Duration set with your clinician
Low-dose isotretinoin
- A lower daily amount, set by your clinician
- Often chosen for moderate acne or to limit dryness
- Same monitoring and pregnancy safety steps
- May need a longer course
Accutane assessed online(Isotretinoin)
Accutane (isotretinoin) is an oral medicine for severe, scarring or resistant acne. Your clinician first checks if online care is suitable. Treatment needs close monitoring, and some people need in-person care.
Start my assessmentAt a glance
- Oral capsule (isotretinoin)
- For severe, scarring or resistant acne
- Dose set by your clinician
Why Modern Dermatology
- Canadian-licensed medical professionals, 100% online
- Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy or delivered
- Follow-up and refills through your Care Team
Used forAcneRosaceaAcne scars
Isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects. Do not take it if you are pregnant, and do not become pregnant during treatment. Follow the manufacturer's pregnancy prevention program. Report low mood, thoughts of self-harm or vision changes to your clinician right away.
Choosing the right dose for you
Your clinician sets the dose and the length of treatment. The plan depends on your acne, your weight and how you tolerate the medicine. It can change over time.
Considerations include
- Severity of acne
- Past treatments and how they worked
- Your body weight
- How you tolerate side effects
- Blood test results and other health conditions
Duration set with your clinician
Standard-dose isotretinoin
- A higher daily amount, set by your clinician
- Often chosen for severe, scarring or resistant acne
- Same monitoring and pregnancy safety steps
- Course length depends on a total amount
Your clinician decides which option fits you. Durations are typical ranges, not promises.
How Accutane works
Accutane targets the main causes of acne
Acne starts when pores fill with oil and dead skin, bacteria grow, and the skin becomes inflamed. Isotretinoin shrinks the oil glands, so the skin makes much less oil.
With less oil, pores clog less often and bacteria have less to feed on. Inflammation falls and new breakouts become rarer.
Recommended for
- Severe acne
- Cystic or nodular acne
- Acne that leaves scars
- Acne that did not respond to other treatments
- Acne that returns after antibiotic courses
Your clinician reviews your skin and history, and confirms that this treatment is right for you before prescribing.
Reduces oil production
Shrinks the oil glands
Prevents clogged pores
Less oil and dead skin
Lowers inflammation
Calms red, painful acne
Limits acne bacteria
Less oil to grow on
How it works.
- 01
Tell us about your skin
Complete a quick medical questionnaire and upload a few photos of your skin concerns. No appointment needed.
- 02
Get your personalized treatment plan
A Canadian-licensed medical professional will review your information and recommend a personalized treatment plan, including prescriptions when appropriate. Most conditions can be assessed without a video consultation.
- 03
Start your treatment
Get your prescribed medications delivered right to your door. Medication costs are billed separately from your consultation.
- 04
Follow up on your progress
At a follow-up, your clinician can review your progress, discuss side effects and adjust your treatment if needed.
Clear answers.
Have more questions? See our full FAQ or Contact us.
Still have questions? Reach our care team at 514 111 1111
Start my assessmentPossibly. You fill out a short health form, and a Canadian-licensed medical professional reviews your case. If Accutane is right for you, your clinician sends a prescription to your pharmacy. Your clinician first checks if online care is suitable, and some people need in-person care or specialist monitoring.
Isotretinoin shrinks the oil glands, so the skin makes much less oil. This lowers clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation. It treats the main causes of acne, which is why it can work when other treatments did not.
Many people see improvement in the first one to two months, and a flare can occur at the start. A course usually lasts several months, and your clinician sets the length. Skin often keeps improving after the course ends.
Dry lips, skin, eyes and nose are very common. Nosebleeds, sun sensitivity, aches and a temporary flare can occur. Call your clinician right away for severe headache, vision change, strong stomach pain or low mood.
People who are pregnant, plan to be pregnant or are breastfeeding should not take it. It is also not for people with certain liver conditions or very high blood fats. Your clinician reviews your history and your medicines first.
Other options include topical treatments such as adapalene, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid, and an oral antibiotic such as cefadroxil. Your clinician talks about which fits your acne.
Your skin will be dry, so use a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Ask your clinician before you use other acne products, and do not take vitamin A supplements.
No. Isotretinoin causes serious birth defects, and you must not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The manufacturer's pregnancy prevention program sets the tests and birth control you must follow.
Each consultation costs CA$175. Your pharmacy charges separately for medication. Ask your insurer whether your plan covers the prescribed treatment.
Accutane, Clarus and Epuris are brand names for isotretinoin in Canada. Health Canada requires a generic to have the same active ingredient. Your pharmacist may offer a brand or a generic, and your clinician can ask for a specific product.
Your Care Team checks in before each refill. Your clinician may ask for photos or an update on how you feel. If Accutane is still right for you, the prescription is renewed and sent to your pharmacy.
Carefully monitored, every step
Regular check-ins
Your Care Team reviews your skin, side effects and mood each month, and your clinician adjusts the plan.
Pregnancy prevention
Follow the manufacturer's pregnancy prevention program: pregnancy tests, reliable birth control and written consent when it applies.
Blood tests
Tests of liver function and blood fats before and during treatment, as your clinician orders them.
Mental health
Tell your clinician at once about low mood, anxiety or thoughts of self-harm. Treatment may stop.
Simple pricing for your skin care.
Medication costs are separate. Ask your insurer whether your plan reimburses online consultations.
Skin assessment
- Medical questionnaire and photo review
- Personalized treatment plan
- Prescription when appropriate
CA$175
per consultation
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Your clinician can suggest another option when this one is not the right fit.
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