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
June 17, 2010
Cons:
Chapped lips
Nose bleeds
Dry skin/scalp
Limited drinking
Monthly derm. appointments/blood tests
I'm a 20 year old guy who first started getting acne at 17. It never got that bad during high school, but once I got to college it escalated drastically. I've been using minocycline/doxycyline for about a year and a half. They tapered the acne at best. When my derm put me on the tane last month, it was only about 70% of the worst it has been (still pretty bad). I'm on day 30 of accutane at 60mg/day, and I'm about to start an 80mg/day regimen. I know some people go higher, but I have a phenomenal derm who highly recommends not going above 1mg/kg, and I'm 6ft 170lbs. I convinced her that I should go to the elevated dose b/c I'm trying to complete a cycle in 15 weeks (I want to be off the tane when I return to college --> I like to drink heavily :D but i do care about spiked triglycerides and liver failure). So it's been a month now, and I'm already looking better than I have in years. Most people don't seem to get results this quickly; maybe I'm just lucky. The initial flare-up lasted from about day 7-14 with a couple nasty cysts, but nothing apocalyptic happened. Then, all of a sudden, everything sort of faded. Sidebar: my moderate back acne got zapped even more effectively. Okay, so negative aspects. The chapped lips are killer. Aquaphor is great for it, but it's not very portable. I gotta re-apply chapstick at least several times a day. Another bad side effect is joint pain, specifically the back. I 've never had problems like this before. If I'm not very active it's fine, but working out can be really excruciating. I'm also working at a paper mill doing manufacturing work this summer [read: I'm doing heavy lifting and various other manual labor --> my back aches constantly]. Also the whole dry face thing can be taken care of with aquaphor; it makes your face look AOK. Oh, and the dry skin thing isn't a bid deal for me, but then again I have eczema (something the rest of you should be thanking god you don't have; it's just as
December 2, 2009
Pros:
Cleared totally!
Cons:
Dryness and irritation
Took 40 milligrams and skin was clear after 3 months. DO NOT STAY ON SUN! (I did same and I become so black :)
Made post about it [link removed]
November 12, 2009
Pros:
cleared all my major acne and the really nasty stuff under my skin
Cons:
the usual, and my knees hurt alot during medication
i took it for 8 or 9 months and it was crazy cause the medication makes your face worse during the process, so i did loose my girl sadly( she was the hottest in the whole school) and i did have social problems due to shyness of having acne. i do get some cyst there and there but its mostly all!!!!! gone crazy!
October 30, 2009
Pros:
Flawless Clear Skin
Cons:
Dry lips and skin- sensitive eyes
Accutane is effective- I took all types if antibiotics fir years which can be a pain on the butt and cause serious damage. With accutane I only have to be on it 4-6 months. So far I've been on it 2 months and have clear skin- having clear skin has definitely made me feel better. I've spent hundreds of dollars and then some on over the counter creams and antibiotics that I wish doctors were more consistent in prescribing this medication rather than seeing you suffer every three months an antibiotic fails and you have to try a new one. I've had acne for 10 years and accutane has been the only effective drug for me.
October 18, 2009
Pros:
Clears up skin. It took about 4 months for me to really start seeing results. By the end of the 6th (and final) month, my skin was perfect.
Cons:
Super dry skin and chapped/cracked lips, dry/red upper arms, raise in Triglyceride levels which went back down after stopping treatment, slight weight gain (3 pounds, I lost it the month after stopping Accutane), and feeling tired ALL the time.
DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!! Taking Accutane literally changed my life. I was really scared to take it because I had heard of the the horrible side effects, but they are not THAT bad and your dermatologist will monitor you.
September 25, 2009
Pros:
I've been on acutane twice now and both times it started working within the first month. For some ppl I heard it makes them break out first, but that didn't happen for me luckily. Soon enough I was having literraly no more breakouts.
Cons:
Really cracked and dry lips and it seems to have permanantly left my lips somewhat dry even after I'm off of it. Also, it's been 3 months now and I'm starting to break out again :( but not nearly as bad as before I went on the medication.
It is probably the strongest and best medication for you and works really well, but I think you may break out again if you aren't on it long enough, like myself. Basically, you'll be replacing your tons of foundation and cover up with chapstick haha, but it's worth it. Just make sure you get the correct amount of time on it otherwise your acne may slowly come back. Oh and depending on your insurance, it could be expensive. The first time I went on it it cost $20 a month and after changing my health insurance, the second time it cost me $180 a month!
September 22, 2009
Pros:
Totally cleared up my face!
Cons:
MINOR chapped lips
I have been taking accutane for 2 months now, and it is a dream come true. My face is so smooth. I got maybe 1 or 2 zits since I started. No more blackheads. And no horror story side effects. Its amazing. I can't wait to see how my face will look when I am done!
September 19, 2009
Pros:
All my acne gone! I feel like a human. It WORKS! I had no initial breakout at all, my acne started to disappear since I started taking the drug.
Cons:
Dry lips, dry skin yada yada. Small things only.
It works, it works. It's a miracle drug! I took accutane for 7 months and it was the best thing ever happened me. I feel like a human as i'm not ashamed anymore. I've been without accutane almost 4 months now and my face is still clear! It's just the best... Ofc I fear my acne could come back, but if it does, I take a second course without hesitation. I recommend you do it if you have any doubts! I still remember the daily things were SO HARD to do with my acne, even doing groceries was so hard and now, I can walk out of my flat without thinking how my face looks. Going out feels good and not a struggle anymore, now I can enjoy.
GO FOR IT.
September 19, 2009
Pros:
completely clear skin, no scarring, i can finally feel good about what i look like for the first time since i was 7 years old
Cons:
minor: chapped lips, dry nose, dry skin. no big deal.
best decision i've ever made. i just finished a 5 month course and let me tell you my only regret is not having gone on this miracle drug sooner. the side effects were incredibly minor and i literally saw a decrease in oily skin after the very first day. my skin has just gotten better and better, i had no initial break out whatsoever. i'm so happy since i've gone on this drug, by body just soaked it up and it worked wonders. i've had breakouts on my face, back, arms, and chest since the 4th grade. i was so ashamed and hid them from everyone but i was dying inside knowing what i was covering. i am so happy i went on this drug, i finally feel free to let people get close to me, i don't have to worry about the clothes i wear exposing my body acne. the side effects i had were nothing in comparison to the joy of finally feeling like my face and skin was clear like all my friends. i'm so happy i took this i could cry. i would encourage anyone who suffers with acne to take this pill.
September 18, 2009
Pros:
skin is already clearing up, did not get worse before it got better, feeling more confident already
Cons:
dry lips, eczema on arms, itchy scalp due to dry hair, need SPF 70 to protect face every day, can't be out in the sun for long periods of time, but you get used to it
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT STARTING ACCUTANE, DO IT! I PROMISE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND ATTITUDE. THINK ABOUT IT, LESS THAN A YEAR OF YOUR LIFE ON THIS DRUG AND A LIFETIME OF CLEAR SKIN!!! QUIT DEBATING IT AND TALK TO YOUR DERMATOLOGIST!!!
Pros:
You know it's working --> relief
No more greasy hair/skin
Fast results