adapalene
Brand names: Differin
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.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$2.45/unit
Generic Available
Yes (18 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats acne, a skin condition with pimples and bumps.
Common side effects
Dry skin, Contact dermatitis (skin rash), Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
Key warnings
When using this medicine, avoid sunlight and sunlamps.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
This medicine is only for use on your skin. Do not put it in your mouth, eyes, or vagina. Wash the affected skin and then put a thin layer of the gel on the acne areas once a day. Use a pea-sized amount for each part of your face (forehead, chin, each cheek).
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 307,934 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 178,147 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
178,147
Death-Related Reports
32
Hospitalization Reports
358
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 51,276 |
| 2 | DRY SKIN | 44,990 |
| 3 | SKIN BURNING SENSATION | 41,633 |
| 4 | ACNE | 39,264 |
| 5 | ERYTHEMA | 38,379 |
| 6 | SKIN IRRITATION | 26,225 |
| 7 | SKIN EXFOLIATION | 21,251 |
| 8 | INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION | 16,186 |
| 9 | RASH | 15,520 |
| 10 | OVERDOSE | 13,210 |
| 11 | PAIN OF SKIN | 12,283 |
| 12 | PRURITUS | 11,826 |
| 13 | HYPERSENSITIVITY | 8,305 |
| 14 | UNDERDOSE | 4,949 |
| 15 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 4,946 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
No formal drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%.
Mechanism: There are no known studies showing that these two skin treatments interfere with each other.
What to do: You can use these two products together safely as part of your skin care routine.
Common Questions
Can I use this medicine if I am under 9 years old?
Can I use other acne treatments while using this medicine?
What should I do if my skin gets too dry or irritated?
Can I wax while using this medicine?
Can I use this on cuts or sunburned skin?
What if I accidentally get this gel in my eye?
How long will it take to see results?
Can I use this all over my body?
What should I do if I use too much gel?
Can I go out in the sun while using this medicine?
What are the common side effects of adapalene?
Does adapalene interact with other medications?
What drug class is adapalene?
Is adapalene safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Retinoid (Topical)
Other drugs grouped near adapalene — same-class peers and common alternatives.
apremilast
Otezla
Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Compare with adapalene →
azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
Compare with adapalene →
benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
Compare with adapalene →
betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
Compare with adapalene →
brodalumab
Siliq
Siliq is a medicine used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Compare with adapalene →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Pain Relievers Compared
NSAIDs vs acetaminophen — which OTC pain reliever to use
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
🩺 Find a Doctor
Search prescribers for Retinoid (Topical)
🏨 Hospital Quality
CMS hospital ratings, safety scores & patient outcomes
💊 Supplement Data
NIH DSLD — check supplement ingredients & label claims
🍽️ Food Safety Alerts
FDA recalls, inspections & outbreak investigations
⚠️ Product Recalls
FDA, CPSC & NHTSA recall search
💉 Procedure Costs
Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
What the FDA Data Shows for adapalene
The FDA label for adapalene (sold under brand names such as Differin) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Retinoid (Topical) class. This medicine treats acne, a skin condition with pimples and bumps. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Dry skin, Contact dermatitis (skin rash), Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 307,934 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $2.45.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 8, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages