Provider Briefing: Isotretinoin Supply in 2026

If your patients have been reporting difficulty filling their Isotretinoin prescriptions, the supply data confirms what they're experiencing. Generic Isotretinoin — marketed as Claravis, Amnesteem, Myorisan, and Zenatane — has faced intermittent availability issues across multiple manufacturers and dosage strengths since 2022.

This briefing covers the current supply landscape, prescribing implications, cost and access considerations, and tools that can help your patients stay on therapy.

Timeline: How We Got Here

Isotretinoin supply challenges are not new, but several factors have compounded in recent years:

• 2009: Roche voluntarily withdrew brand Accutane from the U.S. market, shifting all supply to generic manufacturers
• 2010–2020: Generic market stabilized with four main manufacturers — Teva (Claravis), Mylan (Amnesteem), Amneal (Myorisan), and Zydus (Zenatane)
• December 2021: The iPLEDGE REMS platform transitioned to a new vendor, causing widespread dispensing failures, patient lockouts, and pharmacy confusion that persisted for months
• 2022–2023: Periodic manufacturer backorders for specific strengths, particularly 20 mg and 40 mg capsules
• 2024–2025: Intermittent supply disruptions continue; some pharmacies report difficulty maintaining consistent stock across all strengths
• 2026: Supply remains uneven. No single manufacturer has reported a complete production halt, but spot shortages at the pharmacy level persist

Prescribing Implications

The intermittent nature of these shortages creates several clinical challenges:

Treatment Continuity

Isotretinoin's efficacy depends on consistent dosing over a 15–20 week course to achieve the target cumulative dose of 120–150 mg/kg. Gaps in therapy — even of one to two weeks — can necessitate extending the treatment course, increasing total cost and patient burden.

iPLEDGE Window Constraints

The 7-day dispensing window in iPLEDGE means patients have limited time to locate an alternative pharmacy if their primary pharmacy is out of stock. If the window expires, the patient must complete a new iPLEDGE confirmation cycle before the prescription can be filled — potentially adding another month's delay.

Dose and Brand Flexibility

Consider these strategies to mitigate supply disruptions:

• Write for "Isotretinoin" generically rather than a specific brand, allowing pharmacies to dispense whichever generic is available
• Consider dose splitting: If 40 mg capsules are unavailable, prescribing two 20 mg capsules achieves the same daily dose
• Discuss Absorica/Absorica LD for patients with commercial insurance — Sun Pharma's savings card can reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly, and brand supply has been more consistent than some generics

Current Availability Picture

As of early 2026, the supply situation by brand:

• Claravis (Teva): Intermittent availability; some strengths more affected than others. Teva has not disclosed production timelines publicly.
• Amnesteem (Mylan/Viatris): Generally available but with periodic spot shortages
• Myorisan (Amneal): Availability varies by wholesaler
• Zenatane (Zydus): Increasingly stocked but not universally available
• Absorica (Sun Pharma): Brand supply has been relatively stable; higher cost is the main barrier

Independent pharmacies with access to secondary wholesalers may have better luck sourcing specific brands than chain pharmacies locked into single-distributor contracts.

Cost and Access Considerations

Cost remains a significant barrier for many patients, compounding supply challenges:

• Generic Isotretinoin cash price: $150–$450/month depending on dose and pharmacy
• Insurance copays: Typically $10–$75/month for generics; prior authorization commonly required
• Absorica with savings card: As low as $10/month for commercially insured patients
• Discount programs: GoodRx and SingleCare coupons can reduce generic prices to $150–$300/month for uninsured patients

For patients facing cost barriers, a detailed guide is available: How to help patients save money on Claravis.

Tools and Resources for Your Practice

Several tools can help you and your patients navigate supply challenges:

Medfinder for Providers

Medfinder allows real-time pharmacy stock searches that can help patients locate Isotretinoin near them. You can direct patients to the platform or use it within your practice to identify pharmacies with current stock before writing the prescription.

iPLEDGE Coordination

Encourage patients to confirm pharmacy stock before activating their iPLEDGE dispensing window. This prevents the scenario where a patient's window opens but no pharmacy has the medication, forcing a new cycle.

Pharmacy Relationships

Building relationships with one or two pharmacies that reliably stock Isotretinoin — including at least one independent pharmacy — can streamline dispensing for your acne patients.

Patient Education Resources

Direct patients to these resources:

• Claravis shortage: what patients need to know
• Alternatives to Claravis
• How to find Claravis in stock
• How to save money on Claravis

Looking Ahead

There is no indication that Isotretinoin supply issues will fully resolve in the near term. With multiple manufacturers, complex REMS requirements, and growing demand, intermittent disruptions are likely to continue. Proactive prescribing strategies — flexible dosing, generic-agnostic prescriptions, and patient education — remain the most effective tools for maintaining treatment continuity.

The dermatology community has advocated for iPLEDGE reforms to reduce dispensing friction, and incremental improvements to the platform may help. In the meantime, tools like Medfinder for Providers can reduce the burden on your practice and your patients.

Final Thoughts

Isotretinoin remains the most effective treatment for severe nodular acne, and supply challenges — while real — should not deter appropriate prescribing. By writing flexible prescriptions, educating patients about their options, and leveraging pharmacy-finding tools, you can help ensure your patients stay on track.

For a step-by-step workflow guide, see: How to help your patients find Claravis in stock.