adapalene vs calcipotriene/betamethasone
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and calcipotriene/betamethasone Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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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 combines 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. Plaque psoriasis is a skin condition that causes thick, red, and scaly patches on the skin. This medicine can help reduce the redness, scaling, and thickness of these patches.
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 down skin cell growth. Betamethasone 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
- • Headache
- • Stuffy or runny nose
- • Psoriasis
- 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 is not working 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 and urine. If this happens, stop using the medicine until your calcium levels are normal. This medicine can also affect your adrenal glands, which can cause them to not make enough steroid hormones. Long-term use may increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma.
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 if a large amount is used during pregnancy. Use it on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest time needed.
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How to Read This adapalene vs calcipotriene/betamethasone Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while calcipotriene/betamethasone sits within the Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination 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/betamethasone 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/betamethasone — 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.