Can I lower the Accutane dosage for the summer period?

Question

At the moment I am on my 3rd week of second accutane course and I am taking 40mg per day. My skin has already cleared and looks pretty good. Summer is approaching ,it is the time when I spend a lot of time outside ,socialise with people and go camping. It will be difficult to deal with side effects and maintain confidence while I am taking current dose. I wonder if I can lower the dosage to 20mg per day for the 1-2months summer period and then increase my dosage back?

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

Any
dose of Accutane will make you more sensitive to the sun and can lead to
sunburns, so lowering the dose would not make a big difference. You
can still enjoy the summer you just need to be careful in the sun and be smart
about spending time outside. If the acne is severe enough to require
Accutane then it is recommended to take special care in the sun and do the
20-24 weeks course of medication. You need to look at the big
picture and aim for the long-term results. Think about all the
future summers you can spend without worrying about acne on your skin.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

It is possible to lower it (after proper discussion with your physician!) but you must realize too that in order for Accutane to be successful, a specific mg total must be taken. So if you go to 1/2 dose all of a sudden, you will need to add all of those 1/2 doses back onto the end of your regimen. So you must have a proper discussion with your doctor about why you want to do this, how long it will add to your regimen, and if your insurance will cover your remaining scripts! "This
answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be
held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment
with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Can I lower the Accutane dosage for the summer period?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Accutane

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can I lower the Accutane dosage for the summer period?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Accutane

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.