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
May 25, 2009
Cons:
Dry skin while on the drug, increased sensitivity to the sun, heart palpitations (though I don't know if this was from the drug), dry lips, dry nose
The pros far outweight the cons. And even if the side effects were more dangerous, I would still recommend this product to people like me who just COULD NOT GO ON with damn acne. It ruins your social life, and if you have a bad self image it will drive you to suicidal thoughts. Accutane is the only drug and/or treatment on the market today that ACTUALLY gets rid of acne and ALL OF ITS PROPERTIES, including oily skin/hair, and breakouts. I used the product from January to May 2007, and two years later my skin is completely acne-free and there are no indications of any acne returning. DON'T LISTEN TO THE HATERS!!! Side effects are easy to deal with and even if you get bad side effects its STILL WORTH IT if acne is too much for you to handle in your life.
May 3, 2009
Pros:
Reddish bumps gone completely, barely any oil on face,
Cons:
Extremely chopped lips(actually started to peal off), horrible skin breakout around mouth, expensive,
I would definitely recommend this pill to anyone but my acne is still very visible even after the full 4 month phase. My doctor said that all of the reddish dots on face and the acne left will fade away slowly. I still think accutane has really helped. Best product i used so far.
April 24, 2009
Pros:
See results in just one wk and this is my 2nd wk. Lots of people compliment and noticed the results thus far. Finally was able to go out last weeknd after wks of hibernation.
Cons:
The usual dry skin and chapped lips etc. Also noticed more bad/nightmarish dreams.
Love this miracle drug ...SO FAR. This is my 1st round and 4 1/2 months left to go. Doc started out with pretty strong dosage 80mg/day which i was pretty ecstatic that he did because dont have the time and patience to wait for it to slowly kick in. ASK YOUR DERMATOLOGIST TO START OUT W' STRONG DOSAGE and maybe gradually decrease as u get more clearer. As far as mood changes and joint/ muscle pain etc... I HAVE NONE. I havent been more happy and confident in several months until i took this drug. I have been working out and jogging and have not noticed any unsual sore and ache like a a typical workout.
April 13, 2009
Pros:
Clears up skin fairly well; smoother skin
Cons:
Didn't clear up acne completely, dry skin, chapped lips, severe headaches, back pain
Accutane definitely improved my skin, but after treatment (now a month and a half) every morning there are new pimples, although less extreme than before. Also, my face is extremely red still. I'm going to wait a month to see if the redness goes down and the pimples go away, but I'm a little disappointed with the results.
March 12, 2009
Pros:
My skin was absolutely beautiful by about the 4th month of treatment. I totally stopped breaking out and I had never seen my skin in this great of condition.
Cons:
I have been off accutane since Nov. 2008, and I am starting to break out again. It's very frustrating, so I might have to go on accutane again. Hopefully the great results last this time.
Everyone has different results. I loved my skin while I was on accutane, but now that I have been off for a few months the results have not lasted, but I'm sure it varies from person to person. The dryness and other side affects are well worth it, I just hope a second treatment lasts.
February 17, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my skin 100%. Hair and skin are no longer oily. I have only been off it a couple months so I can't comment on the long term effectiveness.
I was on 40mg once a day
Cons:
Side Effects - Mild Chapped lips
Monthy blood work was a pain.
So I was scared to death to try Accutane after reading the reviews, but I didn't have any problems.
I had no initial break out.
I have a history of mental problems but Accutane did not change anything, I just stayed on my meds I normally take, no issues.
I did NOT have joint pains, nosebleeds, bowel issues, vision issues, hair loss (maybe a little thinner but it went from oily to dry so it was really hard to tell), my skin wasn't even really that dry. Did I miss anything? :)
I DID have slightly chapped lips (nothing I couldn't deal with) and sun sensitivity.
I was tri training and marathon training the entire time I was on Accutane. Working out an average of 12 hours a week (swimming, running, biking, and weight lifting). I ran distances of up to 20 miles with no more pain than if I was not taking Accutane.
I normally don't write reviews on things that I don't have problems with (like most people) but after reading so many scary reviews I felt I should add a
February 11, 2009
Pros:
Cleared acne beautifully. Easy to use.
Cons:
Took 6 months to clear, monthly bloodtest and Dr. Visits. Nose bleeds and some mild joint pain, and fatigue. Acne returned 5 months later, though not quite as severe.
I had great skin for about 5 months, then the acne started all over again, though not as bad. Now doing retinoid and oral antibiotic for 3 months, then possible accutane
December 24, 2008
Pros:
After years of topical treatments, antibiotics and a second opinion, I was prescribed Accutane. I noticed results almost immediately and did not have the initial flare ups that many have.
Cons:
In everything I read prior to taking Accutane, most patients seemed to notice side effects getting severe after a couple of months – side effects started for me after two weeks. Dry skin, eyes, lips; rash; nosebleeds; constipation.
If you can deal with the side effects for 5-6 months, I think Accutane is completely worth it to have clear skin for many years. I've had acne for more than half my life, and during those 14 years I have tried everything from Proactiv and chemical facials to antibiotics and topical creams. Every treatment helped for a little bit, but my acne is really persistent. Accutane is the only thing that has seemed to have sustained success. iPledge is a pain (bloodwork, pregnancy tests, dumb questions) but it's only once a month.
December 19, 2008
Pros:
It got rid of my acne
Less oily skin
Cons:
Dry, chapped lips. Extremely dry, flakey skin. Dry skin on arms that would bleed. Blood work is needed every month (can never find my veins).
It works. However, a year after treatments stopped, acne started to come back. It wasn't severe like it was before, but it was annoying to have went through all of the dry skin pain to start breaking out again. I don't know how expensive it was since I was still living with my parents and they paid for it.
November 23, 2008
Pros:
Dries out skin like crazy.... should work soon
Can I include my personal insurance as a pro?! haha
Cons:
haha, same as the pro.... dries out your skin.... and also makes me irritable
I've only been on Accutane (well actually generic, but w/e) for about a month now, but I know it will be effective soon.
I've known many people who've used this and they're extremely clear now It's extremely expensive if you don't have killer insurance
which I have :p So, I feel bad for you if you can't afford it, because the actual cost is about $500 for a month supply
Pros:
Reduces oil output, removes any outward acne (i.e. bumps on the face), and basically improves your complexion 100%... amazing amazing results