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
June 25, 2011
Cons:
SO SO easy to get cuts and big red scratches, red skin within the first couple months, very dry lips (to the point where they bleed) , itchy skin, dry skin
Accutane is definitely amazing at clearing your skin. It worked great and I'm so happy with how clear my skin is now. Ive been on it for 4 months and my skin looks so good. But, it caused me alot of stress from all of the constant and many scratches I got so easily. Honestly, the only way I could avoid scratches is by sitting home, doing absolutely nothing! But, I do think its worth it and I would go on it all over again if I had to because it works great. I call it the "magical pill" haha. The side effects do suck but in the end it was worth it (:
June 24, 2011
Pros:
It works (for a while at least)
Cons:
dry skin, dry eyes
nausea
headaches
nasty side effects AFTER quitting
I started taking it after trying antibiotics but they didn't work, so the Dr. suggested Accutane. I was 20 years old and had had acne only for a few months, but it was severe. After taking it what looked like open wounds on my cheeks cleared with almost no scarring. While taking it I could tolerate the side effects (headaches, dry eyes, nausea and even vomit) but when i came off of it , it was horrible. I had severe depression, lost weight, hairloss and my bloodtests showed that it messed my system. AND my acne came back (about 3 years later) so, i think it's not worth to put your body through it, consider other alternatives before taking it
June 21, 2011
Pros:
cleared acne 100%
Cons:
dry chapped lips
heart palpatations
hands were always shaky
acne returned after a year
I feel like the accutane helped in the short run with my acne which was wonderful, but for my long term health, i don't think it was a smart decision. Doctors don't even know how it exactly works, and because it is a relatively new drug, the future potential long term side effects aren't known. Use caution when putting drugs into your body. I still have problems with my acne, but I know one day that it will get better!
June 16, 2011
Pros:
It gets rid of so many types of acne.
Cons:
It has severe side effects!
It did clear up my acne. I had moderate to severe acne. I used to get the big red ones that hurt like crazy. I was put on accutane when I was around 16 years old. I am now 31 and I have had complications with my stomach. They told me I had crohns disease because of the accutane I was on. I was put on it for 6 months. It did wonders on my face but not sure if it's worth the side effects and according to almost everyone that has used it, they have complications years later. I did rate it a 5 because it did work but I'm not sure if it's worth it because of the side effects.
June 12, 2011
Pros:
-Dramatic clearing of acne: systs, pustules, papules, even blackheads all gone.
-Improvement in skin tone
Cons:
Although Isotretinoin can have many many side effects, these are just what I experienced over my treatment:
-Dry skin and lips
-Dry scalp (only in first few weeks)
-Back pain at night
-Hyper-sensitive thin skin all over body. Its very easy to get cuts and skin yourself.
-Inflamed, sunburned-looking face at times.
With some bothersome(but tolerable) side effects, Accutane absolutely DESTROYED my acne. :) I'd say that the side effects that one may endure are definitely worth the clear skin. TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING ON IT: If nothing else has worked for you, just give it a shot. It's the most effective medication and will most likely clear you up. If you're worried about the side effects, just make sure you're prescribed the medication by a caring dermatologist. They will take care of you if you encounter any problems and if you're having trouble, your dosage will be reduced.
June 6, 2011
Pros:
dramatically better skin! less oily hair
Cons:
change in eyesight, dry eyes, dry nose/bleeding, rashes on the back of my hands, lower back pain, chapped lips, consuming alcohol is not recommended, monthly blood tests
PROS: after a week or so of use, I noticed my skin was getting much,much better. my friends were beginning to notice a change in both my face and my self esteem. I no longer have to wear layers of coverup to try and hide my acne. also, living in canada, Accutane is covered by health care, so it's free! CONS: my eyes have always been dry, but Accutane has made it worse, especially if you are staring at a computer screen for extended amounts of time. the change in my eyesight is not bad enough to motivate me to get new glasses, but i definately notice it. things are a little more blurry than they used to be.
