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
August 21, 2009
Cons:
Horrible dry skin, cracking and peeling lips, and nosebleeds.
I took Accutane 14 years ago and I loved the results, my skin really had a glo to it. Five years later after pregnancy I saw more outbreaks and the oilyness come back. I do not have the same acne I saw before but I have oil skin and enlarged pores so I just went to the doctor to get back on Accutane I start in a month! The side effects are worth the results, and I am tired of dealing with topical creams that make skin peel for months with no real results. I can't wait!
August 13, 2009
Pros:
It's clear and smooth. It's not greasy. My facial redness is gone. I'M CLEAR!!!!!!
Cons:
I reacted very badly to accutane. It made my nose dry to the point where it was always clogged with dry blood. Very achy and tired. Horrible rashes and redness were almost constant. Hair loss. Stress fractures form bone weakening.
Despite how badly I reacted to Accutane and the price I would definatly recommend it. My acne was very painful and very obvious, so I'm glad to be rid of it for sure!
August 6, 2009
Pros:
Clears it up
Cons:
Dry stuff as usual and really red skin
i am completely glad i went on accutane and recommend it to all others. it worked after about a month on it and havent had acne in 4 months. i am 18 years old and drink pretty heavily at least 3 times a week. i was worried at first about the drinking but it never gave my liver a problem. there was a week where i drank at least 10 shots a night and then got a blood test the following day and everything was fine. not recommending it but i wouldn't worry too much about the drinking
July 26, 2009
Pros:
I am nearing my 3rd month and as of now I have 2 little pimples on my chin and cheek and thats it. Its so easy just to take a pill everyday, add that with a mild cleanser and thats all.
Cons:
dry lips(use aquaphor twice a day) dry skin, dry eyes, lost a lot of sleep in my first month. Nose bleeds!!!(had a nose bleed every day from month 1-month 1 1/2)
Get through the first 2 months and your set, best decision I ever made! The only problem now is the scarring and red spots??!! USING Jojoba oil for it
April 12, 2009
Pros:
makes skin less oily, clears up acne scars, skin is smoother than ever before, leaves absolutely no blackheads in the end
Cons:
extremely chapped lips, skin was so dry that i got eczema all over my legs and occasionally arms, the inside of my nose got very dry
accutane is AMAZING. it's honestly a miracle. i'd tried every product out there, and realized i only had accutane left. i was very close to saying no to accutane because of reading about all the scary side effects, but they are honestly exaggerated. having constant chapped lips and dry skin is worth having beautiful skin in the end, trust me. accutane really does the job. i had horrible acne scarring, so even when i didn't have that much acne on my face it still looked horrible. accutane cleared them up for me. really, go for it. but make sure you've tried all the other options first!
April 10, 2009
Pros:
Eliminated acne for 19 yrs.
Cons:
Chapped lips, dry skin
I was searching the net to see if accutane was still available. I had moderately-severe acne when I was 13 and my dr prescribed accutane. I was looking at the prices paid and I can say wow....accutane dropped a lot....my parents were paying almost $300 a month for the Rx. I used accutane for approx. 3 months and it was a miracle! I haven't had acne or even a zit or blackhead now and I'll be 32 this July. Only side effects were dry skin and chapped lips.......watch out for sun exposure too. You'll burn easy. Use lotion and chapstick and you'll be fine. Highly recommend accutane!!
March 24, 2009
Pros:
The most effective acne treatment out there. But if you've got REALLY deep blackheads you may need a higher dose or a longer treatment (this may not be true for everyone). Evens skin tone and clears blemishes completely.
Cons:
The side effects are obviously worse than antibiotics but no where near as bad as some people make out.
As I've said, the most effective acne treatment out there, you just need to be patient for it to work.
If you feel down about you're acne ask you're GP to refer you to a dermatologist since not only is it for severe acne, it can be used for moderate/mild acne that hasn't been effected by other treatments.
February 27, 2009
Pros:
It seems to be the most effective acne treatment that I know of. It is really a pain to use for most people, but it works wonders for a lot of its users. It worked for me after the third try, but sadly, my acne came back a few months later.
Cons:
Expensive, dry, peeling skin everywhere, cracked lips, bloody nose, have to have your blood tested monthly, pregnant women can't take it.
Accutane is a severe method for treating acne, make no mistake about it. That said, and even though it ultimately didn't work for me, I have met a number of people who have had their acne virtually 'cured' permanently by this medication. If you have a very tough case of acne, I would highly recommend talking to you doctor or a dermatoligist about considering Accutane. It has more side-effects than any treatment I'm aware of, but it the ends can justify the means for many people.
December 25, 2008
Pros:
Absolutely the most effective acne treatment. After being frustrated when others didn't work for very long, this one works like a miracle.
Cons:
Same as everyone else: chapped lips, occasional slight depression and dryness (nothing i haven't experienced in higher amounts with less effective, skin drying regimens).
Acne was a hugely distracting and depressing part of my life before accutane. These cons are not nearly as bad as I thought, highly manageable, and to be honest much more could have been endured for the positives that came with accutane. I was not one of the unlucky ones, but it was worth taking the chance. Acne sucks. period.
December 23, 2008
Pros:
Been off of Accutane for a year and a half. I had cystic acne and my face has been completely acne free every since! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Cons:
Normal side effects like dry skin, dry lips. Follow your derms instructions and you will be fine.
Its only really affordable if you have insurance that covers accutane.
Struggled with cystic acne for over 15yrs and if I would have known sooner about accutane and how well it works I would have saved myself alot of grief, time and money. Accutane is totally worth it to anyone thinking about getting on it. Keep in mind though that accutane works its best on people with moderate severe to severe acne or cystic acne. I was a walking poster child for accutane.
Pros:
Perfect poreless skin, and acne clear uo to 5 years from treatment