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
October 14, 2013
Serious results, with a serious price
Cons:
dryness
acne scars
lack of concentration
I took accutane 50mg pills for 5 months when I was 17 y/o. I have to say my acne was not severe, but I had literally tried EVERYTHING... every cream, antibiotics, all that useless stuff that never worked. By the end of my 5 month cycle (which was ended a month early by my dermatologist, due to my increased lack of concentration and ability to focus) my acne was completely gone. It's now 5 months later and still, no acne minus a random small pimple here and there around the time of my period.
The side effects I experienced felt horrible during those 5 months, however. My skin was so sensitive, I would have brutal looking scratches on my body from simply drying myself with a towel. I had the typical extremely dry lips, dry skin, and constant nose bleeds from a dry nose. My night vision decreased significantly and my vision worsened quite a bit (only while on the drug, returned to normal after). The worst side effect that I noticed about 1.5 months into treatment was a lack of focus and concentration. When I finally told my dermatologist about this he was quite concerned and wanted me off the drug. Since then, everything has returned back to normal. Accutane has also left me with terrible acne scars on my face, and I mean red marks all over the side of my face that broke out the worst, and also scars on my body due to my skin being so sensitive and not healing as fast anymore. All in all, I couldn't be happier with the results but being on accutane was definitely a terrible time for me.
March 31, 2013
Pros:
doing a decent job clearing my acne
Cons:
i feel like it should be working faster my doctor told me im gona be in the 8-9 month range
dry lips
its proven to be the best treatment for acne out there
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.
November 16, 2012
Pros:
clear skin-clearest its been before
smooth skin
Cons:
extremely dry lips (like no other..)
lower back pain
dry skin
I would reccomend this medicine to anyone who suffers with acne. I normally dont write reviews about anything but this one I just had to share my experience. Ive been on accutane for almost 6 months and thought it would not work because I was still breaking out up until 2 weeks ago. When the doctor says give it time..you have to be patient. The end results of this medicine were absolutely incredible. I thought id never get rid of it. And im hoping it never comes back either lol. Hang in there guys! =)
November 7, 2012
Pros:
Gets rid of Cystic Acne
Cons:
Depression
Irritability
Dry Skin (Arms and face)
Dry Lips
Minor back pain
Insomnia
Rashes during the last couple months
I've literally just gotten back from my skin doctor and have just finished my 5 months of Accutane. I had many side effects, but I feel as though that they were all worth it. I remember during my Freshman and Sophomore year of high school I didn't even want to come to school sometimes. My face would be in extreme pain, and would swell because of the cysts all over it. It was hard to put on a football helmet, or wrestle other kids in practice. At the end of my Junior year I started taking Claravis (Accutane). The results started showing maybe after a month or two. However, my face was dry and I was very moody. I had to carry around blistex with me. My lower back hurt very little. I felt depressed, but I knew it was the accutane and tried not to let it bother me. I've always had insomnia, but accutane made it worse, so it was hard to sleep at night. I still had a few cysts when I decided to up my medication from 40mg to 60mg a day. Shortly after, I broke out in hives on my back and had rashes on my arms. I then had it changed back to 40mg and stuck out my last month, and here I am. My acne is pretty much 98% gone. My face is VERY clear and my family and friends tell me how good it looks often. My honest opinion is if acne is ruining your life like it was doing to mine, you'll "suck it up" and stick out through the side effects. Trust me, you'll be happy you did.
P.S.: If you have trouble with facial dryness, ask your doctor to prescribe a cream. Mine gave me Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.1%. Put it wherever you are dry or having rashes. Should help.
October 12, 2012
Pros:
I had severe cystic acne and had tried all topical products and antibiotics doctors had prescribed. I live in the Philippines and must say Accutane still is not very known here yet. Finally I found a dermatologist who was willing to take the risks. Gone through all lab works, signed a waiver, did 5 months of accutane. When I was using it I no longer had to use blotting paper and my face had cleared. Now 3.5 yrs. Later i now have a baby.My baby in perfect health.No longer dealing with cystic acne
Cons:
Expensive. But definitely worth it. Monthly blood works. I was lucky I didn't get negative side effects. But the risk is still there for some.
If you have severe acne, ask your doctor if you can take this product. Very effective. You no longer have to be embarassed to go out. This is the best.
