Accutane

[Stnulb23]

I am  5'10" and 205 pound 23 year old male in very good physical condition.  I guess I have what I would call adult acne because I didn't have acne til I was about 19 years old.  Since then I have always used some sort of cleanser and have seen dermotologists who have prescribed creams and cleansers none that have erased my acne.  My acne is not severe but it does bother me.  I get underground painful pimples that stay for a long time and are big and red.  I was thinking of taking accutane and was wondering how long I should go on it and how strong of doses I should take? Does the dose depend on acne severity only or also weight???  What mg pill should I take and for how long taking into account my type of acne and my size??

[loiloi]

Accutane is considered the gold standard treatment for severe cystic or nodular acne which has not responded to a fair trial of topical preparations plus 2 different oral antibiotics.
The usual dose is between 0.5 and 1mg X patients bodyweight in Kg per day for 16 to 24 weeks. So if the patient weighed 50kg his recommended dose would be between 25mg and 50mg per day, depending on the severity of his acne.
You are quite heavy (about 90kg) so your dermatologist will probably start you on 45mg per day, although they are unlikely to prescribe you 1mg x kg bodyweight per day as side effects are generally dose related.
Potential side effects include fragile and sensitized skin, dry lips and eyes, temporary hair loss or increased hair growth, nail dystrophy, muscle or joint pain and changes in mood. You will have to have regular liver function tests whilst on this drug as it can raise your cholesterol.
Eloise.