Behind the Scenes of Isotretinoin: My Journey and Recommendations

Isotretinoin is a form of Vitamin A used in treatment of severe, refractory acne vulgaris with treatment duration ranging anywhere from 3 to 12 months. The side effects of isotretinoin require monthly dermatologist visits and utilize a risk-management program called iPLEDGE REMS run by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which verifies that patients are not pregnant while starting or while taking isotretinoin. The physical and mental side effects experienced on isotretinoin are unique to each patient and can be severely debilitating. My own experience taking isotretinoin for 8 months was filled with multiple unexpected side effects that affected both my physical and mental health. As a result, I strongly believe dermatologists should help patients in analyzing the risk versus benefit profile of isotretinoin, present all other options, and ultimately emphasize patient-provider shared-decision making. Furthermore, at monthly visits dermatologists should be required to implement open dialogue regarding side effects to avoid patient feelings of fear and shame. Additionally, the iPLEDGE REMS system should consider creating a systematic documentation of symptoms to help normalize experiences and guide treatment plans.