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 14, 2009
Cons:
Cracked, dry swollen lips , nose bleeds, dry flaking inflamed skin
Have been taking 60mg of Accutane for 5 weeks now with very little improvement , infact I have gone from having mild acne to severe in the last week or so ! I guess that this is the breakout stage of the treatment so im going to hang in there . No signs of depression ,thank goodness .... Just short tempered ! The Skin on my face and neck is flaking and feels raw .. Antibiotic topical lotion does help with drying the spots up. .Cant wait for some improvement. After reading your comments from people in the US , I will continue taking it , thanks ... Jord (15)
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Did clear skin after 6months
Cons:
dry skin, lips turned a very pale color (color restored after treatment), eyes looked dry, very serious health risks, had to visit doctor once a month to check for liver complications, made my kinda irritable
This did not work well for me. My acne was moderate, but it was persistent. My skin cleared and stayed clear for months after the treatment, But now, about 1 yr later my acne has returned and im back looking for other solutions :( I know this does work for some, but its not work the health risks or the money to me.
I tryed Doxycyclene a few yrs back, and that, paired with a healthier diet, lots of water and and a consistent skin care regimine offered better results than Accutane ever did for me, without the scary side effects.
July 31, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin after 1 month hasn't come back
Cons:
dry skin/lips,nose bleeds,muscle/bone ache
got rid of all my acne, only just a few red marks here and there now but they are fading gradually
July 23, 2009
Pros:
it works
Cons:
side affect
It works... thats that, Since i live in Canada and my paraents are covered through OHIP, it only cost me $41
July 20, 2009
Pros:
in my 4th month, acne free everywhere
Cons:
sensitive to sun (easily fixed with sunscreen)..turn red easily (part of that is due to having mono, but definitely part from accutane)
everyone reacts differently...i started using this a couple weeks after lab results showed i had recovered from mono...i had dry skin before especially my legs, but amazingly, they actually got better.....idk what that's about, but obviously i don't mind....be careful with the sun..i notice anytime my face gets the least bit burnt under my bottom lip gets dry and stings (not to mention looks really bad) but i've been able to keep my lips from getting dry using Equate A + D vitamin ointment from walmart....it has worked much better than anything the dermotologist recommended...i cover my lips and around my lips with it each night and periodically throughout the day like when i am driving somewhere or something where a mass of ointment on your face won't be embarrassing.....but the results are fantastic and i'm having very very few side effects...good luck!
June 27, 2009
Pros:
cleared my severe bacne,
Cons:
dry lips and facial skin(my face is still dry even though i came off it like 3 months ago)
i got rid off my severe bacne,but when i stopped taking spots stared to show up once again:( It might be my doctor's fault cos i didn't take the minimal cummulative dose-120mg/kg)
But still,it worked wonders,now i'm on dianette,the are no spots and finally after 4 years of nightmare I can enjoy my life.
June 26, 2009
Pros:
Started 3 days ago
Cons:
blurry vision, dry lips not yet
I have a questions? I started with accutane on Tuesday, drinking 1 capsule daily (40 mg). Is any of you drinking the same or less mg. My cousin is drinking 3 capsules every week(1 Mon, 1 Wed, 1 Fri) 20mg. I have scars and a little acne on my face. Is acctane good for scars too? The only side affect I have is blurry vision. I heard dry lips is the most comman affect.does it take weeks to start with dry lips?Well I hope accutane helps me with my acne, I had acne since I was 18, Im 27 now and still have acne :( now I started with breaking out in my chest and neck. When am i going to see results????? Thanks to my job I have Kaiser and it covers, I only pay 5 copay and 5 for pills.
June 22, 2009
Pros:
My acne cleared immediately, no initial breakout. I began getting acne at 29 years old, and extremely oily skin cam along with it. I have been taking Sotret (generic) for almost nine months now, and I could not be happier!
Cons:
Sticky skin (when it is humid), occasional red face, DRY LIPS!
This is the only product that worked for me. I have tried everything OTC as well as prescription. I woke up one day with acne and oil (who knows why) and thus began my search for a cure. I went to all sorts of doctors to find out what happened, and it turns out that I just have acne! Do not mess around with topicals and lasers...they just waste your money and damage your skin. Be healthy while you take accutane, and all will be well!
May 23, 2009
Pros:
About two weeks after I began taking Accutane, my skin began to clear up. Within two months, I didn't have a single blemish on my face save for a singular whitehead I got somewhere around my lips right before my period.
Cons:
I developed a moderate case of eczema on my arms, hands and back. After about month four, my eyes became so dry that I couldn't wear my contact lenses. My lips chapped until they blistered and bled.
I would highly recommend Accutane to anyone who has tried several less aggressive treatments and has not seen results. Although Accutane's drying side effects are not always pleasant, I feel that they are completely worth it. If you are diligent about moisturizing twice a day, the dryness isn't too bad (and my dermatologist was able to give me steroid cremes for my eczema). Although my prescription was a very affordable $10, all female patients are required to be on two forms of birth control (with one of them usually being the Pill), which adds to the cost. I normally picked up the two prescriptions together, paying a total of $45 a month.
May 16, 2009
Pros:
Clears acne toward the end of treatment and for a few months after.
Cons:
Do not be fooled by this treatment. Acne will disappear for a few months after treatment. Have tried many other potential solutions before Accutane. Been off of Accutane for about a year and acne is coming back.
If you have oily skin, then just deal with it. Nothing can cure this problem, not even Accutane. Accutane is simply a temporary solution to acne for most people. When I was on the treatment, my face became clear, however, severe side-effects occurred. These included extremely chapped lips, severe nosebleeds 3 times a day, weakened bones, etc. 2 months after treatment I broke my foot in 3 places when I semi-rolled my toes over. I had done this countless times before (this prob. being the least severe), but because this medication weakens your bones, I snapped all 3 of them. In addition, you practically have to live in a bubble while on Accutane. Meaning no drinking alcohol, playing sports, etc. Unless you have been through multiple other treatments, I would not recommend this product to anyone. 6 months of hell are not worth a few months of clear skin. Acne will return.
Pros:
Luckily we Dont pay for any medication in the UK (NHS)