Accutane dosage is calculated by your body weight, however, some research indicates that daily dosage can be reduced so long as the total accumulated dose over the course of treatment (that is, the number of pills taken) is the same. So you can reduce the risks of taking Accutane by starting out with a low daily dose to see if there are any serious side effects.

Some side effects are normal such as dry skin, chapped lips, dry nose, and dry eyes. Serious side effects to report to your doctor include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, or vision problems. If you don't have any problems, your doctor can then advise you to gradually increase the daily dose, and later adjust it again as needed. Often you will see an increase in the number of blackheads or whiteheads as dosage is increased, but this is normal and stops within a few weeks as your pores start to clear.

The overwhelming majority of people who take a course of Accutane will see a permanent reduction in sebum. However, even though sebum will be significantly reduced, some people will need to continue to use topical retinoids like tretinoin to keep their pores clear. A small minority may relapse after many months or years and require a repeat course of Accutane.

If sebum production quickly returns to pre-treatment levels following a course of Accutane, elevated androgen levels should be suspected in both men and women, and you should consult an endocrinologist. If androgen levels are normal, some doctors will prescribe a low dose of Accutane to be taken continuously (with periodic blood tests).

If elevated androgens are the cause of excess sebum, it will only be temporarily suppressed by Accutane. This is more likely with women, so to avoid wasting money on Accutane, all women should have androgen levels checked before starting Accutane. Elevated androgens in women should be treated before Accutane is considered.

Costs of Excess Sebum Treatments

All oral treatments for excess sebum can be expensive. Insurance companies will usually pay for hormonal treatments and oral contraceptives if a doctor prescribes them for acne (which includes blackheads and whiteheads) or an identified hormonal dysfunction. However, Accutane is very expensive, and most insurance companies will not pay for it unless it is prescribed for severe acne that does not respond to retinoids.

You may have to pay for it yourself if your dermatologist is treating you for excess sebum and mild acne. Accutane is now available as a generic, so have your doctor prescribe generic isotretinoin. An Accutane course will cost at least $180 per month (depending on your body weight), and you will need to take it for at least four months to prevent relapse.

So compare prices at various pharmacies. Prices for isotretinoin are usually much lower at British and Canadian mail-order pharmacies than at U.S. pharmacies. You will also have to pay for any blood tests your doctor requires while on Accutane.