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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Maximum Duration For The Usage Of Accutane?

my 16 yr old daughter has been on 60 mg daily of accutane for 5 mo. She is vastly improved but not completely clear. There have been no appreciable side effects and she is monitored with monthly with chem and lipid blood panels. Her dermatologist wants to stop the accutane because 5 mo is her protocol. She has not been the most impressive clinician but I have stayed with her for the convenience since accutane requires such a system for rx s with IPledge. It was simply easier. However I do not want to stop and lose momentum if the accepted range of treatment is longer. I have read variations of 4-6 months but am not clear if that is doses dependent.
Mon, 26 May 2014
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand that your daughter has been on oral Accutane for the last 5 months under the supervision of a dermatologist and has improved considerably.
There is no set protocol for administering accutane nor is there a cumulative dosage beyond which you cannot administer. Lipid profile and liver function test have to done monthly to look for side effects. In general, we give it for 3- 6 months. The duration largely depends on the response to the drug. But we generally give it for a minimum of 3 months. If the acne is well under control and can be managed with topicals alone, we generally switch over from accutane as it is associated with significant side effects which require regular monitoring.
Hence, it depends from doctor to doctor and as I mentioned before, on the patient's response.
You could follow your dermatologist's advice and stop Accutane. If it is flaring again, she may restart accutane or consider safer alternatives like oral Azithromycin or Doxycycline.
Hope this helps you.
Take care.


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What Is The Maximum Duration For The Usage Of Accutane?

Hello, Welcome to healthcare magic. I understand that your daughter has been on oral Accutane for the last 5 months under the supervision of a dermatologist and has improved considerably. There is no set protocol for administering accutane nor is there a cumulative dosage beyond which you cannot administer. Lipid profile and liver function test have to done monthly to look for side effects. In general, we give it for 3- 6 months. The duration largely depends on the response to the drug. But we generally give it for a minimum of 3 months. If the acne is well under control and can be managed with topicals alone, we generally switch over from accutane as it is associated with significant side effects which require regular monitoring. Hence, it depends from doctor to doctor and as I mentioned before, on the patient s response. You could follow your dermatologist s advice and stop Accutane. If it is flaring again, she may restart accutane or consider safer alternatives like oral Azithromycin or Doxycycline. Hope this helps you. Take care.