adapalene vs guselkumab
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and guselkumab Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Differin
Tremfya
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.
Tremfya is a medicine that can help treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. It works by blocking a protein in your body that causes inflammation.
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.
Tremfya treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children 6 years and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. It also treats active psoriatic arthritis in adults and children 6 years and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. Tremfya can also treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in adults.
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.
Tremfya is a type of medicine called an interleukin-23 antagonist. It blocks a protein called IL-23 in your body. IL-23 causes inflammation, so blocking it can help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Upper respiratory infections (like a cold)
- • Headache
- • Injection site reactions (redness, pain, or swelling)
- • Joint pain
- • Bronchitis
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- Missed dose 10,011
- Accidental exposure to the medicine 3,138
- Medicine not working 2,239
- Psoriasis 2,066
- Problem with the needle 2,054
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.
Tremfya can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, like hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tremfya may also increase your risk of getting infections, including tuberculosis (TB). Your doctor should check you for TB before you start taking Tremfya and monitor you for signs of TB during and after treatment. Tremfya can also cause liver problems. Your doctor should check your liver enzyme and bilirubin levels before you start taking Tremfya and periodically during treatment.
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. It is not known if Tremfya will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to Tremfya during pregnancy. You can enroll by visiting www.mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/tremfya-guselkumab, calling 1-877-311-8972, or emailing MotherToBaby@health.ucsd.edu.
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How to Read This adapalene vs guselkumab Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while guselkumab sits within the Anti-IL-23 Monoclonal Antibody 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 guselkumab has 19,508. 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 guselkumab — 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.