Two medicines, side by side
Adapalene vs desonide
Adapalene is labeled for acne; desonide for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of adapalene since 1996 and of desonide since 1972. Pharmacies paid $0.504 per gram (Adapalene 0.3% gel) and $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, adapalene is a retinoid and desonide a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the adapalene FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 27, 2023); the desonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 3, 2026).
Highlights of the adapalene record
Adapalene (Differin) · label of December 27, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsDIFFERIN Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3%, is a retinoid, indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 31, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.504 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the desonide record
Desonide (Tridesilon) · label of February 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDesonide cream USP, 0.05% is a low potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. It should not be used for longer than two weeks unless directed by a physician.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1972
- Generic labelers
- 12 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.252 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adapalene label of December 27, 2023, Desonide label of February 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adapalene and desonide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, adapalene is a retinoid and desonide a corticosteroid.
Generics: adapalene since 2010; desonide since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Adapalene | Desonide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Retinoid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | Adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to cytosolic receptor protein. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal apparent half-life, determined in 15 of 16 subjects, ranged from 7 to 51 hours, with a mean of 17.2 ± 10.2 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 31, 1996 | January 4, 1972 |
| First generic approved | June 2, 2010 | June 15, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 33 labelers | 12 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.504 per gram (Adapalene 0.3% gel) | $0.252 per gram (Desonide 0.05% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 181,062 | 4,960 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to adapalene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions