Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Accutane?SafetyAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Accutane?
Safety
Alternatives
If you’re looking for anAccutanealternative to treat youracne, you probably have one of two needs: either a substitute brand for Accutane or a medication that does not contain Accutane’s active ingredientisotretinoin. No matter which camp you fall into, you’ll find all the info you need here.
Accutane is a former brand name of isotretinoin—a prescription medication used to treatsevereornodular acne.
Although this brand has been discontinued since 2009, some people still call any isotretinoin medication “Accutane,” simply because it was the first oral isotretinoin acne medication on the market, and the brand is the most well-known.
Is Isotretinoin Safe?
Isotretinoin (formerly sold under the brand name Accutane) is a very effective treatment for severe acne. However, there are risks associated with this medication and it should only be taken under the close supervision of a healthcare professional.
Potential side effects of isotretinoin include:
Although not common, other serious sides effects may include:
Pregnancy RisksIsotretinoin can cause severe birth defects if taken while pregnant. Persons who can become pregnant are required to take a monthly pregnancy test and use two forms of birth control (or pledge not to have sex) while using this medication.
Pregnancy Risks
Isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects if taken while pregnant. Persons who can become pregnant are required to take a monthly pregnancy test and use two forms of birth control (or pledge not to have sex) while using this medication.
What are Isotretinoin Alternatives?
Generic Options
Although the brand Accutane is no longer available, there are still plenty of medications on the market today that contain the same active ingredient—isotretinoin. They’re just sold under different brand names.
Generic versionsof Accutane have been available since 2002 and have the same active ingredient as the original. They include formulations marketed under the brand names Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret, and others.
A prescription is needed for all of these medications, and they all have the same side effects as Accutane. Registration in theiPledge programis also required of anyone taking isotretinoin.
Just like with Accutane, these medications are not right for everyone. But, in the right situations, these options are great substitutes for the now non-existent Accutane brand.
For some people, though, isotretinoin medication isn’t an option. In this case, there are still plenty of treatment alternatives for people with stubborninflammatory acneorsevere acnebreakouts.
Topical Retinoids
Topical retinoidscome in creams, lotions, and gels that you apply to the skin, rather than take in pill form. Topical retinoids do some of the same things for your skin that isotretinoin can. They exfoliate the skin, reduce oiliness, help keep the pores clear, and prevent breakouts from forming.
Topical retinoid medications indicated for the treatment of acne includeRetin-A(tretinoin),Tazorac(tazarotene), and Differin (adapalene). As with isotretinoin, retinoid medications require a prescription.
Oral Antibiotics
Hormonal Treatments
Spironolactone (aldactone) is another effective medication that is for adult women only. It’s not specifically an acne treatment but can be used in certain circumstances to treat hormonal fluctuations that contribute to breakouts. Certain oral contraceptive pills can also be beneficial.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are sometimes used to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with severe acne.Corticosteroid shotscan help clear large acne nodules or cysts that won’t heal on their own.
A healthcare professional injects the corticosteroid directly into the blemish. This type of treatment can flatten the majority of nodules and cysts within 48 to 72 hours.
Acne Removal
Physically removing blemishes is another treatment method that can help with some forms of acne.
Acne extraction may be performed when acne treatments fail to clear blackheads and whiteheads. During this procedure, a healthcare professional uses sterile tools to carefully clear clogged or compacted pores.
Incision and drainage is another type of treatment used to remove large or painful acne cysts or nodules.This type ofacne surgical procedureuses a sterile needle or blade to drain pus and debris from a pimple.
Summary
If you’re struggling with severe or cystic acne, the best advice is to see a dermatologist. These serious forms of acne just don’t go away on their own, don’t improve with over-the-counter products, and can easily cause scarring.
Your dermatologist can help you devise the idealtreatment planfor your acne, utilizing isotretinoin or an isotretinoin-free medication that will work for you.
Dangers of Isotretinoin During Pregnancy
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: Overview.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Isotretinoin capsule information.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects.MedlinePlus.Isotretinoin.Leyden J, Stein-gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can clear severe acne?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: Why a dermatologist should only do it.Additional ReadingBaldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-5. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Webster GF.Isotretinoin: Mechanism of action and patient selection.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S86-8. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0163
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: Overview.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Isotretinoin capsule information.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects.MedlinePlus.Isotretinoin.Leyden J, Stein-gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can clear severe acne?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: Why a dermatologist should only do it.Additional ReadingBaldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-5. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Webster GF.Isotretinoin: Mechanism of action and patient selection.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S86-8. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0163
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: Overview.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Isotretinoin capsule information.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects.MedlinePlus.Isotretinoin.Leyden J, Stein-gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can clear severe acne?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: Why a dermatologist should only do it.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: Overview.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Isotretinoin capsule information.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Isotretinoin: The truth about side effects.
MedlinePlus.Isotretinoin.
Leyden J, Stein-gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can clear severe acne?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: Why a dermatologist should only do it.
Baldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-5. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Webster GF.Isotretinoin: Mechanism of action and patient selection.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S86-8. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0163
Baldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-5. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162
Webster GF.Isotretinoin: Mechanism of action and patient selection.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S86-8. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0163
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
