On my first derm appointment I got a blood test and put on birth control. Then it was 3 months from then til I actually started accutane. Yes you will have to be on birth control either way, my first round of accutane started when I was 15 and definitely not sexually active and still had to go on it.

I'm not on birth control but I'm using condoms and I have infertility issues.

Many doctors say abstinence is sufficient. I think if you're a teenager they don't believe you and take a chance, but after your teenage years it's usually not necessary if you're abstinent.

cracking. and jees ihateusernames why did it take that long? If my case is the same as yours it will be a total of six months since the first docs appointment, all the while on frickin antibiotics

I *think* it was because it's supposed to take 3 complete cycles for birth control to be most effective, but not sure I was too excited to be back on accutane to listen properly lol

It took 11 days for me.The thing that took the longest, was them mailing me the iPledge username and pasword(almost a week).

maybe I could just get birth control now in advance and pretend to be taking it so they will give me Accutane quicker (not having sex so don't need b/c)

To be honest I barely took it either I still have half the packet left and I only picked up a 2 month prescription for the BC. It's definitely a great idea to go get it now as I think that's the only reason I waited so long to start.

so there is absolutely no way they can tell (through tests or whatever) that you are in fact not taking your birth control pill? And is the pill considered enough?

Yeah birth control is enough and no way at all they can tell. They only do regular pee pregnancy tests and blood tests for liver function.

woot, thanks xx

Are you in the US? If you are then it'll take you at least 2 months to be put on Accutane (stinks...I know!). This is because the iPledge program (the Accutane pregnancy prevention program) has a certain protocol that you and your doctor must follow. At your first appointment, you will take a pregnancy test. If that's negative then you will pick your two forms of birth control and your doctor will enroll you in the iPledge program. If you're not sexually active, then you're able to pick abstinence and a male condom as your two forms. Your doctor will enter this information into your iPledge account too. You have to be on those forms of birth control for a month, then you will get a second pregnancy test. If that is negative, then you will be prescribed the Accutane. You will then have to answer questions on the iPledge website (some questions could be "It is okay to share your Accutane with your friend?" or "You don't have your form of birth control, is it okay to still have sex?"). Once you answer the questions, you have 24 hours to fill your prescription. You will also need to get a blood test at some point as well, to check that you are in good health to be put on the medication. My doctor had me take the blood test before the first pregnancy test. I hope this helped, I wish you the best of luck!

if you choose abstinence and condom why would you have to wait two months?

I know it seems stupid, but you need to show 2 negative pregnancy tests before your doctor can legally prescribe you Accutane, no matter what form of birth control you choose! And the tests need to be spread a month apart so that you go through two menstrual cycles because this includes two periods of fertility.

anyone in Britain not had to do this??

Freakingthefrackout, I'm British. I would start, or at least get your birth control prescription ASAP -it may let you start accutane wayy quicker. As I said, I only had to wait because I wasn't on any birth control!

Thanks for your advice, they didn't make you choose two birth control pills did they? I heard that a few times.

Also in sexual health clinics can you go to a drop in session and get birth control? Anyone know? Appointments in my area take about 3 weeks! x

Well I think they do but I just said I used condoms as my second birth control and that's a perfectly acceptable second method. Not sure if it differs throughout the country but I'm Scottish and I know you can obtain birth control pills and condoms through sexual health clinics for sure. Pretty sure some pharmacies do as well!

Thanks so much