adapalene vs mupirocin
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and mupirocin 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.
Mupirocin cream is a topical antibiotic. It is used to treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria.
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.
Mupirocin cream treats skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. It is for use on skin injuries like cuts or scrapes that have become infected. The infected area should be no larger than 10 cm long or 100 cm squared.
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.
Mupirocin stops bacteria from growing. It does this by blocking the bacteria's ability to make proteins. This helps to clear up the infection.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Headache
- • Rash
- • Nausea
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- Medicine not working 1,435
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 920
- Feeling sick to your stomach 882
- Discomfort 877
- Using product for a condition it's not meant to treat 818
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.
Rarely, severe allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, hives, swelling, and widespread rash. If you have diarrhea while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. Long-term use may lead to new infections.
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.
It is not known if mupirocin cream will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if mupirocin passes into breast milk, but it is not expected to be harmful.
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How to Read This adapalene vs mupirocin Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while mupirocin sits within the Topical Antibiotic 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 mupirocin has 4,932. 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 mupirocin — 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.