Two medicines, side by side
Salicylic acid vs tretinoin
Salicylic acid and tretinoin are both labeled for acne. Pharmacies paid $0.102 per callus removers patch and $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the salicylic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 22, 2024); the tretinoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 17, 2024).
Highlights of the salicylic acid record
Salicylic acid · label of October 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the treatment of acne.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per patch
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the tretinoin record
Tretinoin (Retin-A) · label of May 17, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsRETIN-A is indicated for topical application in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The safety and efficacy of the long-term use of this product in the treatment of other disorders have not been established.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 20, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.506 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Salicylic acid label of October 22, 2024, Tretinoin label of May 17, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do salicylic acid and tretinoin differ on the record?
Generics: salicylic acid none approved; tretinoin since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Salicylic acid | Tretinoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne, Pain, Psoriasis | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Retinoid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | October 20, 1971 |
| First generic approved | none | June 19, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.102 per patch (Callus removers patch) | $0.506 per gram (Tretinoin 0.025% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +10% | -49% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 52,581 | 8,069 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Tretinoin label, drug interactionsParticular caution should be exercised in using preparations containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid with RETIN-A. It also is advisable to “rest” a patient’s skin until the effects of such preparations subside before use of RETIN-A is begun.
Tretinoin label, drug interactionsParticular caution should be exercised in using preparations containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid with tretinoin.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to salicylic acid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions