(This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy here.)
If you are someone who has gone through Accutane medication but did not see any improvement, you may have to go through the 2nd course of Accutane. However, you need to be aware of the success rate of the second course of Accutane before you start taking it.
Although the second course of Accutane success rate is so high, it depends on so many factors. Age, skin type, acne, hormonal issues, health issues, etc., of the patient affect how well Accutane works.
In this article, you will know more about this fact and understand whether you should go for a second course of Accutane treatment.
What Is The Second Course Of Accutane Success Rate?
There is no exact number in this regard that what percentage of patients get success after the second course of Accutane. Well, for your kind information, a Board Certified Dermatologist, F. Victor Rueckl, MD, has stated that the first round of Accutane is 85% effective. And the other 15% of patients require a second course. In most cases, they get benefits from the 2nd course.
As we mentioned, there are different factors for the success of Accutane treatment. Patients between the ages of 20 and 40 with severely oily skin typically need a second course. And, people with susceptible skin and health issues should not go for the 2nd dose of Accutane.
Most of the time, the success rate depends on the dosage of Accutane. Another study was done on four groups of patients with different amounts of dosage. The results have shown that 42% of patients given 0.1 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin required the 2nd course of Accutane.
However, more than 50% of people who started the second Accutane course noticed a significant improvement in their appearance. And others may require the 3rd course.
When Should You Go For A Second Course In Accutane?
Most patients’ biggest concern is “can acne come back after Accutane?”. The answer is yes; acne might come back after Accutane, which is normal. And if you see your acne is returning, you can go for a second course of Accutane.
The timing of your second Accutane course after the first course is uncertain. In one case, 69.5% of patients had to go through the second Accutane course two years after the first course. The duration also depends on how your skin reacts to the medication. But how do you know you should go for a second course in Accutane?
Should You Go For A Second Course In Accutane?
Well, there are some factors to determine whether you should go for a second course of Accutane or not. What are they?
If You Have Severe Acne
People with severe acne may need a relapse of Accutane. Because severe acne is persistent, it takes time to get rid of those acnes. One course of Accutane may be sufficient for some people to cure their severe acne. But not everyone can eliminate their severe acne with one course of Accutane. That’s why you might need a second course of Accutane if you have severe acne.
Age Can Be A Big Factor
Another study on the acne relapse rate has shown that the relapse rate is between 10% – 60% depending on gender and age. If you are a teenager, there is a high chance of needing an Accutane relapse. Teenagers experience more hormonal imbalances than other age groups do. Because of this, they may still develop acne after taking Accutane and require a relapse of Accutane.
If You Are A Man, You Need An Accutane Relapse
A study has shown that 41% of men who are under 16 years of age required a second course of Accutane. The evidence has shown that men require Accutane relapse more than women. So if you are a man, there is a high chance that you may need Accutane relapse. Another evidence has shown that 16.6% of males and 8.4% of females have experienced Accutane relapse. That means men need a second course of Accutane than women.
Small Dose Can Cause Accutane Relapse
Your acne won’t clear up completely if you take fewer Accutane doses. Less Accutane usage and a shorter course length may lead to an Accutane relapse. Taking 120mg/day is not enough to get rid of severe acne. That’s why exceeding the daily dosage, and course duration will help to eliminate acne completely.
However, most people experience severe side effects if they take a high dose of Accutane. That’s why dermatologists give their patients a lower dose of Accutane at the beginning and gradually increase the dosage.
If You Have A Low Metabolic System
Because isotretinoin is an oral medication, you must take it by mouth. Additionally, the medication may take longer to digest if you have a low metabolic rate. If your medication is difficult to digest, your acne won’t be properly cleared up. That’s why if you have a low metabolic system, you will need a second course of Accutane.
[Note: Before you start the 2nd Course of Accutane, contact your doctor first.]
What are the Side Effects of the 2nd course of Accutane?
As we already know, Accutane has some severe side effects, including nose-bleeding, liver dysfunctionality, birth defects, etc., but does the second course of Accutane have the same side effects as the first course?
Here’s what you might experience during the second course of Accutane:
Joint Pain
You will experience pain in your joints during the Accutane medication. Many patients have experienced joint pain and are unable to move them during the Accutane course.
Liver Disfunctionality
You might experience some symptoms of liver dysfunction. Accutane is a powerful medication that affects your liver system. So if you take Accutane twice, it will affect your liver twice, resulting in liver dysfunction.
Excessive Dryness
Taking Accutane two times will affect your pores and make your skin extremely dry. Your face and hair will lose all the moisture and start to crack.
You May Bleed
Due to the lack of moisture, your skin may bleed even from a little scratch on second course of Accutane. Your lips, around your mouth and nose, will bleed every so often because of the Accutane medication.
Mood Swings
Accutane medication also affects your mood swings. It sometimes causes hormonal imbalance, which can lead to frequent mood swings.
References
- Isotretinoin therapy for acne
- Acne Relapse Rate
- Men experiencing Accutane relapse
- Incidence of Acne relapse
- Experiencing side effects of the second course of Accutane.
FAQs
Can acne return after 2 rounds of Accutane?
Yes, acne can return even after the 2nd round of Accutane. In that case, doctors recommend the 3rd course. People with extremely oily skin suffer from the acne issue even after the 2nd Accutane course.
How soon can you repeat Accutane?
It’s better to wait 3-4 months after completing the 1st course of Accutane. If you see the return of acne, you can repeat Accutane after consultation with your doctor.
Why am I breaking out again after Accutane?
Hormonal imbalance is the primary cause of acne recurrence following Accutane treatment. Accutane may have short-term success for those with hormonal acne. Once you finish your treatment, the hormonal acne will return within a matter of weeks to months.
Conclusion
So, there is no hard data on the success rate of the second course of Accutane, but if your doctor prescribes it, you have a good chance of clearing up your skin. In addition, you should stay away from anything that could aggravate your acne. But if you have hormonal acne, your doctor may advise you to try something else.
Wish you have a successful Accutane treatment and acne-free skin!
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
[…] the first course of treatment may not be successful. In that case, they may be required for the second course of Accutane treatment. To know more about the second course of this treatment, read our article on “What is […]