Two medicines, side by side
Adapalene vs salicylic acid
Adapalene and salicylic acid are both labeled for acne. Pharmacies paid $0.504 per gram (Adapalene 0.3% gel) and $0.102 per callus removers patch (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the adapalene FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 27, 2023); the salicylic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 22, 2024).
Highlights of the adapalene record
Adapalene (Differin) · label of December 27, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsDIFFERIN Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3%, is a retinoid, indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 31, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.504 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the salicylic acid record
Salicylic acid · label of October 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the treatment of acne.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per patch
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Adapalene label of December 27, 2023, Salicylic acid label of October 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do adapalene and salicylic acid differ on the record?
Generics: adapalene since 2010; salicylic acid none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Adapalene | Salicylic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Acne, Pain, Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | Retinoid | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to cytosolic receptor protein. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal apparent half-life, determined in 15 of 16 subjects, ranged from 7 to 51 hours, with a mean of 17.2 ± 10.2 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 31, 1996 | n/a |
| First generic approved | June 2, 2010 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 33 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.504 per gram (Adapalene 0.3% gel) | $0.102 per patch (Callus removers patch) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 181,062 | 52,581 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Adapalene label, drug interactionsParticular caution should be exercised in using preparations containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid in combination with Adapalene Cream, 0.1%.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to adapalene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions