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 25, 2007
Cons:
Very Very Very dry lips, skin, eyes, nose, dry everyfin really.....rash on my arms...sunburnt easily...made me very tired 1 day n then very hyper the next lol muscle aches, head rushs, dizzyness n thats all i can fink!!!
If you cant stand the way you look in the mirror n feel sad/deprest about it and nothing else works and i mean NOTHING.....then try ya best to get on this drug....9/10 people the drug works perfect clearing up there skin....however about 7/10 who have taken the drug and its been successful there acne has returned (within years or months etc) and they might need a second treatment or third etc it cleared up my skin in 6 months (exept 4 red scars/marks that have been left over which will go in time) Bottom Line is this....If you are going to take this drug you must have:- 1)Will Power,
2)Patience
3)and a social life to get your mind off the drug 24/7 when your taking it lol GO SEE YOUR DERM......BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
July 2, 2007
Pros:
My first cycle kept me clear for five years. I'm on week 2 of my second round because my face decided to go nuts again. I'm already almost clear. Hopefully this is the last time!
Cons:
Dry lips!!!
It's really expensive, but it is so worth it!
June 18, 2007
Pros:
Gives flawless skin - literally!
Cons:
Dry lips.
I had horrible cystic acne, many red lumps and inflamed spots that really got me down. I started a six month course of accutane on June 1st 2006 and finished on December 1st. I am happy to say that the last zit I actually got was on August 13th 2006. I never get spots anymore, but the occasional SMALL blackhead on the edge of my nose, but that's it. Accutane works wonders... I really recommend it as it's a wonder drug!
May 20, 2007
Pros:
Miracle drug - no acne, no worries
Cons:
Dry lips, bloody noses, expensive
Totally cleared my cystic acne, never to return. Light to moderate acne would return 12 to 18 months after use. The side effects were very minimal for me. Accutane by Roche is the name brand version that worked great for me. I used a generic version and it did not work. When I switched back to Accutane by Roche the effects were almost instantaneous. My dermatologist said that she had seen similar instances with the generics.
January 11, 2007
Pros:
Clears your face. I used accutane for eight months.
Cons:
Dries out your lips and skin and other side effects that come along with accutane :(. I have had nose bleeds also.
Conjunctivitis (``pinkeye''), dry or fragile skin, dry or cracked lips, dry mouth, dry nose, itching, joint pains, nosebleed.
My face has never been so beautiful. I have had acne since for 9 years. Just finished my treatment 4 months ago. I had so low self esteem and didn't want to show my face to the public but life must go on, right? (SIGH). I thought of myself as ugly and prayed to God not to make anyone look like the way I looked. I used to cry a lot and my high school years were spent in misery. But now I am acne free, confident, and willing to face the world. Before I had acne, I was afraid to express myself and give world the best of me but not anymore, thanks to accutane. Now whoever sees me tells me that I am the most beautiful woman and one of the girls even said that they wanted to look like me. I paid $40.00 CDN with Insurance and without insurance it's very expesnive. So I say give it a go and good luck. I guarantee you that you will be very pleased with the results even if it is worth all those side effects. WEll not all but the dryness.
July 26, 2017
Best Decision!!!!
I developed acne in the second year of high school which at first didn't bother me, after a year of suffering the impacts acne had on my life such as isolating myself and having low confidence and self-esteem, I was put on two different antibiotics which were supposed to improve my skin (Tetracycline and Doxycycline). After seeing no results of these treatments I was then referred to a dermatologist which took 4 months to get this appointment but it was completely worth it! To start with I was put on 40mg of Isotretinoin, after the first month my skin became worse and I didn't see much change. By the third month my skin had cleared up with only a few spots, my skin and lips were very dry but I used Diprobase and Vaseline to minimize this. I still had very few spots which is when the dermatologist upped my dosage to 60mg, my skin continued to get dry but I used methods to control this. After 8 months of isotretinoin, blood tests and hospital appointments I can say I am very happy with the outcome and how my skin looks now, the skin on my back chest and face is completely clear.
I finished this treatment 3 months ago now and it is still in good condition, I do get the occasional spots during my period but they are nothing compared to what they were like. This treatment has completely changed my life and I would recommend to anyone who is deeply affected by the look of their skin. It's worth a chance and I was lucky enough to receive this treatment before any permanent scarring appeared.
