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
April 13, 2012
Cons:
-Dry skin
-Hair loss! Lots of hair loss.
-Really, really dry and cracked lips. Aquaphor/lip balm/etc. did little to stop them from drying despite applying multiple times throughout the day.
-Redness and flushing of face
-Eczema breakouts on arms
-mild liver and stomach problems
I had severe acne from age 13 to 19. I had tried literally anything and everything and all had failed. I went on Accutane and was cleared up within 3 months, not a single breakout since. This is a miracle drug and was completely worth it to me. I can finally get my life back on track after dealing with this acne for so long.
March 8, 2012
Pros:
It works 100%
Cons:
It's Expensive There are side effects
I'm just done my 5 month course of roaccutame and I am 100% clear Nuff said
February 1, 2012
Pros:
It is starting to clear up my acne after a second treatment. First time on Roaccutane did not work very well.
Cons:
Dry skin
Skin rash on hands
Bruise easy, skin scratches easy
Dry nose
Nose bleeds
Bad mood
Burn very quickly in sun - sensitive skin
The first time I was on Roaccutane, i did not have a very good experience. I started to think that all the side effects that I was experiencing were not worth the treatment, as it wasn't even clearing up my acne as well as I thought. I've now been on my second lot of Roaccutane for nearly two months and I am seeing an improvement and I hope that it works for me this time. I'm already having to wear less make-up, although I still have visible spots on my face. It is not as bad as it used to be. If you can put up with the side effects, then it may be worth trying as it is definitely making me feel more confident.
December 30, 2011
Pros:
Destroyed and Eliminated Acne Cysts
Confidence Regained
Clear skin for over a year to date
Cons:
Redness (treatable)
Dryness (treatable)
Scarring (treatable- consider dermabrasion or at home dermabraision after treatment)
Accutane for most and for me cured my acne. The pores produce sebum oils which irritates the hair folicle and causes cysts. Accutate dries the oil and trains the pores to push out impurities. Without oily pores you cant have acne...
For me accutane is a wonderful, amazing drug and has kept me clear for 13 months now and I have never had a severe outbreak. I am still battling reddness and scarring but both are getting better day by day, and I have the skin I once had.
For dryness buy a mosturizer that also helps the redness. Eucerin is my #1 pick. Carry chapsick with you during the course of accutane and once your done with the course I belive that you will see a difference. I hope it works for you as it di for me and good luck to all!
December 7, 2011
Pros:
clear skin
boost in self esteem
Cons:
dry skin/lips/eyes
I've been dealing with acne for four years now and was on every pill, cream, face wash, you name it. NOTHING worked. I started accutane end of September and it has been the best decision I've ever made. My skin is no longer oily and my face is clearer than ever. I finally don't feel so insecure about my acne that I have to pile on makeup to feel beautiful. Being 16, having bad acne is a rough thing. But now I have perfectly clear skin and I'm soooo much happier now(:
November 21, 2011
Pros:
completely cleared extreme cystic acne.
Renewed the skin- no scars left from previous acne.
Cons:
Extremely dry lips
I was lucky only to experience one bad symptom from this, the extreme dry lips. But for me it has been a miracle, completely transformed my skin from horrific cystic acne the size of maltesers under the skin, to clear skin. I would definitely recommend this! I was on this for around 8 months.
October 24, 2011
Pros:
-no more cystic acne
-less oily skin
-haven't a pimple in months
Cons:
-dry lips
-my scars haven't healed
After going on a heavy does of solydn, I started getting cystic acne, needless to say I was pissed and starting college. I met a friend who had went on accutane and jumped at the chance. My face hurt so much sometimes I couldn't sleep on it. I was on it for 5 months and have been off for just under a month. I haven't a pimple in months, I do still have one cyst thats been there forever. The only bad thing is the scars from my old acne hasn't gone away yet. I'm praying that it will soon, I know sometimes it takes time. I recommend that everyone with bad acne take this before college. We all deserve to look our best, its the best cure and works amazingly. You aren't supposed to drink while you were on it, but I did. Your blood is checked on a monthly basis so if anything is wrong your doctor will tell you. Good luck and welcome to your new life.
