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 24, 2012
Suffered from acne from the age of 11 until 22. Tried everything with no success. Finally decided I could not deal with it anymore and went on Accutane. Best decision of my life. I now have 100% perfect skin.
January 1, 2012
Cons:
expensive
had to get blood drawn every month
results were temporary
I'd tried other prescription treatments, but none of them did much for my acne. Accutane did more than they did, but the results didn't last. After taking Accutane for a year, I thought that I wouldn't have to worry about acne any more. I was wrong. Within a few years, my acne was back in full force. Conclusion: Accutane is a big pain, and it's not a permanent solution.
September 10, 2011
Pros:
+Cleared All Acne Including my Severe Cystic Acne !
+Dramatically Reduced Skin Oiliness
+Gained Confidence Back
+Changed My Life
Cons:
Normal Side Effects
- Dry Skin
- Very Dry Lips
Around Christmas of my Junior year in high school I started to get cystic acne. In about two weeks it progressed into severe cystic acne that persisted mainly on my cheeks. (* Note: Prior to the break I my face was 100% clear) I tried over the counter acne products for the next month, which I now realize was a horrible mistake, due to the fact, if I would of went to a Derm instead of wasting a month I would have a lot less scarring. However, that was not the case. After about a month I finally went and visited my derm, where she immediately started me off on Accutane. My dosing started at 40 the first month, 60 the next, then 80 after that. Unfortunately, when i was on the 80 my liver test came back a little high and my derm dropped my back down to 40.
All in all, I ended up taking Accutane for 7 months. I never had an initial breakout or some of the side effects people have listed, such as sun sensitivity. I was even a lifeguard during the middle of my course, and never experienced any sun sensitivity. My parents ended up paying $3,200 because we do not have a pharmacy card, but it was completely worth it. When my acne was severe I strayed away from contact from everyone I knew. But now my face is clear and I'm extremely out going because I have regained my confidence.
This drug was a miracle for me.
September 10, 2011
Pros:
Clear, soft, and smooth skin!
Hair isn't oily anymore
NO acne
Cons:
Dry eyes, lips, skin
slightly more irritable
fatigue
can't drink
I remember listening to people who had perfectly clear skin complain that they were "breaking out," which to them meant they had one tiny pimple. My definition of "breaking out" was numerous painful cycts accompanied by multiple zits all over my face. I wanted so badly to think that breaking out meant one or two pimples. I am so happy to say that this is exactly who I have become. Accutane is a serious drug, but so are all medications. Before accutane, I had taken minocycline, doxycycline, sulfa, erythromycin, and tons of topicals all of which only lessened the problem. My dermatologist told me that accutane can do some bad things, but being on drugs like that all my life would be far worse than six months of accutane. I am so glad I listened to her. Now, my skin is smooth and clear. I have a few scars left over from the treatment, but still I can't help but touching my face from time to time and feeling how soft and smooth it is: not one bump to bring down my excitement. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Side effects weren't fun, but I have clear skin and that is totally worth it.
July 29, 2011
Pros:
Takes care of oil problem and cleared some acne.
Cons:
Did not clear the majority of acne even after 6 almost 7 months.
Very dry lips
nose bleads (not really a big deal)
soar joints
Works great for oil but did not clear my acne. I know my case would be considered rare but even though I am not clear I would do it again because my oil problem was fixed. Before accutane my face would be oily 10 min. after I washed my face but now I don't have any oil at all. The nose bleads only came about once a week so nbd but the dry lips were challanging to deal with. I am constantly reapplying lip balm. My skin never became too dry only a few flakes and a rash once which can be taken care of with some lotion.
I do reccomend this as a last resort. Also don't get your hopes up early I will soon be in my seventh month and still have breakouts. Oh and I'm 105 pounds and on 40 mg.
July 25, 2011
Pros:
-Cleared up EVERYTHING, completely (:
-Loss of appetite
Cons:
-Headaches
- Severely dry lips/ skin
-Acne gets worse before it gets better
*(for about a month)*
I had acne my whole life all over my chest back nd face, I tried everything, but let me tell you, it takes so long to get these pills, you cant just get them, its a long process. You have to try tons of different pills/antibiotics before doctor will prescribe Accutane to you. You have to be reasonably broken out. You have to take monthly pregnancy tests if your a female, and monthly blood tests for cholesterol etc. The pills cost up to 400$ out of pocket, my insurance covered it completely though, we have medical. You have to take monthy online tests because this is a serious drug, and if your a female you have to be on 2 forms of birth control even if your not sexually active. This is the only thing that will take acne away. Its literally a, miracle.
