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Aklief vs. Absorica

Are Aklief and Absorica the Same Thing?

Aklief (trifarotene) Cream and Absorica (isotretinoin) are retinoids indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

Aklief Cream may be used in in patients 9 years of age and older.

Absorica may be used in in patients 12 years of age and older who have not been helped by other acne treatments, including antibiotics.

Side effects of Aklief Cream and Absorica that are similar include application site reactions (such as irritation, itching, pain, redness, dryness, stinging/burning, discoloration, rash, swelling, and lesions).

Side effects of Aklief Cream that are different from Absorica include sunburn, acne, and allergic dermatitis.

Side effects of Absorica that are different from Aklief Cream include mental health problems (such as depression, psychosis, or thoughts of suicide), fatigue, skin reactions such as infections, bone or joint pain, eye inflammation (dry eyes, burning, redness, itching), difficulty moving, dry nose that can lead to nosebleeds, inflammation of the lips (including chapping, scaling, redness, pain, burning), and abdominal pain.

Aklief Cream may interact with other drugs.

Absorica may interact with vitamin supplements containing Vitamin A, tetracyclines, phenytoin, St. John's wort, systemic corticosteroids, and oral contraceptives.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Aklief?

Common side effects of Aklief include:

  • application site reactions such as:
    • irritation,
    • itching,
    • pain,
    • redness,
    • dryness,
    • stinging/burning,
    • discoloration,
    • rash,
    • swelling, and
    • lesions
  • sunburn,
  • acne, and
  • allergic dermatitis

What Are Possible Side Effects of Absorica?

Common side effects of Absorica include:

  • mental health problems (such as depression, psychosis, or thoughts of suicide),
  • fatigue,
  • skin reactions such as infections or rash,
  • dry skin,
  • bone or joint pain,
  • eye inflammation (dry eyes, burning, redness, itching),
  • difficulty moving,
  • dry nose that can lead to nosebleeds,
  • inflammation of the lips (including chapping, scaling, redness, pain, burning), and
  • abdominal pain

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience depression, thoughts of suicide, or psychosis while taking Absorica.

What Is Aklief?

Aklief (trifarotene) Cream is a retinoid indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older.

What Is Absorica?

Absorica (isotretinoin) is a retinoid, a form of vitamin A, used to treat a severe form of acne called nodular acne in patients 12 years of age and older who have not been helped by other acne treatments, including antibiotics.

What Drugs Interact With Aklief?

Aklief may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With Absorica?

Absorica may interact with steroids, seizure medications, or tetracycline antibiotics.

Absorica may also interact with vitamin supplements containing Vitamin A, St. John's wort, and oral contraceptives.

How Should Aklief Be Taken?

The dose of Aklief Cream is a thin layer applied to the affected areas of the face and/or trunk once a day, in the evening, on clean and dry skin.

How Should Absorica Be Taken?

Absorica is taken orally. The recommended dosage of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day is given in two divided doses for 15 to 20 weeks.

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