adapalene vs imiquimod
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and imiquimod Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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.
Imiquimod cream helps your immune system fight certain skin problems. It is used on the skin to treat actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and genital warts.
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 medicine treats actinic keratosis (AK) on the face or scalp. AKs are rough, scaly patches of skin caused by too much sun. It also treats superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) on the trunk, neck, or arms/legs. sBCC is a type of skin cancer. Finally, it treats external genital and perianal warts in people 12 years and older.
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.
Imiquimod cream helps your body's immune system fight the problem. It is not fully understood how it works. It stimulates the immune cells to release chemicals that attack the AK, sBCC, or warts.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Redness
- • Flaking, scaling, or dryness
- • Scabbing or crusting
- • Swelling
- • Erosion or ulceration
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 257
- Redness 176
- Tiredness 171
- Using the product for a condition it is not approved for 164
- The medicine is not working 157
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.
Imiquimod cream can cause intense skin reactions. This may include weeping, erosion, or swelling. If you have severe vulvar swelling, stop using the cream. This medicine can also cause changes in skin color. Avoid sunlight or sunlamps while using this medicine. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.
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. Animal studies suggest low risk, but there is limited human data. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine while breastfeeding.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare adapalene with
How to Read This adapalene vs imiquimod Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while imiquimod sits within the Immune Response Modifier (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 imiquimod has 925. 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 imiquimod — 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.