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 13, 2009
Cons:
Dry palms, dry lips, dry hair. Acne gets worse before it gets better.
I took brand Accutane in 1984 for 5 months. I had been battling cystic acne since age 15. My skin would clear up on antibiotics and after a few months they would stop working and the cysts would return. I tried several prescription topical treatments in addition to chemical peels and facials. Nothing worked and I begged my parents to let me take it. I am now having to make the decision to put my daughter on it. While I feel comfortable putting her on it, I'm very dissapointed that Roche has taken the brand Accutane off the market. I don't want to wait until she gets all the scarring I got from all the cysts I endured before taking the Accutane. When I took Accutane, it was very new and there was no data linking it to depression. I have depression in my family history and yet I expreinced no side-effects except for dry hand, dry lips and dry hair. All of which went a way a couple of months after finishign my course.
August 12, 2009
Pros:
Acne completely cleared, confidence, smoother skin, side effects are 100% worth it!
Cons:
Dry lips, skin, nose. Make sure you get nose spray (saline for moisture helped me) Most of the side effects are pretty miserable...got a few headaches, stomach pains, back pain. Though I'd go through it all over again for these results.
Accutane is really a great medication. I truly recommend it for anybody! I had acne for around 5 or 6 years, and honestly tried ever y medication my doctor could give me. Finally was put on accutane and my face is 100% clear, and havent gotten a pimple since about the third month of treatment! my scars remain but it's really a lot better than painful breakouts and not wanting to leave the house. Don't give up on it if you're just starting out! 100% works!!
August 25, 2017
Best choice I ever made
Just thought you guys should hear a positive one for once. Accutane changed my skin for the better. I had dryness, peeling and some muscle aches in my ankles but that was all worth it. 2.5 years Later and my skin still looks amazing. Even my scars are gone! No more trying 1,000 different products and gimmicks, my skin was clear in one month from this medication. Yes there can be side effects, but if they are severe you listen to your doctor and stop taking it! Stop overthinking it and just try it. I wish I would have done it sooner. Good luck!
July 18, 2017
DO IT!!! TRY IT!!!
Never thought I'd be the person to make and account to write a review but I want to help whoever I can. I was looking at photos of how bad my skin was and how sh*t I felt about how I looked 24/7. I wish I had started Accutane sooner. I feel like myself again and don't have to worry about putting makeup on 24/7. So just go to a specialist, tell them you've tried everything and tell them you feel ugly/not confident and get on it. Don't worry about side effects just try it, if you get them then dw it's worth the dry skin and whatever side effects you get. So please do it please. I want to help whoever I can. 4 of my friends have also been on it and worked perfectly for them. So that's 5 of us and the only side effects we all got were a bit of dry skin when the %of accutane was put up and dry lips which are easily healed with lots of moisturiser. So DO IT please TRY IT!!!!! Anyway hope it works. Message me with questions. Xx
July 26, 2017
What was your dose and how long were you in it ?
June 30, 2016
The hero not the enemy!
Ok I know everyone is different, but I was apprehensive to start accutane due to all of the horrific possible side effects and "scare stories". I am in the uk, and paid to see a private dermatologist -pricey! But this can be done free of charge through the nhs too. It is honestly the best thing I have ever done. When I say no side effects; I literally mean 0! To the point where my consultant didn't think my body was absorbing it. I was on 60mg per day and if I'd have weighed more I'd have been put up to 80mg because it wasn't giving me any bad reactions at all. I didn't even get the dry skin! Even so; I was also using topical isotretnoin too. My skin has cleared up AMAZINGLY! I'm not saying that everyone will get away with side effects Scott free, but what's dry skin for a few months if the end outcome you are free of the crippling acne you've been so desperately trying to fight!? If side effects are bad you can discontinue the medication! But unless your dr says that you have conditions which would make you unsuitable to take it, please give it a go. My life has changed. I don't want to hide every day. And I can roll out of bed and go to work ;) no more hours of slapping on makeup! Haha
July 22, 2016
I'm very jealous. I hope that I can say the same thing once the Accutane is done. I literally want to hide everyday. I'm so embarrassed. Your very lucky.
April 26, 2016
Why did I wait so long?
