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
November 12, 2008
Cons:
Dryness to the face, nose, lips, arms.
I had SEVERE acne. Acne Vulgaris very disgusting...This is great I just finished using the product and waiting to see if I stay clear long after I get off the drug I heard its reliable and seeing reviews that you can go four years without an outbreak thats great...You feel a great boost of confidence in the 4th and 5th month the 2nd and 3rd are the worst months but the 4th and 5th are great hardly any symptoms. Im totally clear and pulling girls left and right... great confidence builder seriously...
November 8, 2008
Pros:
improving very very slowly
Cons:
dry lips nosebleeds
replying to KP NZ, yes i improved ist month break breakouts then the same 2nd and 3rd month now on60mg daily much improving on 4th month but loads of little red marks but no breakouts as such, my derm told me this will all be gone by end of dec 08, but i sometimes find it hard to believe, told to be very patient with this treatment and not to miss a dose, so goof luck to all
November 8, 2008
Pros:
not sure yet
Cons:
mild dryness of the eyes so far.
My son just recently started taking accutane. When he developed acne at age 11, we took him right in and he was started on clindammycin gel mixed with Benzoyl peroxide gel every night. This worked beautifully for about a year then the acne came back with a vengeance and nothing would clear it up. I took him to a different dermatologist and he said that all the topical things, as well as oral antibiotics, are minimally effective because they do not stop the excessive production of sebum due to high sebaceous gland activity that some people have, especially during puberty. He said that in the 20+ years of prescribing accutane, he's never had a single patient have permanent physical side effects such as GI problems, hair thinning, visual problems, etc. As an RN, I am skeptical of the stories about permanent side effects from accutane because such effects just do not make sense considering accutane's mechanism of action related to anatomy and physiology but I am watching him closely.
November 6, 2008
Pros:
I saw a huge difference in my acne after the 1st 2 weeks, after 1 month it was completely gone. my scars are noticably lighter & skin is not at all oily
Cons:
I've been taking this for 5 months & the worst side effect is I'm losing A LOT of hair, I just got Rogaine to see if that will help. My derm said the hair loss will stop 6 months after I stop taking accutane - hopefully I still have some hair left a
I take 2 vitamin E daily & 2 Biotin to help with my hair/lips/skin. even with the fact that I'm losing a lot of hair, I'd still highly recommend the drug- definitely worth it
November 6, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my skin almost entirely. It's been about a year since my treatment, and still no break outs. This has been the only thing that has worked on my face.
Cons:
Made my face beet red for several months. Didn't use accutane until late in the game, so facial scarring is severe. Depression warned about on label occured, including suicidal urges which I had never experienced before.
It is the psychological side-effects which were the worst, because the peely skin/ lips and dry eyes were easily combated with cetaphil cream, aquaphor, and eye drops. But my mood has never really been the same. During the treatment I was very emotional, and would cry at the drop of a hat, which isn't really typical with me. I felt cut off from everyone. If this happens to you, just keep yourself in check, and make sure you realize it's just the meds. It was definitely worth it, though. But if you're already on the depressed side, I probably wouldn't reccomend it.
November 5, 2008
Pros:
a miracle drug after years of failed treatments for very severe cystic/nodular acne and very oily skin. don't be afraid of warnings/side effects. you can go from insecure and single to getting a date with anyone in 5 months. that big of a diff.
Cons:
dry/cracked lips. dry nose/nosebleeds. always carry a good chapstick/moisturizer a saline nasal spray to keep nose lubricated. check mirror frequently for small flakes of skin on lips. be patient. will get worse first then completely clear fast.
i took 1st 20 wk. course of accutane in 97'. i took 2 40mg pills per day. severe acne was completely gone after wk. 20 and stayed pimple free until 2001. In 2001 acne slowly reappeared and then turned very bad again. Took a 2nd 20 week course of 40mg pill twice per day. Acne was completely gone again after week 20. I did not have a single blemish again until late 2007. It did not come back as severe as it did after the first course of treatment. It appears to be heading that way though as the skin has become much more oily throughout 2008. The pimples were just that, they were not the large cystic/nodular acne but still disappointing. I just began a 3rd round of accutane today. I was completely clear for 4 years after round 1 and for 6 years after round 2. I am hoping that after the next 20 weeks I will not have to worry about a single zit ever again. The years my skin was completely clear have been the best years of my life. No problems meeting women and getting dates:)
November 4, 2008
Pros:
Still waiting..
