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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Dr
Jennifer
White
acne-id@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr
Esther
Burden-Teh
esther.burden-teh@nottingham.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Acne
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
Although many teenagers experience acne, around 1 in 10 people get severe acne that can also scar the skin. Having acne on your face and body as a young person can affect your confidence, sometimes leading to low mood and anxiety. There is an effective treatment for severe acne called isotretinoin, which is a licenced drug. Although isotretinoin works well at clearing acne, most people who take it experience side effects and some people will experience more than one. One way to potentially reduce these side effects is to give a lower dose of isotretinoin possibly over a longer period of time. We want to be sure a lower dose possibly taken for longer clears acne as effectively as the standard dose and find out if people are happy to take the tablets for a longer period of time. It is also possible that if the acne is not fully treated at a lower dose, it may come back after stopping treatment sooner than normal, so we also need to check that out. This trial involves two groups of patients. One group will take the dose of isotretinoin usually prescribed (standard dose) and the other a lower dose. Patients will not get to choose which group you go into. Due to how isotretinoin works, there is a possibility that the dose may change throughout the treatment course.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
You can take part if:
Current inclusion criteria as of 22/08/2025:
1. Age 12 years to 24 years.
2. Acne of the face +/- trunk.
3. Meets the MHRA definition of severe forms of acne (including acne at risk of permanent scarring).
4. Able to give consent or child assent with parental consent
5. Clinical decision to start treatment with oral isotretinoin
6. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) risk acknowledgment form completed by the treating clinician
7. Willing to be randomised to either treatment group
8. Willing and able to complete the tr
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Contraindication to isotretinoin as per clinician assessment in routine care (e.g. severe mood concerns on screening, refusal to sign the Acknowledgement of Risk Form and enter the Pregnancy Prevention Programme if has childbearing potential (pregnant, or breastfeeding or Intention to become pregnant), concomitant medications with an interaction with isotretinoin)2. Acne fulminans, acne conglobata or other acne subtype unsuitable for higher dose strategy3. Previously been treated with oral isotretinoin4. Known allergy or sensitivity to isotretinoin or any of its excipients
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Dr
Esther
Burden-Teh
esther.burden-teh@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr
Jennifer
White
acne-id@nottingham.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by University of Nottingham and funded by Health Technology Assessment Programme.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Or CPMS 64526
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
