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Accutane is a powerful medication that helps fight persistent acne. It works by shrinking your oil glands and reducing oil production to prevent bacteria and debris build up in your pores. Accutane works for all types of acne and can be administered in both regular and low doses.
Accutane treats acne at its source. Acne is caused, in large part, by an overproduction of oil in your skin. Often, this overproduction is an abnormal response to otherwise completely normal and healthy stimuli (e.g. hormone levels). The oil clogs your pores, promoting a build up debris and bacteria that triggers an immune response.
Accutane shrinks your oil glands and reduces oil production. The combined effect prevents bacteria and debris from building up in your pores, which reduces acne.
All Accutane patients must be enrolled into the FDA’s iPledge program, which seeks to track the distribution of this medication as well as prevent pregnancy while on treatment. The iPledge program has monthly requirements including pregnancy testing and contraceptive-use for female patients that can get pregnant. Additional requirements during treatment include blood work lab orders and monthly check-ins with a provider.
The good news? We help you manage this process every step of the way, and you can do most of it from home!
Honeydew is the best way to manage your Accutane treatment, and you can do most of it completely online. The first step is to complete a free online consultation with a Honeydew Provider. If prescribed Accutane, our team will provide a lab order for any relevant tests (e.g. pregnancy or bloodwork), which can be taken to a lab of your choice. Your care team will review the results and enroll you into iPledge. Each month you can submit a follow-up visit online with updated photos. If you can get pregnant, you will also be able to upload your pregnancy test results. Throughout the process, you will have unlimited chat access to your care team for support 7 days/week.
A course of Accutane is personalized to each individual patient, but on average lasts between 6-12 months. It will vary based on variables including your weight, your dose, and your skin progress. Studies show that stopping early increases the risk of relapse, so it’s worth completing a full course to avoid repeating the process.
If you have insurance, the medication can cost as low as $0. If you are paying with cash, Honeydew help you get the lowest price possible, which is around $65/box (versus ~$300 at CVS or Walgreens).
Yes! Low-dose Accutane has been clinically shown to have comparable efficacy to higher doses, with fewer side effects and a lower risk of relapse. It’s a great option, including for those with milder but persistent forms of acne. Low-dose therapy involves taking a smaller dose over a longer period of time (e.g. 1-2 years). Most dermatologists don’t offer it, but Honeydew Providers are well-trained for low dose therapy.
If you or your child is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be part of the initial consultation. In circumstances where this is not possible, please contact info@honeydewcare.com and we will assist you with alternate ways to establish parental consent.
We now have over 40 years of research on this medication, based on millions of patients who have taken it. The latest studies have debunked a number of side effects that were previously attributed to Accutane. You are likely to experience some side effects (e.g. dry lips), but serious side effects are extremely rare.
Read the FDA’s comprehensive list of side effects here.
At Honeydew, you have access to your care team 7 days a week with unlimited chat in case any side effects come up (vs. once every 30 days at an in-person doctor’s office). Additionally, we work collaboratively with your other doctors, like your primary care physician or mental health provider, to ensure you get the best care.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ACCUTANE® (ISOTRETINOIN): Accutane® must not be used by patients who are or may become pregnant. There is an extremely high risk that severe birth defects will result if pregnancy occurs while taking Accutane in any amount, even for short periods of time. Potentially any fetus exposed during pregnancy can be affected. There are no accurate means of determining whether an exposed fetus has been affected. Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
