Absorica vs. its authorized generic and generics

Strength How many

How to pay the least

From

$80.69 for 30 capsules

Generic isotretinoin with the free Team Cuban Card, at pharmacies that take it. Pick the strength on your label above for its own price.

Get the free Team Cuban Card. It costs nothing to sign up.See the price and get the card
At a pharmacy that takes it, show the card and ask for generic isotretinoin.Find a pharmacy that takes it

A regular generic has the same active ingredient as Absorica, and the FDA requires it to work the same way.

Compare every option

Brand nameAbsorica

Authorized genericisotretinoin

Regular genericisotretinoin

What you’d pay

At least$1,070for 30 capsules; pharmacies pay this

Cash priceAsk the pharmacyUsually less than Absorica

From$80.69for 30 capsules at Team Cuban Card

Same as Absorica?

The original

Same medicine

Same active ingredientFillers and dyes can differ

Brand nameThe maker’s card

Absorica’s maker has a savings card that lowers what you pay at the pharmacy.

ABSORICA Copay Card Program

Savings card from Sun Pharma

No insuranceNeeds insuranceNo cash price listed.

Insurance · as little as $25 for 30 capsules

The card takes up to $5,100 a year off your co-pay.

In the maker’s words

“Patients with commercial health insurance who qualify to participate can pay as little as $25 for 30 capsules, with a maximum annual benefit of $5,100.”

From the maker’s offer on absorica.com, checked November 2, 2026. Co-pay cards can’t be used with Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), Medicaid, TRICARE or VA.

Authorized genericThe NDC to ask for

The same medicine as Absorica, without the brand name. Give the pharmacy its NDC to get it.

isotretinoin

Sold by

Sun Pharmaceutical IndustriesThe company behind Absorica

How to get it

You can’t just pick this up at any pharmacy. Isotretinoin is only available through the FDA’s iPLEDGE program: your prescriber registers you, you meet the program’s monthly requirements, and a pharmacy registered with iPLEDGE fills it.

About iPLEDGE

Your strength

NDC to ask for

10 mgcapsule
- 57664-020-9711-digit: 57664-0020-973 blister packs of 10 capsules
20 mgcapsule
- 57664-021-9711-digit: 57664-0021-973 blister packs of 10 capsules
25 mgcapsule
- 57664-022-9711-digit: 57664-0022-973 blister packs of 10 capsules
30 mgcapsule
- 57664-023-9711-digit: 57664-0023-973 blister packs of 10 capsules
35 mgcapsule
- 57664-024-9711-digit: 57664-0024-973 blister packs of 10 capsules
40 mgcapsule
- 57664-025-9711-digit: 57664-0025-973 blister packs of 10 capsules

Source: FDA, updated October 30, 2026

What to ask your doctor

“Can you prescribe the authorized generic of Absorica through iPLEDGE?”

Brand and authorized generic labels

Official labels and ingredient lists from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

10 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

Authorized generic package label from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries — Authorized genericSun Pharmaceutical Industries

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 10 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

Ferric oxide yellow
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Potassium hydroxide
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

20 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 20 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

Ferric oxide red
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Potassium hydroxide
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

25 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 25 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

FD&C Blue No. 1
FD&C Yellow No. 5
FD&C Yellow No. 6
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sodium hydroxide
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

30 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 30 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

Ferric oxide red
Ferric oxide yellow
Ferrosoferric oxide
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Potassium hydroxide
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sodium hydroxide
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

35 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 35 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

FD&C Blue No. 2
Ferric oxide red
Ferric oxide yellow
Ferrosoferric oxide
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sodium hydroxide
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

40 mg capsule

Same active and inactive ingredients as Absorica.

See the ingredients

Active: isotretinoin 40 mg

Inactive, on both labels:

Ferric oxide red
Ferric oxide yellow
Ferrosoferric oxide
Gelatin
PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides
Potassium hydroxide
Propyl gallate
Propylene glycol
Shellac
Sodium hydroxide
Sorbitan monooleate
Soybean oil
Titanium dioxide

Regular genericWhere to buy it

Pharmacies’ own cash prices for generic isotretinoin, lowest first.

