adapalene vs calcipotriene
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and calcipotriene Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Differin
Dovonex
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne. It contains two medicines: adapalene (a retinoid) and benzoyl peroxide.
Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment is a medicine that contains a vitamin D-like drug and a steroid. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis.
This medicine treats acne, a skin condition with pimples and bumps. You can use this medicine if you are 9 years or older. Apply the gel to the affected areas of your face and/or trunk.
This ointment treats plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches. This medicine can help reduce the redness, itching, and scaling caused by psoriasis.
Adapalene is a retinoid that helps to unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial medicine that kills acne-causing bacteria. Together, they help to clear up acne.
This medicine has two active ingredients. Calcipotriene is similar to vitamin D and slows skin cell growth. Betamethasone dipropionate is a steroid that reduces swelling and itching.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Itching
- • Scaly rash
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- The medicine did not work 802
- Psoriasis 720
- Diarrhea 210
- Joint pain 199
- Rash 192
When using this medicine, avoid sunlight and sunlamps. If you can't avoid the sun, wear sunscreen. This medicine may cause skin irritation, redness, scaling, dryness, stinging, or burning. If this happens, use a moisturizer or apply the medicine less often. If irritation is severe, stop using the medicine.
This medicine can cause high calcium levels in your blood or urine. If this happens, stop treatment until your calcium levels are normal. This medicine can also affect your adrenal glands. This could lead to the need for steroid medicine. This medicine may increase your risk of cataracts and glaucoma. If you have vision problems, see an eye doctor.
If you are pregnant, only use this medicine if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before using it if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may increase the risk of low birth weight in infants. Use it on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest time possible.
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How to Read This adapalene vs calcipotriene Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while calcipotriene sits within the Vitamin D Analog (Topical) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, adapalene has 215,542 submissions while calcipotriene has 2,123. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between adapalene and calcipotriene — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.