Impact-Site-Verification: 2721d812-1059-4270-b9fa-5c1654788cd1

Isotretinoin Disp Pack — prescription drug image

Isotretinoin

ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules

Skin Care
Licensed US providers · Online visit in minutes

What is Isotretinoin?

Isotretinoin is a generic prescription medication used to treat acne. The average price of Isotretinoin is approximately $359 for a supply of 30, 10 mg capsules. Use our Rx.com savings offer to save as much as 80% on Isotretinoin at participating pharmacies near you.

Prescription savings · · · ·

What is Isotretinoin ?

Isotretinoin is a generic prescription medication used to treat acne. The average price of Isotretinoin is approximately $359 for a supply of 30, 10 mg capsules. Use our Rx.com savings offer to save as much as 80% on Isotretinoin at participating pharmacies near you.

  • Hearing loss, ringing in your ears
  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness
  • Vision changes, trouble seeing at night
  • Sudden or severe headache, dizziness, faintness, problems with vision, speech, or walking
  • Seizures
  • Severe diarrhea, stomach pain, or bleeding from your rectum
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, bloody urine
  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
  • Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
  • Depression, unusual moods or behaviors, thought of hurting yourself or others
  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy because it can cause serious birth defects. All patients who can become pregnant must follow the requirements of the iPLEDGE„¢ program. You must use 2 forms of birth control for 1 month before you start taking isotretinoin, for the entire time you are being treated, and for 1 month after your last dose. You will need to have a pregnancy test every month during your treatment and 1 month after treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a period or become pregnant.
  • Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for 8 days after your last dose.
  • Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, heart disease, asthma, bowel or digestion problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, a history of depression, lipid disorder, anorexia, or bone problems (including osteoporosis). Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) or aspirin.
  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Depression, changes in mood or behaviorBenign intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the brain)Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysisPancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Liver problemsInflammatory bowel disease
  • This medicine may cause bone or muscle problems, including fractures. You may get hurt more easily or heal more slowly. If this medicine is for your child, tell the doctor if you think your child is not growing properly.
  • This medicine may cause hearing or vision problems, including decreased night vision. Do not drive at night until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Do not donate blood during treatment with this medicine or for 1 month after your last dose.
  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
  • Do not use wax to remove hair or have any cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin (including dermabrasion, laser) while you are using this medicine and for 6 months after your last dose. Isotretinoin can increase your risk of scarring from these procedures.
  • Your acne may get worse for a short time before it starts to improve.
  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
How long does it take for isotretinoin to work?

Isotretinoin is taken as a course over several months, and most people don't see full results overnight. It's common for the skin to seem worse before it gets better in the early weeks, with clearer, more lasting improvement developing over the course of treatment. Your dermatologist will set your dose and length of treatment and monitor your progress, so follow their guidance rather than stopping early.

What are the most common side effects of isotretinoin?

The most common effects are dryness-related: dry, peeling skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. These are usually manageable with moisturizer, lip balm, eye drops, and sun protection. More serious risks, such as mood changes, high triglycerides, and raised pressure in the brain, are less common but important — tell your doctor about any troubling symptoms right away.

Can you drink alcohol while taking isotretinoin?

Isotretinoin can raise triglycerides and stress the liver, and alcohol can add to those effects, so it's best to limit or avoid alcohol during treatment. Ask your doctor what is safe in your specific situation, since they will also be monitoring your lab results while you're on the medication.

Why do you need two forms of birth control on isotretinoin?

Isotretinoin causes serious birth defects, miscarriage, and other severe harm if taken during pregnancy, so preventing pregnancy is critical. The FDA's iPLEDGE program requires patients who can become pregnant to use two forms of contraception at the same time, along with regular pregnancy testing, to reduce the risk as much as possible. This is a mandatory safety requirement, not optional.

Is isotretinoin the same as Accutane?

Yes — isotretinoin is the active ingredient in Accutane, the original brand, which has been discontinued in the US. Today the same medicine is available as generic isotretinoin and under other brand names such as Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, and Zenatane. They contain the same active drug; the main differences are price and, for some products, how they are absorbed with food.

How much does ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules cost without insurance?
The price of ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules without insurance varies by pharmacy, dosage, and quantity. Rx.com compares cash prices at more than 60,000 US pharmacies so you can find the lowest price near you. Many people save 60–90% off retail prices with a free Rx.com coupon.
What are the common side effects of ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules?
Common side effects of ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules may include: Hearing loss, ringing in your ears, Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness, Vision changes, trouble seeing at night, Sudden or severe headache, dizziness, faintness, problems with vision, speech, or walking, Seizures. This is not a complete list — consult your pharmacist or doctor for full side effect information.
Is there a generic version of ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules?
Generic versions may be available for ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules. Generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are typically 80–90% cheaper. Search ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules on Rx.com to compare generic and brand prices at pharmacies near you.
What is the cheapest pharmacy for ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules?
The cheapest pharmacy for ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules depends on your location and dosage. Rx.com compares prices at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and thousands of independent pharmacies. Enter your ZIP code on Rx.com to find the lowest price for ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules near you.