Pick up in store

Pick up in store: Team Cuban Card from $80.69for 30 capsules20 mg $156.80 · 25 mg $269.76 · 30 mg $203.65 · 35 mg $255.51 · 40 mg $80.69Free card · Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer and many local pharmaciesFind a pharmacy that takes it

From each pharmacy’s own site, read November 2, 2026. Confirm the price before you fill.

About these prices

Prices change, can differ by store and state, and may depend on the strength and how many you take. With insurance, ask what your plan charges; it can be less.

Regular genericMakers and their savings cards

5 companies sell a generic of Absorica that the FDA rates a substitute. A pharmacy fills whichever one it stocks. One of them has its own savings card, listed first. It works only with that maker’s version. To get a certain maker, ask for it by name; most pharmacies can order it in a day or two.

Actavis PharmaAll 6 strengths

Has dyes: FD&C Blue No. 1, D&C Yellow No. 10, D&C Yellow No. 10 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No. 2--aluminum lake, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6

Teva Generics copay savings card (Isotretinoin Capsules, USP)

With commercial insurance as little as $20 a prescription

Print the card (PDF)

Or call 1-844-248-7949. See the offer on tevausa.com

In the maker’s words
“Patients may pay as little as $20 out of pocket for Teva’s Isotretinoin Capsules, USP.”

How it looks, what’s in it, NDCs

10 mg White and banded with a blue band, capsule, 19 mm, marked “WPI / 2433”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2433-15

20 mg White and light yellow and banded with a blue band, capsule, 21 mm, marked “WPI / 2434”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2434-15

25 mg Light green and banded with a blue band, capsule, 21 mm, marked “WPI / A128”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2451-15

30 mg Orange and banded with a blue band, capsule, 23 mm, marked “WPI / 2435”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2435-15

35 mg Flesh and banded with a blue band, capsule, 23 mm, marked “WPI / A168”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2501-15

40 mg Orange and banded with a blue band, capsule, 23 mm, marked “WPI / 2436”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 0591-2436-15

Inactive ingredients: sorbitan monooleate, soybean oil, peg-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides, .alpha.-tocopherol, FD&C Blue No. 1, gelatin, titanium dioxide, ammonia, ferrosoferric oxide, propylene glycol, shellac, ferric oxide yellow, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Yellow No. 10 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No. 2--aluminum lake, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium hydroxide
FDA label
Aurobindo PharmaAll 6 strengths

Has dyes: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 3

Product page on aurobindousa.com

How it looks, what’s in it, NDCs

10 mg Dark yellow cap and dark yellow body, capsule, 16 mm, marked “ISO / 10”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-631-03

20 mg Red, capsule, 19 mm, marked “ISO / 20”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-632-03

25 mg Green, capsule, 21 mm, marked “ISO / 25”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-633-03

30 mg Brown, capsule, 23 mm, marked “ISO / 30”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-634-03

35 mg Dark blue cap and dark blue body, capsule, 23 mm, marked “ISO / 35”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-635-03

40 mg Brown and red, capsule, 25 mm, marked “ISO / 40”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 59651-636-03

Inactive ingredients: propyl gallate, sorbitan monooleate, soybean oil, stearoyl polyoxyl-32 glycerides, gelatin, ferric oxide yellow, titanium dioxide, ferrosoferric oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac, polysorbate 80, ferric oxide red, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 3
Mayne Pharma10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg

Made by Upsher-Smith Laboratories

Product page on maynepharma.com

How it looks, what’s in it, NDCs

10 mg Yellow, oval, 12 mm, marked “570”

Package NDC
Box of 30 68308-570-30

20 mg Pink, oval, 15 mm, marked “571”

Package NDC
Box of 30 68308-571-30

30 mg Brown, oval, 18 mm, marked “573”

Package NDC
Box of 30 68308-573-30

40 mg Pink and brown, oval, 20 mm, marked “575”

Package NDC
Box of 30 68308-575-30

Inactive ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, hydrogenated soybean oil, soybean oil, .alpha.-tocopherol, yellow wax, gelatin, glycerin, sorbitol, ferric oxide yellow, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide red, ferrosoferric oxide, water
FDA label
Upsher-Smith Laboratories10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg

