Girls and women can take Accutane, but they must follow strict guidelines. It has been shown that if a girl or woman is pregnant and starts taking Accutane - or if she becomes pregnant while taking the medication - the unborn baby will probably be seriously damaged by the medication.

In girls or women, the isotretinoin pills should only be used for severe acne that has not responded to other treatments. It should be given only to patients who are reliable, have a clear understanding of the risks with pregnancy and will use birth control methods that will absolutely guard against accidental pregnancy. (These methods must be continued for one month after the medication is stopped.) A pregnancy test using a blood sample must be negative before she can begin taking the medication.