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
September 7, 2011
Cons:
Acne came back after 1 year
Dry skin
Chapped lips
Nose bleeds
I started getting acne in sixth grade, and it got pretty bad in 9th grade. I have homestly tried everything there is. In 9th grade i started taking diane 35 which is a birth control made specially to treat acne. It kept my skin decent, but the weight gain that accompanied it wasnt worth it to me. After i stopped taking diane 35 my acne came back 10X worse!!!! I kid you not. Finally after begging (i was desperate at this point) my doc gave me accutane. The initial breakout was baaaad, but after 2 weeks it subsided & my skin started clearing up. 2 months of taking accutane & my skin was completely clear. The side effects were minimal & defenitely worth it for the results i got! I virtually did not have one blackhead on my face. If i forgot to wash off my makeup i wouldnt wake up with a million pimples like i had before. This product was a miracle worker! One year after i stopped taking it I unfortunately started breaking out again. So i went to the doc & am now starting my 2nd course. I am actually looking forward to it though. The results that come from this pill are incredible! Just make sure to moisturize ALOT & carry chapstick because there will virtually be no oil on your face!!! I believe i am a rare caase, usually you wont have to take the drug again, i would highly recommend this. It changed my life & boosted my confidence! Another pro is that your hair doesnt get greasy for days so you dont have to wash it eeryday:) goodluck!
June 26, 2011
Pros:
Helps clear skin
Cons:
Drys out eyes
Drys lips and rest of the body
Depression!!!
Reactions to water and other products
Super sensitivity.
I used all the acne medication there is and was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed me Accutane.
At first it didnt really work but I've been on it for 7 months and seen minimal changes in my skin. I havent had a breakout since I've been on it which is a positive sign!
May 16, 2011
Pros:
If you do have a breakout on your skin while on this, it clears up a lot quicker then if you werent on this medication. The texture of your skin starts to look a lot better.
Cons:
Dry eyes, dry lips.
I'm on 20 mg a day. I really have had no side effects. If anything my lips are dry, and my eyes feel slightly dryer (I wear contacts), so I wear glasses now whenever possible. But I do wear contacts once in a while. I go about my daily life, work 7a-4p. People keep commenting how great and clear my skin looks.
April 4, 2011
Pros:
-reduction in greasy face
-acne going away slowly
-increased confidence b/c of less zits
-possibility of acne totally gone at end of treatment.
Cons:
-red sunglass face look
-shedding skin
-difficult to establish a skin cleaning regimen (reduce zits, but not irritate skin)
-30ish male, 5 weeks into treatment
-had good luck with...(1) drink only non-chlorinated filtered water and drink 8 glasses/day, (2) installed a whole house water filter that takes out chlorine and other stuff, (3) washing face for no longer than 10 seconds, (4) stopped eating sugar, (5) stay out of the sun. These 5 things have reduced my facial redness significantly (or maybe just a coincidence???). 40mg 1st month, 80mg currently scheduled for remaining 5 months. I hate accutane, but I have no other better options. It's going as good as it can I guess.
March 31, 2011
Pros:
My skin was almost perfectly clear for about two years after using Accutane.
Cons:
It dried me out so bad! My skin, not just on my face but especially there, was so flakey, and I literally peeled a layer off of my lips every morning. Not to mention it has many other very serious short and long term side effects. I took it for 6 months about 5 years ago, and within the last couple of years I started breaking out again. In the last six months it has become a huge problem again.
It was nice while it lasted, but I'm upset that I went through all of that just to break out and go through the "What can I try next" cycle. You're supposed to basically never break out again after Accutane, and that's definitely not the case for me. If you're desperate it might be worth a shot, but do your research before beginning this treatment, because the health risks probably aren't worth it. This is serious stuff.
March 29, 2011
Pros:
100% clear at 3 months
No greasy hair
Pore size smaller
acne scars/marks have faded
People complement my skin : )
Cons:
Chapped lips (Aquaphor is a good for dry lips)
Dry skin on top of hands
First Month had bad chest pain
At times i had low back pain
dry eyes
I was hesitant to go on Accutane at first. After trying numerous acne creams, washes, antibiotics, this was my last resort, and im so HAPPY i did it. I started on 40mg once a day. Within the first week, i noticed a soreness in my chest and top of my shoulders. This worried me a little, but went away about a week later. I didnt have a breakout that was out of the ordinary for me during the first month. The beginning of the 2nd month, i noticed i had fewer breakouts, and lips became really dry. Third month i was bumped up to 40 mg twice a day and my chest pain came back. I couldnt handle the pain, so i went back down to 40mg. My face was completely clear at end of 3rd month. Im on my 5th month, and still not one pimple. Im so happy i did this, i have 10 pills left. Its so nice to be done!!!! I would recommend this to anyone who is suffering from moderate to severe acne. You dont have to live like that anymore. Time flys by while your on it.Good Luck : )
March 15, 2011
Pros:
Clears up skin for a while
Cons:
Acne came back
Depression
Dry Lips
Bad for Liver
I went on accutane twice in my life. Once in college and once in high school. My new dermatologist suggested that I might go on it a third time....but since my acne is more hormonal we decided on another course of treatment. I'd give it a higher rating if it got rid of my acne forever. It's one of the harshest drugs I've ever been on...so definitely don't recommend it as a first option.
February 15, 2011
Pros:
Oil free skin (hair and face)
Clears acne and the redness
Boosts Confidence (Trust me)
Cons:
Dry lips, skin, eyes
Lower back pain (Just a little)
I started taking Accutane just 15 days ago and right now my face is clearer than ever. I literally have only ONE acne left on my face :D. I was scared before taking it but nothing else was working for me. It does have side effects but in my case it wasn't that much of a problem. Just ask your derm for a good cream for your lips and our face and it's all good. You should try taking it. Did wonders for me.
December 7, 2010
Pros:
took it for 4 months and my skin is 95% perfect
Results are definitely worth it
No more oily skin
Side effects go away
Cons:
Red/Pink Face
Very dry lips
Cracking and peeling lips
Dry skin
Hurts to smile
Dry nose
Nose bleeds
Worsened acne before it got better
Felt depressed sometimes
Very self conscious while on the drug
If you doctor recommends that you take accutane, i would definitely take it. The results are well worth all of the agonizing side effects. It may take about 4-5 months to completely clear your skin, but trust me it is worth it.
August 23, 2010
Pros:
Will get rid of acne
likely not to have acne return for atleast a few years
HAPPY life when acne is gone
Cons:
RED face
Dry skin
chapped lips
aches
If you have sensitive skin then dont go on this. I went on it for three months at a medium dose and I got told atleast three times a day i need to wear sunscreen cause i was burned so bad but it wasnt from the sun it was accutane! my face was so red the whole time i was on it, it was hell. I got off and still four minths later i still have a red tint so if your thinking of going on it with sensitive skin be careful. I was willing to do anything to get rid of my acne but being tomato red all day was worse. if you dont have super sensitive skin then take it, you will not regret it
Pros:
No more oily skin
Pimples dissapear completely!
Smaller pores
Beautiful skin:)