Product page on upsher-smith.com

How it looks, what’s in it, NDCs

10 mg Yellow, oval, 12 mm, marked “570”

Package NDC
Box of 30 0245-0570-01

20 mg Pink, oval, 15 mm, marked “571”

Package NDC
Box of 30 0245-0571-01

30 mg Brown, oval, 18 mm, marked “573”

Package NDC
Box of 30 0245-0573-01

40 mg Pink and brown, oval, 20 mm, marked “575”

Package NDC
Box of 30 0245-0575-01

Inactive ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, edetate disodium, hydrogenated soybean oil, soybean oil, .alpha.-tocopherol, yellow wax, gelatin, glycerin, sorbitol, ferric oxide yellow, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide red, ferrosoferric oxide, water
FDA label
Zydus LifesciencesAll 6 strengths

Has dyes: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 3

How it looks, what’s in it, NDCs

10 mg Yellow opaque cap and yellow opaque body, capsule, 18 mm, marked “1574”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1574-8

20 mg Orange opaque cap and orange opaque body, capsule, 22 mm, marked “1575”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1575-8

25 mg Light green opaque cap and light green opaque body, capsule, 22 mm, marked “1576”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1576-8

30 mg Light brown opaque cap and light brown opaque body, capsule, 24 mm, marked “1577”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1577-8

35 mg Light blue opaque cap and light blue opaque body, capsule, 24 mm, marked “1578”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1578-8

40 mg Light pink opaque cap and light pink opaque body, capsule, 24 mm, marked “1579”

Package NDC
Carton of 30 70710-1579-8

Inactive ingredients: ferric oxide yellow, ferrosoferric oxide, gelatin, peg-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides, potassium hydroxide, propyl gallate, propylene glycol, shellac, sorbitan monooleate, soybean oil, titanium dioxide, water, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 3, ferric oxide red
FDA label

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2433-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2434-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2451-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2435-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2501-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	0591-2436-15

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-631-03

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-632-03

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-633-03

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-634-03

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-635-03

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	59651-636-03

Package	NDC
Box of 30	68308-570-30

Package	NDC
Box of 30	68308-571-30

Package	NDC
Box of 30	68308-573-30

Package	NDC
Box of 30	68308-575-30

Package	NDC
Box of 30	0245-0570-01

Package	NDC
Box of 30	0245-0571-01

Package	NDC
Box of 30	0245-0573-01

Package	NDC
Box of 30	0245-0575-01

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1574-8

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1575-8

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1576-8

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1577-8

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1578-8

Package	NDC
Carton of 30	70710-1579-8

The FDA doesn’t rate Amneal Pharmaceuticals, BluePoint Laboratories, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals’s versions of isotretinoin a substitute for Absorica, so a pharmacy can’t swap them in without your prescriber’s OK.

Who sells it: FDA and Medicaid records, updated weekly. Each maker’s page, card and program is from its own site, checked November 2, 2026. Co-pay cards can’t be used with Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), Medicaid, TRICARE or VA.

What it’s used for

Severe nodular acne

What the FDA label says

ABSORICA and ABSORICA LD are retinoids indicated for the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodular acne in non-pregnant patients 12 years of age and older with multiple inflammatory nodules with a diameter of 5 mm or greater. Because of significant adverse reactions associated with its use, ABSORICA and ABSORICA LD are reserved for patients with severe nodular acne who are unresponsive to conventional therapy, including systemic antibiotics.

Limitations of Use:

If a second course of ABSORICA/ABSORICA LD treatment is needed, it is not recommended before a two-month waiting period because the patient’s acne may continue to improve following a 15 to 20-week course of treatment.

Source: the FDA label for Absorica (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.), August 19, 2026. Full label on DailyMed

Good to know

It may look different from Absorica (color, shape, or markings). That’s normal for an authorized generic.
If your prescription says “dispense as written,” the pharmacy needs your prescriber’s OK to give you the authorized generic.
Cash prices can differ a lot from one pharmacy to the next, so it can pay to ask two. With insurance, what you pay depends on your plan.
Don’t stop or change a medicine without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.

Prices checked November 2, 2026. Prices change: confirm with the pharmacy before you fill. drugalt.com/drug/absorica/