July 30, 2012
Pros:
Clear skin and no more inflamed acne
After years of using make-up to make my skin look presentable, I can just dust on powder and go
Saves me time in the morning and getting ready to go out
My skin is way less oily
I saw a difference within a few weeks
My Doc said when I am done the results will last for 5 years +
Because my ace was more moderate, I may not need to be on it for the full 5 months
Cons:
Dry lips (but with applying Aquaphor or other lip treatments it is okay...I also got samples and a $5 copay prescription for a moisturizer)
Blood tests and the Ipledge program (I put off Accutane for 2 years after talking with my doctor about it. I was scared from some of the reviews I read online and did not think my acne was bad enough to bother with it. Now I wish I had done it sooner. Some people have side effects, but it is def worth giving a try. It has changed my life!
It has changed my life and I wish I tried it sooner! I put off trying Accutane for years and have tried every other thing out there, but am so glad that I finally did it. Talk with your dermatologist and see if they feel you are a fit for it. Even if you think your acne is not bad enough, it is worth discussing. I spent years not swimming because of my skin and sent way too much time applying make-up to look good. Now my skin looks great with nothing. It is back to how it was when I was a little kid. Accutane sucks all of the oil out and reverts your skin to like it was when you were a young child. After usage, it takes years for your pores to build back up wih oil. Such an amazing product!
June 15, 2012
Pros:
fast working
clears skin
reduces every kind of whitehead and blackheads
cystic acne and papules gone!
Cons:
a little dryness around eyes and lips, NOTHING OTHER THAN THAT!!!
this is amazing and life changing, honestly i dont know why i waited so long, the side effects were more like absolutely absent with me, i've been put on a 20mg dose for 3 months, it a miracle worker gives u so much confidence, stepped out without makeup for the first time in 7 years! :) so happy
May 17, 2012
Pros:
best acne medication ever
Cons:
dry lips
dry skin
I had rally bad acne, moderate too severe. I used acne.org treatment that worked for a summer. I used all the benzoyl peroxide prescribed by a doctor. I took antibiotics and used 'retin-a' for 3 month and help me reduce some of my acne and I just started using Accutane a month ago and everything changed. It went from very oily skin too non oily in 2 days, I had some initial breakout but not a lot, but the most important is that I am 95 % acne free. Sure you will have dry lips and dry skin. But just use the proper products with it. I use: Lip balm: Blistex complete moisture
Moisturizer: acne.org moisturizer
Cleanser: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser Also I take 20 mg a day of Accutane
May 8, 2012
Pros:
Clearing up skin
Hair looks great
Cons:
Mild side effects
Dry eyes, lips, nose, skin
Joint cracking and aches
Headache
I'm a 25 year old female who's been struggling with acne for 3 years. I'd classify it as mild-moderate, however very persistent. I have small clogged pores that are impossible to clear. I'm taking 30mg 2x/day. This is my 5th week and I wanted to give a review on my progress, side effects, and products I've been using, so hopefully someone trying to decide to use this will. My skin stayed pretty much the same for the first 3 weeks then I started getting pus filled blemishes in my problem areas. I'd say 4 on my chin and 4 on my right cheek. However, they're drying up very quickly. My oily skin was dramatically reduced by day 5 and continues to by very dry into my 5th week. By week 2, I noticed a huge increase in blackheads that felt like they were sitting on the surface of my skin, but 2 days later I literally washed them away!!! As for side effects I've had quite a few, although they're all mild. My skin is quite dry, which isn't really a problem because not being oily is nice. I've had some nosebleeds and a dry nose. I've also had dry eyes. I have a dull headache as well. Lastly, I've had more muscle aches and joint pain. For products, I use cetaphil wash 2/day and cerave spf 30 day and cerave pm night. I also mix 1/2 scoop philosophy c powder into my moisturizers. For my body I've been using oil of olay anti aging body wash and lotion. I've been slathering aquaphor on my lips and burts bees with mango butter for day. For my eyes I've been using visine and this great product called alcone collyre bleu. Celebrities swear by this to make the whites of their eyes whiter. Takes the redness and any dullness out! I also iced those larger blemishes. This drug has been a miracle worker. I went to the derm last week and she said I was about 70% improved! My face looks good and is very soft. By the way this drug is fat soluble, so taking it with food greatly increases absorption. Try not to drink and keep a healthy diet to prevent any blood test issues
Pros:
got rid of all my acne!