Is It Safe to Use Retinoids Like Accutane for Acne?
Can retinoids be used safely for acne? Learn about retinoids, their benefits for acne, possible side effects, and tips for using them safely.
isotretinoin
Used for Acne
Used for Acne
Absorica (isotretinoin) is a retinoid used to treat severe acne in people 12 years and older that can't be cleared up by other acne treatments, including antibiotics. It comes as a capsule that you take by mouth twice a day, typically for 4 to 5 months at a time. Absorica (isotretinoin) comes in both brand and generic versions, but it isn't interchangeable with the brand Accutane (isotretinoin). Common side effects include dry lips, dry skin, back pain, and dry eye.
What is Absorica (isotretinoin)?
What is Absorica (isotretinoin) used for?
- Severe nodular acne that hasn’t improved with other acne treatments, including antibiotics
How Absorica (isotretinoin) works
Absorica (isotretinoin) is a retinoid, which is a type of vitamin A. It works by lowering the amount of oil your skin makes, which helps prevent clogged pores and clear acne. It also helps your skin renew itself more quickly and reduces inflammation.
When does Absorica (isotretinoin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Absorica, Absorica LD |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Retinoic acid derivative |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Absorica (isotretinoin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry lips
- Dry skin
- Back pain
- Dry eyes
- Joint pain
- Nose bleeds
- Headache
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Skin reactions
- Muscle problems
- Vision problems
Less Common Side Effects
- Hair loss
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Weight changes
- Poor appetite
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Swelling
- Sexual problems
Absorica (isotretinoin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Mental health changes: depression, mood changes, suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Higher pressure in the brain: bad headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, stroke
- Serious skin problems: pink eye, rash with a fever, blisters, sores, skin peeling
- Inflammation of the pancreas: severe upper stomach pain, stomach swelling, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Hearing problems: ringing in the ears, hearing loss
- Liver damage: yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain on the right side of the stomach, dark urine, bleeding or bruising more easily
- Inflammation of the gut: severe stomach or bowel pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding
- Vision problems: trouble seeing at night, blurred vision
- Serious allergic reactions: swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing, fever, rash
When do Absorica (isotretinoin) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Dry skin/eyes/lips
Worsening acne
Muscle or joint pain
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Absorica (isotretinoin) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Hearing loss, ringing in ears
- Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Stomach pain, rectal bleeding, severe diarrhea
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dryness or irritation of the eyes, lips, mouth, or nose
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
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Pros and cons of Absorica (isotretinoin)
Pros
- Works very well to treat severe acne
- Only need to take for 4 to 5 months for each treatment
- Can provide long-lasting results
- Can be taken with or without food
Cons
- Not safe in pregnancy
- Requires monthly monitoring and iPLEDGE participation
- Commonly causes dry skin and lips
- Can cause serious mental health changes
Pharmacist tips for Absorica (isotretinoin)
- You can take Absorica (isotretinoin) with or without food. Take each dose with a full glass of water or another liquid to help prevent irritation in your throat.
- Your acne might look worse at first before it gets better. Keep taking it as prescribed, and talk with your prescriber if your progress concerns you.
- If you miss a dose of Absorica (isotretinoin), skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t take two doses at once.
- If you miss a dose of Absorica (isotretinoin), skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t take two doses at once.
- Absorica (isotretinoin) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when going out, and avoid tanning beds.
- Be careful driving at night while taking Absorica (isotretinoin). That's because it can affect your vision, especially in low light.
- You might need regular blood tests while taking Absorica (isotretinoin). These tests help check for side effects, such as liver problems or high cholesterol.
- Though not common, Absorica (isotretinoin) can affect your mood or thoughts. Stop taking the medication and call your care team if you feel depressed or have thoughts of self-harm.
- Check with your prescriber before taking any new medications, vitamins, or supplements with Absorica (isotretinoin). Some products, including vitamin A) can interact with Absorica (isotretinoin) and be dangerous for you. St. John’s wort can make hormonal birth control less effective, which can put you at risk for getting pregnant.
- Absorica (isotretinoin) has several important interactions that can cause serious side effects. Don't take it with tetracycline antibiotics because the combination can raise pressure in the brain. And certain seizure medications can affect how well hormonal birth control works.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Absorica (isotretinoin) because the combination can raise your risk for liver damage.
- Don't donate blood while taking Absorica (isotretinoin) and for 1 month after your last dose. The medication could harm an unborn baby if a pregnant person receives your donated blood.
- Pregnancy: Because Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause serious birth defects, you must register with a special REMS program called iPLEDGE — even if you can't get pregnant.
Pregnancy prevention tips:
- Use two forms of birth control while taking Absorica (isotretinoin). This medication can cause severe birth defects. Talk to your prescriber about appropriate forms of birth control.
- You must not get pregnant for 1 month before starting, during treatment, and 1 month after stopping Absorica (isotretinoin). Your care team will require regular pregnancy tests during treatment.
Risks and warnings for Absorica (isotretinoin)
Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause severe harm to unborn babies, including birth defects, miscarriage, and premature birth. Because of this risk, Absorica (isotretinoin) is only available through a special Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program called iPLEDGE. You, your prescriber, and your pharmacy must all be enrolled in the program.
If you can get pregnant, you must use two forms of birth control for 1 month before starting treatment, during treatment, and for 1 month after your last dose. You'll also need regular pregnancy tests while taking the medication.
Don't donate blood while taking Absorica (isotretinoin) or for 1 month after your last dose. The medication could be passed to a pregnant person through a blood transfusion and harm their unborn baby.
