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
March 5, 2016
31 Female Cured of Acne After 15 Years
Because I have turned to this site for so long (lurking), I thought I should let you know that I've finally found success through Accutane. Having tried everything and suffered through moderate-severe bad skin depending on the month with no lasting results, I finally did it -- and got a Zenatane for 6 months.
I had a course of 2 months at 40mg and 4 more months at 60mg and now, at the end of it, I can safely tell you it was totally worth it. Skin amazing -- totally cleared after three weeks (1 zit after that in month 2), and I had no initial breakout. Yes, I was very dry (lips and nose in particular), but it wasn't terrible at all.
My only regret is the following, and this is why I'm writing this: I wish I had done it sooner. There was no reason for me to spend all of my 20s with crap skin. So if you read this and you have hormonal acne and are out of your teens -- definitely consider accutane!!! Don't wait until your skin can't fully recover from the damage of a decade of acne.
October 30, 2015
Beautiful Drug
Personal background: I had mild/moderate hormonal acne that was causing me a great deal of angst. I had tried benzoyl peroxide, differin, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, manuka honey, spironolactone, BC pill, microdermabrasion etc. while all of these treatments worked to some extent, nothing was perfect. Isotretinoin course: I am 40kg so I started on 10mg per day. After 3 weeks I had an initial breakout ' the worst of which lasted a month. The initial breakout is 100% worth it, it wasn't much worse than a regular breakout, only there were a few cysts. By the 5th month my skin was clear. I gradually increased my dosage over the course of a year until I was taking 40mg per day. I reached the recommended total cumulative dose of 120mg per kg, took a break from the medication for 2 months and then began an ultra low-dose maintenance course (approx. 10-20mg per week) for another year. Side effects: dry eyes, temporary joint pain (not recommended for serious athletes), dry skin, chelitis Result: 2 years later, my skin is like porcelain. I am regularly complimented on my skin by strangers who would never have guessed I had acne. The hyperpigmentation is gone. The texture of my skin is vastly improved (smooth, less oily, no redness, firmer, brighter). I still get the occasional tiny pimple once a month ' I just apply a dab of Savlon antiseptic cream. Recommended products: Bourjois healthy mix foundation, Sukin moisturiser, hydrocortisone, Sudocreme or zinc oxide (for scars and hyperpigmentation), zinc supplements, fish oil, light AHA face wash, Savlon. Consume isotretinoin with a fatty meal. Please message me with any questions, more than happy to help. I will never forget the psychological damage that my acne caused me.
November 12, 2015
hi! i've been on actuate for nearly 3.5 months now, but on the same dosage of 20 mg per day. don't know if i should consult another doctor cuz there's little improvement
November 12, 2015
hi! i've been on actuate for nearly 3.5 months now, but on the same dosage of 20 mg per day. don't know if i should consult another doctor cuz there's little improvement
November 28, 2015
Yes, I would consider increasing the dosage. The recommended total cumulative dose is at least 120 mg per kg of your body weight (e.g. a person weighing 50 kg should have consumed a total of at least 6000 mg of isotretinoin by the end of their course.) Good luck!
January 12, 2016
Hi I've been on this now for a month taken 30mg but now they have put it up to 70mg.. I'm a wee bit worrie about side effects I've only really had the dry lips and a bit of back pain! I'm really worrie about hair loss cause I lose enough hair normally lol but from I start it seems to have made my hair alot softer really. Did you get any other bad side effects on the higher dose? Thanks
August 4, 2017
What AHA wash would you recommend?
September 1, 2015
Accutane was the only thing that worked for me.
Many people look at accutane as a highly dangerous drug that causes all kinds of problems. Before I started my course of accutane (it was actually Claravis because accutane is off the market but it's all the same) everybody would tell me that it would cause hair loss, liver failure, infertility (I'm a guy), and change in skin color. Most of the views that people who have never been on/or haven't been educated about accutane are extremely negative, but most of the things that people say about it are either completely wrong or skewed. I went into my course of treatment very scared because of all these things that people told me. Of course my body (inside and out) was dry, very dry, but it cleared up my acne without a flaw, it cleared up my acne completely. I used aquaphor on my lips and inside my nose to prevent chapping and bloody noses. I have had no bad experiences with this drug (not to say that anyone would have the same experience on me). You have to get a blood test every month to make sure that it is not disrupting bodily functions, some bodies (not many) cannot handle the drug. Thank you Accutane, for saving my skin.
September 29, 2015
Thank you I have a 17 yr od starting on the treatment next week. I am very worried and I am glad I read your review.
