Isotretinoin (accutane) while on cycle

[Rez.]

Once I decided to go for 150mg/kg cumulative, and it was going to take forever unless I really ramped up the dose, I tried to go up as fast as possible.

As soon as the sides (other than dry lips, which you can only keep using lip balm for) eased off and I felt ok, I'd double.

On average, every two weeks.

At 180mg (2mg/kg, the absolute max) after a week it didn't get better, some SI joint pain, so I dropped down to 160mg which was tolerable.

I was so happy with the results after 3 months, I decided to go for 220mg/kg cumulative, the "magic" number with the highest documented rate of never needing retreatment.

However, the other thing that predicts best long term results beyond cumulative dose, is continuing for 2 months beyond complete clearance (with the added benefit of reducing old acne scars because skin turnover accelerates to an incredibly fast rate).

My shoulders were last to clear, at 3 months, and I was going too fast, because I'd hit 220mg/kg before the 5 month mark.

So I've been easing off, down to 100mg/day. Once I started reducing, there have been zero sides other than dry lips.

Always split dose to twice a day. This makes a big difference in sides. Always eat after food, preferably high fat. Most failures are attributed to lack of absorption by failing to eat high fat meals. Effectiveness is reduced by 80%+ without it. If you can't manage that, you'll need to buy Sotret NF, which doesn't rely on high fats for absorption, but'll be more expensive. For 20,000mg $450-500 vs $200-250. By comparison 20,000mg of the equivalent NF stuff in the US is $18,000.

Stay disciplined, all sides have been temporary (until 180mg). Don't panic when acne returns or worsens. That's a good sign. It happened multiple times, in different body areas as the treatment "reached" those areas. I got (very short term) acne in places I never had it before, like my stomach! Once that happens, the area will clear and be "done".

Stock up early, consistent daily use has proven vital for effective treatment. You don't want to lose ground and go through sides again. Murphys law I had a hell of a time ensuring I didn't run out and came. very close. The larger gelcaps 30-40mg make things a lot cheaper when buying 20,000mg of this stuff, but you need some 10-20mg to have flexibility of dosing.

Dude! Really appreciate that indepth response, a very well explained protocol on Accutane. Some great great tips in there. Thanks for taking the time to share that info, I'll incorporate the doubling technique and stock pile in advance like you suggested and see how I get on. Nice one!

 

[Avarice911]

Accutane is the only thing that works for me, post cycle. I am prone to getting bad acne when on cycle. Fine when off cycle.

Anyone have experience staying on isotretinoin (accutane) WHILE on cycle to PREVENT acne in the first place?

Late to the party but I’m currently running 300mg test cyp and 25mg var. Typically, when I run var, I get some cystic acne within the first week or so and it’s persists throughout. This time that I’m running it, I’ve been taking 10mg isotretinoin for about 6 months prior and still taking alongside it, and acne has not popped up at all. Game changer for me. Having (very mild) cystic acne on my arms was not a good look

 

[hungryalways]

Late to the party but I’m currently running 300mg test cyp and 25mg var. Typically, when I run var, I get some cystic acne within the first week or so and it’s persists throughout. This time that I’m running it, I’ve been taking 10mg isotretinoin for about 6 months prior and still taking alongside it, and acne has not popped up at all. Game changer for me. Having (very mild) cystic acne on my arms was not a good look

Good to hear. Any sides at 10mg? Indian pharma?

 

[undersc0re]

How many months do you guys take this before taking a break?

 

[MfgEng]

Do a proper isotretinoin cycle and never deal with acne or excessively greasy skin again.

Thank you so much for the voice of reason. Either play with the stuff and get nothing for long term effectiveness or do it right, get the total dosage needed in within 6mths just like doctors say. Sure there are piles of people on here that know way more than some old doctor and decades of evidence and testing however I'm going to stick with @Ghoul and the medical industry since I feel safer in that direction

 

[Ghoul]

How many months do you guys take this before taking a break?

You're either taking low dose, usually 10mg/day, temporarily to suppress breakouts during a cycle.

Or, you're going for a cure, in which case:

1. You want a total cumulative dose from 150mg to 220mg / kg. The higher the better your chances of acne not coming back.

2. You want to take it for at least 2 months after you observe full clearance of acne.

3. You want to get this done within 24 weeks. (168 days).

4. Max daily dose 2mg/kg

So let's say you're 90kg .

150mg x 90 = 13,500
220mg x 90 = 19,800

You're fully clear at 60 days. You have to go to 120, minimum(2 months post clearance). At day 120, if you've reached 13,500 and don't want to deal with it anymore, you can stop, or keep going until you've hit 19,800 or 168 days.

 

[MfgEng]

Bingo! Best to get bloods done as well as this stuff really is toxic. I got a script in 1992 at 80mg/day. Took 40mg/day and got every side effect in the book. My acne was pretty bad but not horrible. This was before any anabolics when I was 21. Two weeks and the change was night and day. Acne never came back until I really upped the dosages 15yrs later then it came back in spades due to my own fault

 

[Ghoul]

Bingo! Best to get bloods done as well as this stuff really is toxic. I got a script in 1992 at 80mg/day. Took 40mg/day and got every side effect in the book. My acne was pretty bad but not horrible. This was before any anabolics when I was 21. Two weeks and the change was night and day. Acne never came back until I really upped the dosages 15yrs later then it came back in spades due to my own fault

The only purpose of bloods is to watch liver enzymes. I've read a million studies, low dose, high dose, long and short protocols. and no one ever had to cease treatment for bad bloodwork. Some derms have questioned the need to bother.

That said, I wouldn't drink while using it.

The other big warning (besides don't get pregnant because of the birth defects), is not to use a tetracycline antibiotic. Could cause excess brain pressure. And yet, some derms prescribe Doxycycline while using accutane!

 

[Dookrich]

Currently running 20mg MWF on 750test 400EQ 6iu gh and it’s been amazing with what it’s been doing for my skin. Almost have a glow now