Depression and thoughts of self-harm
Absorica (isotretinoin) might affect your mood, thoughts, or behavior. In rare cases, people taking this medication reported depression, delusions, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Stop taking the medication and contact your prescriber right away if you or your loved ones notice depression, unusual mood changes, aggressive behavior, or thoughts of self-harm.
Higher pressure in the brain
- Risk factors: Taking tetracycline medications
Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause high pressure in the brain. Your risk is higher if you take certain antibiotics called tetracyclines at the same time, so this combination should be avoided.
Tell your care team right away if you have symptoms like severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or changes in your vision while taking Absorica (isotretinoin). You might need to stop the medication and get medical care right away.
Serious skin reaction
Absorica (isotretinoin) can rarely cause severe skin reactions that could be life-threatening, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). These reactions can cause a widespread rash, blisters, peeling skin, or sores in your mouth, eyes, or other areas.
Stop taking the medication and get medical help right away if you notice a severe rash, blistering, peeling skin, or other unusual skin changes. Your care team might tell you to stop the medication permanently.
Inflammation of the pancreas
Absorica (isotretinoin) can rarely cause pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. Stop taking the medication and get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. These can be signs of pancreatitis and need prompt treatment.
High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Risk factors: Diabetes | Larger body size | Drinking alcohol regularly | History of high cholesterol or triglycerides
Absorica (isotretinoin) can raise the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides. Tell your care team if you have diabetes, have a larger body size, or drink alcohol regularly, since these can increase your risk.
Your prescriber might order blood tests regularly to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If your levels become too high, they might lower your dose or have you stop the medication.
Hearing problems
Absorica (isotretinoin) can rarely cause hearing problems. In some cases, hearing loss has continued even after people stopped taking the medication.
Stop taking the medication and contact your care team right away if you notice ringing in your ears (tinnitus) or changes in your hearing. They might refer you to a hearing specialist for further testing.
Liver problems
Absorica (isotretinoin) can lead to liver problems. Your care team will likely order blood tests before and during treatment to check how well your liver is working. If your liver tests become too high or you develop signs of liver damage, your prescriber might lower your dose or stop
Tell your care team right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper right side of your stomach, or unusual tiredness. These can be signs of liver problems.
Inflammation of the gut
Absorica (isotretinoin) has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), even in people who have never had stomach or intestinal problems before. In some cases, symptoms continued after the medication was stopped.
Stop taking it and contact your care team right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, or bleeding from your rectum. These can be signs of a serious gut problem.
Bone and muscle problems
- Risk factors: Bone conditions | Anorexia | Taking seizure medications or corticosteroids | Take corticosteroid medications | Taking multiple courses of Absorica (isotretinoin)
Absorica (isotretinoin) can affect your bones, joints, and muscles. Some people have had bone loss, broken bones, slower healing after a fracture, or changes in bone growth while taking this medication. The risk is higher if you have certain bone conditions, take steroid medications, or have taken multiple courses of the treatment.
Joint pain, muscle aches, and back pain are also common side effects. Tell your care team if you have ongoing back pain, joint pain, or trouble with physical activity while taking Absorica (isotretinoin). They might want to check for bone or joint problems.
If you play sports or do activities with repeated impact, let your care team know. In rare cases, the medication can increase the risk of certain bone and growth plate injuries in growing children and teens.
Eye problems
- Risk factors: History of eye problems
Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause vision changes. Tell your care team right away if you notice blurry vision, trouble seeing, or any other changes in your eyesight. You might need an eye exam and may need to stop the medication.
Absorica (isotretinoin) can also make it harder to see at night. In some cases, this problem has continued after treatment ended. Be extra careful when driving or doing other activities at night.
Dry eyes are a common side effect of the medication. If you wear contact lenses, they could feel uncomfortable during treatment.
Serious allergic reactions
It's rare, but Absorica (isotretinoin) can cause serious allergic reactions. These can include severe rash, bruising, red or purple spots on the skin, or swelling. Stop taking the medication and get help right away if you develop a severe rash, swelling, trouble breathing, or other signs of an allergic reaction.
Absorica (isotretinoin) dosage
The average cost for 30 capsules of 40mg of Absorica (isotretinoin) is $57.46 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 93.91% off the average retail price of $943.92. 
Capsule
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 30 capsules | $57.46 | $1.92 |
| 20mg | 30 capsules | $50.04 | $1.67 |
| 25mg | 60 capsules | $451.51 | $7.53 |
| 30mg | 60 capsules | $89.12 | $1.49 |
| 35mg | 30 capsules | $252.12 | $8.40 |
| 40mg | 30 capsules | $57.46 | $1.92 |
Typical dosage for Absorica (isotretinoin)
Your dose of Absorica (isotretinoin) is based on your body weight.
- Absorica: The typical dose is 0.5 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg each day, split into 2 doses taken by mouth for 15 to 20 weeks (about 4 to 5 months).
- Absorica LD: The typical dose is 0.4 mg/kg to 0.8 mg/kg each day, split into 2 doses taken by mouth for 15 to 20 weeks (about 4 to 5 months).
If needed, your prescriber might recommend a second course of treatment, but not until at least 2 months after your first course ends.
How much does Absorica (isotretinoin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Absorica (isotretinoin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Absorica (isotretinoin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Pregnancy
What are alternatives to Absorica (isotretinoin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Absorica (isotretinoin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Absorica (isotretinoin) images
