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
February 17, 2012
Cons:
no results whatsoever
bad back pains
dry skin (very flaky)
dry lips (always chapped and bleeding)
dry eyes (constant eye infections)
dry mucus membranes (constant nose bleeds)
tiredness and headaches
blood and pregnancy tests every months
I have had acne since I was 12 (im almost 17 now). At the age of 14 it started to get very severe so I started on numerous different medications and creams prescribed by my doctor. I was on each different medication for 6 months - they did not work. Then in September 2011 I started on Roaccutane and it is honestly the worst decision I've ever made. My acne has not improved at all, and I have been on Roaccutane for 5 months so I only have 1 month of treatment left. I am getting so many side effects, and the fact that the medication is not working after all the good reviews I read is taking an emotional toll on me. I know everyone reacts differently, but I seriously am not having any luck with any treatments, especially Roaccutane. This course of treatment has not worked and I definitely will not be taking a second course only to be put through hell again.
February 1, 2012
Pros:
Completely Clears Skin
Long Term Effects
Cons:
Dry Skin
Nose Bleeds
Blocked Nose
It works and before you read more reviews about people whining about it and theyve only been on it for a week, the fact is it clears 90% of people Im 4 months into my 5 month prescription and my skin is really clear I would definitely recommend this.
December 1, 2011
Pros:
100% clear, smooth, non-oily skin
No spots at all!
Cons:
Dry lips
A few outbreaks of eczema on hands
Background: I'm a 23 year-old male and had mild/moderate acne for about 3 years. I tried pretty much everything before Accutane, including topicals, antibiotics, and changing diet. The only thing that worked somewhat were the Tetracyclines, but I quickly grew immune to them. I had flirted with the idea of Accutane for a while but the final straw for me was when I had a big break out and my face was bleeding after shaving... I felt so unattractive and miserable that I had no choice but to cancel my date and stay home that day. That's when I decided enough was enough, and I went to the derm. I took a low dosage of 20mg a month for 3 months. Nothing much happened for these months. My skin was no longer oily but I was still breaking out. Then on month 4 I went up to 30mg and my skin started to really clear up. After 6 months I was totally clear. All in all, it worked wonderfully and the side effects were very mild! My advice would be to take a low-dosage over 6-8 months if you want to avoid the worst side-effects. And stick with it. It takes months to see results. Overall - going on Accutane was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
November 14, 2011
Pros:
Clear Skin
Healed most acne scars
Confidence boost
Cons:
Nose bleeds
Dry Lips
I loved accutane! It saved my skin!! I had bad acne on my face (cysts, pimples, black heads and some whiteheads) and body acne on my upper back which scarred. But once I started taking accutane I saw great results from the beginning!! Although I did have occasional nose bleeds from a dry membrane so I used a non-prescription nasal spary called Ocean, and I did have crusty lips in the beginning but used plenty of beeswax chapstick 24/7 and I didn't have any problems after about 2 months. Those complaints are not a big deal or a deal breaker what so ever. I was on the dance team (dancing about 30 hours a week) and never had any joint or stomach pains. I've taken 2 treatments of accutane so far and about to take a 3rd treatment. When I stop taking accutane my acne flares up again and I'm surprised becuase I've forgotten what it's like to have acne again. But I'm excited to start another treatment so I'll have clear skin again! I get a 30 day prescription every month (don't remember the dosage), but I only take 1 pill a week and stock up, and I'm good for about 1 year. My doctor knows about this and he trusts me becuase I've known him for a long time and and I'm a trustworthy person. I would never do anything to jeopardize me, my health,my future baby, my doctor, or my status in the iPledge program. Although I didn't want to start another treatment (becuase of all the long term risks, which have never affected me over the past 5 years), I realize it's the only thing that 100% cures my acne. Definitely worth the risk. I can't wait to start another treatment!!
September 15, 2011
Pros:
clear skin
Cons:
dry skin
I started having acne when I was about 11 until 25. I tried different kinds of antibiotics and over the counter and presciption creams but they did not work well. The antibiotics would only work while i was taking them and within a month my acne would come back. I also tried lasers to treat the acne, but they made it worse.It really worked wonders on my skin. At the age of 25 i was at my wits end. Quite a few of my friends had taken accutane and it had worked wonders for ridding them of thier acne. I remember crying myself to sleep after counting 30 some odd pimples on my face. I made an appointment at UCLA derm. for the folllowing week. The derm told me it was time for me to try accutane. Within the first month I started seeing improvement. I had to do blood work every month to ensure that the accutane was not hurting me. My sking became very dry and tight and my lips were always chapped. I used the oly serum on my skin and it really helped with the dryness. I was on accutane for 6 months, this was over 5 years ago. I have to say it was an amazing experience. My skin has been clear since with the exception of one to two minor pimples monthly. I wish I had done it sooner and if you're thinking about doing it please please please go to a good doctor who will check your blood monthly to make sure your health is not at risk!
