How Much Does Accutane Cost?
How to reduce the price
If it's worth it
Why costs vary
The average cost of Accutane without insurance is $575, according to 428 reviews from RealSelf community members. With health insurance, your price could drop to a copay of about $25.
Read on to learn why isotretinoin prices vary and how you can save money.
Why is Accutane so expensive?
Isotretinoin (the generic name for Accutane) is expensive because it is the only drug of its kind.
Accutane has been discontinued, but several other drug manufacturers now produce FDA-approved isotretinoin under brand names like Absorica, Myorisan, Amnesteem, Zenatane, and Claravis.
Whatever the name, isotretinoin remains the sole prescription option that can powerfully and effectively treat severe acne.
How can you reduce your Accutane price?
As we mentioned above, the average cost of Accutane without health insurance is nearly $500, but it’s become increasingly easy to reduce your cash price with online coupons or prescription savings cards.
You can reduce your cost to as little as $90 a month for a 30-day supply of isotretinoin (or other generic versions of the drug) by taking advantage of online coupons from pharmacy discount card providers.
Sites like USA Rx, GoodRx, and SingleCare negotiate bulk discounts with thousands of participating pharmacies to offer Accutane coupons or savings cards, which can dramatically reduce the cost of prescription drugs like this one.
Is Accutane worth the money?
RealSelf members give Accutane a Worth It Rating of 93%, with many saying that this potent acne treatment has had life-changing results. For those with severe cystic acne (aka nodular acne), this potent form of vitamin A can deliver clear skin, even after other acne treatment options have failed.
However, most dermatologists consider this FDA-approved medication a last resort due to its potential for serious side effects, so it won't be worth it for someone who's just bothered by the occasional pimple.
Before prescribing isotretinoin, they will probably start you on topical retinoids, like Tazorac, or on oral antibiotics, like tetracycline and doxycycline. Your derm may even recommend trying AviClear, a laser treatment that’s FDA-approved for mild to severe acne.
Why does the cost of Accutane vary?
These are the biggest factors that will affect your Accutane price.
1. Whether your health insurance plan covers it
Most insurance plans in the U.S. cover Accutane and other forms of isotretinoin. It's also covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Insurance copays can vary by plan, but reviewers on RealSelf say they pay about $25 per month for Accutane with insurance.
Again, if you don’t have coverage, you could save hundreds (or thousands) of dollars with pharmacy discount cards.
2. How many weeks you need to take it
A standard course of Accutane treatment runs from 16 to 20 weeks.
About 85% of patients don’t need more isotretinoin treatment for longer than 20 weeks, but those dealing with particularly stubborn cystic acne might need a second course.
3. Copays or other fees for monthly doctor visits and blood tests
While you're on Accutane or any form of isotretinoin, you'll need to register for the FDA's iPLEDGE program, which requires women of childbearing age to agree to use two forms of birth control while taking the drug. (Note that progestin-only birth control pills may not work while you're taking isotretinoin.) The iPLEDGE program's goal is to prevent fetal exposure to isotretinoin, which can cause severe birth defects.
Before you start your treatment course, your doctor will need to order blood tests to assess your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and confirm that your kidney and liver functions are normal.
For female patients, they will also need to confirm and record the results of two negative pregnancy tests (blood tests, since urine-based pregnancy test results can be unreliable) prior to issuing your prescription.
After that, you'll need to visit your doctor monthly, so they can enter the results of a negative pregnancy test in the iPLEDGE database before your refill will be authorized. You’ll also be required to get monthly lab tests to check that your previously tested levels are stable.
All of these monthly lab tests and doctor visits will come with fees. Depending on your insurance plan, these costs may be covered partially or fully—but even if you have coverage, you can still expect to pay a copay.
4. Mental health support, if you need it
While some studies show that isotretinoin's effective acne treatment can actually improve mental health, it has also been linked to depression and thoughts of suicide. Even if you've never struggled with depression in the past, pay special attention to your mental health during your treatment, and consider whether you may need to pay for a few sessions with a good therapist or counselor.
RealSelf Tip: One of the most common side effects of Accutane is severely dry skin. Talk with your dermatologist about affordable ways to modify your skin care routine to prevent dryness, flaking, and peeling (particularly around your lips). You might also need to purchase eye drops to reduce irritation from dry eyes.