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 26, 2008
Cons:
Dry Lips
I've had acne for 6 years; face, back, and chest. I started taking Accutane and my acne was gone in the first month. I broke out pretty bad at first and then it was gone.
This is definately worth it.
June 20, 2008
Pros:
it has completely cleared up my acne, although it wasnt severe to begin with. it used to be very oily, the redness of my skin has dramatically decreased and my skin has improved.
Cons:
in the first 2 weeks my skin was red and very oily, but that improved over time. other then that, i cant find any other cons.
this medication has helped my skin, it is no longer red, however, i still have a few blackheads and whiteheads, they should clear over time, i have been using this medication for rougly 6-7 weeks.
June 18, 2008
Pros:
Like the progress; seem to by on my way to clear skin!
Cons:
Very dry lips, moderately dry face, the occasional nosebleed
I've have pretty bad nodular acne for quite some time, accumulating scar after scar as well as enlarging of the pores in the cheek area. In other words, my confidence was all but shot. I've tried various medications, many of which nearly controlled my breakouts. SO, I've been on Sotret (accutane) for nearly three weeks now. The price is very affordable ($10), now the product just needs to work! I'm seeing improvement, but I still break out moderately. The side effects are not a big deal for me, as I've only experienced chapped lips, a dry face in the morning if I don't add moisture (I recommend Cetaphil), and a nosebleed if I don't account for the dryness of my skin. No conclusions can be drawn yet; I'm still expecting my skin (face) to improve A LOT more. I still have MANY treatments to go, so I won't panick yet.
May 20, 2008
Pros:
cleared up acne. clear for 2 months after stopping pills, then it came back a few pimples at a time. finally 6 months after treatment, my face was back to normal, horrible way.
Cons:
your face does not stay clear forever. trust me it will come back just when you stop the pills and you think it's gone for good. i was anemic and had high cholestrol from the pills. you have to have blood tests and pregnancy tests every month
it works for while then comes back when you stop using it. go ahead and try it. if you don't mind the frequent blood and pregnancy tests, bloody noses, hair falling out, dry skin, chapped bleeding lips. if you are female must use birth control pills while on accutane. after discontinuing, i went only 2 months before it started coming back. 6 months later i went back on accutane, and it didn't work anymore. darn. i believe it is not worth the beauty it gave me for a short time, then the damage it did.
May 20, 2008
Pros:
Clears skin.
Cons:
Dry skin, dry eyes, dry everything...
I took accutane when I was 17- I'm now 25. I don't think my skin ever cleared entirely after the first course, but I was so tired of the dryness etc. I stopped taking it. Both my mom and sister took two courses and it cleared their skin permanently aside from minor breakouts here and there, so I have hope that it will do the same for me this time. I'm on my 4th day and noticed that my scalp was pretty dry and itchy today... I may not need to wash my hair so much while I'm on it... Facial skin is becoming dry :( Lips are doing great-- I've been applying aquaphor religiously. My derm also recommended using the cetaphil cream as opposed to the moisturizing lotion, so hopefully that will work. Also, I tried pretty much all of the other treatments first both times and nothing else seemed to work as well. Good luck to everyone, thanks for the posts.
May 5, 2008
Pros:
no more oil on my face, my skin is clearing up,more confidence
Cons:
Extremly dry lips, dry skin, nose bleeds, slight back pain and redness in my face!! blood tests
Its a great product, but extremly slow, its a long treatment which sux!! but i dont have a problem going for the blood test im on the 40mg per day dose and the first 2 weeks were horrible i got worse acne then i started out with and nose bleeds i had around 8 of them!!! around the 4th week i started clearing up dramastically im now on the 6th week and im almost completely clear!! No nose bleeds, skin is not as dry!! good stuff!!!!! take milk thisel with it so it protects your liver!!! Go to Gnc or sumthing!!!!
May 5, 2008
Pros:
"Cures" Acne it really does get rid of everything and removes red marks, Gives you Confidence
Cons:
Dry Lips to the point where the bleed, Dry Anus, Dry Skin( YOU MUST MOISTURISE) Mood Swings, Irratibility, Headaches, Confusion
A risk, but one worth taking The physcological effect of acne are worse than the physical effects of medications. Your Choice
April 29, 2008
Pros:
5 months of taking it and my skin has been clear for over a year; pores are smaller and skin is less oily; no more acne on body either
Cons:
dry skin and lips; increased sensitivity to the sun; it DOES mess with your emotions (i.e. crying spells) but just be aware that it's the medication - not you
I had acne for over 10 years and within 5 months my skin was completely clear. I had tried every over the counter product and multiple types of antibiotics, but they stopped working after a few months. Accutane can take a month or two to start working and it can cause your emotions to fluctuate so be aware of any changes. Your doctor should closely monitor it and adjust meds where necessary. Monthly doctor's appts and blood work are annoying, but worth the result of no more acne. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine.
April 28, 2008
Pros:
Acne cleared up after 4 weeks. didn't experience many side effects.
Cons:
Very dry lips. got sunburnt just walking fron the house to the car.
I had tried everything, OTC preparations and prescription antibiotics, and was tired of taking tablets everyday. After a 6 month course, my skin is much better with very few mild breakouts. Note to those considering this, from a pharmacy student - the blood test are a a pain. BUT this medication is hard on your liver, so having the tests , llows your doctor to know how its afeecting the liver. This also means that those old enough to drink must do so moderately.
April 22, 2008
Pros:
My skin cleared up 100% within 3 days, (3 days!) of taking Accutane. My pores are smaller, and my scarring has gotten SO much better!
Cons:
Chapped lips like you wouldn't believe! Really dry scalp too.
I have had acne on my chest and back for 17 years, and severe acne on my face for 1 year. I didn't experience a lot of the side effects, and my acne didn't get worse when I started- my skin was flawless within 3 days of taking it. ...To help with the dryness and to help my skin regenerate, I also applied aloe and vitamin E oil to my skin at night after I showered. I wish I had taken before pictures, because I had deep pitting and scarring on my cheeks, and on one side it's not even visible anymore.
Pros:
Take it and you will never have acne ever again