Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to isotretinoin
3 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as isotretinoin or labeled mainly for the same use (acne); 1 is in its class, retinoids: tretinoin (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $8.53 per tretinoin 10 mg capsule (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as isotretinoin?
Acne lists all 26 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isotretinoinretinoid | this medicine | 13 labelers | $11.94 per capsule 10 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry |
| Tretinoinretinoid · same class | Acne | 5 labelers | $8.53 per capsule 10 mg capsule | No | No current entry |
| Sulfur | Acne | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Salicylic acid | Acne | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Isotretinoin: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Isotretinoin vs tretinoin
- two records side by side