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Accutane Dosage: How much is too much?
 Accutane Dosage- Recommended amounts
The recommended
Accutane dosage ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of
body weight, divided into two doses per day for 15 to 20 weeks. In
severe cases of acne, the doctor may increase the Accutane dosage to
as much as 2 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight. If your severe
cystic acne persists after a period of two months after stopping
therapy, your doctor may prescribe a second course of treatment.
Accutane overdosage:
Any medication
taken in excess of the recommended amount can cause serious
consequences. If for any reason you suspect an overdose of Accutane
you should seek medical attention immediately.
Accutane
overdosage similar to overdosage of vitamin A can cause:
Abdominal pain,
dizziness, dry or cracking lips, facial flushing, incoordination and
clumsiness, headache, vomiting
How should you take this acne medicine?
Your Accutane
dosage should be taken two times a day with a meal unless your doctor
tells you otherwise. You should swallow the capsule rather than
sucking or chewing on it. It is usually recommended that you take it
with a full glass of milk, water or other nonalcoholic liquid. You
should always follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Depending upon
your reaction to this acne medicine, your doctor may need to adjust
the dosage upward or downward. If you respond quickly and well, your
doctor may take you off of this medicine even before the usual 15 to
20 weeks are up.
After you're
finished taking Accutane, you should usually wait at least two months
before you resume treatment. This is because you actually may
continue to get better even though you're no longer taking the
medicine. After the two month “rest period” is over, if your acne is
still severe, your doctor may want to give you second course of this
medication. If you are still growing, your doctor may recommend an
even longer rest period.
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Additional
recommendations when using Accutane:
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Avoid
consumption of alcoholic beverages
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Read the patient
information leaflet that comes with the product.
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Do not crush the
capsules.
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Do not share
Accutane with anyone because of the risk of birth defects and other
serious side effects.
If you miss your
Accutane dosage...
Take your
forgotten Accutane dosage as soon as you remember. If it is almost
time for your next dose, you need to skip the one you miss and move
back to your regular dosage schedule. You should never take two doses
at one time.
Storage instructions...
You should always
store Accutane at room temperature away from the light.
Information from The PDR
Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs
Additional Information and
webpage by Paul Susic MA Licensed
Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
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