Accutane alternatives

Accutane is a prescription medication used to treat severe acne when other treatments haven’t worked.

While Accutane is no longer sold in the United States, it is still available in a generic version called isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is available under various other brand names, such as:

• Absorica
• Amnesteem
• Zenatane
• Claravis
• Myorisan

Accutane and other generic forms of isotretinoin are not available over the counter (OTC). You will need a prescription from a healthcare professional to get them.

Some people may seek alternatives to Accutane due to the number of possible side effects that it may cause.

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What alternatives are available instead of Accutane?

Other retinoids

Accutane, or isotretinoin (the active ingredient in Accutane), is a type of drug called a retinoid. Retinoids help treat acne by unclogging your pores and regulating your skin cell growth. Accutane is a retinoid that you take as a pill, but there are other types of retinoids that you apply to your skin. These alternatives may have fewer side effects than Accutane. For example:

• tretinoin (Retin-A)
• tazarotene (Tazorac)
• trifarotene (Aklief)

Antibiotics

Doctors may recommend antibiotics to help manage acne. Antibiotics may come as a pill that you take by mouth or as a topical drug that you apply to your skin. Doctors often prescribe them along with other acne treatments. Antibiotics may have side effects, and they may not be the best choice if you are living with a severe form of acne.

Some common antibiotics that doctors typically prescribe for acne may include:

• oral tetracyclines, like doxycycline (Vibramycin) and minocycline (Dynacin)
• topical macrolides, like azithromycin (Zithromax) and erythromycin
• sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim)
• dapsone (Aczone)

Corticosteroids

Another alternative to Accutane may be corticosteroid shots. Doctors may prescribe this treatment to help clear severe acne nodules or cysts that will not heal on their own. Corticosteroid shots may also help reduce pain and inflammation from severe acne.

A healthcare professional will give you the corticosteroid shot injection directly into an acne nodule or cyst. Within 2 to 3 days, the nodule or cyst completely flattens.

Hormonal treatments

When hormonal changes occur around periods and menopause, it can cause acne in some people. Some types of birth control may help keep the hormones at a more stable level.

Some of the birth control options approved by the FDA to treat acne include:

• Beyaz
• Estrostep
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Yaz

Hormone treatments that help manage androgens (a hormone in your body) are also available. Talk with your doctor to find out whether this could help effectively treat your acne.

You may consider spironolactone (Aldactone, CaroSpir) to treat your acne when other treatment options have not worked.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is an alternative way to treat acne without having to take or use any medications. Phototherapy uses visible light devices to ease inflammation and kill bacteria on the skin. Phototherapy also has fewer side effects than a lot of medications.

Natural alternatives to Accutane

Although natural ways and home remedies to help treat acne are available, a doctor or dermatologist is not likely to suggest them. These options may not be strong enough to treat severe or cystic acne. So, doctors prescribe Accutane to treat these severe forms of acne.

Below are a few natural alternatives that may help. Although some of the ingredients in these remedies have shown some healing properties, none of these remedies are scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for severe or cystic acne.

• Diet: Removing all dairy products, refined sugar, and processed food might help with cystic or severe acne.
• Turmeric mask: Turmeric may have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that may help soothe acne. A small amount of water mixed with turmeric powder will create a thick paste that you can apply directly to the acne nodules or cysts twice per day. You can leave the paste on for about 45 minutes each time and then rinse it off with water.
• Probiotics: Probiotics may help improve your gut health, which in turn may help with your skin health. A daily serving of yogurt, kimchi, kefir, veggies, or other probiotics may help reduce inflammation and encourage clearer skin.
• Teatree oil: Teatree oil is known to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that might help clear acne. Tea tree oil is usually diluted and then applied to the acne.

Can vitamin A replace Accutane?

It’s possible to use vitamin A to help treat acne, but it depends on what form of vitamin A you are taking.

Oral vitamin A supplements could have similar effects to Accutane when taken in large doses. However, vitamin A builds up in your body tissues and can be toxic in large doses, so doctors do not prescribe oral vitamin A to treat acne.

Retinoid creams, which are discussed in the “What can be taken instead of Accutane?” section of the article, are a chemically altered version of vitamin A that can be applied to the skin. These treatments may help with acne by allowing the skin to heal and regenerate more quickly.

OTC alternatives to Accutane

Benzoyl peroxide may help treat mild acne. You can buy OTC benzoyl peroxide in multiple forms, such as face wash, body wash, gel, and cream. For more severe acne, a doctor may prescribe another medication to use with it.

Another OTC alternative to Accutane may be Differin Gel. Adapalene (active ingredient in Differin Gel) is a retinoid that may help with more severe acne.

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Summary

Many Accutane alternatives are available that may help manage acne. Prescription medications like retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal treatments may help with severe acne. Other treatments like corticosteroid shots and phototherapy may be effective for severe or cystic acne when other treatments have not worked.

OTC options and natural remedies are also available that may help with milder acne.

If Accutane is not for you, talk with your doctor or dermatologist about alternative options. They will help you choose the best treatment for you.