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
January 3, 2008
Cons:
Everyone freaks about the side effects, I know I did.. But all were completely tolerable and managable... dry lips- use aquaphor, dry skin- all you need is a good moisturizer, muscle, joint pains- just remember to drink plenty of water!
My skin is no longer an issue for me and it is such a good feeling. It seems so unreal how bad my face used to be, but while I was going through my bad stages of acne, it seemed like the end of the world, as I'm sure it does for alot of people. I've had minimal acne off and on for the past 4 years. I broke out so bad last summer that my mom and I finally agreed to try accutane for my skin. I had huge pimples all over and new ones everyday. I would cry when I took my makeup off and while putting it on, trying to cover it up. Everyone told me its not a big deal and I shouldnt let it change who I was, but I couldn't help not wanting to show my face in public. Now that I've been on accutane for 4 months (I'm only at 60mg a day which is very low but I am small, 5'5 110lbs) my skin is clear and I can actually go out in oublic WITHOUT any makeup and feel comfortable. Trust me this medication is worth it, and don't worry about the side effects, jsut take extra care of your body while on it.
December 16, 2007
Pros:
Been on it for five months, very few less pimples.
Cons:
ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS, I've got bleeding lips, terribly dry skin, my face is a dark red color at all times, and I've recently thought about killing myself
Just don't take it..I regret taking this pill, it's been an awful experience to live with acne is better than to live like this TRUST ME' PLEASE DONT TAKE THIS. I DONT WANNA SEE PEOPLE WHERE I AM AT.
November 14, 2007
Pros:
I am on my last month of accutane and could not be happier! All that annoying gunk under my skin that i would always pick at is GONE! Leaving me nothing to pick at! I pray it doest come back. If my acne did come back i would take another course.
Cons:
I am worried that it will come back and i have to take accutane again. Dry skin all over, irritating. Very dry lips. Some knee pain, cant jog for the last two months of treatment. Makes you more tired than normal.
This stuff works, it does have serious side effects (mood, joint pain, dry skin, ect.), but you have to decide what is more important to you. I had very persistent pitted pores. Would always pick at and large amounts of gunk would come out, have a few minor scars. Never really had nodule acne, but have had a couple pop us since being put on accutane, guess way of clearing out pores. I believe that everyone deserves a fresh clear face to show the world, and this medicine makes it possible for people who were born with horrible skin. In that sense it is a miracle drug. But just beware of the side effects. I am a 20yo active health nut so i though i would not experience any of the side effects, but i was wrong. I experienced mood change (manageable because I knew what it was from), dry skin, joint pain, and tiredness. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHAL WHILE ON MEDICATION. Had a friend whose husband drank while on it and his hair started falling out! Good luck if you are just starting! Goes by fast!
November 9, 2007
Pros:
Flawless and smooth skin. Not a bump anywhere.
Cons:
It is expensive.
This is my first course and I am actually into month 6 of accutane, I have a 8 month course due to low dose. I began clearing up at the end of week 2 and from then on my skin is perfect without makeup. It was even better then the time I took antibiotics and had clear skin because I still had blackheads then. But now I don't have any blackheads to go with my brand new skin. I didn't have much side effects either, just some dry lips and dry skin in the beginning but they ceased at the end of month 1.
November 7, 2007
Pros:
I have been on Accutane for a little over a month. It works pretty fast. Skin is less oily. It is affordable. I have no feelings of sadness, depression or aches of any sort. In fact I feel great.
Cons:
My lips are a little chapped, however I wear lipgloss most of the time so I don't really notice.
The medication works great and it is affordable. I would have gotten it years ago but my dermatologists were reluctant to prescribe it to me because it was such a hassle for THEM. Finally, I switched doctors and he prescribed it. I have never felt better about my appearance.
October 24, 2007
Pros:
I have friends who this really worked for and they've never had a spot since! Did see some improvements.
Cons:
VERY drying, chapped lips, sore skin and it made me VERY depressed and even suicidal. I had to be taken off this medication due to the effect it had on my mental health and the effects on this were long standing.
USE WITH CAUTION
October 18, 2007
Pros:
Takes the oil away instantly within the first week...starts drying your current acne and clears it....i've had no initial breakout thus far....
Cons:
Dry skin...dry lips...tired...
IT IS AMAZING...make sure it is taken with food because it will work sooo much better...drink plenty of water-prevent breakouts from being that bad...wear only mineral makeup: powder form...dont pick at them AT ALL!! It is proven to work...just give it time...
October 12, 2007
Pros:
cleared my acne up about 80%.
Cons:
dry lips, bloody nose, dry skin.
it has stopped alot of my active acne, i've been on it for 2 months and there's no major side effects. i have tried tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline, a ton of topical products, none of them worked at all. i am confident that this will clear my skin up in the next four months.
September 23, 2007
Pros:
its does clear acne for a little bit
Cons:
extreme dryness and i hurt all over when i was taking it. im an active youth and the pain that it caused me in my joints made it hurt for me to even pick up a 15 pound box. its usually only a three month regimen and i took it for 4.
My acne did clear about 85% after 2 months or so. the acne was supposed to stay mostly away and it came back within one month of not taking the medicine. i was on the yellow pill (which im pretty sure is the big daddy) I have no idea what kind of internal, long-term damage it did. hopefully it wasnt too bad. I dont think people should take this drug unless they are comletely aware of what it does.
August 31, 2007
Pros:
Really I know this sounds crazy, after 2 weeks 14 days, I notice a real improvement.. I not only am not depressed and tired, I feel fantastic, I am really excited about month 2 and three. Don't wait. If you and your doctor feel like its right.
Cons:
Tiny bit of dry lips, using chapstic, blistex, using aveeno calming for somewhat drier skin, but really no cons at this point. Yahooooo!
RECOMMEND: Don't wait until you are depressed,scarred and just overall saddened by acne,especially cystic. The hype of bad news about accutane, I personally feel are people with issues of one sort or another previous to accutane, read the blogs they start out horrible and 90% of the time are so thankful to accutane in the end. Good wishes to everyone at the end of there acne rope, There is help.....Accutane is my answer!
Pros:
CLEAR SKIN!! that pretty much sums up the pros of accutane. =) less oily skin and hair.