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Absorica is a powerful medication that helps fight persistent acne. It works by shrinking your oil glands and reducing oil production to prevent bacteria and debris build up in your pores. Absorica has the same active ingredient as Accutane but boasts better absorptive properties.
Absorica is a similar drug to Accutane. Like Accutane, Absorica treats acne at its source. Acne is caused, in large part, by an overproduction of oil in your skin. Often, this overproduction is an abnormal response to otherwise completely normal and healthy stimuli (e.g. hormone levels). The oil clogs your pores, promoting a build up debris and bacteria that triggers an immune response.
Absorica shrinks your oil glands and reduces oil production. The combined effect prevents bacteria and debris from building up in your pores, which reduces acne. The main difference between Absorica and Accutane is Absorica is formulated to have better absorption than Accutane. This means that Absorica contains a lower dose of the active ingredient, isotretinoin, than its equivalent in Accutane.
All Absorica patients must be enrolled into the FDA’s iPledge program, which seeks to track the distribution of this medication as well as prevent pregnancy while on treatment. The iPledge program has monthly requirements including pregnancy testing and contraceptive-use for female patients that can get pregnant. Additional requirements during treatment include blood work lab orders and monthly check-ins with a provider.
The good news? We help you manage this process every step of the way, and you can do most of it from home!
Honeydew offers a convenient way to manage your Absorica treatment mostly online. Begin by completing a free online consultation with a Honeydew Provider. If Absorica is prescribed, we will issue a lab order for any necessary tests (such as pregnancy tests or bloodwork), which you can take to any lab you prefer. Your care team will review the results and enroll you in iPledge. Every month, you can submit an online follow-up with updated photos. If pregnancy is a possibility, you can also upload your pregnancy test results. Throughout your treatment, you'll have unlimited chat access to your care team for support, available 7 days a week.
A course of Absorica is tailored to each patient and typically lasts between 6 to 12 months. The duration can vary depending on factors such as your weight, dosage, and skin improvement. Research indicates that stopping treatment early can increase the risk of relapse, so completing the full course is recommended to avoid needing to restart the process.
If you have insurance, your medication costs can be as low as $0. For cash payments, Honeydew assists in securing the lowest price available, approximately $65 per box (compared to about $300 at CVS or Walgreens).
Yes! Low-dose Absorica has been clinically proven to offer similar effectiveness to higher doses while reducing side effects and lowering the risk of relapse. It’s an excellent choice, especially for those with milder yet persistent acne. Low-dose therapy involves taking a smaller dose over an extended period (e.g., 1-2 years). While most dermatologists may not provide this option, Honeydew Providers are highly trained in low-dose therapy.
If you or your child is under 18, a parent or guardian should participate in the initial consultation. If this is not feasible, please contact info@honeydewcare.com, and we will help you explore alternative methods to obtain parental consent.
We now have over 40 years of research on this medication, with data from millions of patients who have used it. Recent studies have disproven many side effects once thought to be linked to Absorica. While you may experience some minor side effects, like dry lips, serious side effects are exceedingly rare.
For more information, see the FDA's list of side effects here.
At Honeydew, you can reach your care team 7 days a week with unlimited chat access if any side effects arise (as opposed to only once every 30 days at an in-person doctor’s office). We also collaborate with your other healthcare providers, such as your primary care doctor or mental health specialist, to ensure you receive the best possible care.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ABSORICA® (ISOTRETINOIN): Absorica® must not be used by patients who are or may become pregnant. There is an extremely high risk that severe birth defects will result if pregnancy occurs while taking Absorica in any amount, even for short periods of time. Potentially any fetus exposed during pregnancy can be affected. There are no accurate means of determining whether an exposed fetus has been affected. Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
