How long is the initial breakout?

It is quite common to have breakouts even as far as 7 weeks into the treatment.  I try to remind my patients that treating with isotretinion (Accutane) is a marathon not a sprint.  You should not look for any improvement in acne until you are at least 2-2.5 months into treatment.  It will gradually get better though.  The number of breakouts will decrease and the duration of your acne lesions will decrease until you stop making acne.  Good luck.Best,Payman Kosari, MD, FAAD  

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon to have acne breakouts while on Accutane therapy, especially within the first few weeks of treatment. Usually the flare-up lasts a couple of weeks, but in some individuals, the flare-up can be very severe and occur for several months. Please be patient with the treatment because acne tends to get worse before it gets better. I recommend you consult with your dermatologist regarding your concerns and to discuss any further questions you may have with therapy.Take care and good luck.