I was VERY surprised she managed to get a prescription for accutane for acne, it’s a really powerful drug with unpleasant and in some cases, dangerous side effects (suicidal thoughts, organ failure for example). You have to have actual acne (not just a couple of spots) over the course of considerable months or years.
In my case, I had moderate acne which I’d had for a year and a bit, but as well as that I was also prescribed it was for the dreadful scarring my acne left behind when it flared up. Like dark red, purple marks that stayed for months (some even for a couple of years!)
Bad acne that could not be treated using other tried methods, or acne + scarring are the two reasons that I am aware you would be prescribed it. They definitely don’t just give it to anyone. I don't recall ever seeing her with with either acne nor scarring but maybe someone will correct me on that. I don’t even remember seeing her with many/any spots over the years.
They are actually strict about who they prescribe this to, you can only be prescribed by a dermatologist. If you go to a doctor, they refer you to one.
In most cases you will need to have tried other medications first (antibiotics, or that horrible smelling roll on thing for example) and if they didn’t work they will then consider accutane.
Yeah, I’m no expert but I looked into it a lot before taking it. I am very confused about how she got it. Perhaps she went private and perhaps it’s easier to get private? God knows.
I hope it worked out for your sister