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
June 12, 2009
Cons:
Chapped lips. Blood tests a little inconvenient.
I am now on my second course of accutane (had acne on my back that returned.) I have to admit I had NO side effects other than chapped lips. No horror stories of thinning hair, mood swings, back pain, nosebleeds, anything like that. I only wish I had taken it in high school! One tip - I had lower back pain when I first started but figured out it was due to the vitamins I was taking. You should not take vitamin A while on this medication, as the overdose will cause joint/back pain. Now, instead of a multivitamin I take separate vitamin d, vitamin c, calcium and fish oil supplements. Fish oil definitely helps with the dryness. Also Aquaphor for the lips. Highly recommend accutane!
June 11, 2009
Pros:
My skin is clear and the scars are going! Improved confidence - not looking in the mirror constantly and spending a fortune on cover up sticks.
Cons:
The first two weeks were awful - lots more acne but gradually it's got better - all cleared up after 5-6 weeks. Very achy after any physical exercise. Dry lips - not too bad though. Tiredness but I think this is because I ache all the time.
I've always had mild acne but two years ago when I was 36 it became very bad and was scarring. I tried all the natural remedies and if I ate a 'acne friendly' diet my skin was ok but that just wasn't practical - I wanted to live a little! I went to a doctor privately and he put me on antibiotics to start with but after the course, the acne just came straight back. I started on isotretonin two months ago and I can't believe the difference - my doctor says there's a very good chance that it'll never come back. Happy Days!
June 10, 2009
Pros:
Absolutely no pimples anymore, and my scars went away. My skin is now soft, smooth and almost flawless. Everything all together is more evenly toned and no redness anymore.. :)
Cons:
chapped lips, sometimes they crack and bleed if i forget to put chapstick on. Bloody noses everytime i sneze, cuz of a dry sinus. Spine is always sore, mainly my lower back. I feel tired alot, sometimes moody.
Well the cons are pretty bad, but its only temporary and the results are forever, so 5 months of hell and in return you get clean skin for ever so worth it. my aunt and my mom took acutane when they were my age and they never break out ever and my aunts now in her 40's and my mom is in her 50's and im currently 18. its really rasied my self esteem :D
June 3, 2009
Pros:
None As of yet
Cons:
Itchy scalp,dry skin and dry lips and sore back and knees are all thats bothering me right now. I also get dry eyes at times, especially in hot conditions.
Im only one week in, noticing more whiteheads coming up. Before I started I never really got many whiteheads, just the odd one or two, but now ive got a good few on my face, and alot on my back.
But their all starting to dry out now.
I had one sleepless night, well pretty much, didnt get to sleep till 4 in the morning and was up at half 7. It was due to my skin where my nose meets my cheeks becoming really dry and sore. It is still painful 2 days later but after a good moisturise the pain eases.
Hopefully it gets better.
May 30, 2009
Pros:
clear skin & confedince
Cons:
dry lips, occasional dry skin, joint pain
I finished my accutane treatment of 6 months last month. IM CLEAR! during my treatment i still had a few breakouts especally around my period but nothing compaired to before. It does make ur skin worce right after u start, but within a month i had about two weeks where i was clear! Sure, im going to break out again but only like 2 pimples (maybe) around my period. TAKE THIS MEDICATION. i was so scarred to take it when i read the ppl saying it wouldnt work.
May 21, 2009
Pros:
reduce oil dramatically,slow down possibility of new acene
Cons:
dry eyes and chapped lips
when i had the worst acene,the doctor recommended Isotretinoin to me,i tried it but afraid of its side effects. However i still insisted to use it for one year,i found my skin get better and the acene will almost not come to me. So i stopped taking it,two months after that,nightmare!,my acene came back again and become severe day by day.
I feel desparately now and i am hestating if i should take it again to cure my acene.I am planning to marry my boyfriend this year and we won't refuse a child then.If i take it now,i will not be a reponsible mother. who can tell me what should i do?
May 19, 2009
Pros:
Oil production decreased dramatically after only the third day! My skin looks better than it has in a decade. I am so thrilled to be on this medication! I also have to wash my hair much less frequently because I am so much less oily.
Cons:
Slightly dry skin and chapped lips. Elevated triglicerides and liver enzymes (which Dr. says will return to normal after my course is over). Blood tests are a hassle...but none of this is ANYTHING to complain about in light of the phenomenal pros.
Taking Accutane is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have had no side effects aside from slightly dry skin and chapped lips. Nothing at all to complain about. My triglicerides and one of my liver enzymes is slightly elevated, and my doctor is keeping an eye on that but I'm just hoping to be able to remain on the medication. My experience with Accutane has been totally fabulous and I recommend it to anyone who has suffered with skin problems. I have been so self conscious about my skin for about ten years now, always waiting for it to clear up but it never did until I started taking this medication. I have never been happier to take any medication. My skin looks so much better it is a miracle. I was terrified of the side effects of this drug but I have had nothing but a wonderful experience.
May 11, 2009
Pros:
Cleared skin very quickly, no oil, cheap with insurance
Cons:
dry lips and inside of nose.
Sooo scared to try accutane! I'm on my 2nd month and i LOVE it. i noticed a difference within a week. I had no initial breakout, and the most serious side effect i have noticed is dry lips, which can be easily tolerated with some chapstick or aquaphor. The monthly appointments and blood tests are a pain but totallly worth it! I take the generic version and with insurance its only $10 a month. But i guess you should factor in the derm appt every month which for me is $30. So $40 every month for clear skin?...ill take it!!!
May 8, 2009
Pros:
i was on 80mg of accutane and my skin acually cleared up a little i thought i was going to get an initial breakout right away.
Cons:
About to go to the derm massive pulsing headaches and very tired for taking it for a week. 1 in a million can get this side effect and i did.
Accutane is a good product and works well for pretty much everyone i just didnt get lucky and i cought a bad side effect. I am very sad and dont know what to do anymore.
April 16, 2009
Pros:
Its cheap. I only have a co pay of $10.
Cons:
Dry everything!! light joint pain. Blood in nose when I wake up.
I am on week three and I am still getting break outs. I am praying for recovery and clear skin soon.
Pros:
Significantly decreased oil production. Cleared all acne and blackheads. Skin is radiant. Fine lines/wrinkles diminished. Hair is less oily. Only thing that worked for body acne (back/chest.) Before accutane I tried EVERY product/med out there!