October 11, 2011
Pros:
Cleared acne on face, chest and back fast (one month)
Face was no longer oily
Removed all dark spots
Pores diminished
Cons:
Dry lips
Dry skin (all over)
Blood drawn once a month
Hair loss (small bald spot - hair totally grew back after I came off)
I went on Accutane for four months in 2009 at age 38. 40 mg once a day. It was a good opiton for me because I had a partial hysterectomy, thus getting pregnant was not an issue for me. Yes, it worked. My skin looked amazing and it only took one month. I didn't use any topicals as my Derm really didn't want to put me on it, I insisted only after several (4) antibiotics and topicals over 20 years. I didn't have cysts or nodules. It was more like small red bumps and white heads. I also had small pimples on my back and chest that would come and go. I didn't feel all that great during the four months, but compared to what others have posted - I had it pretty good. My spirits were always up because my skin looked amazing! The key was Aquaphor for my lips (I had about 5 tubes and never left home without it), Aveeno Ultra Calming Face wash and Moisturizer (pm only) I just used a warm face cloth in the morning, and Eucerin Calming Cream if my face was itchy. Those four products worked well together. My face remained clear for about 6-8 months and then the pimples came back, not nearly as bad but they came back. However, my back and chest remained clear. I started back on antibiotics for two years (no topicals) they worked great, but gave me yeast infections. I am now on Spironolactone, 50mg once a day and my face is totally clear. I wish I had known about this as I probaly wouldn't have done the Accutane. Bottom line, I don't regret using Accutane and I do believe in it for those with severe acne as it does work. Mine wasn't severe, I was just frustrated with battling it for years. Good luck!
September 21, 2011
Pros:
Clear Smooth Skin, Not as Oily throughout the day, Wear less makeup
Cons:
Chapped Lips, Can't drink, Can't Wax or have facials, Sensitive Face
I was very nervous about starting Claravis (generic to Accutane) because of the possibility of long-term side effects and liver damage, but I must say I am very pleased. I am 24 year old female and I just finished my 1st month and my face has definitely cleared up and gotten smoother. I still get breakouts on my face and body but I know it will decrease as the months progress. Chapstick is my new best friend, but luckily I can say I haven't experienced any other side effects such as moodiness and depression. I would definitely recommend thinking about it before you start because everyone is different. I will definitely keep up with routine blood work and doctor visits after I have completed the treatment because I want to make sure there won't be any long term side effects which I fear. I am very excited to see how great my skin will look at the end of the treatment. Keep you posted!
September 8, 2011
Pros:
- Much clearer, smoother skin
- Cleared my back particularly well
Cons:
- Really dry eyes which made them bloodshot 24/7
-Very inconvenient nosebleeds at the worst possible times.
- The higher dose really started to play with my mood after about 2 weeks on it.
-Joint pain and general fatigue
Basically, it does work. But it's quite horrible when they put you on the high dose. Having suffered from mild to moderate acne since my early teens, I was getting fed up when I was at university and I still woke up most mornings with horrible spots. I saw my GP and they prescribed me lymecycline for about six months, which didn't do much, then doxycycline and tretinoin gel, which had minimal effect again. Eventually i agreed to be referred to dermatology where the consultant started me on 30mg/day isotretinoin. This was a low dose for me because it was during my exam period and the doctor didn't want me to be annoyed by side effects. This worked quite well. It cleared up my back and face by about 60-70% i'd day within 4 weeks. I didn't really have any side effects apart from fatigue and dry lips. Also very dry, red eyes. After about 3 months I finally got another appointment at the hospital (long wait in the NHS) where he increased my dose to 60mg a day for a few weeks to start of with. Almost immediately things were different. I have always been a very stable, grounded and happy person but I started to feel very anxious in social situations and very moody with everyone. Also i suffered from really bad knee pain. Two weeks later, I didn't want to continue anymore and stopped because of my mood and fatigue. By this point I had taken 30mg/day for about 3 months and 60mg/day for roughly 16 days. Approx. cumulative dose 44mg/kg which I believe is nowhere near complete. The results seem quite good though. I have a very clear back, shoulders and face.The doctor at the hospital told me not to worry that it will come back because it rarely does, even when the course isn't quite done? When I wake up I almost never have any spots and my skin feels nice and smooth. Perhaps more importantly now i've stopped I feel normal again. I would recommend the treatment to people but if possible I'd tell them to time it right to avoid times when the
Pros:
-Completely clear skin after 3 months
-No breakouts the entire course and after