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
July 12, 2008
Cons:
Incredibly drying, sunburned verrrrry easily, at one time felt dreadful while walking in the sun. WARNING: Do not under any circumstances get pregnant while taking this drug, the outcome will be tragic.
I used this product about 20 years ago for 5 months. I had very severe cystic acne from age 12 to age 23. My doctor told me it would make my skin look worse before it looked better. For the first 3 to 4 days, he was right. Then it started to clear nicely. After the treatment was finished, I enjoyed clear skin for about 5 years straight. Any breakouts that I did have (which was very infrequent)only lasted about a day instead of weeks or months.
May 27, 2008
Pros:
Clears skin lickity split, Eliminates oily skin, Super cheap with insurance (I paid 3.00, I paid 30.00 for stupid doxycycline and other antibiotics)
Cons:
Bloodwork, IPledge if you are a girl, My lips are kinda dry, but nothing that some chapstick can't EASILY cure, This medicine is the TRUTH
If you have insurance and are considering trying Accutane but are afraid of all the online horror stories and/or side effects, QUIT BEIN A B*TCH and MAN UP. This medicine is frickin great. I am by NO MEANS a lucky guy, and I have had ZERO side effects from taking this stuff aside from barely dry lips and ONE nose bleed. Do you have chapstick and kleenex, THEN YOU'RE GOOD, YA DIG? SERIOUSLY THOUGH, Think about the people who visit acne forums like this -- people with ACNE. Of course you're going to see a vast majority of the reviews being people who tried Accutane (maybe didn't do it right, skipped doses, etc.) and still have acne. But then, think about all the people who have taken accutane -- MILLIONS. You don't hear their success stories because they don't post them. Which is why I vowed that no matter my results, good or bad, I'd post and let people know the truth about Accutane. And let me admit, from my experience, this stuff really works. So stop maki
February 10, 2008
Cons:
i took a full round of accutane and it did nothing for my acne. it should be noted that if you have acne that is NOT cystic, this may not be effective. it doesnt improve the texture of your skin unless you have larger, cystic nodules.
if you have cystic acne- go for it.
if you have any other kind of acne (smaller bumps all over), dont get too excited.
January 28, 2008
Pros:
It completely got rid of my servere acne. <3 Amazing stuff!
Cons:
I had to go on it twice, due to me having really bad acne.. But it didn't really matter because i'm acne free now! ^__^
If you have bad acne... GET THIS, TELL YOUR DOCTOR YOU WANT IT!
October 9, 2007
Pros:
IT WORKS....PERIOD!!!! One thing i would highly recommend is that if you think that you are prone to depression, get put on lexapro while you are taking accutane. I took it along with accutane and it helped.
Cons:
Dry skin, dry hair, dry lips, bone pain.
I have struggled with nodular acne for over 15 years and have tired every kind of acne treatment available before getting on accutane. After having my first child my acne had gotten so bad that no other treatment was working so i had finally decided to give accutane a shot. ENOUGH was ENOUGH with shots in my face.
Im here to tell you that after 7 months of accutane treatment and being off of it for the last 6 months i am SO HAPPY i decided to get on it and i wish i would have done it sooner than 34...it was worth it. My insurance covered the accutane as well. But if it wouldnt have and knowing what i know now i would have paid for it out of my own pocket.
I had the usual dry skin, dry lips, high cholestrol and the worst was major bone pain in my legs. But all of that went away after i stopped the accutane. The bone pain took a little longer to completely stop hurting but i look back at it all now and i would do it all over again if i had too.
July 18, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up most acne erruptions, gave me a a lot of my self-confidence back, cut back on the amount of oil produced by my body as a whole (ie: scalp, back, etc.)
Cons:
Joint pain, inability for muscles to adapt to strenuous work outs, acne came back albiet in a much milder form but still came back
After 2 rounds of 6-month cycles over a 3 year period, my acne is as much in control as it has ever been. I had been suffering from skin erruptions since the age of 8 (I am now 20), and it cleared those up right away. While it came back in a much more milder form, the second round (not recommened by most doctors! Consult carefully!) has brought my acne down to small blackheads and pms-activated white heads. Compared to 4 yrs ago, I am still stoked about my skin.
