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
September 16, 2008
Cons:
-Severe pressure to the brain, nausea, dizziness, trouble breathing, angry all the time.
This is the 4th month I've been on Accutane. My skin looks gorgeous, but bottom line its NOT worth it! The side effects creep up on you unexpectedly. I just had to call the ambulance because my heart was racing and halucinating. Who knows what other scars ill have from this medicine.
September 16, 2008
Pros:
less oil production,reduction in sebaceous glands
Cons:
dry lips,exessive hair on face,dry eyes.
im suffering frm acne since last 6 yrs,normal antibiotic treatment didnt workd so my dr. suggested for accutane(roaccutane by roche) at dose level of 20mg/kg . its my 3rd month using it n after seeing these comments i got scared to use it further...though with aforementioed sideeffects its gud otherwise.
September 12, 2008
Pros:
At the end of my treatment (6 months) I had basically perfect skin.
Cons:
Dry skin, nose bleeds, fatigue, headaches, dry lips, bad breakout at first, monthly blood tests are a pain, and now that I've been off it for 6 months my skin is as bad as it was before it. Not worth it.
It's too much effort. I thought it would fix my skin forever and I am already breaking out like normal and looking for a new treatment. Don't do it, it's not worth it.
August 5, 2008
Pros:
skin improved first month of using it, but i do get zits and acne but no more than 10 zits within the first month. very very happy with the result.
Cons:
chapped and split lips (solve with chapstick), dry nose (solved with nasal gel), occasional dry eyes (solved with eye drops). itchy dry scalp (solved with using moisturizing shampoo made for dry hair).
my skin is definitely not oily anymore, but also not dry enough to the point it sheds. it is quite a scary sight when my blackheads automatically ejects itself from the skin, leaving a disgustingly huge pore. my dermatologist has increased my dosage, and going into the 2nd month i hope things will only get better. my hair is doing fine, and i wish to keep it this way, just because its so nice and thick and shiny and beautiful :D no other side effects really, im as happy as ever.
April 22, 2008
Pros:
clear skin, smaller pores, no breakouts at all
Cons:
chapped lips, dry skin, rashes, decreased sex drive, redness, sore joints
This will clear your skin up and you won't have to worry about your skin holding you back. The side effects can be relieved with Aquaphor for lips or skin, my doctor prescribed Triamcinolone for the rashes, asprin works for my joints. Also drinking more fluids can help w/ side effects. Overall, well worth it to be rid of the horrible problem of acne I had dealt w/ for 8 years!
November 7, 2007
Pros:
Can you say 99.99% clear, gorgeous skin?
Cons:
Very expensive, monthly bloodwork and doctor appointments, the evil system of IPLEDGE. Affects did not last for me; acne returned after about two years.
The pro of finally achieving clear skin --after years and years of trying to "cure" my acne through natural remedies, cutting out certain foods, perscription antibiotics, expensive creams, washes and lotions from medispas -- outweighed all the cons. I started on 40 mgs once a day, then increased starting the second month to 40mgs twice a day. I had dry lips and skin, but that was about it. I went broke paying for it, but didn't care. For two years I stayed relatively clear with very very mild acne from time to time, but it has slowly and surely returned. I wanted to see if I could tackle my acne this time on my own through healthy living and natural products, but my skin has still become a living nightmare. An obssession. I am a positive and optimistic person, but I am getting depressed and enough is enough. I am going back on Accutane at 20mgs instead of 40mgs and cannot be happier. I think this is a wonder drug. I am an Accutane Advocate!!!
October 27, 2007
Pros:
Clears up acne a good deal
Cons:
Bloody noses, dry lips, disturbing urinal/intestinal symptoms, joint pains, mucus in eyes
I took this at a fairly high dosage for four months and it got rid of a lot of my acne. However the acne came back (to a lesser extent) within a month, probably because I was taking creatine for the gym. Hopefuly it goes away when I'm done with creatine. This medication had really weird side effects for me. I had strange intestinal pain a week after my treatment ended (its gone now though) and I had painful urination for like a month as well. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong! If you want to take it go for it, but I don't plan on another cycle. Too many possible complactions.
August 15, 2007
Pros:
gives you near clear skin
Cons:
makes the rest of ur skin really dry, lips dry
if u have acne, just do it, its worth it you will NEED: Cetapil face wash
a very good moisturiser
WILL power Keep ur heads up sky high
February 7, 2012
Pros:
unoily skin
unoily-hair
Cons:
dry lios
I have been on accutane for 2 months with my acne only getting worse. I was on 40mg for 2months and have been moved upto 60mg for another 2months. So far nothing, not even side effects, just slightly dry lips and beggining to lose hope in this. is this normal to see no results after 2 months????
please help!!!!!
November 25, 2009
Pros:
ive had severly bad acne for about a year started treatment about a month ago and its gotten really bad and the spots have got BIGGER. gonna stick the treatment out tho.
Cons:
DRY LIPS and MORE TIRED
my skin on my face has gotten dry redish and the spots are starting to scab over but it dont look to nice ): quite inbarrasin to be honust. and im 14 btw.
Pros:
My skin is glowing.