November 11, 2010
Pros:
cleared up acne
Cons:
very dry lips
red, dry eyes
dry skin
hair loss
dry nose (even after months of being off)
Bottom line is, I suffered with acne for YEARS, cystic mostly. At age 19 I decided I absolutely could not take it anymore and went on accutane but a generic form. It was the most amazing feeling to wake up with clear skin everyday. Now, 2 and a half months of being off of it I am breaking out in small white heads on my nose, chin, and forehead. THIS is a horrible feeling. I dont regret taking it though. Best 9 months of my life.
i was on 40mg everyday for 6 months ..the max for my body size. (111lbs 5'4)
October 6, 2010
Pros:
none. it didn't work for clearing acne
Cons:
very dry lips, excema patches throughout body, and a little bit of the "hazy brain"
Though, I could have just seen that symptom because I had heard about it.
My Accutane treatment was 6 months, 20mg, to 40mg, to 60 mg, to 80 mg, to 90 mg for the last two months. Accutane did not work - my acne was entirely due to hormone fluctuations, and taking birth control has now cured me of my acne. The doctor I obtained the accutane from did very little to review my medical history, beyond finding out what acne drugs I had taken up until the moment of my considering Accutane. Very much like a one-trick pony, she immediately recommended Accutane, saying that she does it all the time.
While I can't entirely blame her, as I came to her with ten past years of failed acne treatments, all on the traditional "route" of increasingly potent anti-biotics and topicals, it amazes me that no medical professional looked at the whole picture of my health to try and see what could be causing my acne. Accutane was a huge hassle, and it took my own initiative of asking my general practitioner to prescribe Yaz for my acne to go away.
Now I have a dermatologist who is completely against Accutane, and I agree. While I see that it has been beneficial for many people, I view it as a very dangerous drug, and I am disappointed that I decided to take it, albeit my exasperation in the ten years of failed acne drugs led me to that decision. My advice is to consider all external factors, both your environment and physical problems that may not seem like they relate to your acne, before resorting to Accutane. Get multiple opinions from different doctors, and consider that there may be future ramifications, even once you are off the drug. (although I have not experienced any)
Now I am left with greater scarring from the acne I had while on Accutane, and I also have to wait a year before taking steps against the residual scars.
June 30, 2010
Pros:
cleared skin from inflammatory acne
no more oily skin
Cons:
it took about 4 months to clear acne
initial breakout is bad!!
if you pick at your acne you are way more susceptibly to scar (plz dont pick!!!!)
I had nodules deep under my skin. Although I would get around 3 to 4 at a time only, in addition to the smaller acne blemishes, it looked bad, especially without makeup. my dermatologist said that since i didnt have that much acne, the initial breakout would only last about 1 month to 1 month and a half. I was so sad when a month and a half had passed and the acne was still painfully present. I started the treatment in december 5 and it was not until early april that the acne cleared!!! I was relieved to have no more acne. however, i did get a bunch of red marks and small texture changes. before taking this medication, i would pic at my acne and i would never scar. but while on this medication, i would scar, not severely though, thank the Lord!!! so dont pick, esp if your suseptible to scarring!!!!! honestly, the process was painful, especially the initial breakout!!! for most people (i think) it gets way worst before it gets better!!! but I am so thankful to God to be acne free!!!! I still get a few comedones and blackheads bt i think their really unnoticeable. i think retin-a really helps to prevent future breakouts. I wish all of you can be acne free very, very soon!!!:) Best Wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!! one last note for girls, plz check your hormone levels. I have been off of isotretinoin for like 2 months but i have been taking mileva35 for about 2 months and a half to make sure my hormones dont give me acne.
January 14, 2010
Pros:
cleared my skin within the first week. the only thing that has ever worked for me.
Cons:
chance of risky side effects, monthly bloodwork, ipledge -its a big commitment!
if you want to be clear indefinitely and make a huge life change, accutane is the way to go
Pros:
better results than other prescription treatments