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 23, 2013
Cons:
. Incredibly dry lips, so dry that even vaseline wouldn't work.
. Coldsores
. Very dry flaky skin on face
. Joint pains in thighs, I actually couldn't run for a while.
. Monthly blood tests:
Since the age of ten I had quite severe acne, i started using Isotretenoin when i was 12, after using almost every spot cream on the market and none of them worked. After 6 months, I came off Isotretenoin and believe it or not, I had clear skin! My spots started to come back after a month or so but i soon sorted that out with some clearsil. Six months later I still have clear skin! :)
March 22, 2013
Pros:
+Clear skin
+No more shine
+No more oily skin
+So incredibly soft skin (after you finish)
+No need to wear makeup
+Self confidence
+Wear what you want
+Save money on acne products (honestly, I just buy vasoline aloe lotion for my skin now to keep it soft)
+easily manageable cons
+CLEAR SKIN
Cons:
-Dry skin (when you take it)
-Dry lips
-Dry eyes
-helped contribute to my kidney infection
-raised triglisorides and chelostrol (went down a few months after I stopped taking it)
This is a last resort medication, but it's the best acne medication there is. While you're taking it, at the beginning wash your face with salt water and natural soap though, it helps dry your skin out and keep the pores clear.
March 21, 2013
Pros:
Super clear skin
Amazing radiance
No more shine
Self confidence
Didn't need to wear makeup
Acne free for 10+ years
People complimented my skin all the time
No initial break out
Cons:
Dry skin
Chapped lips
SUPER dry eyes
Couldn't wax (I did but twice a little skin came off)
Minimal hair loss (it comes back)
Minimal alcohol consumption
More sensitive to the sun
All the cons are manageable if you want good skin
THAT bad. Most people don't understand what it's like to have bad skin. Clear skin was worth all the symptoms for me.
Accutane seriously changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone that is suffering from bad skin. I went on it in 2002 and have been acne free until now. I started breaking out in August and nothing seems to work- Proactive, Epiduo- well they work, but as soon as I stop, the acne persists. This drug is literally the only thing that works. It makes your skin so perfect. If you suffer because of acne (stay home, embarrassed, it depresses you), you should try this.
March 14, 2013
Pros:
completely got rid of acne
long-lasting
don't need other products at the same time
Cons:
elevated liver triglycerides and stomach pain
gets worse for the first month
dry, red skin everywhere
I'm a 19 y.o. boy. This is the best acne treatment hands down. But it is serious medication so heed all the advice your dermatologist gives you. I was on the min dose for 3 and a half months and it completely got ride of my acne, and it stayed away for a year and a half. I did everything I was supposed to while on it, but unfortunately it elevated my liver enzymes too high and I had to stop. It also gave me stomach cramps, but I still wish I could go back on it now that my acne is coming back.
March 13, 2013
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN! I took accutane when I was 18 yrs. old. I had very bad acne from 13 yrs. I an now a 55 yr old mother of 2 and have 1 or 2 stress related pimples in all that time. Use it, monitor your health with the doctor prescribing it and do not get pregnant as this medication is extremely harmful to an unborn child. Acne, especially cystic acne, is something a young person can do without because it causes emotional problems as well. I know I've been through it.
Cons:
some initial redness, extreme dryness and peeling.
It works when everything does not and is long lasting. However, it should be considered a last resort when nothing else is working. Do what will help you to have a happy life. God bless.
March 13, 2013
Pros:
This treatment worked great. I can't explain to people how my confidence has shot up since the tablets began to kick in! It has completely cleared my acne as well as black heads. I have finished the treatment and have been off it for weeks now and haven't seen a single spot or even blackhead appear! I can actually walk in the shopping center and not feel like everyone is staring at me and my spots. Miracle drug!
Cons:
I got very dry skin, had to moisturize everyday. Also, my lips went REALLY dry, even using lip therapy wouldn't stop the dryness. I had a few nose bleeds because my skin was so dry, and did make me depressed at times, but it was worth it.
In the end, it's a means to make an end. Yes I suffered from all the cons but now look where I am. You can see the difference it has made at this link below. Yes, it hasn't removed scars but it reduced a lot of them. [link removed]
March 10, 2013
Pros:
Only thing that worked at all for me after the age of 26. I've been on it twice since then. I personally had no major side effects from it, and with a decent health insurance plan, it's cheaper than laying out money on tons of treatments that don't work. Even if I eventually have to take it again, I would in a heartbeat.
Cons:
Monthly blood work, logging into their website to get the script renewed. Dry skin issues (dry nose, cracked lips).
Try it. If you feel ill after using it for a few days, you can stop and notify your doctor. I feel that trying Accutane is better than using dozens of antibiotics over time, making your acne bacteria resistant.
February 27, 2013
Pros:
Clear skin
Great results
Worked fast
Clear skin for years!!!!
Cons:
Dry skin
Chapped lips
I went on Acutane when I was 15, after trying so many different meds for 5 years. My skin stayed flawless for about 10 years until I went on birth control and it ruined everything! For the passed 3 years I have been experiencing moderate to severe acne. I am now 29 and going to the doc to ask for Acutane again. Nothing else has worked for me besides Acutane.
February 22, 2013
Pros:
Clear Skin
Stays clear for a long time
Easy skin care afterwards
Cons:
VERY dry everything
Expensive$$$$
Back aches
Blood tests, lots of appointments
Accutane is a pain, but it is SO worth it. I took it for about 6 months, and by month 4 my skin was totally clear. I've been off of it almost a year now, and I am just starting to get breakouts again. Scarring went away fairly quickly and the past months of perfect skin have been heaven. The pros far outweigh the cons, accutane is great!!
February 21, 2013
Pros:
•you'll definitely have flawless skin
•pimple-free
•regular menses (for me)
Cons:
•breakouts for the first month
•dry lips
•dry skin
•affect liver function
I am really happy with this medicine. I'm the kind of person who easily gets depressed for just having 2-3 pimples because ive got really horrible skin for the past years. Pimples all over my face. This was, so far, the best treatment for acne. But the acnes will come back, maybe 1-2 mos after you stop taking it.
Pros:
. Clear skin that stays clear afterwards
. You don't need to wash your hair very frequently
. Gets rid of most blackheads
. Gives your face a natural glow
. Also gets rid of back acne