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Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid for severe acne when other appropriate treatment has not worked. It can cause serious harm during pregnancy and requires structured clinical monitoring.

Isofair

Severe Acne, Acne Conglobata

10 · 20mg

Isofair is isotretinoin 10mg and 20mg soft capsules for severe, conglobate and cystic acne, a systemic retinoid that shrinks the sebaceous glands.

From$1.17/ tabletView

Tretiva

Severe Acne, Nodulocystic Acne

5 · 10 · 20 · 30mg

Tretiva is isotretinoin from 5mg to 30mg in soft capsules for severe, nodulocystic and cystic acne, cutting sebaceous gland activity and size.

From$0.98/ tabletView

Isotroin

Acne Vulgaris, Severe Acne

10 · 20mg

Isotroin is isotretinoin 10mg and 20mg soft capsules for acne vulgaris and severe cystic acne, a retinoid that cuts sebum at its source.

From$1.17/ tabletView

Key points

  • Isotretinoin is reserved for severe or treatment-resistant acne, not routine mild acne.
  • Pregnancy prevention and testing requirements are essential because exposure during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects.
  • Major mood changes, thoughts of self-harm, severe headache with visual symptoms or a serious skin reaction needs urgent assessment.

Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.

What Isotretinoin is used for

It may be prescribed for severe acne, including severe cystic acne, nodulocystic acne and acne conglobata, after assessment of previous treatment and scarring risk.

How it works

Isotretinoin reduces sebaceous-gland activity and oil production and changes how skin cells develop within pores. Improvement and adverse effects vary, so treatment is reviewed rather than selected by brand alone.

Important safety checks

Anyone who could become pregnant needs the required pregnancy-prevention plan and must not use isotretinoin during pregnancy. Liver function and blood lipids may require monitoring. Vitamin A supplements and tetracycline antibiotics need interaction review. Do not donate blood during treatment or handle treatment changes without the prescriber.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent help for thoughts of suicide or self-harm, marked mood or behaviour change, severe headache with nausea or visual disturbance, extensive blistering or peeling skin, facial swelling, breathing difficulty or severe abdominal pain.

Further reading

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