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
August 17, 2008
Cons:
It dried me up. So, in addition to the medication, I had to buy bag balm for my lips, all sorts of lotion, moisturizer for the inside of my nose, eye drops and even a vaginal moisturizer. Good times.
If you can deal with the dryness, totally do it. Keep in mind that if you are a girl, even if you don't have sex, you'll need to be on birth control.
June 21, 2008
Pros:
I got the first pack free from my dermo?
Affordable
Cons:
I'm allergic to it!!!!
Muscle soreness and pain
Welts/swelling/itching in arms
I was very upset that I became allergic to it. I thought I was done and there was nothing more I could do. My dermo *thinks* that enough was in my system to hopefully knock out acne to come in the future. Who knows. But on the other hand, my birth control (Yaz) was the acne butt kicker in the end.
One more thing--don't take the "cyclines" right after or right before Accutane.....take a break before you begin or end. Can mess you up bad. My friend has a drainage tube now b/c she took them too close together.
Go for it, seriously, cause I know it can and has been shown to work wonders. Just be careful with what else you take and blood work
May 10, 2008
Pros:
It really works!
Cons:
Dry face, lips, and eyes
I"m going on my second month and it's already cleared my face.I have such soft clear skin finally!I'm not depressed at all I'm actually happier because it's working!Use aquaphor for your lips.Cetaphil face wash and face lotion it really moisturizes because I've tried like 5 lotions and none of them work lol so the cetaphil lotion is great!Your scalp my get dry so you should use head and shoulders dor dry scalp that's making a big difference.You pretty much just dry up but it's worth it because your skin will be clear!
April 1, 2008
Pros:
Clears skin initially
Cons:
Results are very temporary for most people, side effects such as decreased night vision, hassle of registration, blood tests, etc.
I'm 37 and I've been on two courses of Accutane. Both courses were 18 weeks. Both times, my skin cleared up nicely initially, but unfortunately, it only lasted for about 18 months. It was like I had never even taken Accutane (horrible break outs once again). For such a powerful drug, I was expecting better results. I don't think my body can handle going on Accutane every two years. Its not the cure-all or end-all for acne. I only recommend this if you OK with short-term results and lots of side effects.
February 23, 2008
Pros:
I had a year and a half of clear skin and didn't need make-up.
Cons:
It is only temporary. Only lasted 1.5 years after treatment. Now I am worse than before. You have to continue using Accutane forever. It also make me super depressed and I almost blew my graduate school career.
I risked the side effects because I was told it it was a cure all by my doc. After some research, I am now finding that it only works for a small percentage of people and that most have to stay on it forever, or keep repeating cycles of treatment...forever. I suppose if you never plan to have kids and don't experience the other grave side effects, then go for it. Otherwise, the risks are not worth it for a temporary solution. The 1.5 years of clear skin were fun, but I now look at the photos from that time and cry.
January 30, 2008
Pros:
Really worked! It cured my acne, although some acne did come back approx. a year after I stopped taking it.
Cons:
Sever dryness. I had to keep moisturizer and lip gloss on me at all times. If I went to school without lip gloss, my lips would be cracked and bleeding by lunch time.
Serious medication. If you really have problem acne and don't want to mess around, get Acutane, but be ready to deal with the side effects.
January 1, 2008
Pros:
clears up skin !!!!!!
Cons:
some side effects
I've been taking accutane for about 3 1/2 weeks. The 2nd week my face started to clear up then a sudden break out I just pray to god that this will boost my confidence and will allow me to minister to others with no worries. God has never let me down and i know this is a way god will demonstrate his love to me and clear my skin before the 6 months are up :) can i hear a amen
November 8, 2007
Pros:
No acne. After 3 months most acne stops. By 5th or 6th month bearly any acne on my body whatsoever. Finished the treatment with 0 (thats right none) active acne.
Cons:
Dry lips, always having to carry chapstick. ALWAYS. The odd bleeding nose. By the last few months I had a extremely red face. Skin sensitivity such as minor scrapes would cause large cuts.
Accutane is the best acne drug ever. I've tried face washes, benzoyl peroxide based products, antibiotics (minocin) and NONE worked. Accutane has the best chance at taking out and PREVENTING further breakouts that any other drugs.
The side effects are annoying and by the end of the treatment you just want off. BUT it's totally worth blemish free skin.
DO IT
August 15, 2007
Pros:
It helped my skin the first time around, I have taken this product 3 times and it doesn't stop acne it just takes it away for a little while
Cons:
Dry skin, anal bleeding, loss of night vision, not allowed to drink alcohol or have anything with vitamin A in it, blodd tests every month, possibilites of liver failure....
I think that it is not the best option out there for all the cons, the cost and the lasting effects
I still have acne breakouts and they are still pretty bad so don't get your hopes up on this stuff if you have severe acne, I did I thought it would be a miracle cure boy was I wrong, and I am still very depress about my skin
June 12, 2007
Pros:
Cleared my skin up
Cons:
Had thoughts about killing myself
Wouldn't let me dog take it.
Pros:
This stuff really cleared up my Acne, and kept it that way for about 2 years. After that, I just started using products with salicylic acid to keep pimples at bay.