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 11, 2012
Cons:
Dry and split lips
More sensitive skin
Dry patches
Very slow healing of spots
Mild mood changes
I'm 4 months into 7 months of treatment at 40mg daily and even with all the side effects I am so glad to be taking Accutane. In gaps between prescriptions my acne has returned although far less severely than before and has been far more responsive to topical treatments. Think carefully before taking it, I'm now 21, and think the side-effects would have been far harder to deal with when younger.
December 12, 2011
Pros:
cleared 90% of my acne
reduced oiliness
Cons:
extremely dry lips
muscle ache
my dr recommended accutane after we tried several rounds of antibiotics and nothing was working.
my dr worked out the dosage with me. i started with 25mg and it went pretty well but there were still spots. so he wanted to go higher so that my acne will be 100% clear but he said it would increase the side effects. and the side effects for me, the dry lips and muscle ache were really bad, so i decided not to up the dosage to 30mg. so he decided to do 30mg on alternate days instead.
it was 25mg on day1, then 30mg on day2, then back to 25mg on day3. and i think it was much better this way, the side effects did not get any worse and my skin got better.
so if the side effects are putting you off, i suggest you work out a dosage with your dr which is suitable to your needs and lifestyle.
i was on one course of accutane for about 9 months.
currently, i'm off accutane. there's still spots occasionally, especially during high stress times and days prior to my period, but this is way more manageable than before. oh, and i do have acne scars, but i prefer it to volcanic, erupting pimples.
December 9, 2011
Pros:
clears acne all over
no more break outs!
Cons:
really dry lips
extreme joint pain in ankles
If you have breakouts a lot and have the time and patience i would highly look in to starting it. My acne got worse as i got older, i was scared to take it. After seeing positive results in a few of my friends i decided to give it a try. Proactive and most face washes made my acne worse. Antibiotics had no effect I tried them two separate times. I am happy to say Isotretinoin has cleared my skin 100% with seldom breakouts. If i do break out its a tiny small pimple not lots.
July 24, 2011
Pros:
-clears skin when nothing else will!
Cons:
-acne can come back (not permanent)
-dry, fragile skin
-monthly blood tests
-expensive without insurance
Accutane was the only thing that ever successfully cleared my skin, and I tried countless thin, many over the counter products and many perscriptions. However, it's been 5 months since I ended my 6 month course, and my acne is back. :(
July 22, 2011
Pros:
clear skin
no oily skin
no blackheads
do not need to wear make up
flawless skin
Cons:
chapped lips
dry eyes
this is worth it for anyone who suffers from really bad acne. the only thing is that your acne may return after you stopped the course. my acne returned again but not as bad. it's a gamble to see if your acne will return but it is definately worth it.
July 4, 2011
Pros:
*cleared original acne, and not one new zit since!
*Insurance made it much cheaper
Cons:
*left behind a face full of acne scars
*dry, painful rashes on legs and arms
*sores on lip
*skin is much more easily cut, burned, and bruised
*have to get monthly blood and urine tests to get a refill
This product WILL get rid of your acne, and for me it was definitely worth all the poor side effects. I just wish I'd done it sooner.
Also, I used the generic brand (Claravis) which was totally effective, so don't think you have to pay extra for the name brand of Accutane because they're exactly the same.
May 14, 2011
Pros:
Cheap If you have insurance
-generally works
Cons:
Its not worth the risk!
-Depression
-Derealization
-Unusual Dreams
-Dry skin
-Dry Lips
- Developed eye floaters!
-Runs risk for permanent long term side effects!
Basically dont take this. Are you really willing to risk long term side effects to be acne free? acne is completely normal, why would you want to risk your health for something loads of people deal with? I was on this for about 3 weeks until i began feeling strange. I felt out of body and out of mind, depression then kicked in. I developed so much anxiety on this medication it was scary, one day my chest began to hurt and I literally thought i WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEARTATTACK! I have never been so scared in my life. Also the second day into my course I had a disturbing dream. In my dream i dreamt that i had a gun in my hand, i walked up to my dad and then put the gun in my mouth and ended my life, this was very disturbing. I used to be a happy go-lucky guy before i took this garbage, now I have depression, derealization (absolutely horrifying, would not wish this on my worst enemy), visual static, and eye floaters. My doctor now reffered me to a neurologist to test for schizophrenia. Basically i can't seem to get my life on track ever since taking accutane. I feel bad for my family cause they are very worried about me. PLEASE PLEASE PEOPLE STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG. Once you have a life changing experience like I did you will learn how important health and life is, dont take life for granted. i can't even see a future for myself right now but if I ever feel normal again I will treat everyday like its my last, life is beautiful dont risk it with accutane you never know what can happen. I learned this 2 weeks into treatment and got my act together and threw this garbage away. YAY ACNE and HEALTH! Taking this medication is just plain stupid, no matter how bad your acne is realize that people dont look at you any differently. Thanks an make the right choice here guys. Hope I could help
March 9, 2011
Pros:
-None yet
Cons:
-Dry Lips
-Mild lower back pain (rare, but occurs)
-Mood swings
-Worsens before it gets better
These reviews all sound very repetitive but that is solely because this drug has similar effects on people. I have been on it (40mg, i am 17yo female)) for about a month now, and my skin is getting worse, but this is merely b/c all the dirt from way under your skin is being pushed to the surface, all at once, it is then dried and taken care of. W/out accutane, you would get the same breakouts, it would just take longer (this is what my doctor told me).Usually, starting the second or third month is when the healing starts. I am also experiencing dry lips that are easily maneagable with lip balm (i bought a pack of smackers)
January 25, 2011
Pros:
Clear Skin
Smooth Skin
Scars went away
Regained Confidence
Not having to worry about what my face will look like in the morning--VERY NICE!
My Insurance Covered it ALL! :D
Cons:
Dry, Cracked and Bleedy Lips
Dry Skin
Lethargic/Tired
Acne came back on my forehead and neck-back is still completely clear
Best decision I ever made. About to go on the second course with a higher dosage. If you want to feel confident or have that "what if" about your face, then give it a shot! :D
December 10, 2010
Pros:
helps with acne a little bit
Cons:
dries out your skin like you won't believe, requires blood tests, enhances depression, dangerous for your body, didn't help all that much with acne.
I was on this for 5 months and it barely helped my acne. All it left me with was dried skin and lips so cracked they bled constantly. My doctor finally pulled me off of it since it wasn't doing much good and my blood tests were showing enhanced liver levels that could have been dangerous. This is so dangerous to take!
Pros:
Cleared up acne
Skin much less oily
Spending less on skin products