Is It Safe to Increase Accutane Dosage?

Question

I've been for 2 months on Roaccutan (Accutane) and unfortunately, I can't see any improvement. My daily dose is 30 mg and I weigh 72 kilos (158 lbs). Is the dose enough or should I go higher? When am I supposed to see improvement? Thanks.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Accutane is a go-to medication for patients with recalcitrant cystic acne. It can reduce pore size and also reduce sebum production in your skin, making it less oily; and in turn, dryer. Accutane can be used to control acne, but patients receiving the medication should be carefully monitored. In terms of skincare, always wear an appropriate sunscreen and reduce direct sun exposure. In my patients, I recommend a good ceramide moisturizer such as Elevase whenever they are on Accutane. This will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the oiliness of the skin that is associated with oil-based moisturizers.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Bryan K. Chen, MD · Answer

When I administer Accutane, I typically start a patient with a lower dose, but then ramp up to approximately 1 mg/kg body weight.  So in a person weighing 60 kg, it is not unreasonable to be on a 60 mg daily dose of Accutane.  I also would closely monitor for development of Accutane-related side effects which are largely dose-related.  Mind you, I am not advising you to do anything.  You need to discuss Accutane dosing with your physician.
Good luck.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

In treating acne patients with Accutane, my approach isery similar to Dr. Chen's. I begin with a relativly small dosage, roughly0.5mg./kg. If a patient is doing well, without side effects and the blood work is coming back as normal, I then increase the dosage to 1 mg/kg or so. If the patient is getting a good response, and there are no problems, I will add an extra month of treatment. Your proposed dosage of 60 mg. is certainly quite acceptable.
     Most side effects happe in the first two months. So I am fairly confidant that my patient will not have a serious side effect with the higher dose.
    Yor dermatologist would be able to follow your blood work, so it obviously would be up to them whether you could tolerate the higher dose.

Is It Safe to Increase Accutane Dosage?

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Is It Safe to Increase Accutane Dosage?

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Everything you need to know about Accutane

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