adapalene vs permethrin
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and permethrin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Differin
Elimite, Nix
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.
Permethrin cream rinse is a medicine that kills lice and their eggs. You put it on your hair to treat head lice.
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 head lice. Lice are tiny bugs that can live in your hair and make your scalp itchy. This medicine helps to get rid of the lice and their eggs.
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.
Permethrin works by affecting the nervous system of lice. This causes the lice to become paralyzed and die. It also kills the eggs.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Itching
- • Rash
- • Redness
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- The medicine did not work 347
- Itching 139
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 110
- Pain 92
- Rash 78
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.
There are no boxed warnings for this medication.
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 permethrin can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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How to Read This adapalene vs permethrin Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while permethrin sits within the Topical Antiparasitic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are available over the counter.
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 permethrin has 766. 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 permethrin — 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.