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 2, 2008
Cons:
Constantly dry skin that can leave your lips especially chapped.With joint pain, headaches, dizziness and almost always thirsty. Sunburn easily and lots of doctor's visits with blood tests.
I would only suggest using this as a treatment if like me you have already tried a myriad of antibiotics, topical treatments and acne systems. It is the only thing that has ever taken care of my cystic acne that was incredibly severe and sensitive. But even though there is so much you have to put up through it was completely worth it for because after having to take it for 7 months now and just finishing up treatment this week and finally have no problem going out without makeup on.
October 31, 2008
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN! ...also free thanks to NHS
Cons:
The usual dry/chapped lips; Acne has returned (not as bad as originally) a few months since coming of isotretinoin.
Do your best to persuade your dermatologist to let you take isotretinoin if your acne is moderate to severe. Then if it returns persuade your dermatologist to put you on it again! (I am currently attempting this!). It's the only treatment I've ever used that has cleared my acne, no other medication has come close. The side effects for me personally were very minimal and I'd gladly take isotretinoin permanently (at a low dose) to keep my skin clear.
October 24, 2008
Pros:
My oily skin is gone! My oily hair is gone! And no more blackheads!
I could'nt fit this anywhere else. Has anyone else had alot of ringing in there ears? This happens to me once or twice everyday. I dunno about it.
Cons:
I know there is a lot of side effects to Accutane but I really have'nt had any, all except the dry lips and a lil flaky skin.
If your afraid to try Accutane, just DO IT. Don't freak about the stuff you read. Just trust your doctor.
I've been on Sotret (a generic brand of Accutane) for 1 Month, 1 week and 1 day :]] so i don't think that my review would be helpful or not. But, if i've only been on it that long and my oily skin is GONE, then just think how pretty my skin will be once my treatment is over. I'm on 20 mg per day, but i'm going to ask my doctor if she'll up it to about 30. I have pretty moderately severe acne. I get cysts every now and then but i'm not breaking out as much as i was since i started and i'm only 15 years old so it was a real social killer to have bad skin like mine since i'm in highschool. I've had two friends who have taken it and there skin looks awesome. I don't pay a butt load for Sotret, its 409$ with out insurance but i only pay 5$ for it YAY! If your thinking about taking Accutane or a generic of it, DO IT! Its working for me so far! What to use? Buy Aquaphor Healing Oinment it really helps my lips.
Use Purpose gentle cleansing face was :]] Good luc
October 23, 2008
Pros:
clear baby butt skin..for a couple months.
Cons:
heavy nosebleeds, depression. blood clots, can cause these strange cancer looking cysts in the brain, it also causes migraines, appetite loss, weird mental things..
i took it for 6 months. i had severeeeeee depression. i developed hyperthyroid because of it. i became anorexic because of sumthing it did in my brain, and also i had beautiful clear skin for 3 months. which now is cystic acne again. bottom line. who cares about acne anyomre. its so common we have to live with it/// thank god theres Adobe photoshop!!! just rub away acne and its gone in a couple of clicks!!!!:D:D:D beauty isnt worth putting ur health at risk.
September 26, 2008
Pros:
waking up to MAYBE one zit as apposed to ten news ones... face is very clear already & no side effects.
Cons:
Lips are a little dry, but nothing chapstick and extra water isn't curing
I've tried the strongest medications for topical, oral, and even top prescription face washes with a combo of birth control and it never was enough. Now just washing my face with Cetaphil (recommended for the dryness) keeps my skin smooth and hydrated. I hope it stays like this once the treatment is over! I love it!
September 20, 2008
Pros:
Less oily and clear skin.
Cons:
Dry lips, cracked mouth, nose bleeds, achey joints/muscles, some tiredness.
I have suffered from acne for 13 years on my face, chest and back and had tried literally everything for it with no success. I finally went on isotretinoin and took it for five months and can say that skin wise they have been the best five months i have had in the last 13 years. My skin was never so clear, of course i got the odd couple of spots but not nearly as many or as severe. I did suffer from dry lips and the sides of my mouth cracked a few times which was painful. I also experienced nose bleeds, and the last couple of months more tiredness than normal and from time to time my joints ached but could be due to the fact that i am very active and didnt cut back. I didnt have any pyschological effects, infact i dont think ive been happier! However...i have been off it for nearly two months now and i noticed a change about a week after coming of the drug, eg. more pimples, oiler skin however not nearly as bad as it was before. I love this stuff!!!
August 16, 2008
Pros:
I've had very terrible acne since about 5th grade[I'm a senior now] and I took accutane for 5 months and my skin is super clear. A lot of my scars are less red too. The only side effect I hd was chapped lips. I love Accutane and it is worth it!
Cons:
Chapped lips, blood tests every month
This is the only thing that has had my skin this clear. Amazing.
July 18, 2008
Pros:
# THE most powerful method of acne treatment
# Treatment time frame is under half a year
# Success rates are amazing
Cons:
# VERY dry skin, lips, nose, eyes
# Joint paints, fatigue
I had tried (like a lot of people) over the counter stuff like acne face washes, creams and lotions. I was prescribed antibiotics such as Minocycline but none of this was good enough. After seeing a dermatologist i was given ACCUTANE. Within the first month the results were pretty damn good and better than everything else. My treatment finished in around 5 months and i was 98% acne free. Roaccutane changed my life! The side effects, at some stages were bad. I had to apply lip balm, moisturiser 2-3 times a day and generally felt tired and not wanting to do anything. But once your through this difficult time, you will be rewarded ten-fold by being acne free
June 29, 2008
Pros:
directly after coming off it my skin was great except some minor scarring
Cons:
its been 2 years and im starting to break out again in different areas... besides that the stuff increased depression and suicidal thoughts and i ended up in the emergency room
it helped alot... i shouldve gone back on it but if u have a history of depression and anxiety BE CAUTIOUS. it made me lose my ability to enjoy anything. i weighed 110 and lost 20 pounds and all i wanted to do was die. it messes with ur head.
June 28, 2008
Pros:
Makes acne nonexistant, takes away ALL pain from it.
Cons:
Face a bit dry - Just use a moisturiser twice a day
Lips crack - Use a lip balm/chap stick
This stuff is so good. I have been using it for 3 & 1/2 months now and have enjoyed it so much. I never had an "initial breakout" or anything, and my face is completely smooth (although there are still a few red spots, but not that red) and I havent had any problems whatsoever while being on isotretinoin.
Pros:
Completely gets rid of cystic acne and leaves skin much smoother.