Isotretinoin Coupons & Prices

ISOtretinoin 30 Capsules

Skin Care
Licensed US providers · Online visit in minutes
Isotretinoin Disp Pack — prescription drug image
Prescription
Isotretinoin 30mg capsules, pack of 30 (1)
your area ·
Prescription weight loss

Weight-loss medication, prescribed online

Licensed U.S. providers · No insurance needed · Shipped to your door

$146/mo vs. brand-name GLP-1 medications $1,300+/mo Save up to 88%
See if I qualify Free online visit · No commitment
Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved and are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies. They are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or equivalent to any brand-name medication or manufacturer. Prescription required; eligibility is determined by a licensed provider. Prices are estimates and may vary.

Looking for an isotretinoin coupon? Isotretinoin is the low-cost generic oral retinoid prescribed for severe, treatment-resistant acne, and because it is a generic the cash price is already far lower than the discontinued brand Accutane. Even so, what you pay can vary widely from one pharmacy to the next, so it pays to compare. Rx.com checks isotretinoin prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find today's lowest price near you — enter your ZIP above to see current pricing and print or text yourself a free coupon.

What is isotretinoin and how does it work?

Isotretinoin is a systemic retinoid — an oral form of vitamin A — that is FDA-approved to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments, including systemic antibiotics. It works from the inside out, shrinking the skin's oil glands, reducing oil (sebum) production, and helping prevent the clogged pores that lead to acne. Because it addresses the root causes of severe acne, many people see lasting improvement after a full course of treatment.

Isotretinoin is sold under several brand names, including Absorica, Absorica LD, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, and Zenatane. The original brand, Accutane, is no longer sold in the US, but the generic and its brand equivalents remain widely available. This page is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Isotretinoin cost and coupons without insurance

Isotretinoin is available as a generic, which typically makes it much more affordable than its brand-name equivalents. Still, cash prices for the same prescription can differ a lot depending on which pharmacy you use and where you live, so comparing before you fill is the single best way to keep your cost down. With or without insurance, an Rx.com coupon may cost less than your plan's copay — it's always worth checking both.

To see what isotretinoin costs near you, enter your ZIP above and Rx.com will compare live prices across 60,000+ pharmacies and give you a free coupon to show at the counter. If your prescriber writes for a specific brand such as Absorica, the manufacturer also offers a savings program — you can review the current terms directly at the Absorica savings page (eligibility and terms vary and are set by the manufacturer).

Isotretinoin vs. brand names and other acne treatments

Generic isotretinoin and its brand equivalents — Absorica, Absorica LD, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, and Zenatane — all contain the same active ingredient. The main differences are price and, in some formulations, how the drug is absorbed with food. Because the generic is usually the least expensive option, comparing pharmacy prices is often where the biggest savings come from.

Isotretinoin is generally reserved for severe or stubborn acne. For milder cases, doctors often start with other options, such as topical tretinoin or adapalene, or oral antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline. Note that tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline should not be taken together with isotretinoin. Your dermatologist can help decide which treatment fits your situation.

Important safety information

Isotretinoin carries a boxed warning because it is a severe teratogen: it can cause serious birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth, and infant death if taken during pregnancy. It must never be used by anyone who is or may become pregnant. For this reason it is dispensed only through the FDA-required iPLEDGE REMS program, which requires registration and, for patients who can become pregnant, two negative pregnancy tests before starting, monthly pregnancy testing, and the use of two forms of contraception. You should also not donate blood during treatment or for one month afterward.

Other serious risks reported with isotretinoin include mood changes, depression and suicidal thoughts; raised pressure in the brain (pseudotumor cerebri, especially if combined with tetracycline antibiotics); pancreatitis; elevated triglycerides, cholesterol and liver enzymes; reports of inflammatory bowel disease; hearing or vision changes; and effects on bones. Common, milder side effects include dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, and increased sensitivity to sun. This is not a complete list — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your full history and any other medicines you take before starting isotretinoin, and report any concerning symptoms right away.

Sources & accuracy

This Isotretinoin information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Verify the official label: Isotretinoin on DailyMed (FDA)

Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026

¿Buscando esta página en español?

Browse more medications: starting with I · full A-Z directory · by condition · common drugs

Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.


Don't Miss Out On Savings!