MACROBID vs RETIN-A

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated October 9, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. MACROBID and RETIN-A are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	MACROBID	RETIN-A
Rating	New	74/100
Pharmacy pays	$2.14 /mL	$1.05 /g
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	NITROFURANTOIN AND NITROFURANTOIN, MACROCRYSTALLINE	TRETINOIN
Manufacturer	Almatica	Valeant Pharm Intl
Dosage forms	Capsule	Topical
Drug class	—	Retinoid
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 20 minutes (roughly 0.3 hours) for the parent drug in adults with normal kidney function	—
Treats	—	Acne Vulgaris, Facial Dermatoses, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

macrobid retin-a

Rating

New

74/100

Pharmacy pays

$2.14 /mL

$1.05 /g

Type

Active ingredient

NITROFURANTOIN AND NITROFURANTOIN, MACROCRYSTALLINE

TRETINOIN

Manufacturer

Almatica

Valeant Pharm Intl

Dosage forms

Capsule

Topical

Drug class

—

Retinoid

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 20 minutes (roughly 0.3 hours) for the parent drug in adults with normal kidney function

—

Treats

—

Acne Vulgaris, Facial Dermatoses, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Get retin-ahigher-rated option

Advertising disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our independent ratings.

Get treatment online

Licensed online providers — consult & get prescribed if eligible.

SesameCompare online visit prices

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Macrobid and Retin-A?

Macrobid contains Nitrofurantoin and Nitrofurantoin, Macrocrystalline, while Retin-A contains Tretinoin — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.