I am a 30-year old female who has had bad cystic acne for well over 15 years. I thought Accutane was a last resort for only the worst cases, and I only had it on my chin. I was fed up with trying everything and went to like my 5th derm. She talked about Isotretinoin and I was on board! It took a little getting used to to be seen monthly and filling out the stuff online through iPledge. The first month was kind of bad getting used to the chapped lips (use Aquaphor) and very sensitive skin to the sun (ALWAYS apply sun screen and avoid too much time in the sun). My derm advised me to not drink and I probably did too much towards the end and I would often get sick, so be easy on your liver! By months 2-5 I was loving the results and how non-oily my skin and hair was. I finished after 6 months and I could not be happier and I wonder why I didn't do this 10 years ago and save the heartache over the years. Plus in most cases, you only need to do this once. Be patient, follow your derm's instructions, and do it.
January 29, 2016
IT WORKED BUT...
i had suffered acne for long time and when i started to take accutane for 1 month i got wondelful result it cleared off!! BUT while taking the medication I had very dry lips, skin and very smelly pee so i stopped the medication and then break out again!! it was relapse...
September 30, 2015
hair loss is real
I am a 23 year old female who took accutane for 6 months when I was 21. I had suffered acne my whole life from age 9 to 23 (present). I have mixed feelings about accutane. While taking the medication I had very dry lips and skin but a thick moisturizer made that barely noticeable. I was also able to use a clarisonic during the course. When I was on it my skin was perfect. I also lost about 10 pounds. I was 5'2 about 95 lbs. My skin cleared up at about month 4. I was taking the low dose of about 30 mg i think and worked my way up to 90 mg. Everything was great until about 5 months after being off of it. My hair started falling out. My hair still falls out rapidly even though its been about 2 years. My acne is also back. It's not as bad but it's still here. I have to wear makeup to cover my acne everyday. I don't recommend accutane because I feel that there are other options that I could have resorted too. Luckily, I don't have a single textured scar from my acne. So basically accutane cleared my acne for about a year and half and made me lose about 2/3 of my thick hair.
July 14, 2016
I lost 2/3 of my hair as well , for a guy not so bad I cut it ultra short for a woman it must be horrible , this drug needs to be banned period , or at least reserved for severe cystic modular acne ONLY and NEVER handed out to people with mild acne EVER.
September 7, 2015
Works but at a price
I was prescribed 6 months at 40mg by my dermatologist. About 1 1/2 months into the treatment I developed severe side effects including erectile dysfunction, joint pain, decreased memory/concentration and pain in my TESTICLES!!! I decreased the dose to 20mg and the pain and majority of the side effects were greatly decreased or gone. About 2 months later, I went back on the prescribed dose and thankfully, the pain and side effects didn't return (aside from pain in my lower legs). I was put on it for an extra two months to make up for the time I had spent on the reduced dose. After 8 months my acne is not nearly as bad but this medication has left my face very red and dry and I still have new ones. This medication definitely works but can come with severe, life-altering side effects that may/may not be long term. I would not recommend it unless you have severe acne and nothing else has worked for you. Take this advice seriously and don't let anyone pressure you into anything.
July 3, 2016
did you recover fully from erectile dysfunction. Low libido?
May 14, 2015
Accutane so far
I am beginning my third month of accutane and what can I say, I LOVE IT! I have experienced the usual dry skin and lips but nothing too bad. I recommend using carmex for your lips, it is a life saver. Before accutane my face was super oily. I noticed after 2 weeks on accutane I was not producing oil. My makeup would stay on all day and I could go days without washing my hair, awesome right?! If any of you are nervous about taking accutane I would give it a try. Talk it over with your dermatologist and determine what is best for you. I am so glad that I made this decision. Sure, the monthly blood tests and pregnancy tests are a hurdle to go through, but if you want clear skin its totally worth it. I hope that my skin will stay clear even after accutane so fingers crossed! Good luck to all.
December 10, 2015
What BC did you take while on accutane? Did that affect your acne as well?
Pros:
Brand Accutane was a miracle drug for me. One 5 month dose and I was cured of Acne for life. I took it in 1984. I am now 45 years old and have never broken out again, even during/after 2 pregnancies.