no more zits. Since i live in canada my health insurence covered very cent! It would of cost me about $200+, if i hyad to pay that I would of!
Cons:
- very dry lips and i have super high cholesterol now :S.
100% worth it!
November 23, 2006
Pros:
My skin has never been so beautiful. I had acne for nearly 15 years before going on accutane (and had tried EVERYTHING). Accutane worked wonders and I have never felt more confident about my skin.
Cons:
I did experience some uncomfortable side effects: lower back pain, very dry eyes, the typical cracked lips, and some headaches. The medication is also quite expensive if one does not have insurance, although the generics available help alot.
Accutane is an amazing medication. I feel that have been 'cured' of my prior skin ailments (which include severe oilyness, perioral dermatitis that did not respond to ANY treatment--oral contraceptives, differin, tazorac, duac, three types of oral antibiotics, retin-a, nicomide-t gel, topical corticosteriods, azelic acid, proactive, you name it!, and constant breakouts into my mid twenties). The side effects were annoying and occasionally distressing, but i just had to remember that I was making an investment in my skin and my self esteem. Find a dermatologist that is invested in your treatment, and be informed about your decision to use accutane. You need to be able to recognize the side effects and treat them appropriately. Overall, however, it has been one of the best decisions of my life. I have *perfect* skin! I haven't had a pimple in over a year, and I've been off accutane now for 7 months.
Pros:
i think it cleared me a little