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 4, 2011
Cons:
Dry skin and chapped lips
Still have some minor acne
Must take two pills a day, sometimes I would forget.
First let me state that my acne was never severe like some peoples, but nothing I did could get it to go away. I have tried everything before trying accutane, but my acne was incredibly resilient. Accutane seemed to me like it worked very well in the first month or two, and then the effects seemed to diminish. My acne is still much much better than it was when I started. However, I still have some under the skin acne (no whiteheads or blackheads), I don't really get nasty cysts like I did before I started which is really nice, but I do still have bumps. Overall, accutane has worked much better for me than any other treatment (and believe me, I tried EVERYTHING). I was lucky enough to not experience any negative side effects other than some very dry skin, which isn't even that big of a deal as long as you have a good moisturizer and carry around a tube of chapstick! I would definitely recommend accutane to others with bad acne.
July 24, 2011
Pros:
-clears skin when nothing else will!
Cons:
-acne can come back (not permanent)
-dry, fragile skin
-monthly blood tests
-expensive without insurance
Accutane was the only thing that ever successfully cleared my skin, and I tried countless thin, many over the counter products and many perscriptions. However, it's been 5 months since I ended my 6 month course, and my acne is back. :(
July 22, 2011
Pros:
clear skin
no oily skin
no blackheads
do not need to wear make up
flawless skin
Cons:
chapped lips
dry eyes
this is worth it for anyone who suffers from really bad acne. the only thing is that your acne may return after you stopped the course. my acne returned again but not as bad. it's a gamble to see if your acne will return but it is definately worth it.
July 16, 2011
Pros:
It pretty much will work no matter what
Cons:
Too many side effects
This pretty much is a last resort drug if nothing else works. It works wonderful. But I get back pains, chapped lips, and joint pains. But after a while I get used to it. I do reccomend this who has tried everything.
July 10, 2011
Pros:
Clear skin that looks healthier
Confidence
Skin can breathe without having to wear makeup
Cons:
Extreme sensitivity to sunlight/UV lights
Chapped, burning lips
Dry, itchy skin (can improve depending on dose)
Dry, itchy eyes (basically every hole on your body can become dry and chapped... yes your bottom parts too!)
Appetite change
Bottom line, IT WORKS. The pro's defiantly out way the cons. I began suffering with acne starting at 18. It all began when I started to work at Hooters (being exposed to an open kitchen around grease and buffalo sauce was not the best thing to eat nor be around 6 days a week) Once my acne came it never stopped. Antibiotics, expensive make up, expensive face wash (obagi, proactive, aveno etc) never did a thing. Creams (retina, tazerac, diffren etc.) did nothing. Chemical peels, microdermabraison etc barely helped. Finally, 4 years later I decided to give Accutane a try (isotretinoin). I am 5 foot 3 inches 115 lbs and my derm originally put me on 40mg once a day for 5 months which was about $240 a month. On my 6th month (which I am finishing up now) she increased my dose to 60mg once a day, that doubled the cost to $580. I have very good health insurance so I am unsure as to why it is pricey. All of my acne is completely GONE! I am only left with some scarring (my scarring is basically like red freckles) my face is completely smooth with zero pimples/ white and black heads. My derm said the scarring is the longest thing to get rid of and it will go away with time even after the medication cycle is complete. The things I suffered with was decrease in appetite, sunburns EXTREMELY easy, dry/itchy skin, weekly nose bleeds, peeling and cracking of the lips (ask to be prescribed to Cutivate... works wonders!) dry eyes, head aches if medication is taken on empty stomach, emotional sensitivity (cry spells mainly over sad movies, touching stories etc.) Joint pain (I also flipped my car with no seat belt 3 months prior to starting Accutane so my wreck can contribute to the pain) and dry mouth. Dry skin can be solved by baby oil baths and lots of water and fragrance free lotions/soaps. I find purpose facewash has been the most gentle face wash, its great! I truly do recommend this medication!!! EVERY side affect can be treated!! But Accutane is what will treat your acne! Do it
July 4, 2011
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN!
confidence booster!
