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
April 10, 2008
Cons:
Severe break during first 2 weeks then subsided, dry nose, dry lips, dry skin, muscle / bone pains.
I tried quite a few of antibiotics, which didn't seem to make my acne subside as much as I wanted, Isotretinoin is doing that for me.
April 7, 2008
Pros:
It has pretty much cleared my skin
Cons:
It's so expensive, it has dried my lips and the skin of my nose incredably!
Being 64kgs, I have been on 30mg for 6 months. Yesterday was my last day. My skin went from really pretty bad, to very light acne (both blackheads and pimples), which I still have now. Am a little confused because I thought it would clear up altogether. Nevertheless, what a difference, wow! So I would deffinately recomend it, because overall it did work. I suffered no depression (thank God) like I did when I was on Dianette.
February 14, 2008
Pros:
Definitely started to work fast and stayed consistent with nothing to worry about
Cons:
Took getting used to in my head and with my body. I felt more aggressive and easily agitated. But never got violent which is good.
Chapped Lips consistently through treatment and dry skin, flaky, at first. Dont pick!
It definitely worked, and kept my skin clean for about 5 months after 2 months of treatment. had to stop because of how easy it was to damage my skin and bones. While snowboarding, small falls in terrain parks became painful for days. Even slipping on gravel would cut hands deep. And never needed stitches once in my life until i was on this med. and then needed it 3 times in 2 months. So if you can live your life indoors tho, and not do too much activity this medicine may be right for you. But I wasn't the biggest fan for that reason. and now 11months after i started i am trying something new but wont try accutane again.
November 17, 2007
Pros:
gave me prefect skin for over a year after I finished taking it, wonderful medication that worked wonders!
Cons:
They went overboard on regulating this medication, so many tests they make you get done it's a real hassle. The Iplege program a real pain especially for females cause they make you take pregnancy test every month even if your a nun!
Best acne medication on earth. Godsend for people suffering with bad acne. Side effects are not bad and I think some people are paranoid. Expect some dryness in the lips, face and nose. Everything else is rare. I was never depressed. I think that study came from the fact most people taking this are teens and going thru the hormone changes which depress them anyway! I went on once when i was 16 and once again at 29. My only side effects were dry nose, lips and a few nose bleeds the first time i took it cause it dries everything out. Acne can get worse the first month or so but then during the end of treatment you start getting real clear and then continue after you finish. I had the best skin ever! Movie star skin! I could go without makeup! I highly recommend. I want to go on one more time if I can, but IPLEGE is such a pain they make you jump through hoops now. Was much better the first time I went on at 16, I should have done a 2nd round back then instead of waiting so long.
November 13, 2007
Cons:
acne got much worse scaring and damage also increased. the redness and swelling was terrible. Serious tendon and muscle damage
Don't take this medication unless your acne is so bad that it is affecting your life. my son is bound to a wheel chair and in great pain with a torn tendon in his pelvis from this medicdation. This tendon usually can only be torn from a serious accident, such as skiing. My sons tendon torn just walking. We don't know what is ahead for our son only time will tell. Right now he had to quit his job and college and lives at home
November 1, 2007
Pros:
it cleared it up
Cons:
it ruined my body- my nose started bleeding, coughed up blood, lips got so chapped that i can't feel them(even after using multiple types of lip aids), my skin got very thin and would bleed even from a tiny paper cut,and my immune system depleted.
it may clear up you acne, but are you willing to take all of the other crap it gives you? please take warning from what i have told you, other people on it have had worse effects like severe depression, increased irritability, and suicide. So, if your thinking about Isoterinoin, ask your doctor to tell you the TRUTH about how badly it screws up your body. It can make a fetus have no ears and other deformities, if it can do that to a baby inside you, imagine what its doing to the rest of your body.
October 28, 2007
Pros:
My face doesn't get oily anymore. Kicks Acne's ass.
Cons:
Dry Dry face. inside of the nose became dry, Chapped and dry lips, redness of the face
I'm on my third month and I'm starting to see some good results. My acne has been getting better and then worse and then better than before. So it's working.
September 24, 2007
Pros:
Got rid of the oily yuckyness on my face and skin is >C L E A R< OF ACNE! Been on it for 3 weeks now and will continue using it for 6 months =)
Cons:
Very dry lips soemtimes nose bleeds,thats all .
I'm 19 years old and i tried everyacne treatment there is,differin,isotrexin,(retin a) and many many more they helped but didn't give me the results i wanted.I really recommend accutane,if your acne is annoying you and you can tolerate the cons then accutane is for you..Get on it as soon as possible before your face gets filled with scars,i just wish i had been put on accutane before the other BS.Definately WORTH IT!
August 3, 2007
Pros:
For the 7 or so months that I was on Accutane I had absolutely flawless skin. I suffered from cystic acne for a few years and during treatment I had invisible pores, no oil, and not a pimple.$15 per month w/ insurance. Hair held a great blowout!
Cons:
Can't drink Alcohol, Bags under eyes, Constipation, Dry lips, When blushing got a HUGE red rash on chest, Constipation. ACNE RETURNED AFTER 6 MONTHS. Was told 80% of users have to do a second round. Baby yourself on this. IPledge is a pain.
A little upset I have to do a second round, but during the treatment had flawless skin. To me, the side effects were well worth it.
July 6, 2007
Pros:
cleared up cystic acne 100% by the 3rd month.
Cons:
Possible emotional side effects, although hard to tell b/c there were other stresses in my life; dry lips, dry nose, back pain.
I was hesitant to go on Accutane b/c of the side effects. I have had persistant cystic acne on my face for over 10 years (I'm 27 now). I would get approx. 1-3 new cysts per week. I tried EVERYTHING else. W/in the first month of taking Accutane, my skin was improving. I wasn't getting pimples as often, and when I did they actually popped, as where I used to have to get them injected. I only have about 5 weeks left to go with the course, so I can't say how long these results will last. Lastly, the side effects. I have had a lot going on in my life and am having trouble dealing with these issues. I have had terrible anxiety, aggressive, short-tempered, and had crying spells. I don't know if I would be able to deal with these issues better if I was not on the drug. The physical side effects are a breeze. Dry lips and nose and back pain -- but all well worth it. I will post again after I'm off the drug to give an update on my emotional state.
Pros:
Clears acne up and you never have another break out again.