Accutane vs. Retin-A

• Are Accutane and Retin-A the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Accutane?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Retin-A?
• What is Accutane?
• What is Retin-A?
• What Drugs Interact with Accutane?
• What Drugs Interact with Retin-A?
• How Should Accutane Be Taken?
• How Should Retin-A Be Taken?

Accutane (isotretinoin) and Retin-A (tretinoin) Cream and Gel are forms of vitamin A called retinoids used for the treatment and prevention of severe acne.

The brand name Accutane is discontinued in the U.S., but generic formulations are available.

A difference is Acutane is an oral drug, while Retin-A is a topical drug (applied to the skin).

Common side effects of Accutane include:

• dry skin,
• itching,
• rash,
• dry nose,
• nosebleeds,
• cracks in the corners of the mouth,
• dry mouth,
• dry lips,
• cracking or peeling skin,
• inflammation of the whites of the eyes,
• dry eyes,
• joint pain,
• back pain,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• nervousness, or
• changes in your fingernails or toenails.

Common side effects of Retin-A include:

• red,
• swollen,
• blistered, or crusted skin;
• burning,
• warmth,
• stinging,
• tingling,
• itching,
• dryness,
• peeling, or irritation where the medicine is applied; or
• changes in skin color (darker or lighter)

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a retinoid used for the treatment and prevention of severe acne. The brand name Accutane is discontinued in the U.S., but generic formulations are available.

Retin-A (tretinoin) Cream and Gel is a form of Vitamin A used for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

Accutane may interact with steroids, seizure medications, or tetracycline antibiotics

Retin-A may interact with certain antibiotics.

Retin-A may also interact with other topical medications (especially those containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid), diuretics (water pills), sulfa drugs, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, fluphenazine, promethazine, and perphenazine.

The recommended dose of Accutane is 0.5 to 2 mg per kg of body weight daily.

Apply Retin-A to infected areas once a day. Use enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. Exposure to sunlight including sunlamps should be minimized while using Retin-A. If you have a sun burn you should avoid using Retin-A until you have completely recovered from the sun burn.