Now my only worry was the moderate acne scars left behind from over a decade of acne. About 4 years after I stopped taking accuntane I decide to do something about the scars, I believe you have to wait at least a year to do any kind of treatment after accutane.
I've done 3 fraxel treatements. I saw an immediate improvement on my skin after the first one, but that's because your face becomes swollen the week after so it appears that the scars are gone, but within a few weeks most of the scars came back. After the first time I saw a 20% improvement. I was excited and made an appoinment 6 weeks later. the second treatment did nothing. I
July 9, 2011
Pros:
after my total treatment with accutane, my skin was clear. I didn't have any pimples for about a year or two.
Cons:
I've since started to break out almost as much as before accutane
I started the treatment when i was 19. I was on it for about 4-6months. My acne had seemed to be gone. After about 2yrs. my acne came back! Now I'm a 26yr old who looks like their 16. Nothing seems to work. The doctors wanted to put me back on accutane recently..... I just don't think it is ultimately worth your health. Read over all the side effects very carefully and decide if it's worth possible liver failure, etc. and then have your acne come back!
June 6, 2011
Pros:
dramatically better skin! less oily hair
Cons:
change in eyesight, dry eyes, dry nose/bleeding, rashes on the back of my hands, lower back pain, chapped lips, consuming alcohol is not recommended, monthly blood tests
PROS: after a week or so of use, I noticed my skin was getting much,much better. my friends were beginning to notice a change in both my face and my self esteem. I no longer have to wear layers of coverup to try and hide my acne. also, living in canada, Accutane is covered by health care, so it's free! CONS: my eyes have always been dry, but Accutane has made it worse, especially if you are staring at a computer screen for extended amounts of time. the change in my eyesight is not bad enough to motivate me to get new glasses, but i definately notice it. things are a little more blurry than they used to be.
For about 2 weeks, i had been sick, so i was constantly blowing my nose and sniffling. this led to massive nosebleeds that went on for 25+mins each time. very scary when you are going to school and trying to go about your normal day. the worst was when i had 4 in one day!
Not too long after starting accutane, i noticed small rashes on the backs of my hands. unsightly as they are, they are not itchy and can be minimized using moisturizers and polysporin.
My lower back pain causes me to stiffen if i am in a specific position for too long. it is painful to straighten up quickly, so it takes me a while to loosen up agin. it makes me feel so old!!
The common side effect of chapped lips makes it necessary to carry my handy Burt's Bees chapstick around all the time. i have to exfoliate the dead skin from my lips constantly and lipstick is a definate no-no!
Although consuming alcohol is not recommended, i have still done it. what you may want to know is it lowers your tolerance. A LOT! you will get drunk very quickly!
Lastly, the monthly blood tests. although its a pain -you have to fast for 10 hours each time before you go- it really is for your benefit. your MD could detect some other health problem that you otherwise would not have known about. It may look like the cons outweigh the pros, but that isnt so; all of the cons are bearable
March 22, 2011
Pros:
-oil completely gone.
-minimized look of pores
-glowing skin
-CLEARED ACNE COMPLETELY!
Cons:
-dry lips
i just took my last dose of this medication after having been on it for 5 months. i could not be happier with the results. i've had moderate persistent acne for about 4 years, accutane was the only thing that completely cleared me and gave me 110% of my confidence back. my skin has never looked so amazing. i am left with one active pimple, but they heal much faster than before tane. i would reccomend this to anyone with doubts on this medication, the side effects(or atleast in my case) were all hyped up, and the end result is totally worth it. thank you accutane!
March 17, 2011
Pros:
Acne cleared up completely
Cons:
Acne back after 3 years-but think it may be due to hormones
Dry skin-but manageable
I can not say enough about Accutane. I went to see my P.A. in a derm's office and she immediately suggested I take Accutane. I had just a few (but enough) cystic/nodule like acne bumps all on the left side of my jawline and chin. I also had serious acne on my upper and lower back. I was worried about all the possible side effects so I opted to wait and try the topical treatment with oral antibiotics. They did not work at all. I ended up taking the Accutane with Yaz. I was on Accutane for about 8 months. My skin was dry but I could deal with that. I have acne again now but think that it may be hormonal. I never had acne growing up and just got it in my 30s. I am now 37. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I have acne again. But again, I am thinking mine is hormonal and I have read that sometimes people need to have a second and/or third try for longer success.
February 13, 2011
Pros:
Clearer skin.
No red spots
Smoother skin
Cons:
Sensitive skin
Chapped lips
Dry hands (with dry spots)
Great!!! It solved THE problem.
Pros:
healthier non-greasy hair