March 20, 2017
Scary side effects
I had been working with my dermatologist for nearly two years when she suggested I take Accutane to combat my persistent acne. I am a woman, (a young woman at the time) so I was given two large packets of warnings and agreements, contracts practically stating that I understood the risks I was going to be facing etc, etc (these contracts I had to sign). It was vital for my doctor to know that pregnancy while on this medication was absolutely unlikely and I was put on birth control and (would have been) required to take monthly urine and/or blood tests to prove that I was not pregnant (and that my liver was not failing me). I did more research, very in-depth research, a few weeks before I was due to start taking Accutane. I read that Accutane was originally introduced some years ago as a cancer drug but was a failed cause. Now, whether this is completely true or not.. it scared the life out of me. Reading the side effects listed in the packets given to me also made me feel as though risking my health was NOT worth it. So I decided not to go forth with the treatment. Luckily I found the Acne.org Regimen and my skin is completely blemish-free because of that. I strongly recommend exhausting all of your options before considering Accutane, especially if you are a (romantically active) girl or woman. In my personal opinion, a drug so harmful that it can cause absolutely horrific birth defects is a drug not taking a chance with. Be wise in your choices please and think about it thoroughly! Best wishes! :)
November 2, 2017
So you never actually tried it, but still giving a one-star review? Your not a researcher, and your discouraging other people from using Accutane because of the research that "may or may not be true." This is a review forum, not your opinion.
November 22, 2016
Worked but didn't last
Started working immediately, no initial breakout, minimum side effects beyond chapped lips and dry eyes at times. I was taking 30 mg for 10 months. Acne stayed away for 10 months after I finished the course, started coming back slowly. Now it is back, not a severe as before but still not great. I am 31 year old female and had acne when I was younger. Managed to keep it under control with Yasmine over some 14 years but it came back pretty strongly after I got off of it which is when I went on accutane. I read that unfortunately for woman in their 30s the results of accutane usually don't stick. I am currently taking Vitex. It seems to be managing my acne somewhat but not completely- still have bad days, but not life ruining. I have been on it for two months. Going to try pairing it with Estroblock and see what happens.
July 14, 2017
Your dose seemed low. And is common for low doses that acne will come back after treatment
August 4, 2016
Awful side effects but worth it
background info- female, 17 yo, tried 5 different antibiotics and several topical creams before being referred to the dermatologist by the GP. I live in the UK so I recieved a 4 month treatment of 40mg per day roaccutane for free on the NHS after about a 4 month wait. PROS
-completely clear skin after 4 months
-during treatment my hair got much less greasy and barely needed washing. However this stopped after i finished my course CONS
-dry skin everywhere, although was manageable with a lot of moisturiser and lip balm
-eczema on arms, back of knees, and hands
-severe back pain lasting the whole duration of the course, couldn't be helped by physiotherapy
-(the worst side effect) irratable bowel syndrome. Severe pain while passing stools (to the extent of crying), constipation and blood when I wiped. Was severly debilitating and made me afraid of going to the loo for 4 months SUMMARY
- despite the awful side effects, I do not at all regret taking roaccutane even though i only had mild-moderate acne as it increased by confidence SO much
June 26, 2016
This is the ultimate acne cure
I can't reccomend this highly enough!! Accutane cured my persistent acne that was around for years. I'm currently 18 and have had acne since I was in 7th grade. It was causing scarring, making me insecure, and even at points depression because everything I did wouldn't get rid of it. Finally, after countless topicals and different pills from the dermo, he convinced me to try accutane. I knew friends that had amazing results, but was simply scared of the blood tests because I hate needles! However, this was the best choice I ever made for my acne. I'm now 6 months post accutane and have amazing skin. I also now eat a plan based diet (vegan) and my skin is glowing. There are many unknowns with this drug and it is intense, but I figured it was better than constantly being on different pills trying to find one that worked. I've had no lasting side effects. People that struggle with acne should for sure try this. My 6 month course was all I needed to clear my skin.
Pros:
NHS covered all my bills so i got the pills free!!!! Made my skin as smooth as a whsitle...i completed my 6 months treatment about a week ago and the last active spot i had was about 2 months ago and i hope it continues..