April 23, 2015
Changed my life
Honestly, accutane is a miracle worker. Just a little over a year since I've been off of it and I feel amazing! It shrank my poors and got rid of my acne, completely. I'm left with just a few acne scars but that would happen either way (it's not because of the drug). I had chronic acne since the age of 11. Not even kidding you, it was awful! I was made fun of and it really lowered my self esteem and made me very insecure about myself. I started taking the drug when I was about 13 and know, at 15 my acne went away and stayed away. It's quite ironic because the people who used to make fun of me for it are now actually asking me for advice because they have bad acne now. I would recommend this to anyone. The only side effects I got were dry skin, but don't worry that's normal. That's the one side effect that almost everyone who takes accutane gets. Don't worry about it though, it's only temporary and if you just use moisturizer it's really not that hard to control. I took it for about 7 months with a dose of two pills per day. I was kind of disappointed at first because nothing seemed to happen for the first 4 months! But after that it really kicked in and I started clearing up like crazy! The one thing I would recommend to people though is that keep it up and don't stop taking it even if your skin looks clear. TAKE THE FULL DOSE PROVIDED BY YOUR DERMATOLOGIST!!! I cannot stress that enough. The acne will come back if you stop taking it while you are supposed to be taking it. Anyways it worked for me and it really changed my life! And for anyone that is scared or nervous, don't be. Just think of the future, how great it will be to have clear skin and NO PIMPLES!!!
December 8, 2014
I just wish I'd done it sooner
This time last year I was completely miserable because of my incredibly oily skin and severe cystic acne. The impact it had on my life was major. Letting anyone see me without make-up was out if the question. The acne was on my mind the whole time.
During my teens I had a little acne but it was mild. When I was around 20 I got diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and went onto an anti-androgen contraceptive pill, Dianette, which I then took for 14 years. When I was on that pill I had a few spots, but nothing more than that. I finally came off Dianette at the age of 34 and developed terrible acne. My skin was pumping out an unbelievable amount of oil and I had lots of horrible cysts. I now know that this is typical of what happens when people stop anti-androgen therapy. My doctor thought it would settle down after about 3 months, but it just got worse and worse. I tried anti-biotics, laser treatment, topical treatments. You name it, I tried it. I went back onto the pill, this time Yasmin. The Yasmin but help the acne some but it was still bad.
I am a fan of natural remedies so I tried acupuncture, I cut down on dairy products and took fish oils and zinc. Again, it helped but I still had pretty bad acne.
I went to a new dermatologist and asked for roaccutane. She agreed and I started taking it. It was one of best things I've ever done! Being a bit of a hypochondriac I was really nervous, half expecting suicidal thoughts or hair loss. In fact, apart from dry lips and eyes (both manageable) I haven't noticed any ill effects. However my dermatologist (who is very reputable) told me she has treated hundreds of people with this therapy and only 2 of her patients have had serious side effects.
I took my final pill last night after being on roaccutane for a little over 5 months and my skin is almost totally clear. I am delighted and it's no exaggeration to say that this drug has transformed my life. I'm so grateful.
So, if like I was, you're nervous about side effects and wondering whether to take roaccutane, I really urge you to do it. Good luck!
June 17, 2014
I wish I would have done this sooner!
I spent many years searching acne.org for solutions to chest and back acne. I tried everything from the Acne.org regimen to other prescriptions. Nothing ever cleared up my acne and I suffered with insecurity from the time I was 13 until I was 25. Finally I decided I had nothing to lose and started Accutane. The only thing I can say is that I wish I would have taken this sooner so I would not have missed out on a lot during my youth (swimming, beaches, etc.) The only side effects I experienced were an upset stomach the first week while my body adjusted to the meds. Of course, the chapped lips and dry nose are annoying, but you can learn do deal with it. I would rather have chapped lips than a breakout any day. It has been about 6 months since I stopped taking the medicine and I have not had one breakout. Accutane has improved my quality of life tenfold and I would recommend it to anyone who is considering it.
September 3, 2012
Cons:
-dry/flaky skin
-facial redness
-backache
-initial breakout
ALL TEMPORARY
Quite frankly, I'm not sure that I've ever made a better decision in my life. The drug has a very bad reputation, much of it undeserved in my opinion. Of course, as a beneficiary of this wonderful drug, and not one who has suffered any of the horrendous permanent side-effects that are rumoured to exist, my words should not be confused with wisdom. However, its success-rate is unparalleled in the dense world of scams and uncertainty that prevail in the acne medication market. As an acne sufferer, I know of how infuriating it can be when people with acne are accused of 'deserving' their condition, because of the preposterous stereotyping of those who label sufferers with their unhygienic lifestyle. As we know, THEY KNOW NOTHING. Its not about simply 'washing your face more' or 'eating less chocolate'. Often, face washes or a better lifestyle will not improve your acne. Sometimes you just have to entrust your treatment to science, and more to the point, PROVEN science. Not the holistic method, which may work for some, but of which I am not an admirer of as it never worked for me despite many attempts. No, sometimes medication is the answer, and people should not be so contemptuous of those that chose this path. Right, rant over, now I'll briefly explain my own experience: Having read at length the pros and cons of numerous people's experiences, and many an internet horror story, I was under the impression that I was putting myself in for a rough deal. Not so, as it turned out, at least for me anyway. The initial breakout was horrid, worst my skin has ever been, but it only lasted for 2 weeks. My skin took a little longer to see sustained clearing than I had hoped, it wasn't until after I'd passed the 3 month mark that I was seeing definitive improvement. That aside, the other listed side-effects were largely manageable and at worst just annoying, nothing more. Think long and hard about it, but if you're informed and level-heade
April 7, 2012
Pros:
Clear skin after ~3 months
No more cystic acne
Can finally smile without it hurting! (cystic acne around mouth)
Confidence is back!
