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
May 13, 2007
Cons:
side effects not bad majority of people that i know that have used this have had very mild side effects i was worried to take this at first but i have been on it for about 3 months now and basically have no side effects
works great and i have no side effects
April 29, 2007
Pros:
Got rid of acne for the 6 months I was on it.
Cons:
Dry skin, occassional nosebleeds, and chapped lips.
I just finished my second cycle of accutane. The first cycle I did I was on it for six months of 40mg a day. I was clear for about 8 months after and started to get my acne again. I started up another six month cycle of 80mg a day, which is like the highest dose a day you can take I think. This time, however I've been off the accutane for 2 weeks and I'm already getting many pimples back. It did clear up my face for the most part though.
April 24, 2007
Pros:
Clear, smooth skin
Cons:
I would not recommend anyone to take this medication. It is so harsh, upon taking it I succummed to violent mood swings and mild depression as well as a long initial breakout. If you looking for clear skin you must be prepared to pay alot for it.
Take it only if your doctor says its okay and you are absolutely adamant on having clear skin.
March 28, 2007
Im gonna start taking Sotret today and Im very excited about it! My friend is on it for 5 months and her skin is amazing, soft just like a baby's butt. I hope it works just as well for me and hopefully it will never come back. I can deal with the dryness though..I've dealt with acne for a while, and I know I would much rather have dry lips and skin then new zits on my face any day :D
March 25, 2007
Pros:
Cleared my skin 100%
Cons:
Initial breakout lasted for months, very dry lips/scalp/skin/everything, back pains
Accutane didn't start working for me until after month 3, but by the end of month 4 I was 90% clear and by the end of month 5 I was 100% clear. My doctor told me I had another 2-3 months on it but I am a very small person and was already experiencing uncomfortable side effects, so I stopped Accutane after 5 months. This stuff is so hard on your body I think 5 months is PLENTY. One month after stopping, I'm still clear :) And with Aetna insurance, it only cost $10 a month.
March 19, 2007
Hi everyone, I red all the letters and found them very helpfull. Thought I'd give my experience too. I have been on isotane for 5 months now. I have been on 10 mg for the full 5 months. Have been told to take it for 9 months. The side effects on the lower dose is much less and still effective. The worst for me is not the dry lips but the mood swings. They seem to happen every 2 weeks or so. I normally feel very sad and unloved or just get upset about a coment or someones actions which would normally not effect me. I dont blame isotane alone for this mood swings but are convinced that it contributes to it. My skin has definitely started clearing after the first two months or so. I'm also on Yasmin contraceptive which is good for acne and PMS. I'm planning to continue on isotane for another few months. I'm praying that it will cure my acne and that the moodswings will dissapear after stopping. In New Zealand the medication is relatavely cheap. Good luck. God bess
February 25, 2007
Pros:
clear skin i guess!
Cons:
dry skin... how do you deal with it..
ive been on isotretinoin for just a week now an my skin is getting really, really, really dry, an i hate it cos i cant put my make up on properly!! But i begrudge putting moisturiser on cos it still makes me feel oily.. but i have been putting it on but still no cahnge in the dryness of my skin.. if someone could give me the name of a really good light moisturising cream say hypoallergenic one that would be great!!
November 11, 2006
Pros:
Acne got better but not entirely
Cons:
SEVERE dry skin and eyes. I could no longer wear contacts my eyes were so dry. 1 year later the acne returned. Monthly blood tests were a pain and they showed high cholesterol. My joints ached.
It was good in reducing the amount of acne for a time but it is not worth the side effects and the fact that my acne returned a year later.
November 9, 2006
Pros:
After 5 months I was all clear, this product does the trick. It's simple, just follow a good regime and take x ammount of pills per day. Nothing difficult about this.
Cons:
I am very suseptable to side-effects, in the case of any medications. Needless to say I had a little problem with the known side-effects of this product. Weak joints, minor hair loss, and very dry skin were the extent of it.
This product is worth the money. In the long run the side-effects faded and I eventually got back to my good old self; minus the acne. Some people say the acne returns after the treatment, and I will agree with them...but only if you don't keep up with a regime. Face it, some of us are prone to acne and we have to watch it. Accutane can clear your body of acne, but it's up to you to keep it clear. I use a mild acne cleanser and follow up with a moisturiser twice a day, I may have to do this for the rest of my life...but it's a small price to pay to have great looking skin.
November 3, 2006
Pros:
IT WORKS GREAT. WORKS FAST. NO OTHER PRODUCT BROUGHT FASTER RESULTS. WAS VERY SATISFIED.
Cons:
IT CAN CAUSE DEPRESSION BUT ITS A MATTER OF SELF CONTROL AND PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR SYMPTOMS will make you more suitable for the medication.it does cause mood swings but hey who cares i look beautiful and know what you need to take care of.
Its not for everybody. not every patient can deal with the drawbacks as you can see in the other ratings. respect the medication and its not a permanent one. your acne will come back in a year or so. mine did but i took the medication again for a month in a half and i was fine. its all about maintanence. Acne is a part of life is your born with it. so learn to control it and move on with you life with out the depression and dry skin for that month or two. use moisturizer!
Pros:
clears skin very well