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
March 28, 2010
Cons:
Always sleeping
Big crusty dry lips
Dry bloody nose
Moderate acne turned into severe during second month and continues.....
I am 30, and I have suffered with mild/moderate acne for years, nothing major but enough to affect my confidence. The same story nothing worked, however I have tried to control it over the years with diet.
I was put on 30mg for the first month which cleared my amazingly, I couldn't believe the results I was so happy! Then my derm upped my dose up to 60mg, then oh my God! Almost within the first week of the second month, massive acne breakouts with millions of red spots (I have never had this before in my life) plus I have started to get spots in places where I never suffered! This has continued into the third month, which has shredded any confidence I had left. I have since lowered my dose back to 30mg, as the 60mg seems too harsh and seemed to turning me into a beast! I would like to know if this has happened to anyone else??
March 11, 2010
Pros:
90% clear skin
Cons:
Some joint pain
Some hairloss
Tired when I wake up.
Dry eyes, lips and scalp
tiredness, muscle ache
mood swings
My dose was 52mg/kg so it was a low dose. I think a lot of people underestimate how powerful this drug is. Start with a low dose and if that doesn't work then bump up the dose. I also ate a lot of healthy fats while on Accutane, I think that made it more effective.
Only use this medicine after you have tried everything else. The pros won't outweigh the cons if your acne isn't severe and you haven't tried everything else before trying Accutane.
November 11, 2009
Pros:
TOTALLY CLEARS ACNE, BLACKHEADS, PORES...EVERYTHING!
Cons:
I hate to call it cons because in the end, you dont even care. but the "side effects" are chap lips of course, nose bleeds in the beginning, slight joint pain.
I am on my fourth month and OMG it is amazing. I never had acne until my 20's.I i tried everything, seriously. And after a year of suffering with acne, i knew i had to do something. It was so embarrassing. I would get mad when my boyfriend would look at me close up, would HATE to go out in the sun(i thought it was more noticable outside for some reason). I was such an unhappy person because i felt so ugly. But after 4 months, i am completely clear!! i had NO INITIAL BREAKOUT like some people try to say. Dont wait a year like i did and think "it will clear up" try it, you wll regret waiting too long.
November 1, 2009
Pros:
clears acne greatly
Cons:
tired,dryl lips, dry skin
ok I started taking this about two months ago. At first my acne seemed to get worse. But then better then worse. But over the past week I have seen a dramatic change my face has cleared so much its almost gone. I'm very happy with the results
October 27, 2009
Pros:
I've suffered from severe face acne for about a year. Tried everything else, but only isotretinoin worked (i'm taking a generic called oratane). I was prescribed a low dose (20mg/day) for 10 months so side effects were manageable.
Cons:
Face and lips dried up within weeks of starting the dose, but the acne stopped popping only after 3-4 months. It takes lots of determination and patience - waiting for results, as well as handling the side effects like really chapped lips.
Really effective, but recommended only for those who have tried everything else and are willing to spend money and effort to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
October 10, 2009
Pros:
After 2 1/2 months, most of my acne is gone so far on this treatment. accutane is a great way to treat acne!
Cons:
dry skin. the first month my hands were really dry and then peeled. after they peeled they weren't dry anymore. dry lips but after the second month i didn't need to apply chap stick so often. knees weak only when walking up stairs.
Accutane is a great way to go if you have moderate to severe acne. I have nodular acne and it seemed like my acne would never disappear but it eventually did. this drug does the job if you can handle the some what annoying side effects.
September 20, 2009
Pros:
Girls come to me again.
Cons:
I'd like to start it earlyer.
Before trying this I waste a lot of money.
I really recommend you this drug it will change your life.
September 14, 2009
Cons:
dry lips, sun-sensitivity ( just use sunscreen if its a problem, i have rosacea on my nose but it doesnt get red w/ sunscreen.) hmmm expensive if you dont have insurance, with decent insurance i getit for 5$.
amazing. the best decision of my life. i was depressed, having suicidal thoughts, all over stress n the way i looked. i had common days where i would "rather" stay in just for the sac of not fearing who sees me. honestly, if you wake up with a new pimple / zit every day, and you feel nothing else has worked effectively enough, try it. for the first 3 weeks my skin was not great. so over the 2 week period i had unhealing cysts, but they only stayed the same til i managed to get by and THANKFULLY was able to stay on accutane. I started accutane 2 weeks before college so at first it was hard but omg now i feel alive. i didnt talk to girls, avoided to many ppl. these days im on top of the world. lets put it this way, if you have the chance to get accutane thru insurance, and have bad acne right now, SEE YOUR DERMO NOW :) trust me its unregretful, dont listen to the BS rumors. you dont deserve to be told its bad by ppl who have perfect skin , or even any skin but yours.its h
September 10, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne
Cons:
extremely chapped lips
I've had acne issues since I was 12 and I'm 30 now. I took Accutane for the first time 6 years ago and again, for a second cycle 2 years ago. NOTHING has ever cleared up my skin like Accutane. I had nodular cystic acne and I've tried everything from Differin, Retain A, and a lot of other topical medications that my derm prescribed to Proactiv, Murad, DDF, Boscia, Peter Thomas Roth, and almost everyother acne product that Sephora sells. Accutane is the best thing ever for my skin.
August 27, 2009
Pros:
The result of this medication have been great, but not worth the risk
Cons:
Severe effects: Extremely dry lips, arms, and face. Developed blisters on face and body. Jaudice and liver function in bad shape. Vitamin A in body was high.
This medication is not to be taken lightly. I was given 40mg for my first month, I didn't notice many side effects other than dry lips. On my second month they bumped me up to 60mg. This is when my prolbems started to arise. My face became very dry along with my arms. I was constantly having to put on lotion and chapstick. In the morning I would alaways use a lotion with SPF 30. One morning I took my dog for a walk (around 15mins) later I had developed severe blisters on my lips and arms, and later had to go to the ER to have them drained. My nose also constantly bleed. I had become very depressed due to my appearance, I looked like a leper. Not all the make-up in the world would help. About 2 1/2 months in I became extremely ill. I was rushd to the ER once again. I had jaudice, and my liver and pancreas were not functioning properly. They found an abnormaly large amount of vitamin a in my body. I imedately stopped the accutane.
Pros:
One month of baby soft skin
One month of confidence
Still waiting.....