Should I stop Accutane on my 5th month because my skin is clear and smooth?

Question

20mg Accutane. Skin is clear and smooth now, should i continue or stop. My weight is 64 kgs.

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Estee Williams, MD · Answer

Questions relating to starting and stopping a medicine should be directed to the doctor who is prescribing the medicine for you. From a general medical standpoint, the right time to discontinue Accutane (and call it a day), is when the Target Dose (calculated approx as, your weight in kilograms multiplied by 180) versus the total dose you’ve taken (adding up the total number of milligrams you’ve taken since Day 1).  A patient who weighs 64kg who takes Accutane for acne will need a total dose of approx 64x180 11,520 mg.  If you take 40mg each day, then you’ll reach target after (11,520/40) 288 days which is 9 months. If your dose is 80mg, you’ll reaching taget in half the time etc. Suppose your skin is clear after 5 months? Well, that’s why we doctors have to assess the risk vs benefit.

Should I stop Accutane on my 5th month because my skin is clear and smooth?

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