The dosage of oral isotretinoin soft capsules should be individualized. Generally, the recommended starting dose is 0.5mg per kg of body weight per day. For example, if a person's weight is 60kg, the daily dose should be 30mg. The common specification of isotretinoin soft capsules is 10mg per capsule, so it is recommended for adults weighing 60kg to take 1 capsule three times a day. The safety of once-daily dosing of isotretinoin has not been determined.
Isotretinoin soft capsules are indicated for the treatment of severe, refractory nodular acne (nodular acne refers to inflammatory lesions with a diameter of ≥5mm, which may become suppurative or bleed). Due to significant adverse reactions associated with isotretinoin, it should only be considered when other conventional treatments (including systemic antibiotic therapy) have failed. Additionally, because isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects, it should only be used in female patients who are not planning or unable to become pregnant. If the lesions persist or severe nodular acne recurs more than 2 months after discontinuation of the drug, a second course of treatment may be considered. However, due to evidence showing that symptoms can continue to improve shortly after discontinuation, a period of at least 8 weeks should be allowed between two courses of treatment if a second course is needed. The optimal interval between treatments for patients with incomplete bone development is not clear. Effective contraceptive measures should be taken during any course of treatment. If the wrong dose is taken, there may be some adverse reactions, which are those observed during clinical trials and post-market surveillance of isotretinoin. The relationship between some of these adverse events and isotretinoin treatment is not yet clear.
