Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide Brand names: Differin, Epiduo
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (Differin) is a prescription and over-the-counter medicine with an FDA approval on record since 2008. FDA's NDC Directory lists it from 11 generic labelers, and pharmacies paid $0.626 per gram (Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.3-2.5%) in the October 7, 2026 NADAC survey.
- Generic listed
Check it at the source: the adapalene and benzoyl peroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 24, 2024, Galderma Laboratories, L.P.); the NDA 22320 record on Drugs@FDA; every adapalene and benzoyl peroxide label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of October 24, 2024; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026; NADAC October 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications and usageEPIDUO FORTE is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
Forms and strengths
- 0.1 g/100g / 2.5 g/100g
- 1 mg/g / 25 mg/g
- 3 mg/g / 25 mg/g
Gel.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 8, 2008 Epiduo, Galderma Labs Lp; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- 11 first September 30, 2015; 10 with a marketed status in Drugs@FDA
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 13 of which 11 under generic applications, 1 under brand applications, repackagers included
- Last listed patent
- July 18, 2027 Epiduo gel; not a generic launch date
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- $0.626 per gram Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.3-2.5%
- Shortage (FDA)
- No current entry
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- No recall recorded
- FAERS reports
- 418 through July 30, 2026
What is adapalene and benzoyl peroxide used for?
From the label: indications and usageEPIDUO FORTE is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. EPIDUO FORTE, is a combination of adapalene, a retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide and is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
Conditions named in the indications of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide's FDA labels, with every medicine labeled for each:
FDA pharmacologic class: Retinoid.
Source: FDA drug label (epiduo forte), Galderma Laboratories, L.P., effective October 24, 2024 (SPL set f4e5d381-098a-4c93-9ff0-002cae46daac), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the patient leaflet for adapalene and benzoyl peroxide say first?
The FDA-approved Medication Guide or Patient Information that comes with the medicine, in its own words.
From the patient leaflet: What should I avoid while using EPIDUO FORTE?Avoid spending time in sunlight or artificial sunlight, such as tanning beds or sunlamps. EPIDUO FORTE can make your skin sensitive to sun and the light from tanning beds and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover the areas treated with EPIDUO FORTE if you have to be in sunlight. Cold weather and wind may irritate skin treated with EPIDUO FORTE. Avoid applying EPIDUO FORTE to cuts, abrasions, and sunburned skin. Avoid skin products that may dry or irritate your skin such as medicated or harsh soaps, astringents, cosmetics that make your skin dry, and products containing high levels of alcohol, spices, or limes. Avoid the use of “waxing” as a hair removal method on skin treated with EPIDUO FORTE.
From the patient leaflet: How should I store EPIDUO FORTE?Store EPIDUO FORTE at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep EPIDUO FORTE out of light and away from heat. Keep EPIDUO FORTE and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Source: FDA drug label (epiduo forte), Galderma Laboratories, L.P., effective October 24, 2024 (SPL set f4e5d381-098a-4c93-9ff0-002cae46daac), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (Differin)?
The FDA approved the first generic adapalene and benzoyl peroxide on September 30, 2015. 11 generic applications are approved; 10 of them carry a current (not discontinued) marketing status in Drugs@FDA; that status is not evidence that the generic is on sale.
FDA's NDC Directory lists adapalene and benzoyl peroxide from 11 labelers under a generic (ANDA) application and from 1 brand labeler. A listing means the company has registered the product for sale; it does not show that every pharmacy stocks it.
The Orange Book lists no patent for Differin Epiduo gel; a patent listed only for Epiduo gel runs to July 18, 2027. A patent or exclusivity date is not the date a generic goes on sale: court cases and settlements move it either way.
- 2008 earliest approval on file
- 2015 first generic approved
- 2027 last listed patent
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (Differin)?
In CMS's NADAC survey of October 7, 2026, pharmacies paid $0.626 per gram (Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.3-2.5%), down 5% from $0.657 on October 8, 2025. Prices per unit in the table differ many-fold by strength, form and brand, so compare like with like. The chart's scale runs from the lowest to the highest price shown, not from zero. NADAC is what retail pharmacies paid their wholesalers, per unit, in CMS's monthly survey; what a patient pays depends on insurance and the pharmacy.
- Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.3-2.5% (generic)
- Epiduo forte 0.3-2.5% gel pump (brand)
| Strength and form | Brand or generic | Pharmacy cost | 30 tablets, or one pen or vial | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.1-2.5% | Generic | $0.368 per gram | n/a | -12% |
| Adapalene-bnzyl perox 0.3-2.5% | Generic | $0.626 per gram | n/a | -5% |
| Epiduo forte 0.3-2.5% gel pump | Brand | $14.97 per gram | n/a | +0.2% |
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What do FAERS reports show for adapalene and benzoyl peroxide?
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System holds 418 reports that list adapalene and benzoyl peroxide among the medicines taken, through July 30, 2026, each a report of something that happened, not proof the medicine caused it; 0 are coded as a death and 19 as a hospital stay. Counts follow how widely a medicine is used and watched, and they are not a measure of how risky it is.
The most reported reactions
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA, reports through July 30, 2026
What else is labeled for the same conditions as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide?
9 other medicines are given the same way (topical) and in the same FDA class as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide or labeled mainly for the same use (acne), the same class first. Acne lists all 26 medicines labeled for it, by any route. The first 8 are below. They are listed as records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine | Shared indication | Generic labelers (topical) | Pharmacy cost | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin | Acne | 19 labelers | $0.506 per gram 0.025% cream | No current entry |
| Tazarotene | Acne | 6 labelers | $6.11 per gram 0.1% gel | No current entry |
| Clindamycin and tretinoin | Acne | 3 labelers | $3.91 per gram 1.2%-0.025% | No current entry |
| Trifarotene | Acne | none listed | $16.36 per gram 0.005% cream | No current entry |
| Salicylic acid | Acne | none listed | $0.102 per patch Callus removers patch | No current entry |
| Sulfur | Acne | none listed | n/a | No current entry |
| Dapsone | Acne | 16 labelers | $0.664 per gram 5% gel | A presentation being discontinued |
| Azelaic acid | Acne | 5 labelers | $0.441 per gram 15% gel | No current entry |
Every medicine labeled for the same conditions as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide
Source: FDA drug labels (indications), NDC Directory, NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages (October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to adapalene and benzoyl peroxide
- 9 medicines for the same use
- Other retinoids
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide side effects
- the label's list beside FAERS reports
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other