You’ll need to enroll in iPledge to get your prescription; it’s a requirement for everyone who is prescribed isotretinoin medications like Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret.
This includes young people who have not started menstruating yet, and even those assigned female at birth who have had their tubes tied. (Men have their own set of iPledge requirements, by the way.)
As these steps are completed, they are entered into the computer-based iPledge system. Your pharmacist will access this system to receive authorization to give you your medication. You must re-qualify with iPledge every month prior to refilling your prescription.
If you are a person who can get pregnant, no matter how slight the chances, you are required to:
It’s important you understand all the risks involved before committing to treatment. Take this time to ask questions. If you’re unsure about something or don’t understand something, let your healthcare provider know.
Read through the information. The goal of the patient information/informed consent is to ensure you fully understand how isotretinoin works, its side effects, and your responsibilities while taking this drug.
After reading, you’ll sign the documents. Again, if you’re not clear on something, don’t be afraid to ask before you sign.
Going forward, monthly pregnancy tests must be done by a CLIA-certified lab. Your healthcare provider will give you information on approved labs in your area.
Not all forms of birth control are approved by the iPledge program. Talk to your healthcare provider about accepted forms of contraception. This appointment may be paid for by the program.
And no, you can’t skip this step. Your pharmacist can’t fill your prescription until you have completed all necessary steps.
If, for some reason, you can’t get your isotretinoin within this window, you will have to re-qualify to receive your medication. This means you will have to do another pregnancy test, and answer questions in the iPledge system again. Unless this is your first prescription, you can immediately begin the qualifying process.
A Word From Verywell
While complying with iPledge requirements are cumbersome, these safeguards have drastically reduced the number of babies born with birth defects due to isotretinoin exposure. Yes, the whole process can feel tedious but once you’ve done it a few times you’ll see it isn’t incredibly complicated.
Also remember that you won’t, in the vast majority of cases, be taking isotretinoin long-term. So it will only be a few months of inconvenience. Once you’ve been off isotretinoin for a month, you may be transitioned over to another acne medication and be done with iPledge requirements. Most likely with clear skin!
And if isotretinoin isn’t the right treatment for you, there are plenty of other options. Your dermatologist will help you find the best acne treatment medication for you.
