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
February 24, 2009
Cons:
Painfully dry skin, depression, blurry vision. For me, the acne came back just as bad after 4 months.
I am going to try another course again, but only because I don't know what to do anymore. I would only recommend this medication if it is your last resort, though. You make think the side effects aren't that bad and/or side effects rarely effect you, but that is not the case. I also needed a prescription moisterizer for my entire body because my skin was so dried out. I also couldn't put on enough chapstick. Before Accutane I had 20/20 vision and afterwards needed to wear glasses during class because my eyesight was not good. I also had slight depression where I would out of nowhere get really angry.
February 13, 2009
Pros:
Accutane works really well. it helped me a lot but read my cons
Cons:
it is dangerous. it gave me headaches, diarhea/ boul change, sleepiness, blured vision and SEVERE back pain. i took it for 2 months and stopped 4 months ago and my back still hurts. i hate it.
dont buy it. it may be worth it but there is a 80% chance youll get a side effect. i have looked everywhere and talked to many doctors and thay said it is VERY rare to get a side effect.
February 11, 2009
Pros:
After many years of trying carious products and being very self concious about my skin, Accutane was the only product that ever worked for me. I was on it for 6 months and now almost a year later i have not experienced more than the occasional zit.
Cons:
Dry skin, chapped lips. Also, for women you are required to take birth control and have pregnancy test every month which can be expensive and tiresome.
Definetly worth it.
February 9, 2009
Pros:
It temp. Cleared my face no matter what I ate or did.
Cons:
My lips and skin were beyond dry and cracked!
I've used it twice 2 years apart and I still suffer with severe acne :(
January 26, 2009
Pros:
the only thing that worked for me. It was the only medication that controlled my acne
Cons:
dry lips, red and dry skin.
I don't regret taking it. It worked better than anything else that i've tried. I stayed away from moistrurizer while using this medication to get the full effect.
January 12, 2009
Pros:
clears out pores, reduces oily skin, and prevents acne from further forming
Cons:
Dry skin, lips, hair. Sometimes headache.
I've been using Accutane for 1 month now. I am already feeling the dryness affect, but do not have completely clear skin yet. My skin is getting better, but do still have occasional breakouts that take much longer to heal compared to when I was on Antibiotics and differin. My lifesaver right now is Aquaphor for dry lips. It has helped tremendously. Before I was using chapstick, and I would have to apply every hour. Aquaphor works much better by healing the dryness, it absorbs better, and I have to use it much less often than chapstick. A great review for this is posted at: [link removed]
January 8, 2009
Pros:
On week 5 now and starting to see improvement. This is the second time I have been on it. i was on it in my 20's and now again in my 30's. It really cleared me the first time and I have not had a bad breakout until now. Hoping it works again.
Cons:
on day 7 all He** broke out on my face. It has started to clear, but I broke out horribly and in places I NEVER breakout, like forhead and cheeks.
I am seeing improvement, just as I am sure we all are, not as fast as we would like. I do feel like I can go out in public and not be stared at with people wondering what happened to my chin. (It was large, PURPLE, inflammed with cysts. It takes time, but hang in there!
January 5, 2009
Pros:
I've been on this drug twice now - same time of year around winter my acne comes back. the first time round it worked a treat, i had 3 weeks left and didnt finish it. It took about 2 months to properly take effect. Second time only 2 weeks
Cons:
Dry lips, slight depression to major depression, dry skin, headaches, muscle and joint aches. dry eyes. BUT not as bad as you might imagine.
Use it - if your acne is severe its worth it, it'll bring your confidence back and you'll be living your life again in no time. This is the mother of all cures :D unfortunately i was part of the 30% of unlucky peeps who have to have a second course. but within 2-3 weeks my body recognized the drug and took effect immediately, im left with scars here and there which take time to heal as do all scars. The chapped lips is no fun at all but its nothing a little chap stick cant solve - as well as dry skin, just moisturize every now and then with something like E45 - dont get any fragrance'd moisturizer as that will burn or just irratate the skin. Your skin becomes a little sensitive over time, so its a bad idea to use any products on it, as well as rough exfoliation.
anyway - im still on it for the second time now, and im coming up to 2 months of use. it works alot quicker the second time
January 4, 2009
Pros:
-No pro's so far....ive been on it for almost 2 months and i notice NOTHING!
Cons:
-No improvement
-Dry lips and skin
I fear ill never get clear
November 29, 2008
Pros:
Dries out skin. Still waiting for the results...
Cons:
Lips really dry( vaseline does the trick), whole face dry(e45 works well), Tiredness and a little moody. Expensive if not insured (i wasn't!)
I have been on accutane for nearly 2 months now, for the first month i saw improvements, but in the second it has got alot worse, i expected this though and i am going to be patient. For the past 6 years i have had severe acne and i have tried other treatments and none have worked, with accutane i know it's working from the dryness, it just needs time. Don't be put off by the side affects, it affects people differently. If you are on this drug and like me it has got worse, just stick it out, i mean whats a few months compared to clear skin? From other reviews my impression is after about 4 months it improves for most people, with 2 down already, i cannot wait!
Pros:
It worked right away.