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
July 1, 2009
Cons:
fatigue, nightmares, dry/sensitive skin, chapped libs, dry nose & eyes, slightly thinning hair, can't drink, negative affect on athletic performance
Side Effects -
It seems like I have a lot of cons, but it looks worse when I write it out than it actually is. I try to subside most of the cons; skin - spf/moisturizer, lips - chapstick, eyes - eyedrops . . . make sure to take multivitamins without vitamin A. I've never been frightened enough by the nightmares for it to really affect me. I will say the fatigue is pretty bad, I've been an athlete my whole life and have never felt so run down so often for how much I workout and should be in very good shape. Acne -
My dermatologist is having me start at 20mg a day for a month, then 40 mg /mnth . . . . 60 mg . . . . 80mg (just started 3rd month). She said that she would work me up to 80mg and still go another 4-5 months on that. That seems like a lot, I think, but i'm a pretty big guy (6'4" - 215). It seems like after each monthly change my acne gets worse then gets better towards the end of the month, so I'm confident that it will work well once I am a couple months into
June 25, 2009
Pros:
None yet
Cons:
None yet
I just started this but I just wanted to point out how much I paid. I have NO insurance. My last visit to the derm alone was $420. That was for blood work and visit. GET INSURANCE!
June 8, 2009
Pros:
Reduces the acne and starts reducing the oil glands immediately. My face has become more soft and more evenly toned and brighter. This has been the only thing that has worked so far. Blood Work, assists you in knowing levels!
Cons:
I mean honestly, I have not really experienced any side effects except for dry mouth and minor chapped lips. This medication does not cause depression either.
Accutane is the only real drug that does not work on controlling your acne, but on actually removing it, while reversing your DNA transcription. I reccomend finding a younger doctor because they are more apt to give you the treatment in comparison to the older doctors.
June 4, 2009
Pros:
it seems like is getting better, only a week, i had only one pimple in the past week.
Cons:
dry lips(not that bad), really bad lower back pain, just started today.
i had accutane before about 5 years ago, i only did it for 12 weeks and i didn't have any breakouts for almost 5 years until about 6 months ago, i am 36 yrs old now, the fist time i did not had any first breakouts or any side effects besides dry lips, but now that i am older i am afraid to get more sirius side effects, i just staring having really bad lower back pain and my pee is a litter to dark even when i am drinking tons of water???.
i hope i will see results soon, living with acne when you are an adult is very sad and sometimes i feel shame of my apperence.
June 3, 2009
Pros:
Noticable difference within first couple weeks
Smoother and more radiant skin
Greater self esteem and for once I would not wan't to be anyone else but me. (No more wishing I could have someone else's skin)
Cons:
Very dry lips, arms, and face
Dehydrated easily
I used to get negative comments on my acne & could'nt bear to look at myself in the mirror. Now I have smooth & radiant skin & I am clear except for the 1-2 pimples that pop up. My skin, confidence & self image have improved 110%. 2 months left! If you are mentally tough enough to take 1.5 months of negative reaction to accutane and in return get clear and beautiful skin...Go got it! I wish you the best of luck w/ accutane. And hope that you realize how beautiful you really are.
May 26, 2009
Pros:
It WORKS!!!!
Cons:
Dry lips, nosebleeds, dry rashes on the back of my hands. But nothing that is not manageable.
I am on my fourth month of accutane (40 mg-1 on odd days and 2 on even days) and my face has never been so clear. I am getting compliments on my skin and the comment 'something is different'. Cetaphil face wash and lotion worked great for me, I even started using it before I started to medication so my face would get used to it. The dry lips are taken car of by carmex every hour or more often, but it is worth it. Yes, the process is annoy and time consuming but once you get into the routine of the blood work, doctor visit, ipledge, the pharmacy it is not to bad.
May 19, 2009
Pros:
been on this for 2 weeks and have had not 1 new spot in that time, i have zero side effects so far apart from constant belly ach, but if my skin stays spot free i will take the belly aches every day!!!
Cons:
none yet apart from stomach pain
seems to be working so far
May 18, 2009
Pros:
Safe, Affordable, Documented Results
Cons:
Dry Lips & Nose
Currently in 5th month of treatment- I am a 44 year old male and this is the second time I have gotten treatment. Have always had to battle acne which I would rate as moderate. Had my first round of treatment back in my early 30's and it was very effective. Side affects back then were the same: dry lips, some back pain, ect. Absolutely NO depression, then or now. My 15 year old son is also taking accutance after starting to show signs of moderate acne. Did not want him to battle the way I did so he and I went into treatment the same time. He has dry lips ect- NO signs of depression and we are watching hiim closely. In my humble opinion it is not the medication that creates depression but rather a pre-existing condition with some patients who tend to be teenagers. Given the rigors of high school, not suprising.... Recommend accutane to anyone who is or has battled moderate to severe acne. Over the counter medications are not viable solutions and I have tried them all including Proactiv.
May 17, 2009
Pros:
So far (43rd day). ALL blackheads pushed out within first month. Clearing skin very well. Havnt had ANYTHING big since started. WORKING.
Cons:
first 2 weeks kinda suck. Hair was really dry the first few weeks. Dry lips. Nothing too harsh my hair is good again.
43rd day. Ive gone from moderate(kinda M.S) to mild acne. Not amazing mild but like not many pimples at all. Jus a few scabs and redmarks from before.. My T-zone,nose, forehead, jaw, temple, mouth are PERFECT. I dont even have redmarks. The only remaining problem areas are my cheeks. Which it is jus mostly redmarks. Cheekbones still rnt going away. I figured they would take the longest. Im loving this product so far, side effects r exadurated. I was at the point where Id do ANYthing for clear skin. Im confident Ill be clear by the end of it.
May 17, 2009
Pros:
-Made my severe acne in to beautiful skin
-Compliments!!
-Self-confidence restoration
Cons:
-Kind of expensive
As a teenager, I had severe acne problems. I went to the dermatologist for years, and he declared my acne as severe. It was so bad that NO acne treatments would respond, and no amount of makeup can cover my terrible acne. People often came up to me and told me that I need to see a doctor (yes it was that bad..it shattered my self-esteem)....and after a month of accutane treatment, everything started to clear up. After a few months, my skin became PERFECTLY clear and perfectly smooth and I mean PERFECT. Everybody started asking me if I was wearing make up, and I had NO visible pores on my face (Not exaggerating)! and people on the streets complimented on how good my skin looked. Now, I get occasional breakout before my period, but nothing too big...=) I love accutane. It saved my life, brought me self-confidence. yes, you will lose your hair, and you will become very dry (especially lips) but it's all worth it, trust me. It didn't make me suicidal, but I was happier.
Pros:
Hair never gets greasy, same w/ face, acne somewhat subsiding