For about 2 weeks, i had been sick, so i was constantly blowing my nose and sniffling. this led to massive nosebleeds that went on for 25+mins each time. very scary when you are going to school and trying to go about your normal day. the worst was when i had 4 in one day!
Not too long after starting accutane, i noticed small rashes on the backs of my hands. unsightly as they are, they are not itchy and can be minimized using moisturizers and polysporin.
My lower back pain causes me to stiffen if i am in a specific position for too long. it is painful to straighten up quickly, so it takes me a while to loosen up agin. it makes me feel so old!!
The common side effect of chapped lips makes it necessary to carry my handy Burt's Bees chapstick around all the time. i have to exfoliate the dead skin from my lips constantly and lipstick is a definate no-no!
Although consuming alcohol is not recommended, i have still done it. what you may want to know is it lowers your tolerance. A LOT! you will get drunk very quickly!
Lastly, the monthly blood tests. although its a pain -you have to fast for 10 hours each time before you go- it really is for your benefit. your MD could detect some other health problem that you otherwise would not have known about. It may look like the cons outweigh the pros, but that isnt so; all of the cons are bearable
June 2, 2011
Just wanted to state that my last review should have been five stars (or whatever those little people are meant to be!), not zero! That's the trouble with doing this on your phone, rather than a computer!
May 29, 2011
Pros:
Cleared my skin in 2 weeks
Cons:
None- (unless you count the fact I can't stop raving about Accutane)
This is the only product that worked. I had severe acne for 2 years (I could not touch my face and sitting hurt my bacne was so awful) My doctor informed me we had run out of options. It was Accutane or nothing. In two weeks my skin cleared. I had NO side effects (seriously). I went to Europe on this stuff for two weeks and went without makeup. I pray at the altar of Accutane. Also I have NO SCARRING!!!
May 27, 2011
Pros:
Clear my face almost completely but only temporarily.
Cons:
Heavy mood changes. Depression. Dryness everywhere. Can't drink alcohol during treatment. Monthly blood check ups.
I am 27 now. I used Accutane in 2006 for 6 months and then in 2008 for 9 months, both dosis were 30mg. I wish I never used this pill because, although it cleared my face only for a few months, it was very costly, and my mood has changed a lot since then. I have become very depressive, moody, anxious and nervous, which I never was before taking that pill. I don't recommend this product.
May 25, 2011
Pros:
Skin so soft and acne free!!
(length of time being acne free can result from the dosage..get a good doctor that has experience with accutane. Then, your acne may never come back)
Cons:
Dry skin, noise, hair, etc.
DRY LIPS. Chapstick is a necessity
Depression
Acne scars can appear if you mess with/pop your pimples
General scars can appear if you get cut. (even a small cut can scar)
Accutane is great, but it is a LAST resort. I look back and wonder why I even went on it, but of course, it cleared up my skin. Bottom line: the possible side effects are scary. Depression seems to be common with this drug.. I had depression on this medication, but I would always tell myself, "calm down, its the medication." I am not sure if the medication caused the depression or if I would of been depressed regardless. I think that a lot of people are depressed on this medication because clear skin does NOT solve all the problems associated with it. For example, I thought all my social problems would go away with clean skin, it would solve all my problems...That sounds stupid, but it is a big change from having acne to having none. Just like a fat person becoming skinny. lol Realizing that as freeing as being acne-free is, it does not mean that your crush will like your or that people will treat you differently. WARNING: make sure that your doctor puts you on a high dose in order to get clear completely. I was not put on a high enough dose and not only did some of my acne return, but it never was completely cleared. Now, I am currently on Tazorac and Solodyn. I want to clear up what accutane didnt because of the low dosage.
I want to go back on accutane with a different doctor, but the side effects are concerning. I am just not sure. Overall, it is a personal choice. Acne is a disease and is depressing. Weigh the pros and cons, then make your own choice. Accutane is the only cure for acne. (when on the right dosage.) I personally recommend Tazorac and Solodyn as a way to go if not Accuntane. Hope this helps!
Pros:
Clear skin (: