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
July 23, 2009
Cons:
Unfortunately, it caused me extreme depression. I couldn't lift my head off my desk, dealt with suicidal thoughts, mania, and extreme anxiety. I tried 6 different medications in a year with no avail but am much better now.
I don't want to scare anyone. If your acne is very severe as mine was, you must weigh the risk versus reward. I think I made the right decision, but I did sacrifice my mental health, although I am a very successful young man. I am okay now, I found the right medication, but still deal with mood swings. If you are a MALE, you are more at risk for the depression, take my word for it. I know it is hard during high school to deal with the embarassment and low confidence. Sometimes I regret taking it, because the depression ruined my high school golf game, and also caused me to lose the love of my life, but I am confident and successful now. If you decide to go through with it, please, for the love of God, make sure your doctor monitors your psychological health.
July 21, 2009
Pros:
Clears your face up like a charm.
Cons:
The cost is INSANE. Between the medicine, doctors visits, monthly blood tests, and birth control they make you take for liability purposes. Easily $1000 a month. Bad side effects as well..
This is a wonderful medicine for people with oily skin that results in severe acne. The side effects for me were extreme dryness EVERYWHERE, very bad muscle pain (especially in my back), and eventually blurred vision. I had to go off of it after 3 months, and my face looked great but two years later and I'm back to moderate acne. Overall, this drug is great for some people and not so good for others.
July 21, 2009
Pros:
Accutane changed my skin which used to be very oily and had a lot of acne. I had tried every medication for acne and nothing worked until this.
Cons:
It took me 6 months until the Accutane worked. It was the most frustrating process because the side effects are pretty bad but stick with it! It was not until the last month of my treatment that it worked.
Stick with it. Some people see results right away, others like me don't. I almost gave up on it but it was worth the frustration. I can now go places without makeup on which i would NEVER do before. It is the most amazing thing ever. Also my skin is not oily compared to what it used to be.
July 20, 2009
Pros:
I WISH I TRIED THIS EARLIER! After suffering with acne for 7 yrs I have tried every possible treatment, not to mention paying £100 a time for microdermabrasion.. I have finally found somethin that really does work 1 month in & my skin is almost clea
Cons:
Severe dry lips that split- Carmex lip balm works best
Dry skin- moisturise each day (oilatum for eczema works well)
Dizzyness/ poor vision, tiredness, muscle aches especially when exercising, headaches and dry eyes- HOWEVER THESE ARE ALL BEARA
Initially I was worried about starting this treatment as I have had depression previously and when reading about this treatment I was worried it would return- and I am still cautious. However, one month in and my skin has never looked so great! My skin is very red at times and can be sore BUT one month in and I am getting one or two pimples a WEEK if that! This to me is already like a miracle and I am excited to see how my skin will improve within the last two months. I am taking 70mg a day for a total of three months. Do not worry about the side effects, you are closely monitored by dermatologists and as soon as the effects become too much (if they do) you can come off of them, its as simple as that!! Dont get me wrong some of these side effects are pretty harsh and I am often left tired and sore from muscle pain but the clear skin outweighs all of that! Also, do not go out in the sun without sun screen! I was VERY badly burnt on a mild day (EVEN IN ENGLAND!!) I am still peeling now!!
July 18, 2009
Pros:
clearing in some spots.
Cons:
dry skin. lips.
ive been on accutane for four months now entering my 5th month. im breaking really bad still. all along my cheeks and forhead. i went to the derm yesterday and he raised my dosage up to 120 mgs a day. he seemed disappointed, and knew i was too. he said hes going to leave me on it for an extra month and if i don see results. and gunna be doing another course. im an athletic kid. varsity football jus started and im the captain of the football team and theres a lot on my shoulders. so idk if that is why im breaking out. the results are not coming nearly as fast as i thought, but hopefully this month will change my opinion on the medicine.
July 13, 2009
Pros:
It worked remarkable well.
Cons:
Having so many doctor visits and blood work.
Everyone reacts differently to different drugs but Accutane was great for me. I was on Accutane for six months and I have now been off for six months and I have not gotten one cystic pimple within that whole year. My face is almost completely clear; I do get very small bumps every now but they go away quickly. Before Accutane I had bad hyper-pigmentation and now I have almost none. Also, I didn't experience very many side effects, only dry skin and some minor soreness. The worst part of the whole experience was getting my blood drawn every month but I eventually got over it and no longer fear needles. With my insurance it was very affordable---probably cheaper than buying a months worth of OTC acne medication. Overall I would definitely recommend Accutane if you suffer from acne that is negatively impacting your life---you'll never know how it might help until you try it.
July 8, 2009
Pros:
works great and even clears up the acne i had on my chest.
Cons:
dry lips/face. got worst before it got better.
like many others have said it really works unlike all these other products like proactive i'm just suprised that it isn;t really known. highly recommended. thanks to this pill my life 100 times greater.
July 7, 2009
Pros:
Completely clear!!! Beautiful smooth skin, no scarring and reduced the use of makeup! I want to believe that it reduced razor burn as well :)
Cons:
Dry skin, dry lips, dry nose, itchy scalp. Irritability, frequent nightmares, depression,
I used accutane for the first month and it completely cleared everything! My acne was not as severe as some, but I did have those huge nodule-cyst-like pimples under my skin, mainly around my chin. It took care of those painful, embarrassing F***ers in the first month. The cons I listed above are worth the end results. Of course everyone is different, so bottom line, if you have acne of any kind, take accutane, follow the doctor's instructions, be consistent with the medication and listen to your body! It knows best!
July 1, 2009
Pros:
I haven't had any bad breakouts since I started, which is amazing! I've had a few pimples come up, but they're never bad and they're not there for as long as they used to be.
Cons:
Dry skin on my face and around my elbows. Lips are dry after the first week, a few cracks and bleeds, but it's not too bad.
It's working faster than anything I've taken, which for me is saying quite a lot. I've tried Pro Activ, and other topical ointments, antibiotics, but this has given me the best results so far.
June 19, 2009
Pros:
it works really well!
Cons:
upper back pain, nightmares, waking up in a sweat, moody
This does work really well if u can handle the cons
Pros:
I took Accutane for about 6 months during high school. I had severe acne on my face and back, and could hardly sleep at night because the pain was so terrible. After my cycle was complete, my face was as smooth as the day I was born.