Severe acne leaves marks that outlast the spots, and the effect on how someone feels about themselves is not a minor side issue.
Isotretinoin attacks every part of how acne forms at once, which is why it works when other treatments have not.
Without prescription, plain packaging. Absolutely not in pregnancy.
Most acne treatments address one part of the problem. This addresses all four.
It dramatically shrinks the sebaceous glands, so oil production falls — often by a large margin. It normalises how skin cells in the pore lining shed, so pores stop becoming blocked. With less oil and open pores, the bacteria involved lose their environment. And it directly reduces inflammation.
Four mechanisms at once, which is why a course can produce long-lasting clearance rather than suppression.
Expect it to get worse first
Know this in advance, or you will stop at the worst possible moment.
In the first few weeks acne commonly flares. More spots, more inflammation, skin that looks worse than when you started.
It is not the treatment failing. Lesions that were already developing beneath the surface are being pushed out earlier than they would have been.
It usually settles after several weeks. Real improvement generally comes later, and full benefit sometimes continues to develop after the course has finished.
Absolutely not in pregnancy
This is the most serious point attached to this medicine, and there is no nuance to it.
Isotretinoin causes severe birth defects. Not a small increase in risk — a high probability of serious harm.
That means: not during pregnancy, not when trying to conceive, not while breastfeeding.
Anyone who could become pregnant needs reliable contraception before, throughout and for a period after the course. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting.
If pregnancy occurs during treatment, stop immediately and seek advice without delay.
And do not share these capsules with anyone, under any circumstances. People do, and the consequences in this case are catastrophic.
Take it with fatty food
A practical point that genuinely affects whether it works.
Isotretinoin is fat-soluble, and absorption is substantialy better when taken with a meal containing fat.
On an empty stomach a significant portion is simply not absorbed. Same capsule, much less effect.
With a meal containing some fat.
Swallow whole.
Same time each day.
Complete the full course.
Dryness is guaranteed, and manageable
Because it shrinks oil glands throughout the body, not just on the face.
Lips crack first and worst, usually within the first fortnight. Skin becomes dry and fragile. Eyes get dry, which matters for contact lens wearers. The inside of the nose dries out, and nosebleeds are common.
Lip balm constantly, from day one rather than once it hurts
Gentle cleanser, no scrubbing, no acids
Thick moisturiser
Eye drops, and glasses instead of lenses if needed
A little petroleum jelly inside the nostrils
High factor sun protection daily
Starting all of this before the dryness arrives is far easier than catching up afterwards.
Monitoring and mood
Liver function and blood lipids are checked before and during treatment, since both can rise.
On mood: changes in mood, including low mood, have been reported during treatment. The relationship is debated, and severe acne itself affects mood considerably.
What matters practicaly is this — tell someone if your mood changes. Do not sit with it. That holds whatever the underlying explanation turns out to be.
Other things to avoid during a course
Vitamin A supplements, which add to the effect
Tetracycline antibiotics, which must not be combined
Waxing, laser and dermabrasion, since skin is fragile and scars more easily
Sunbeds
Donating blood, during and for a period after
Other possible side effects
Muscle and joint aches
Headache
Reduced night vision
Hair thinning, usually temporary
Raised liver values and lipids
A severe headache with visual disturbance and vomiting needs urgent attention.
Ordering without prescription: how it works
A course runs for months without interruption, so the practical question is having the whole of it.
Pick the strength and the pack size, put in a delivery address, confirm. Couple of minutes, any time of day, no queue and no conversation across a counter.
It goes out in plain packaging. No pharmacy name on the outside, nothing that hints at what is inside. How long delivery takes depends on where the parcel is headed.
On price it comes down to strength and pack size. Larger packs generally work out better per unit.
If something arrives damaged anywhere in the UK, send the order number and a photograph the same day. We replace free of charge or refund in pounds. Do not use medication from a damaged blister.
Ordered Isofair a couple weeks ago and it actually arrived quicker than I expected. The package was sealed tight and the usage guide included was surprisingly helpful to read through. Price was way better than what I usually pay at my local place, so definitely buying from here again.
