Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication primarily used to treat severe cystic acne. Its dosage is highly individualized and determined by a healthcare professional based on several factors, most critically the patient's weight and the treatment protocol. This calculator provides an estimate for the initial daily dosage based on standard recommendations, but should **never** replace professional medical advice.
How the Calculation Works
The calculation is straightforward, focusing on the typical starting dose range for isotretinoin therapy:
Patient Weight (kg): This is the primary factor in determining dosage. The weight is measured in kilograms.
Initial Daily Dosage (mg/kg): This represents the recommended starting dose per kilogram of body weight. Common starting points range from 0.5 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg per day.
Let's consider a patient weighing 65 kg who is prescribed an initial daily dosage of 0.75 mg/kg:
Patient Weight: 65 kg
Initial Daily Dosage: 0.75 mg/kg
Calculation: 65 kg × 0.75 mg/kg = 48.75 mg
Therefore, the estimated total daily dosage for this patient would be approximately 48.75 mg.
Important Considerations
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The actual dosage prescribed by your dermatologist may differ. Factors influencing dosage adjustments include:
Severity of acne
Patient's response to treatment
Presence of side effects
Individual tolerance
Treatment goals (e.g., cumulative dose over the course of therapy)
Always consult with your doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment regarding Accutane (isotretinoin).
function calculateAccutaneDosage() {
var weightKgInput = document.getElementById("weightKg");
var dosageMgPerKgInput = document.getElementById("dosageMgPerKg");
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var weightKg = parseFloat(weightKgInput.value);
var dosageMgPerKg = parseFloat(dosageMgPerKgInput.value);
if (isNaN(weightKg) || weightKg <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid weight in kg.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(dosageMgPerKg) || dosageMgPerKg <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid initial daily dosage (mg/kg).";
return;
}
var totalDailyDosageMg = weightKg * dosageMgPerKg;
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Estimated Daily Dosage: " + totalDailyDosageMg.toFixed(2) + " mg";
}