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
November 3, 2009
Cons:
I had extremely dry skin/lips, very high sun sensitivity, back pain, joint pain, bad blood tests leading to stoping lifting, depression (but not sure if because of accutane), bad night vision, weight loss, purple skin, diarrea/rectal bleeding still
Acne coming back a few months later, but have to give it 5 stars because it was the only drug that actually cleared it in the first place.I may have to take this drug again, because my acne is starting to come back :( . Though the side effects suck!, I hate acne with a passion. I am a lifter and lost a ton of my muscle on this drug, am finally getting it back but what's the point, if I'm gonna have to take accutane again :(. Acne makes me so depressed, which is why as much as I hate the side effects none of them matter; if it made me loose a limb or something who cares as long as the acne's gone that's all I care about.
October 27, 2009
Pros:
It actually WORKS.
Cons:
Pain in the butt to do the blood tests and get on all the birth control stuff haha, but my skin became perfect within a month. I've been to one of the best derms in Seattle and have been on every line and drug under the sun.
I would have continued to take it, if it weren't for the biggest and most devastating side effect. While I've always struggled with depression, I was actually doing pretty well when I started taking the medication. However, suicidal thoughts became constant, and I attempted in September. While it's impossible to know how much of an impact the drug truly had on this situation, I feel strongly that if I wasn't on the drug it never would have happened. As you can imagine I got off the medication right away. And what do you know, the acne is back! Joy. The bottom line is that it is an extremely powerful drug with major side effects- and that's why it is different from everything else out there. I would definitely recommend this product, but I strongly urge EVERYONE taking this medication to closely monitor their emotional state.
October 22, 2009
Pros:
It works amazingly! My skin is 99% clear after a little over 3 months!
Cons:
dry lips, ocassional nosebleed
This stuff works. The benefits definately outweigh the cons. Why wouldn't you want to put up with a bit of dry lips so that you could have awesome skin and increased self esteem as a result! I am so happy with the results and i'm not even finished yet, so my face will keep on getting better :) Every couple of days i get compliments from people and it just feels so good. This medication gets talked about in such a negative way when the side effects are certainly manageable and the end outcome is so worth it!
October 10, 2009
Pros:
Clear skin.
Cons:
All the cons seemed to be temporary. Dry skin and lips. Eczema on arms. Diet change is necessary (caused high cholesterol ONLY while I was on the medication).
I was on Accutane for 8 months and my skin is the clearest it's been in years. I have mild scarring from my acne but it seems to be fading. My skin didn't start to clear up until the 5th month, so be patient. It will work eventually. Also, watch your diet. My cholesterol got high enough for them to put me on Lipitor. After I got off the medication though, my cholesterol went back to normal. It can be a little stressful but the results are worth it.
August 13, 2009
Pros:
Oily hair & skin deceased, clears up skin wonderfully, no need to wash face, long lasting results!
Cons:
Very dry skin, red eyes, bone aches, sensitivity to sun, frequent bloody noses, redness of skin, severe chapped lips, IPLEDGE, monthly blood tests, minor depression
I'm only 15 and I decided I didn't want to battle acne for the rest of my teen years. I tried a multiple amount of acne products, but were ineffective and I suffered more than I did on accutane. Yes, accutane has a lot of odious side effects, but nothing that I couldn't handle. The worst was probably the chapped lips, which I soon discovered that the classic Cherry Chapstick was sent from heaven, but I had to keep it with me and apply consistantly. I started clearing up from the first week I was taking it, and from then on continued without breakouts to until now I am 100% acne free. I got a lot of bad sunburns and my face was always red and peeling. The dry skin was almost worse than acne. But I did have oily skin and hair, which I no longer have to worry about. I am fully aware that the results differ for each individual, but I just want to say that it can work, and I have many friends who have benefited from it also. I would recommend this product, it could change your life forever.
