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 30, 2009
Cons:
major disruptive side efects
Discontinue offering this product.It's dangerous.My daughter has suffered in the extreme and has continued using it.This drug is now on the Canadian list of drugs to avoid.Naturally she is feeling better.
November 15, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
Still not seen no improvement to my acne condition at all while taking accutane for a month. It has infact made my acne worse.
Everybody has different body's so it maybe worth a try but for me its not looking good although i am continuing to take it for at least a few more months. Furthermore, side effects i have experienced are joint pains and dry lips.
September 25, 2009
Pros:
It is an amazing product. I used it for several years and it cleared up about 90% of my acne after 2 years which was great for high school. Change of diet is necessary.
Cons:
Severe dryness on lips, hands, & feet. After a year I developed joint pain in my knees and ankles. Headaches, mood swings, and easily agitated after a year of this. Change of diet is necessary.
The product does work. I don't think you can take it as long as I did now-a-days due to legislation. You need to change you diet while on it. You have to have a lot of blood tests to ensure you are healthy enough to take the drug. You can be a bit moody on this because of pain and dryness as well as the drug itself. I do think my emotional reactions are different now than when I was a teenager but I am unsure of what effect accutanne played regarding that development of brain chemistry versus just ageing in general. I still have acne on my back and it is severe cystic acne. I won't take accutanne again after being on it so long because my job now is far too stressful. I would strongly recommend you have a low stress life-style prior to taking this drug as it made me much more uptight according to myself, friends, family, and teachers. I think the cost of this drug has gone down sense when I took it.
August 10, 2009
Pros:
Cleared skin during treatment.
Cons:
No side effects. BUT...breakouts came back after I finished each course of treatment (I've taken this three different times)
I have suffered from numerous painful cysts along my jawline and chin since I was 12. I am now 26 and have completed THREE courses of Accutane. After I stop taking it, the breakouts came right back, same as before. However I did find that Aldactone works wonderfully. Please try Aldactone if you were not completely satisfied with Accutane. You'll be pleasantly surprised and theres no scary side effects. Give it a try.
July 29, 2009
Pros:
Got rid of severe acne that I've had for 12 years; no more cysts!
Cons:
Very dry skin, dry lips, raises my cholesterol quite a bit.
This pill is amazing. I can see after three months that the end result will completely outweigh any side effects I'm experiencing. My acne did flare up in the beginning, but I started noticing a difference in the first month. My cholesterol more than doubled the first month, but a ten day break was enough to bring it down far enough for the doctor to be comfortable prescribing it again. All in all, I would highly recommend this treatment. It really works and the serious side effects are extremely rare.
July 24, 2009
Pros:
I had severe acne before I had taken this. I used to get cysts all the time. After I had finished this I have NEVER gotten another cyst and it cleared up my acne greatly. I took it when I was 16 and I'm now 21.
Cons:
Not good if you can't remember to take the pill. I got really bad scabs IN my nose and very dry lips. VERY expense if you don't have insurance.
I think that the pros outweigh the cons. If you've had server acne you won't mind a few dry lips. This product takes awhile to get into your system so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work right away. The ratings below are from before I started accutane.
July 4, 2009
Pros:
It works.
Cons:
Severe lip dryness and vision blurriness
I used Accutane about 4 years ago after nothing else my dermatologist gave me would work. I was on it for 5 months, and for the first 4 months I noticed no difference in my acne. But my lips were extremely dry and my eyes were really bloodshot and blurry. About 3 weeks before I was finished my acne seemed to disappear overnight. I still had the red marks from the acne, but my skin was completely smooth. 4 years later, I have probably had a total of 6 zits since then that were so small it's almost funny. This drug worked wonders for me, but be prepared for harsh side effects. Also, my friends said that my personality changed dramatically, apparently I was more irritable and gloomy, but definitely no suicidal thoughts like others have suggested.
July 3, 2009
Pros:
- It works. Period.
Cons:
- Dry, dry, dry.
- Muscle aches.
- Expensive without insurance.
I have just finished my 6 month treatment of Accutane. In brief, little improvement will be seen in the first 3-4 months, with dramatic improvement in the final months. Without insurance, this product can cost upwards of $500 (with insurance, only $10). You will dry out: period. Simply use moisturizers for your lips (Aquaphor) and skin (CeraVe) frequently to combat the dryness. I experienced no depression, but lower back aches occasionally. I no longer develop papules, cysts, pimples, etc. ANYWHERE (including chest and back). Risk of scarring increases with this product, so pop pimples wisely. Use this product only if you are serious about ridding your acne...it's not a joy ride until the end. The end certainly justifies the means.
June 23, 2009
Pros:
it works
Cons:
it works
i used this product for mre than 1 year it actually cleasred my skin completely but after one year when i leaved it my worse acne started again and i dont no i went to the doctor he said your skin is never gonna clear but may be age wise it get cleard.but i m really very dippressed now.
June 18, 2009
Pros:
It really has cleared up my cystic acne that I've had since jr high. I agree with many people before in saying I can go out w/out makeup and feel ok. I should have done this years ago.
Cons:
Dry lips constantly. Body aches. Dry mucus membranes. Tiredness.
If you can afford this i would consider it. Keep your regular checkups and blood work to make sure you aren't having any bad side effects.
Pros:
nil