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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.

Drug Class
adapalene Retinoid (Topical)
guselkumab Anti-IL-23 Monoclonal Antibody
Type
adapalene Over-the-Counter
guselkumab Prescription
Summary
adapalene

No summary available.

guselkumab

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.

What It Treats
adapalene

Information not available.

guselkumab

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.

How It Works
adapalene

Information not available.

guselkumab

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.

Common Side Effects
adapalene
  • Dry skin
  • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
  • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
  • Skin irritation
guselkumab
  • Upper respiratory infections (like a cold)
  • Headache
  • Injection site reactions (redness, pain, or swelling)
  • Joint pain
  • Bronchitis
FAERS Reports
adapalene
  • Dry skin 44,990
  • Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
  • Acne 39,264
  • Redness 38,379
  • Skin irritation 26,225
guselkumab
  • Accidental exposure to the medicine 3,138
  • Psoriasis 2,066
  • Problem with the needle 2,054
  • Problem with the device 1,748
  • Device not working properly 1,480
Serious Warnings
adapalene

No specific warnings noted.

guselkumab

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.

Pregnancy
adapalene

No pregnancy information available.

guselkumab

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.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

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 190,491 submissions while guselkumab has 10,486. 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.