Comparing Isotretinoin vs Methotrexate

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Isotretinoin	Methotrexate	Enter another drug to compare

Isotretinoin

Methotrexate

Prescription only

Prescribed for Acne. May also be prescribed off label for Rosacea, Granuloma Annulare, Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia, Melanoma - Metastatic, Pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Prescription only

Methotrexate may be considered for the treatment of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if other treatments have failed. It may also be used in certain cancers. Side effects can be severe and... View more

More about Isotretinoin

More about Methotrexate

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic is available

Ratings & Reviews

Isotretinoin has an average rating of 8.0 out of 10 from a total of 1035 ratings on Drugs.com. 74% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 13% reported a negative effect.

Methotrexate has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 275 ratings on Drugs.com. 54% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 24% reported a negative effect.

View all 1035 reviews

View all 275 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include:

cheilitis
epistaxis
hypertriglyceridemia
pruritus
xerosis cutis
decreased hdl cholesterol
increased liver enzymes
increased serum triglycerides
musculoskeletal signs and symptoms
dry nose
xeroderma
xerostomia
show all 12

See also: isotretinoin side effects in more detail.

Commonly reported side effects include:

increased liver enzymes

See also: methotrexate side effects in more detail.

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	30 each
Dosage	10 mg
Per Unit^*	$11.99
Cost^*	$359.81

View all isotretinoin prices

Quantity	20 each
Dosage	2.5 mg
Per Unit^*	$2.13
Cost^*	$42.54

View all methotrexate prices

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Dosage Form(s) Available

Oral capsule

Injectable powder for injection
Injectable solution
Oral tablet

Half Life The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

32 hours

15 hours

CSA Schedule ** View glossary of terms

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category X Not for use in pregnancy

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category X Not for use in pregnancy

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 110 drugs are known to interact with isotretinoin:

20 major drug interactions (86 brand and generic names)
90 moderate drug interactions (758 brand and generic names)

A total of 638 drugs are known to interact with methotrexate:

126 major drug interactions (609 brand and generic names)
496 moderate drug interactions (2552 brand and generic names)
16 minor drug interactions (49 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Ask your doctor before using ISOtretinoin together with alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while you... View more

Caffeine may reduce the effectiveness of methotrexate in the treatment of arthritis. If you are... View more
Methotrexate may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

May 07, 1982

December 07, 1953

WADA Class View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

More Information

Patient resources

Professional Resources

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Comparing Isotretinoin vs Methotrexate

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