Did I mess up my Accutane treatment?

I have prescribed Accutane since 1999. I currently have about 40 clients on it. Accutane should be taken for a total of 5 to 6 months to be fully effective. I usually start with 40mg daily and slowly increase the dosage. Missing 2 or even 3 days of accutane is not important and will not change the outcome. The drug is in your bloodstream for many days and stays in your skin for several weeks after you stop the last pill. I usually contiue the treatment until the breakouts have completely stopped. Rarely (10% of the time) a second treatment regimen is needed.
I hope this was helpful.
Dr A. David Rahimi

Hello,

It's understandable to be concerned about the effectiveness of your Accutane treatment given the gaps and missed doses. Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication for severe acne, and adherence to the prescribed regimen can significantly impact its effectiveness.

Two-Week Gaps Between Refills: While it's ideal to take Accutane consistently, a few short gaps do not necessarily mean the treatment has failed. The medication stays in your system for some time, but frequent interruptions could potentially reduce its overall effectiveness.

Taking Accutane with Fatty Meals: Accutane is best absorbed when taken with a fatty meal. Missing this step occasionally might slightly reduce the amount of medication your body absorbs, but it doesn't mean the treatment is ineffective.

Missed Doses: Missing occasional doses is not uncommon, but it's important to try to take the medication as prescribed to maintain consistent levels in your body.

Given that you're still experiencing only very occasional minor pimples, it sounds like your treatment was largely successful. It's normal to have some minor breakouts even after completing Accutane. If these occasional pimples are concerning or if acne starts to reappear more frequently, it would be a good idea to follow up with your dermatologist. They can assess your skin and may suggest maintenance treatments or lifestyle adjustments to keep your skin clear.