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 6, 2009
Cons:
During 6 month regimen: Lips dried up and scabbed over. Inner nose scabbed over and bled constantly. My arms got scabs in patches (like eczema). Took another month for side effects to wear off. Monthly blood tests and a week of sobriety before them.
I really disliked going through the treatment. It was incredibly uncomfortable. I hadn't picked my nose this much since the 3rd grade, though I was picking at scabs and not digging for gold. I figured I'd get used to the side effects eventually, but they remained annoying through the whole regimen. Also, the blood tests are to check the affects on your liver, which means NO DRINKING for a week before the blood test - every month. And THEN you have to get a new prescription a couple days after the blood test every month, which means another copay ($50 per, for me, and of course the pills, which cost about $10 under my insurance). But in the end, my face and back are completely clear. No matter what I've used for the past 20 years, I've never seen my face this clear - even on good days. I Highly recommend this, but due to the side effects, agree that it should be a last resort.
May 4, 2009
Pros:
It gets rid of your acne within a month or two while you're on it.
Cons:
It comes back afterwards. Hassle with all the blood tests.
I used Accutane when I was 16, it got rid of my acne, but it all came back within a year. I used it again about a year ago, and my acne has not come back full swing again. I do get some mild acne here and there but it's nothing like before.
May 3, 2009
Pros:
Reddish bumps gone completely, barely any oil on face,
Cons:
Extremely chopped lips(actually started to peal off), horrible skin breakout around mouth, expensive,
I would definitely recommend this pill to anyone but my acne is still very visible even after the full 4 month phase. My doctor said that all of the reddish dots on face and the acne left will fade away slowly. I still think accutane has really helped. Best product i used so far.
May 2, 2009
Pros:
It did reduce break out and oiliness of skin, temporary.
Cons:
IT CAME ALL BACK after eating it for 1 year. Thin hair.
It caused hair thinning, it gave me false hope. and suddenly, it came ALL BACK.
April 22, 2009
Pros:
It's going to work! I have been trying stuff for 20 years and I know this is it. I am moving on with my life in 3 months when my treatment is finally over! It's like chemo for acne.
Cons:
I am trying not to focus on the price I pay in my body... aches, chapped lips, dry nose, eyes, mood swings - pretty emotional a lot of the time. Scabs on my head from it being so dry, and I itch all over but its worth it!!! : )
This is my bottom line. My ticket out of skin obsession hell. I am ready to put in my time lik a big girl and get through this treatment and then enjoy the rest of my life without the stress and anxiety and frustration of having problem skin! If you have tried everything, then try it! And take it right, with a meal, use the same brand the entire time you are on it, don't miss a dose. And get support on this site when you get discouraged because it feels like its too hard. You can make it! : ) Blessings, ClaraB
April 15, 2009
Pros:
A lot cheaper from abroad (India!!!). They sell them openly at the indian pharmacy believe it or not, so if you know anyone visiting, you could request it from there!
Cons:
Headaches within the first week. Still experiening headahes. Joint pains - but bearable. Also came out with a bad rash on arm. Dry lips.
It's only been 2 weeks since I'v been on it - so can't really notice much differecne.
April 1, 2009
Pros:
The first time on accutane it cleared up in a couple of months. From there it was better and better each month. Life changing ! Finally i was able to leave the house! Do things i never dreamed i could because i didn't have to worry about my skin.
Cons:
Two months after my finally dose i started to notice breakouts and oily skin. My doctor made me wait a few months and my skin got a little worse each month so a began treatment for a second time. In about two weeks my skin was completely clear again-
It's been 4&1/2 months still doing great ! just hoping i don't need a third treatment!
Bottom line you have to try it!
It's Life changing!
March 27, 2009
Pros:
dried up my oily skin; cleared pimples
Cons:
god! i felt like i was going crazy. was so depressed; no energy whatsoever (couldn't get out of bed...); couldn't concentrate or focus (nearly dropped out of college - but I was valedictorian in high school) - oh and painfully dry, red skin..
this medicine messed me up. only made it two months in then had to stop. my sister had a similar reaction so maybe its a genetic thing. try bactrim DS twice daily - it has saved me!
i swear accutane made me suicidal/verging on psychosis. feel like a different person off it (it made me lose 15kgs - had no appetite; my sister gained 20kgs on it. scary stuff. but obviously it has different affects on different people)
March 4, 2009
Pros:
It clears up your skin
Cons:
Some bad breakouts, flaky skin, chapped lips, f**ked joints, can't drink on the medication
Acutane all though it's hell to go threw while your on it, really does leave ur skin nice and clean after, you just have to cope with it which i know is really hard to do at times. There were times i hated being on this drug, but now im off im glad. I had mild acne now, I took this product from march last year to july .
February 27, 2009
Pros:
It seems to be the most effective acne treatment that I know of. It is really a pain to use for most people, but it works wonders for a lot of its users. It worked for me after the third try, but sadly, my acne came back a few months later.
Cons:
Expensive, dry, peeling skin everywhere, cracked lips, bloody nose, have to have your blood tested monthly, pregnant women can't take it.
Accutane is a severe method for treating acne, make no mistake about it. That said, and even though it ultimately didn't work for me, I have met a number of people who have had their acne virtually 'cured' permanently by this medication. If you have a very tough case of acne, I would highly recommend talking to you doctor or a dermatoligist about considering Accutane. It has more side-effects than any treatment I'm aware of, but it the ends can justify the means for many people.
Pros:
20 years of serious acne are finally over.