Even gets out blackheads! (added benefit)
Cons:
Dry skin
Redness (from thin skin)
Dry lips
Dry eyes
Aches
Nosebleeds (stopped)
Other side effects
This drug is very harsh but it works. I am on my last month, and I can honestly say I have not one single cyst or pimple on my face. However, my skin is not flawless. I do have one small cholesterol deposit/milia under my eye, which should go away. I also have many red marks. I heard these red marks go away, however, after 2 months of getting off! Well, at least they get dramatically better. After month 3, I couldn't wash my face anymore or else my face would be beat red. I splashed my face with cold water and put on Cetaphil Gentle Skin Lotion as many times as it took before the redness died down. Be super gentle with your skin on this stuff! Don't pick at it AT ALL! Especially after month 2. I accidentally got a scratch between my eyes and now I have a scar (hopefully it will go away!). Don't exfoliate. Just be super duper gentle! Side effects will come and go. Just communicate with your doctor/parents (if you're a teen like me), and be careful. To me, it was definitely worth it. I went from having cystic acne everywhere to having no pimples whatsoever. I tried Differin, Proactiv, keflex, monocycline, etc etc. I needed to find my cure and this was it! IF your skin can tolerate it, if you get angry pimples on accutane, take a Q-tip and put the smallest amount of Proactiv sulfur mask on it overnight. It a couple of nights, it will be gone! Otherwise, just moisturize!!! Any lip balm will do. Be careful & believe, and in half-years time, your skin will be savable :) Maybe not perfect, but something to work with until your complexion is smooth and nice!
January 8, 2012
Pros:
treats all forms of acne
reduces scaring
confidence boost
pores reduced
works fast
Cons:
terrible dryness(lips,eyes,body)
back and neck pain
hassle and extra expense of the monthly blood drawings
expensive
itchy skin
have to religiously take it 2 times a day at set times
its honestly incredible. first month they say your acne gets worst, but my acne had flatten in 2-3 weeks and became so much better!!!! its been the 3rd going on to 4th month and i literally cry when i see the improvements. i had terrible bad acne, tried 7 topical creams and every drug store products and my doctor gave me many washes but i had acne that was like a sick dream. i had a zit that was on my face for 2 months that went away in 2 weeks. it the best thing of my life, i'm 16 and finally in 2 years i have clear skin. my skin is red but my derm. said within 2 months the redness with disappear.
December 16, 2011
Pros:
works brilliantly
very smooth skin
Cons:
dry lips
nose bleeds
blood tests
pregnancy tests
increased sweating
i went on roaccutane as a last resort - having pretty bad acne since 9 years old (i am now 18) and having tried everything.
I tried various antibiotics, the pill, and all other treatments under the sun.
I finally decided to go on Roaccutane this August and am coming off on Wednesday! have been on it for 4 months in total and it is absolutely amazing! i wish i had done it years ago. I have to say, I was worried at the beginning that it wasn't working, as it can take time to work. family and friends told me it was working straight away - but i was self critical so didnt noticed a change until a few months in. Even in this last week it has improved immensely and i am very very happy! (it did get a little worse before it got better but not hugely worse) My side effects consisted of nose bleeds - however i had them frequently before so that will be why i had lots more. I also had increased sweating (which is one of the rarest side effects) which I have to say was very embarrassing and upsetting, however my skin is amazing so was worth it! I also had dry hands and arms which went away with aftersun!
And of course I had the most common side effect - dry lips for which I used 'eucerin aquaphor' which was absoutely amazing and sorted my lips out overnight like magic! - seriously recommend it. depending on the dosage each month, i paid between £25- £35 for the prescription. So in total it will have cost about £150. Best money ever spent! I would 100% recommend accutane as despite all the many side effects, it has brought an end to bad skin, and i now feel very confident and do not feel self-conscious all the time! i would truly recommend it, it is life changing.
Pros:
-Clears acne
-Gave me back my self-esteem. Infinitely happier and more confident.
-I don't think about my skin constantly anymore, which is about the biggest complement I can give to this stuff
-got it on the NHS, so minimal expense