7 replies to this topic

[ndemalmanche]

Hey everyone

So I have just been reading some of the topics on here & noticed a few people talking about Cumulative doses.
I'm on Oratane (accutane) at the moment & I have never heard of this! It's got me worried that my course isn't going to work for me. This is my 2nd time on Oratane, the first time I was supposed to be on 20mg for 6 months. But I stopped after 3 months because I was finding it too hard & my skin had completely cleared up. This time I'm on 20mg for 6 months & I am going to complete the whole 6 months!
But after reading about this cumulative dose thing, which my derm has never mentioned at all, I'm worried it's not going to keep my clear again.
But I really don't want to go up a dose cos I'm really scared of the effects that will have on me!
At the moment I am finding this course alot easier than my first one, I'm only 2 & a half months into it though. I do have really bad eczema though which is driving me mad & is why I don't want to take a higher dose.
I weigh 49kg just fyi. I had mild acne & have been completely clear since day 32.
Does anyone have any advice or had any experience in the same position?

Thanks
Nicole.

[londoncat8]

Although, I was not given exact numbers my dermatologist told me I will achieve my cumulative dose if I carry on taking accutane for the next three months. My doses so far were: 2 months-30mg, 3 months-40mg, + 3 months- 20mg. After I finish I might be put at a low dose for another 2 months. I understand there is a higher risk of acne coming back if you did not finish the course with cumulative dose related to your weight. I am 65kg. Even though I do do not have any breakouts or anything at the moment I am still told to take it and finish the course. Do ask your dermatologist to calculate for you your dose. I hope it helps at least a bit:) with best wishes!

[ClearDreaming]

Cumulative dose is calculated by adding up all the accutane you take and dividing it by your weight, it should then reach 120mg/kg or above. So if you take 20mg for 6months, and weigh 49kg you will not reach it. If you don't want to up your dose, you can extend your course instead.

[candycouture]

Bump ClearDreaming
Yes, to my knowledge, if you take around 125-150mg/kg of your weight in cumulative dosage then its the highest chance to put your acne into remission.

@ndemalmanche
OMG I am taking Oratane too, which I think is a NZ specific generic? http://www.oratane.co.nz Anyways, I'm in Christchurch. How long have you been on it for?

Good luck!

- Janelle <3

[ndemalmanche]

Hmm now I'm worried its gonna come back again
Theres definitely no way im going to take Oratane for almost a year, theres no way I'm taking it through Summer I have porcelain skin I would die in the sun.
So now I have to figure out whether I should take a higher dose or not!

@ndemalmanche
OMG I am taking Oratane too, which I think is a NZ specific generic? http://www.oratane.co.nz Anyways, I'm in Christchurch. How long have you been on it for?

Good luck!

- Janelle <3

Hi Janelle! I'm in Palmerston North! I've been on for just over 2 & a half months. There is pretty much no one else on here from NZ I swear!! How long have you been on for? & what is your dose?

[candycouture]

Hi Janelle! I'm in Palmerston North! I've been on for just over 2 & a half months. There is pretty much no one else on here from NZ I swear!! How long have you been on for? & what is your dose?

Hey Nicole! Yes I know right. Your the first one I found in NZ too. Haha. Oh great, now we can be buddies

I am on 30mg/day. Today is literally my 6th day though. I haven't seen much of a change. I seriously think the NZ docs prescribe us comparatively speaking lower dosages. All my friends who have been on it, have been prescribed puny dosages like 20 or 30 mg/day. I am 174cm tall and about 65-70kgs. (I have gained a few since the EQs). Haha. And someone my height and weight should really be on 60mg/day or above in my opinion. Else I'm gonna have to be on the damn thing for like 1 year to reach my desirable cumulative dosage of 150mg/kg!!! If my blood work is fine after this month, I'm going to see if I can get my GP to increase my dose. I really don't want to be on for too long. Esp summer as well! What about you? How tall are you?

How long did you wait to see results? On the 6th day, it seems like a really slow process right now....

- Janelle <3

[ndemalmanche]

Hey Nicole! Yes I know right. Your the first one I found in NZ too. Haha. Oh great, now we can be buddies

I am on 30mg/day. Today is literally my 6th day though. I haven't seen much of a change. I seriously think the NZ docs prescribe us comparatively speaking lower dosages. All my friends who have been on it, have been prescribed puny dosages like 20 or 30 mg/day. I am 174cm tall and about 65-70kgs. (I have gained a few since the EQs). Haha. And someone my height and weight should really be on 60mg/day or above in my opinion. Else I'm gonna have to be on the damn thing for like 1 year to reach my desirable cumulative dosage of 150mg/kg!!! If my blood work is fine after this month, I'm going to see if I can get my GP to increase my dose. I really don't want to be on for too long. Esp summer as well! What about you? How tall are you?

How long did you wait to see results? On the 6th day, it seems like a really slow process right now....

- Janelle <3

I started feeling the effects of it within the first few days, I got really nauseous & headaches for the first few days. It was prob just my body adjusting to the drug. Then within the first week my face started drying out in the corners of my mouth & under my nose. I could tell a difference in my skin by about 2 weeks-ish. I got a few more pimples within the first couple weeks but I nothing significant. Then from then on just very dry & my skin got better & better until after day 32 I haven't had one single spot!! The dryness has def calmed down since the start of my course & it way more manageable. I'm so worried about this cumulative dose thing as I never want to be on Oratane again! I feel like the derms over here are so much more relaxed about the drug, it makes me think they don't really give a shit! Just dish out the drugs. But I'm scared to move up a dose, I'm only approx 157cm (haven't checked in a while but I'm still tiny haha) so I feel like 40mg would be too much for me.

[ndemalmanche]

All my friends who have been on it, have been prescribed puny dosages like 20 or 30 mg/day.

Oh & I forgot to ask, did it work for your friends??