Does Accutane Stunt Growth? – Facts and Myths

Accutane does not appear to stunt growth or reduce adult height in most adolescents treated for severe acne, including those treated with low-dose Accutane, based on current medical evidence.

This article explains how isotretinoin works, how growth occurs in children and teens, and what research shows about height outcomes and potential risks.

DermOnDemand offers educational dermatology resources to help patients understand concerns like this, which Dr. Alicia Atkins, a board-certified dermatologist, frequently discusses with families considering isotretinoin.

Key Takeaways

• Based on extensive population studies comparing treated and untreated adolescents, isotretinoin does not appear to reduce final adult height in most teens treated for acne.
• Some teens may experience slower growth during treatment, but this change is typically temporary and does not result in permanent growth loss.
• Rare reports of early growth plate closure exist, but they are uncommon and often involve unusual dosing or more prolonged treatment duration than standard acne care.
• Concerns about puberty or testosterone disruption are common, yet current evidence does not show consistent hormonal changes that affect normal development.
• Growth concerns after treatment are best evaluated using growth patterns, puberty timing, and medical history rather than online anecdotes or isolated cases.

Does Accutane Affect Final Height in Teens?

Extensive studies following adolescents treated for acne vulgaris show no meaningful difference in adult height compared with teens treated with other therapies.

While some patients grow more slowly during treatment, research does not show a reduction in final height for most teens. This distinction helps separate short-term changes from long-term outcomes.

Teens’ growth depends on genetics, nutrition, hormones, and the timing of puberty. Acne treatment decisions should consider these factors alongside acne severity.

How Accutane Affects Growth During Puberty

Isotretinoin works by shrinking the sebaceous glands, reducing oil production, and limiting inflammation, as explained in this overview of the Accutane mechanism of action. This mechanism helps treat acne, including cystic acne, but it does not directly control hormones that drive puberty.

Concerns often focus on whether isotretinoin interferes with normal development. Current evidence does not support that isotretinoin stops puberty or causes a lasting adverse effect on growth hormones.

Other concerns focus on isotretinoin altering testosterone, but studies have not shown consistent hormonal disruption. In this context, whether Accutane stops growth is better understood as a temporary concern rather than a proven outcome.

Does Accutane Close Growth Plates?

For most patients with acne, standard dosing has not been linked to growth plate closure, and concerns arise mostly from rare case reports rather than broad population data.

Growth plates are the areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow said bones to lengthen during childhood. They usually close as puberty ends, which sets adult height.

Examples of these types of bones include:

• femur (thigh)
• tibia/fibula (lower leg)
• humerus (upper arm)
• radius/ulna (forearm)
• metacarpals (hand)
• metatarsals (foot)
• phalanges (fingers/toes)

Medical reviews report premature growth plate closure in isolated cases, often associated with high isotretinoin doses or long treatment duration. These cases are uncommon and do not reflect typical acne care.

How Common Is Growth Stunting With Accutane?

Population studies provide helpful context here. In large groups of adolescents, measurable height differences between treated and untreated teens are small and not clinically meaningful.

Rare reports tend to involve unusual circumstances, such as very young patients or extended exposure. This makes it challenging to apply those findings to routine acne care. Understanding probability helps reduce fear driven by isolated examples.

Does Accutane Stunt Growth Permanently?

Research suggests that any slowing of growth during treatment is temporary. Teens usually resume standard growth patterns after therapy ends.

Long-term follow-up studies show that adult height remains consistent with genetic expectations. This means treatment with isotretinoin does not appear to lower final height for most patients. Differentiating between temporary change and permanent loss is essential for informed decision-making.

Does Accutane Affect Growth in Males?

The evidence does not show lasting testosterone suppression in males. Concerns about growth often focus on boys because puberty timing varies widely. Data examining males treated during adolescence show no consistent reduction in adult height.

Growth monitoring is a common practice, especially when treatment begins early (sometimes as early as 13 years of age). However, routine outcomes remain reassuring in this regard. Growth patterns align with expected outcomes once puberty completes.

Why Online Stories About Growth Can Be Misleading

Online forums often highlight extreme or unusual experiences. Stories shared by people who started Accutane and later felt short may not reflect cause and effect. Many factors influence height, including family history and childhood health.

These accounts rarely include medical records, isotretinoin dose, or treatment duration. Without that context, conclusions can be inaccurate. Evidence-based guidance relies on controlled studies rather than anecdotes.

How to Tell If Accutane Affected Your Growth

If someone worries about growth after treatment, the evaluation focuses on medical history and growth patterns. Doctors look at growth charts, timing of puberty, and family height trends. Imaging or hormone tests are only used when deemed clinically appropriate.

Signs that matter include a sudden halt in growth or pain near joints, not common side effects such as dry skin or changes in night vision. Blood tests during therapy often monitor triglyceride levels, cholesterol levels, and liver function, not growth markers. These checks support safety during treatment with isotretinoin.

Key Medical Takeaways for Teens and Parents

Isotretinoin is a powerful option to treat acne when other therapies fail, including severe acne vulgaris. Common side effects include dry skin, including issues such as Accutane-related dry scalp, changes in night vision, and shifts in triglyceride levels, which doctors monitor closely.

Treatment decisions also consider birth control requirements and overall health.

Current evidence shows no consistent link between Accutane and teenagers experiencing reduced adult height. Growth concerns should be discussed openly and be monitored when appropriate. DermOnDemand emphasizes education so patients and families can understand risks in context and make informed choices.

FAQs about Accutane’s Effects on Growth

How often does Accutane stunt growth?

Current research suggests this is rare. Large studies of adolescents treated with isotretinoin do not show a meaningful reduction in adult height for most patients.

Does Accutane permanently stop growth in teens?

Evidence does not support permanent growth loss in typical acne treatment. Some teens may grow more slowly during therapy, but growth usually resumes after treatment ends.

Can Accutane close growth plates early?

Premature growth plate closure has been reported in isolated cases, often with high doses or long treatment duration. Standard acne dosing has not been consistently linked to this outcome.

Is Accutane safe for teenagers who are still growing?

For many teens with severe acne, isotretinoin can be used safely under medical supervision, as outlined in clinical guidance on Accutane and teenagers.

Doctors consider age, growth stage, dose, and treatment duration when making decisions.

How can I tell if Accutane affected my growth?

Doctors look at growth charts, puberty timing, family height patterns, and overall health. Online stories alone are not reliable for determining whether growth was affected.