March 6, 2017
Best decision but be prepared for side effects
I had acne for for 5 years and nothing would get rid of it I tried other medications until my doctor referred me to have accutane. It was tough and I did have many side effects such as dry lips, eczema and I was tired constantly and found playing sport difficult as my muscles ached. My acne did clear up though and I've been off it for 3 years now and haven't had a major breakout since but I still have acne scarring which I'm now looking at getting rid off. It really is a miracle drug and I would recommend weighting up the positives and negatives of the side effects before taking it. My acne made me depressed and since getting rid of it I've felt my confident in myself. However since taking the tablets on tests my liver has been damaged as a result and I find myself still years later having less engery and muscle aches than I did before taking them. Overall I'm glad I took them.
September 5, 2016
Increased the severity and painfulness of my acne.
I was on a 60mg dose overseen by a dermatologist back in 2002, I was 20 years old 60kg and my acne was moderately bad. This stuff made it severe and painful and the doctor even took photographic evidence because the increase in severity was so dramatic. I was on it for several months trying to give it a chance (it gets worse before it gets better etc) but had to come off because of the pain and increase of severity of my acne. I also developed IBS several months later for which I was hospitalised due to the pain and still suffer to this day, I do not know if it was 100% related to the treatment or prolonged antibiotic use after Roaccutane or just pure coincidence but it is worth mentioning. I know how it feels to want a miracle cure for acne and I realise it works for some, but please explore as many safer alternatives first especially if you do not have the severest form of acne, this is an extremely potent and unpredictable drug and has the potential to make you worse (which is any acne sufferers worst nightmare) and can potentially give you additional chronic life long side effects. Good luck. x
November 17, 2016
Don't take this unless you look like a beast even then life might be better without tan . Side effects are life long be warned.
January 10, 2016
Works
I used Accutane when I was 15. It cured my severe cystic acne for probably 4 years. I have struggled with cystic acne off and on since then, though it has never been as bad as it was before Accutane. The only reason I am hesitant to do another round is because of the severe purging that took 8 - 10 weeks. This apparently doesn't happen to everyone. If you can survive the purging, go for it. I would do it again if I could hide in a bunker for the first 3 months.
July 25, 2015
pros and cons.
I have been dealing with acne all over my face for just over a year, I was put on accutane in may 50gm, so I'm currently on my 3rd month. My acne has cleared and all that's left is the scaring, which Is amazing! I feel so much more confident and it feels amazing having smooth skin! BUT there are side effects the most difficult one I have experienced would be hair loss, my hair has thinned a lot since started but in my opinion having clear skin is more important ( although I naturally have long hair that is rather thick so it wasn't a deal breaker for me) I take Vitamin C and hair supplements to try and help . some other side effects are: dry lips/ swollen lips, I just keep them moisturized this isn't a big deal for me they dont get too bad. bloodshot eyes, my eyes water more easily too, I look like I've been crying or I'm stoned a lot. also drying of the skin, I recommend putting jojoba oil on your face at night, it stops the drying and it's great for your skin. side note- the face wash I use is angels on bare skin by Lush, and the tea tree toner by lush, both are great and I recommend. All in all I'd say that this product is worth it, although luckily I live in the UK and get it free, I don't think i would pay for it considering the price and the side effect.
July 26, 2015
Hi, I am on 50mg for th last week or so before that k was on 20mg. I can c an improvement now am on the 50mg. Were u on 50mg the whole time?? I am also in UK and get it free but even if I had to pay I would, I NEED clear skin I hate having to put make up on. When did u clear? I'm on day 38. Any advise would b great😊
July 27, 2015
Hey, I have been on 50mg for the whole time, I'd say it took 3/4 weeks to completely clear, but the dermatologist recommended I stay on it for 3 months just to make sure it doesn't come back, it is a really great medication, hope your skin clears up soon! I'd also watch out as now your on a higher dose the side effects may worsen but I know it's worth it x
August 13, 2015
Do you not pay prescription charges in UK? I have to for my accutane
Pros:
Cleared my skin beautifully. Once things cleared up, I was able to go out in public without makeup if I chose to.