July 22, 2009
Pros:
No break outs as of yet
Cons:
none yet
I have been on it for a lil over a week. and i have not broken out since i started. I just have old spots from when i started. and they are dissappearing by the day. I cant wait to see how my skin will look in a few weeks!
June 22, 2009
Pros:
decreased oil production, smaller pores, cleared acne and made scars fade
Cons:
sunburns, dry skin, dry lips, dry eyes, mild back pain, seeing the doctor every month for testing and a new prescription
This is my last resort acne treatment because I have tried every single prescription and over the counter acne therapy. I never had severe acne, but it was so stubborn. Nothing worked! Even things that cleared me a little made me so oily I didn't want to take them. I have been on accutane for 2 months now and already I see a big improvement. No more oily, yucky skin and hair. My pores look smaller because they're not filled with oil. Acne, red marks and blackheads are clearing up. A scar I have on my arm from surgery is fading dramatically. It's a great product! Only downside is the annoying dry lips and eyes, but constant moisturizing takes care of them.
May 12, 2009
Pros:
Has results. Smoother skin. No black heads. Fixing scars. No oil. No more oily hair. No actual zits.
Cons:
Initially gets worse. All scars become pink. At first, really dry skin. I have exzema so if I was in the sun for a few minutes I would get scabs all over my arms. Chapped lips. Some dry eye. Higher cholesterol.
What to expect:
First week: Chapped lips
First to second month: Possibly more break outs and your face becomes red. Sun light sensitivity.
Second to third month: Acne scars become pink. Accutane actually remolds your scars, flattens them out. My hair is originally more oily and now it's wonderful. I always carry chapstick now. I'm on my third month and excited for the next two months. Sometimes it gets really irritating...everyday...3 pm Yaz birth control...7 pm two Clavaris [generic brand] 30mg pills.
With insurance my visits are only 12 US$ and the Clavaris for a 60 days supply is 3 US$. I had tried natural masks, Clinique, Proactiv, topical creams, and everything else. This is the first thing to really SOLVE the problem and not just mask it or give a short period of relief. This gave me results, especially since I understand how it's working. This treatment solves the problem from within and not just the outside. Acne is not a skin level issue for some. :D
April 5, 2009
Pros:
Acne had ruined my life for 20 years but this treatment worked straight away. I experienced no problems with side-affects, and my confidence returned during the treatment and for a while afterwards due to my flawless complexion.
Cons:
This stuff drys your body out bigtime, so be prepared with a good moisturiser, vaseline and lipbalm, and drink plenty of water. Your face gets really red, which is slightly embarrasing, but better than having acne. Bloodtests are also a drag.
I've had acne since I was 13, I've tried most treatments available. Nothing worked effectively, and if it did it was only on a short-term basis. In 2007 (aged 33) I went on a 4 month accutane course which worked like a dream from start to finish. When the treatment ended I was acne-free and obviously very happy as acne in your 30's is a real downer. My dermo's last words to me was that accutane's success rate at eliminating acne forever is 80 % (although due to my age the success rate is higher). Unfortunately 9 months after finishing the treatment I started to get the odd breakout (every month or so), 4/5 months after this I'm at the stage where I seem to have permanent facial acne but not as bad as before I took accutane. I'm now considering a 2nd accutane course and hopefully I'll be acne-free forever. This stuff isn't for everyone, but it worked for me, although one course isn't enough, if acne returns it's not as severe. Rome wasn't built in a day I suppose.
February 17, 2009
Pros:
Cleared acne within 2 weeks. Moderate persistant adult acne literally disappeared.
Cons:
Not many side effects whilst on it, but as soon as I came off it the WORST side effects ever kicked in.
Still suffer from SEVERE JOINT PAIN, stomach upsets, mild ED and am often unable to do simple things. This product has ruined my once healthy life, ambition, dreams, relationships, everything. Acne eventually passes - accutane induced side effects do not. YOUR HEALTH IS SIMPLY NOT WORTH THE RISK.
Pros:
Clears your face, at least at first