adapalene vs tazarotene
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and tazarotene Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Differin
Tazorac
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.
Tazorac Cream contains tazarotene, a retinoid medicine. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis and acne.
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.
Tazorac Cream is used to treat plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis causes thick, red, and scaly skin patches. Tazorac Cream 0.1% is also used to treat acne. It helps to clear up pimples and blackheads.
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.
Tazarotene is a retinoid, which is similar to vitamin A. It helps skin cells grow normally. This reduces skin inflammation and clears up acne.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Itching
- • Skin redness
- • Burning
- • Skin peeling
- • Dry skin
- 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 is not working 102
- Skin redness 82
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 74
- Skin peeling 74
- Pain 64
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.
Tazorac Cream can cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should not use Tazorac Cream. You should have a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks before starting this medicine. Use effective birth control while using this medicine. Avoid sunlight and wear sunscreen, as Tazorac Cream can make you more sensitive to the sun.
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.
Do not use Tazorac Cream if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It can harm your unborn baby. It is not known if Tazorac Cream passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This adapalene vs tazarotene Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while tazarotene sits within the Retinoid (Topical) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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 tazarotene has 396. 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 tazarotene — 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.