Cons:
Flaky skin dry lips
Ive been on isotane for 3 months now. Is there some sort of cycle with this drug? acne flared up in the 1st month just to get better in the 2nd month and flared up again in the 3rd month. Nivea essential works wonders for dry lips though im not sure about what moisturiser to use for my skin. Also what do i use for the pimples i get while on isotane? DO NOT USE RETIN-A skin peels so badly that it just never seems to heal back.
i really need some feedback if any one has had fluctuations with isotane.
You have to use it. its the last resort
November 4, 2008
Pros:
My skin is no longer oily. Black heads are completely gone! My skin is still breaking out a little bit, but its geting better by the day. I've only been on Sotret (a generic brand of isotrention {Accutane}) for about 1 Month and 2 1/2 weeks.
Cons:
SOMEONE please reply to my post! Is anyone else having Weight Gain? Werid high pitched ringing in the ears? I've gained a little bit of weight i'd say 6-7 pounds and i've only been on it about a month or so. Also, I'm worried about my ears! Tinnitus?
I'm having some side effects nothing i can't handle I'm just wondering about my hearing situtation. I want to clear my acne but damaging my body at the same time doesn't sound any better. I'm on 20mg per day but I'm seeing my doctor in 2 weeks which i think she might raise it considering I've been having a strange flare of acne. Its better now, but I'm still breaking about. Products I use: *Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser (I like this wash because it feels like its really geting my skin clean. It feels so re-freshed and glowing afterward. *Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Combination Skin (This is a really good moisturizer! It leaves my skin feeling rich and not to over-done. It controls oil and tones!) Thats all I use on my face but as a spot treatment at night you should really look into Proactiv's Refining Mask. Anything else by Rodan and Fields is sh*t. :]] Good luck Guys!
Oh yeah-Your chaped lips? Its gonna get worse, pick up some Aqaphor
November 4, 2008
Pros:
clears acne completely, no more oily skin, better complexion..CLEAR SKIN!! need i say more?
Cons:
(in my case, everyone reacts different to medications) extremely dry lips, moodiness, fatigue, it made me anxious, cuts took longer to heal, hair thinning, redness doesnt go away.. and last but not least EXPENSIVE if you dont have insurance.
i just finished my 6 month treatment yesterday.No matter how many cons I had, I would say every single one of them is worth it.. TAKE accutane! it will change your life...it will give you confidence...dont wait any longer, because one of my biggest regrets is waiting and spending money on lasers, topicals, and antibiotics that DO NOT work. So just do yourself the favor and take it. Don't be scared of all the horrible side effects you read about it, because a lot of those comments are the reasons why people are so scared to take such an effective drug that will only help you and make you happy. Oh yea and carry chapstick 24/7! Good luck!
November 2, 2008
Pros:
Definite improvement, though it takes time. Skin no longer oily, pimples decreasing as treatment progresses.
Cons:
Perpetual Side Effects: Infinitely dry lips, dry arms (I didn't really get a dry face)
Side Effects Early On In Treatment: extreme fatigue in the first month of treatment, dry eyes, strange appetite, moodiness, muscle stiffness
I'm 17 and I was prescribed a very high dose right off the bat, with no adjustment period. I think that attributes to the severe side effects I experienced early on--I was taking 2 naps a day, and never felt good. I was moody and my appetite was off. But, after a few weeks, that went away almost entirely. I am a runner and only when stretching do I feel muscle stiffness. In my third month of treatment (80mg/day for five months), and acne is finally starting to get much better. The medicine TAKES A LONG TIME TO WORK, AND YOUR ACNE WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. I still have acne on my neck and lower jaw, but I notice an improvement on a weekly basis. I recommend the treatment. But, be prepared to buy a TON of chapstick.
Pros:
Completely clears acne from your face