Online Accutane Treatment – What You Need to Know

Accutane is a popular treatment for moderate-to-severe acne.

A type of Vitamin A in the retinoid class of medications, it reduces the amount of facial oil released by the body. Here are some key things to consider:

Not all healthcare providers are able to prescribe Isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin is usually prescribed after exhausting other options, but it can also be an appropriate option if a patient’s acne has a significant psychosocial impact.
It’s important to seek Isotretinoin treatment from a reputable source. Never buy medications online without a prescription and BEWARE of places advertising the “lowest” price – there’s usually a catch.
Online Isotretinoin treatment can be a convenient option for people who don’t have access to a local dermatologist or don’t have the time for monthly in-person check-ins.

This blog post will describe what online Isotretinoin treatment might look like.

 

Can Accutane be administered online?

Yes, many patients are given Isotretinoin online—but not just anyone can get a prescription. You need to go through the proper steps.

Generally, the process begins by completing a medical intake. You will then connect with a licensed board-certified dermatologist over a virtual visit experience.

Here are some of the things to look for in your search for the right telemedicine Accutane treatment solution:

 

Board-certified dermatologists

When it comes to Accutane, you generally want a board-certified dermatologist doing the diagnosing, prescribing, and oversight of treatment. Mid-levels and assistants are fine to explain the general treatment process, but board-certified dermatologists are specifically trained to provide cutting-edge acne treatments. These practitioners have completed medical school, a dermatology residency, and an exam that verifies their expertise on acne and skin.

They’ll have specific knowledge and experience with administering Accutane that many mid-levels simply won’t.

 

Adherence to the iPLEDGE program

Accutane is closely monitored in the U.S. through a program called iPLEDGE. The FDA’s iPLEDGE program is designed to prevent pregnancy in Accutane patients—and to keep pregnant patients from taking Accutane given its potential to cause birth defects in the child. The iPLEDGE program requires females of childbearing potential to complete monthly pregnancy and comprehension tests, and providers AND pharmacies must be enrolled in the iPLEDGE program. Acne sufferers should only seek treatment from sources that follow this program.

 

Reputable pharmacies that stock genuine medication

You should never buy Accutane or any other medications online without a prescription or doctor oversight. There’s always a risk of not receiving genuine medication, or getting medication that may be expired. Always choose a reputable pharmacy with a track-record to fill Accutane.

Additionally, you should be wary of places that advertise the “lowest” price of medication – there’s almost always a catch. Sometimes drug manufacturers will offer discount programs to pharmacies in order to entice them to carry their product and offer a “lower” price to patients.

Patients can sometimes get this lower price IF they are first denied for any coverage at all for the drug by their insurance. This means that:

You have to have insurance and be denied – this can sometimes take time and usually insurance will cover some portion of treatment which means you wouldn’t be able to get the discounted price. This option may also not be feasible for patients without insurance coverage.
You might be pushed into having your prescription sent to these mail-order pharmacies EVEN if you have insurance and want to fill at your local big box pharmacy – this is because these discount programs are unprofitable for pharmacies and the only way they can cover these costs are through insurance claims from covered patients.
Even if you are denied coverage and get the discounted pricing, it’s only a matter of time before pricing significantly goes up. These programs are also unprofitable for the drug manufacturers, and we anticipate most of them to pull these discount programs shortly.

At Clear Health, we don’t do these programs or play any pricing games. Our 50-state specialty pharmacy works DIRECTLY with the manufacturers to get reasonable prices for patients. For cash patients, what you see is what you get and you won’t have to have insurance or be denied in order to get our listed prices for genuine Isotretinoin medication.

 

Responsive customer support

Getting Accutane should be simple once you have your prescription, but the occasional shipment or pickup issue can happen. This is why we recommend finding a treatment option with a helpful, readily-available customer support team.

 

Comprehensive treatment resources

Many patients have questions about potential side effects before or during their Accutane treatment. And others have questions about a potential initial breakout (IB) period, when the skin temporarily gets worse early in the treatment process. This is colloquially known as the “Accutane purge.”

Honest resources are essential in this way. At Clear Health, we have a 24/7 telephone nurse advice line for your peace of mind.

 

Do you need a prescription to buy Accutane online?
Patients should never buy Isotretinoin online without a prescription.

You heard us: you should only take Isotretinoin if you have a prescription due to the risk of birth defects, severe side effects, and counterfeit products.

Be sure to prioritize a genuine branded prescription from a trusted U.S. pharmacy. Cutting corners is never worth the risk to your health, so confirm that your pharmacy is fully licensed and accredited.

 

Does telemedicine Accutane treatment work?

Online Isotretinoin prescriptions increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic—and researchers believe they’re just as effective as in-person management [1].

One study found that on average, patients in Spain decreased their Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score by 87.94% after managing their Isotretinoin treatment virtually [2].

Another study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, compared patients who were treated with Isotretinoin in-person, virtually, or through a hybrid model over the course of two years. The researchers found that telemedicine patients had similar outcomes to those who were treated in person [3].

Ultimately, telemedicine Isotretinoin treatment can work well—and it comes with added benefits like ease, affordability, and accessibility. With a valid Isotretinoin prescription from a board-certified dermatologist, we can’t recommend virtual management enough.

That’s right: Clear Health is here to help patients like you through every step of the online Isotretinoin treatment process. Our team understands how challenging acne can be, and we proudly serve as a one-stop shop for chronic skin conditions. Please contact us with questions or for more information.

 

Sources

[1] Kane, S., & Admani, S. (2021). COVID-19 Pandemic Leading to the Accelerated Development of a Virtual Health Model for Isotretinoin. Journal of the Dermatology Nurses\' Association, 13(1), 54–57. https://doi.org/10.1097/JDN.0000000000000595

[2] Moreno-Ramírez, D., Duarte-Ferreras, M. A., Ojeda-Vila, T., García-Morales, I., Conejo-Mir, M. D., Fernández-Orland, A., Sánchez-Del-Campo, A. I., Eiris, N., Carrizosa, A. M., Ruiz-de-Casas, A., de-la-Torre, J. M., Herrerías-Esteban, J. M., & Ferrándiz, L. (2022). Telemedicine management of systemic therapy with isotretinoin of patients with moderate-to-severe acne during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal prospective feasibility study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 87(5), 1186–1189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2022.03.004

[3] Onyekweli, T., Agarwal, A., Jaklitsch, E., James, A., Choudhary, S., Ferris, L. K., & English, J. C., 3rd (2023). Teledermatology isotretinoin management for moderate-to-severe acne reveals similar outcomes to in-person management: A retrospective study. JAAD international, 11, 126–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdin.2023.02.009