Is It Ok to Increase my Accutane Dosage from 20mg to 40mg Daily?

Question

This is my third dose of accutane since 2007 - i took 20mg daily from Dec 2007 to Jun 2009, and then 20mg from Oct 2010 to Apr 2011, 30mg in May to June 2011 and then returned to 20mg till Oct 2011. I started my third dose of accutane in Aug 2013 (20mg daily) and I'm still getting pimples. Is it ok for me to increase my daily dose to 40mg? I'm 32, female, and I weigh 106bs.

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

Syed O. Ali, MD · Answer

Accutane dosing is highly provider dependent.  The general recommended dosing regimen is 1-2 mg/kg/day with a total dose in the range of 120 - 150 mg/kg per round of treatment.  For a 106 lb person that would equal 48 kg, so a 40 mg per day dose would be just fine, or even a tad under-dosed.  However, the most important part of the equation is the total dose, so as long as you get over 5700mg of the medication, you will be fine.

Is It Ok to Increase my Accutane Dosage from 20mg to 40mg Daily?

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Is It Ok to Increase my Accutane Dosage from 20mg to 40mg Daily?

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Everything you need to know about Accutane

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