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
June 20, 2008
Cons:
I understand that some people experience much worse side effects. I may have been lucky in that mine were very mild. Only side effects were dry lips and dry eyes.
In my opinion the only treatment that actually works. I spent many years trying everything and just got more frustrated. I could have never imagined then that I would ever have skin this clear. It is a risk though, and anyone who takes it should be aware of the side effects and should have monthly blood tests and all that. Also, make sure to drink lots of water, because it tends to dry out your body. At the end of the day, I am very happy with the results.
January 11, 2012
Pros:
clears most acne
makes you feel confident
reaal cheap, $3 for every subscription , as it is subsidised.
Cons:
drys lips reaaaallly bad , cracks them.
makes skin dry
still get breakouts , not so much
red skin
i have tried all the acne medications there are , litterly. as none of them worked for me . i went on accutane, i use to have light acne but to me it felt like alot !! my doctor told me my skin wasnt even bad but i still wanted to go on the drug , i was nowhere near confident ! i would cry everyday waking up and looking in the mirror, i even left school because of my skin, yes i know its pathetic but thats just how i was., i hated it. i had acne on my chin , and accutane cleared that up. I still get some breakouts but not as much , only when i have my period.
Also for the dry lips i would reccomend pawpaw ointment. remember to moistrise everyday , dry skin is ugly :)
November 3, 2009
Pros:
None yet
Cons:
very dry lips and face, depression, nose bleeds
have been on 60mg a day for over a month now. no success yet, and acne has gotten worse. hope to see effects soon.
April 20, 2009
Pros:
None haven seen any difference
Cons:
VERY VERY DRY LIPS n SKIN ON FACE peeeeling baddly
i dont no if this will work
been on it for 1 month now havent seen any difference
on my back acne
February 26, 2009
Pros:
been 2 weeks and my pimples are still same old
Cons:
Dry lips ..... big deal
yah
December 2, 2008
Pros:
Beautiful, clear skin with pores that are barely visible.
Cons:
Extremely dry and dehydrated. If you wear contacts, plan on putting them away for a couple of months. My lips became severely chapped. Cost can be a major issue if insurance is inadequate. Female patients, annoying pregnancy tests each month.
I was on accutane when I was about 13-14 years old. My skin was great for quite some time, with minor breakouts before my period. Towards the end of college the breakouts became a little worse. I'm now about to turn 25 and just started my second course of accutane because cystic pimples started around my chin and neck. After one month of treatment at 40mg per day my skin already looks great! I've heard the second time around should be it. I'm confident it will work for good this time since I'm older and because of the results I've seen already. If you can deal with side effects it is well worth it!
September 9, 2008
Pros:
This is the only thing that has worked since I became immune to minocycline! Inexpensive since I was given a prescription for the generic (Sotret) and have a low copay for generics.
Cons:
Very dry lips- I think I used more chapstick during the five months on the medicine than the entire 27 years prior put together. Headaches (at least once a week). Felt some moderate fatigue at the highest dose (60 mg/day). Dry/bloodshot eyes.
If you're willing to put up with some fairly minor side effects, this treatment is definitely worth a try. I had dry lips and eyes for five months, but it was totally worth it for me. I haven't ever gotten compliments on my skin until now, and it really does wonders for self-esteem after having years of acne problems. Stock up on chapstick and eye drops (Visine Tears are great!) and you'll be fine :)
November 5, 2007
Pros:
I've been on it almost 5 months, and my skin is near flawless. It was BAD before.
Cons:
It began with extremely dry skin and horribly chapped lips. I could wash my face and moisturize and go out, but within an hour my face was so dry AGAIN and flaking off. Somewhat embarrassing, but completely worth it. My skin cleared up after month 3.
Not recommended unless you have BAD acne. The side affects, into my fifth month, got drastically worse. I am more sad, VERY achy, skin is so dry. I recently started getting nosebleeds, chronic UTI's and very constipated. However, I'm almost done and happy to say my skin looks fabulous and it was worth it, overall... I think.
March 13, 2007
Pros:
I dont know yet? I havent been on it long enough.
Cons:
no results yet after three weeks.
My skin got really dry the first two weeks but now its fine. I still have dry lips. But im braking out more. I dont see any improvement in my skin and im on my thrid week. I have been taking erythromycin as well but i think im going to stop. im going to try to let accutane work by itself and maybe i will see more resluts. but as of now i still feel bad because my skin is not good at all.it really brings down your self confidence. i really hope this stuff works!
June 11, 2008
Pros:
I really want to believe this will work
Cons:
I'm so scared to start after reading all the reviews across the internet. I've been on lots of stuff form minocin, retin-a, blah blah blah...but my spots keep coming back.
My acne is not severe or even moderate probably...but I've tried a lot if things and I just constantly have 5-6 acne bumps under the skin at any given time and splotchy foliculitis on my neck...sometime big raised bumps in back of hair line. I can't stand it anymore and my derm recommended - with ful disclosure of all side effects and iPledge stuff... Now I'm 'having second thoughts about filling the prescription.
Pros:
After two months, my skin was completely clear. Its now a month after I stopped using it and my skin still looks perfect.