Isotretinoin is a powerful oral retinoid that can be prescribed to treat resistant cystic acne. The medication’s acne-fighting benefits have been backed by science for decades, but it’s ...

Isotretinoin is indicated for nodular acne or severe acne that is unresponsive to conventional therapies. The usual dose is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day for 20 weeks, or a cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg. As ...

Although isotretinoin has been anecdotally linked to suicide, observational studies have had inconsistent results. In other studies, severe acne itself increased risks for distress and suicide.