Dermatology · UK
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) clinic - consultant-led, done properly.
Consultant-dermatologist-led private isotretinoin (Roaccutane) prescribing with monthly monitoring, mental health screening and formal MHRA-compliant safety review.
Indicative pricing
What private isotretinoin (roaccutane) clinic costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our vetted UK network.
In short
Full monitored course (typically 6–9 months): £500–£1,500 in monitoring plus the drug and blood tests.
| Option | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial consultant dermatology assessment | £300–£500 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Monthly monitoring visit | £150–£280 | 15–20 min | Monthly |
| Full 6–9 month course monitoring package | £500–£1,500 | - | 6–9 months |
| Blood tests (baseline + monthly) | £45–£120 per set | - | 48 hours |
| Pregnancy prevention programme (mandatory) | Included | - | Ongoing |
| The drug itself (isotretinoin capsules) | £30–£90/month | - | Monthly |
| Mental health screening (PHQ-9, monthly) | Included | 5 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by the consultant’s seniority, and by whether combinations are used.
The problem
A powerful medicine that belongs in careful hands.
Isotretinoin is the most effective acne treatment we have. It is also the one that most needs consultant dermatology oversight - MHRA has tightened monitoring, and cheaper prescribing routes cut corners we do not.
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Consultant, not delegated
The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you - not a junior on a busy list.
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Evidence, not sales
The recommendation is what fits your clinical picture - not what the clinic wants to sell you today.
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Written pathway, not verbal promise
The plan, the prices and the follow-up are in writing before you commit - not surfaced when the invoice arrives.
Who it suits
When isotretinoin is the right decision.
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You have thought about this for a while
Not an impulse - a decision you have carried and want to act on properly.
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You want the right treatment, not the fastest
You want to be seen by a consultant who does this every week, not the next available diary slot.
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You have tried the obvious first steps
GP care, over-the-counter routes, or first-line therapy - and the problem is still there.
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You are otherwise well enough to proceed
Stable on medication, not acutely unwell, not in a flare that would postpone treatment.
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You are willing to follow the plan
Attend the follow-up, take the medicines, do the physio - whichever this treatment needs to work.
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You are prepared for the recovery
You have thought about time off work, help at home and - where relevant - the cost of ongoing care.
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You want a named consultant, not a rotating list
The person who assesses you should be the person who treats you and reviews you afterwards.
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Red flag: you were declined elsewhere and asked us to override
If another consultant has said no on medical grounds, we will not route round that. We will explain why.
Options
Standard-dose, low-dose, or a second course.
The three realistic prescribing strategies, and when each fits.
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Assessment and shared decision
A full consultant hour and honest expectations conversation - the difference between a treatment that suits you and one that only suits the clinic.
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First-line treatment
What most patients start with, and what most get on with well.
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Course-based or staged treatments
Some treatments deliver over three to six visits or in stages.
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Combined modality
The strongest outcomes often come from combining approaches - medical, procedural and behavioural. We plan across the year, not the visit.
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Maintenance
Most conditions need ongoing care after the initial treatment. We build this into the plan up front so you know the real commitment.
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Alternatives to consider
Where a different treatment might suit better, we say so - including newer or older options that the marketing does not push.
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Escalation pathway
What happens if this treatment does not work - the next option, in writing, before you start.
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When to say no or refer
For patients who fall outside criteria, we route to the right specialist or back to NHS care rather than treat regardless.
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Consultant-led private care is generally low-risk. The things worth planning are candidacy, dose or intensity, downtime and what happens if something is not right.
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A named UK consultant, in a CQC-regulated setting
The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you. That single change removes most of the safety problems patients tell us about.
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Realistic outcomes, spelled out
What this treatment can and cannot do - and what happens if it does not work. If you are hoping for something this treatment cannot deliver, we say so before you book.
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Written pre-care and aftercare
What to do before, on the day, and after - including medication changes, contraindications and warning signs. In writing and by message, not verbally in a corridor.
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Rare but serious risks
Every treatment has its own list. The consultant discusses them at consent - not glossed, not exaggerated. You take those notes home.
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Contraindications matter
Pregnancy, active infection, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, bleeding tendency and drug interactions - all reasons to postpone. We ask, and we listen.
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A same-day contact number
Written aftercare plus a phone number that answers on the day. Complications improve dramatically with early intervention, and hard to reach clinics cost lives.
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Included follow-up
The review appointment is booked before you leave - included in the pathway price, not billed separately when something is not right.
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Escalation to hospital where needed
Any private pathway has to have a plan for when things escalate - which hospital, which team, and how to get there. We insist on this before we route patients.
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Written record and second opinion
You leave with the record, the images and the plan - enough for another consultant to pick up if you ever want a second opinion.
Reading your treatment record
Your treatment record in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever pathway you chose, the record the clinic sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Keep every note, batch and image on file - it matters if you ever need a second opinion.
If you would like us to review a record from another clinic before your next visit, just ask.
- 01 Assessment
What was recommended and why
The consultant’s written note - history, examination, differential and the plan agreed with you. Read this alongside the pathway.
- 02 Procedure / Treatment
What was actually done
The named procedure, materials, medicines and settings used. Keep this - it matters for future care and for any second opinion.
- 03 Findings
What was found or measured
Any pathology, imaging or intra-procedural findings. Written in plain English alongside the technical terms.
- 04 Plan
Follow-up, medication, warning signs
Read this first: when to come back, medication changes, what is normal, and what needs a same-day phone call.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Insurance cover for this pathway varies by policy - some elements may be covered, others self-pay. Where NHS provision exists but is delayed, private care is the practical route.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about isotretinoin (roaccutane) clinic.
Quick answers on candidacy, safety, cost and outcomes.
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Why does isotretinoin need such close monitoring?
It is a highly effective but potent medicine with a formal MHRA-mandated Pregnancy Prevention Programme, monthly blood tests, and (since 2023) enhanced monitoring for mood, sexual dysfunction and other side effects. Consultant dermatology oversight is the standard.
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Can I get Roaccutane on the NHS?
Yes, through NHS consultant dermatology - but waits to be seen can be 12–24 months in many regions. Patients who need to start sooner (severe scarring acne, significant psychological impact) often move to private care.
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How long is a full course?
Typically 6–9 months to reach a cumulative dose of around 120–150 mg per kg. Some patients need a second course years later; for most, one course is enough.
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What does private Roaccutane cost in the UK?
The monitoring package with a consultant dermatologist typically runs £500–£1,500 for the whole course, plus £30–£90 per month for the drug itself and £45–£120 per set of blood tests.
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What are the side effects?
Very dry lips and skin, dry eyes, occasional nosebleeds, muscle aches - almost universal. Rarer but serious: raised liver enzymes, raised triglycerides, mood change, inflammatory bowel flare. Monthly monitoring is designed to catch these early.
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Can women take Roaccutane?
Yes, under the Pregnancy Prevention Programme - two reliable forms of contraception, monthly pregnancy tests, and prescriptions limited to 30 days at a time. It must not be taken during pregnancy or when trying to conceive.
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