Cons:
chapped lips
i had comedonal acne since i was 12, the derm gave me every kind of cream and pill and nothing worked. so finally at 16 he finally put me on and it worked wonders on my skin cleared EVERYTHING ! but it now after 6 months is coming back :(
July 4, 2011
Pros:
*cleared original acne, and not one new zit since!
*Insurance made it much cheaper
Cons:
*left behind a face full of acne scars
*dry, painful rashes on legs and arms
*sores on lip
*skin is much more easily cut, burned, and bruised
*have to get monthly blood and urine tests to get a refill
This product WILL get rid of your acne, and for me it was definitely worth all the poor side effects. I just wish I'd done it sooner.
Also, I used the generic brand (Claravis) which was totally effective, so don't think you have to pay extra for the name brand of Accutane because they're exactly the same.
June 25, 2011
Pros:
Clear skin (:
Cons:
SO SO easy to get cuts and big red scratches, red skin within the first couple months, very dry lips (to the point where they bleed) , itchy skin, dry skin
Accutane is definitely amazing at clearing your skin. It worked great and I'm so happy with how clear my skin is now. Ive been on it for 4 months and my skin looks so good. But, it caused me alot of stress from all of the constant and many scratches I got so easily. Honestly, the only way I could avoid scratches is by sitting home, doing absolutely nothing! But, I do think its worth it and I would go on it all over again if I had to because it works great. I call it the "magical pill" haha. The side effects do suck but in the end it was worth it (:
June 12, 2011
Pros:
-Dramatic clearing of acne: systs, pustules, papules, even blackheads all gone.
-Improvement in skin tone
Cons:
Although Isotretinoin can have many many side effects, these are just what I experienced over my treatment:
-Dry skin and lips
-Dry scalp (only in first few weeks)
-Back pain at night
-Hyper-sensitive thin skin all over body. Its very easy to get cuts and skin yourself.
-Inflamed, sunburned-looking face at times.
With some bothersome(but tolerable) side effects, Accutane absolutely DESTROYED my acne. :) I'd say that the side effects that one may endure are definitely worth the clear skin. TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING ON IT: If nothing else has worked for you, just give it a shot. It's the most effective medication and will most likely clear you up. If you're worried about the side effects, just make sure you're prescribed the medication by a caring dermatologist. They will take care of you if you encounter any problems and if you're having trouble, your dosage will be reduced.
June 6, 2011
Pros:
dramatically better skin! less oily hair
Cons:
change in eyesight, dry eyes, dry nose/bleeding, rashes on the back of my hands, lower back pain, chapped lips, consuming alcohol is not recommended, monthly blood tests
PROS: after a week or so of use, I noticed my skin was getting much,much better. my friends were beginning to notice a change in both my face and my self esteem. I no longer have to wear layers of coverup to try and hide my acne. also, living in canada, Accutane is covered by health care, so it's free! CONS: my eyes have always been dry, but Accutane has made it worse, especially if you are staring at a computer screen for extended amounts of time. the change in my eyesight is not bad enough to motivate me to get new glasses, but i definately notice it. things are a little more blurry than they used to be.
For about 2 weeks, i had been sick, so i was constantly blowing my nose and sniffling. this led to massive nosebleeds that went on for 25+mins each time. very scary when you are going to school and trying to go about your normal day. the worst was when i had 4 in one day!
Not too long after starting accutane, i noticed small rashes on the backs of my hands. unsightly as they are, they are not itchy and can be minimized using moisturizers and polysporin.
My lower back pain causes me to stiffen if i am in a specific position for too long. it is painful to straighten up quickly, so it takes me a while to loosen up agin. it makes me feel so old!!
The common side effect of chapped lips makes it necessary to carry my handy Burt's Bees chapstick around all the time. i have to exfoliate the dead skin from my lips constantly and lipstick is a definate no-no!
Although consuming alcohol is not recommended, i have still done it. what you may want to know is it lowers your tolerance. A LOT! you will get drunk very quickly!
Lastly, the monthly blood tests. although its a pain -you have to fast for 10 hours each time before you go- it really is for your benefit. your MD could detect some other health problem that you otherwise would not have known about. It may look like the cons outweigh the pros, but that isnt so; all of the cons are bearable
Pros:
Cleared up most of my skin
No more chest or back acne
Skin not as oily
Cheap with copay