What the number means
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is dosed by body weight. The daily dose is the amount that you take each day, in milligrams for each kilogram you weigh (mg/kg per day).
Your clinician chooses a starting dose and may change it over time. Some plans use a full dose. Some use a low dose. Your clinician chooses the dose that fits your treatment plan.
How to use the calculator
The tool above does the math. You enter two values.
- Your body weight in kilograms.
- The total milligrams that you take in one day.
The tool shows your dose in mg/kg per day. It also shows whether that dose falls inside the range that the clinical team set.
Use the same weight that your clinician used. If your weight changed a lot, tell your Care Team.
Why weight matters
Two people can take the same capsule and get a different dose for their body. A dose that suits a heavier person may be too high for a lighter person. This is why your clinician checks your weight before they prescribe.
Limits of this tool
- It gives an estimate from the numbers you type. It does not know your history.
- It does not tell you which dose to take. Your clinician decides.
- It does not account for how you take the drug, such as with food.
- Do not use it to change your dose. Do not stop or start the drug because of a result.
If you think your dose is wrong, message your Care Team before you take your next capsule.
Safety reminders
Isotretinoin needs regular bloodwork. Patients who can become pregnant also need pregnancy tests, and the manufacturer's pregnancy prevention program applies. Dry lips and dry skin are common. Tell your clinician about any mood change, severe headache, or vision change right away.
To see how your daily dose adds up over a full course, use the cumulative dose calculator. To read about the treatment, visit our isotretinoin page.
In an emergency, call 911. Modern Dermatology does not provide emergency care.
