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
November 7, 2008
Cons:
Waiting to see results and FINALLY finishing the treatment, the sensitive skin, at times joint pain, dry chapped lips.
I've just commenced taking this medication after 6 months, and my skin is still continuing to improve. i finished 10 days ago and my skin has gotten even better than it was whilst i was on the medication, my skin is not as sensitive and it does not appear shiny when i apply moisturizer. it is not as sensitive to the weather and my lips are no longer dry, joints no longer hurt. the side affects that appeared whilst on the medication have decreased dramatically. i would recommend this product to anybody who is serious and ready to get rid of their acne, however, side affects vary for each individual. just prepare yourself mentally before starting, and dont let other peoples stories scare you away from using it, just trust your dermatologist.
November 6, 2008
Pros:
I saw a huge difference in my acne after the 1st 2 weeks, after 1 month it was completely gone. my scars are noticably lighter & skin is not at all oily
Cons:
I've been taking this for 5 months & the worst side effect is I'm losing A LOT of hair, I just got Rogaine to see if that will help. My derm said the hair loss will stop 6 months after I stop taking accutane - hopefully I still have some hair left a
I take 2 vitamin E daily & 2 Biotin to help with my hair/lips/skin. even with the fact that I'm losing a lot of hair, I'd still highly recommend the drug- definitely worth it
November 6, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my skin almost entirely. It's been about a year since my treatment, and still no break outs. This has been the only thing that has worked on my face.
Cons:
Made my face beet red for several months. Didn't use accutane until late in the game, so facial scarring is severe. Depression warned about on label occured, including suicidal urges which I had never experienced before.
It is the psychological side-effects which were the worst, because the peely skin/ lips and dry eyes were easily combated with cetaphil cream, aquaphor, and eye drops. But my mood has never really been the same. During the treatment I was very emotional, and would cry at the drop of a hat, which isn't really typical with me. I felt cut off from everyone. If this happens to you, just keep yourself in check, and make sure you realize it's just the meds. It was definitely worth it, though. But if you're already on the depressed side, I probably wouldn't reccomend it.
November 4, 2008
Pros:
My skin is no longer oily. Black heads are completely gone! My skin is still breaking out a little bit, but its geting better by the day. I've only been on Sotret (a generic brand of isotrention {Accutane}) for about 1 Month and 2 1/2 weeks.
Cons:
SOMEONE please reply to my post! Is anyone else having Weight Gain? Werid high pitched ringing in the ears? I've gained a little bit of weight i'd say 6-7 pounds and i've only been on it about a month or so. Also, I'm worried about my ears! Tinnitus?
I'm having some side effects nothing i can't handle I'm just wondering about my hearing situtation. I want to clear my acne but damaging my body at the same time doesn't sound any better. I'm on 20mg per day but I'm seeing my doctor in 2 weeks which i think she might raise it considering I've been having a strange flare of acne. Its better now, but I'm still breaking about. Products I use: *Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser (I like this wash because it feels like its really geting my skin clean. It feels so re-freshed and glowing afterward. *Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Combination Skin (This is a really good moisturizer! It leaves my skin feeling rich and not to over-done. It controls oil and tones!) Thats all I use on my face but as a spot treatment at night you should really look into Proactiv's Refining Mask. Anything else by Rodan and Fields is sh*t. :]] Good luck Guys!
Oh yeah-Your chaped lips? Its gonna get worse, pick up some Aqaphor
November 19, 2009
Pros:
improvement, clearer skin
Cons:
Monthly blood tests, Severe chapped lips, back pains, dry hands, slight depression, severe irritability & other cognitive implications such as memory loss, trouble focusing and coming up with the right words.
I've been taking accutane for almost 3 months and I have seen mild results. My face does look better however I still suffer from constant breakouts. I'll keep my head up and hope that the next three months of treatment will result in clearer skin.
October 26, 2008
Pros:
Completely got rid of my oily face and hair. I have been lucky as far as side effects go. Only dry chapped lips, dry hair and a little pain in my shoulders. Just started my 3rd month, up to 80mg a day. I see a difference but still not 100% clear.
Cons:
dry chapped lips, dry hair, pain in shoulders.
I would highly recomend this product. It's worth a try when nothing else works.
October 23, 2008
Pros:
It does what it's suppose to, treats acne, makes it go away while you're ON the medication.
Cons:
This will put HUGE amounts of strain on your liver - FACT. Whether or not your liver can handle it is up to your own body.
Not worth it. This isn't a cure and for most, the acne returns once you're off this toxic medication. But not only do you have to deal with acne again, you deal with all the side effects that damaged your body. Won't surprise me to see this stuff banned in the near future, it's risky and dangerous. Bottom Line: Find Another Treatment!!
October 7, 2008
Pros:
Hopefully acne will go. No oil on face. Black heads have dissapeared.
Cons:
Very sore lips, skin prone to bleed with minor abraisons, facial hair.. soft but still there.
Ive been on the drug for 3 months and after the first month I saw a difference. Its the 3rd month and my face has been having a big breakout of very deep, very painful acne. Perhpas i need to drink more water! Not to sure about slight fuzzy face either and have been having lower back pain. Also some chest pains... Putting it down to isotretinoin. Im on 60mg a day. Have been since day one. On a four month course. Really hope it goes away... probably doesnt help from picking/sweezing... bad bad habit. If anyones had a relapse/breackout after being on it Id be inteerested in knowing. Got to prepare for the worst right?
October 6, 2008
Pros:
-Before Accutane, my skin was very oily. During treatment, there was absolutely no oil on my skin.
-Calms the flow of persistent, stubborn acne like no topical agent.
Cons:
-Doesn't always prevent scarring. I was told by my dermatologist that we would start accutane to prevent future scarring, however I do have some scars (albeit not bad scars) after treatment.
-Does NOT help with red marks.
I would definitely recommend accutane, but be realistic about the results. My skin, specifically my forehead, had a bunch of red marks before accutane. Accutane did not make those red marks go away and did not prevent future breakouts from forming into red marks. Overall, the drug will definitely calm your acne-- if you are waking up with a new breakout every day, this is the drug for you. I have just finished a 6 month course on 80 mg a day and I am very nervous about coming off of it because I do not want to start breaking out again. Also, do not give credence to the reviews that scare you half to death about the drug. It's people who read about a few bad cases and pretend the drug is like heroin and it can kill you. What to possibly expect:
-DRY LIPS (carry your chapstick everywhere)
-sensitive skin
-dry face
-a bit of fatigue
-thinning of the hair (be careful here, it will probably begin to shed a bit towards the end of your cycle)
September 25, 2008
Pros:
Less oil production (shine), only have to wash hair twice per week MAX.
Cons:
Dry, cracked, sore lips, dry skin but nothing that moisturiser can't cure
Only using this accutane for a month now. On 30mg but this will increase next month to 60mg. So far not suffering too much. Im not half as depressed as i was when my face was covered in HUGE red spots. Can now only wear tinted moisturiser going to Gym : ) instead of a cake of makeup.
Pros:
Acne all gone, skin no longer oily.