Clinical drug

adapalene 1 MG/ML Topical Cream [Differin]

1 MG/ML · Topical Cream · topical

A form of adapalene

adapalene 1 MG/ML Topical Cream [Differin] — Retinoids for topical use in acne. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Adapalene gel, 0.3% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. Adapalene gel

adapalene 1 MG/ML Topical Cream [Differin]

Active ingredient

Classification

Retinoids for topical use in acneRetinoid

Drug interactions

Caution is advised when using adapalene with other topical acne therapies due to potential cumulative irritancy effects.

  • unknownpeeling agents — possible cumulative irritancy effect
  • unknowndesquamating agents — possible cumulative irritancy effect
  • unknownabrasive agents — possible cumulative irritancy effect

Real-world adverse events (FAERS)

Drug Ineffective53,138Dry Skin45,634Skin Burning Sensation42,133Acne39,569Erythema38,870Skin Irritation26,582Skin Exfoliation21,534Inappropriate Schedule of Product Administration16,240

Indications

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Adapalene gel, 0.3% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. Adapalene gel, 0.3%, is a retinoid, indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )

Dosage

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Wash affected areas gently with a non-medicated soap. Apply a thin film of adapalene gel to the entire face and any other affected areas of the skin once daily in the evening. Avoid application to the areas of skin around eyes, lips, and mucous membranes. A mild transitory sensation of warmth or slight stinging may occur shortly after the application of adapalene gel. Instruct patients to minimize sun exposure and to use moisturizers for relief of dry skin or irritation. If therapeutic results are not noticed after 12 weeks of treatment, therapy should be re-evaluated. For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use. Wash affected areas gently with a non-medicated soap. ( 2 ) Apply a thin film of adapalene gel, to the entire face and other affected areas of the skin once daily in the evening. ( 2 ) For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use. ( 2 )

Warnings

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Allergic/ Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergy/hypersensitivity reactions include anaphylaxis angioedema, face edema, eyelid edema, lip swelling, and pruritis. Discontinue adapalene gel in the event of an allergic/hypersensitivity reaction. ( 5.1 ) Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure: Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided ( 5.2 ). Local Cutaneous Reactions: Erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning were reported with use of adapalene gel. Concomitant use of other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime) should be approached with caution. ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Allergic/ Hypersensitivity Reactions Adverse reactions including anaphylaxis angioedema, face edema, eyelid edema, lip swelling, and pruritus that sometimes required medical treatment have been reported during postmarketing use of adapalene. Advise a patient to stop using adapalene gel and seek medical attention if experiencing allergic or anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions during treatment. 5.2 Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be minimized during use of adapalene gel. Patients who normally experience high levels of sun exposure, and those with inherent sensitivity to sun, should be warned to exercise caution. Use of sunscreen products and protective clothing over treated areas is recommended when exposure cannot be avoided. Weather extremes, such as wind or cold, also may be irritating to patients under treatment with adapalene gel. 5.3 Local Cutaneous Reactions Cutaneous signs and symptoms such as erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning were reported with use of adapalene gel. These were most likely to occur during the first four weeks of treatment, were mostly mild to moderate in intensity, and usually lessened with continued use of the medication. Depending upon the severity of these side effects, patients should be instructed to either use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of application of adapalene gel or discontinue use. Avoid application to cuts, abrasions, eczematous or sunburned skin. As with other retinoids, use of "waxing" as a depilatory method should be avoided on skin treated with adapalene. As adapalene gel has the potential to induce local irritation in some patients, concomitant use of other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime) should be approached with caution.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Adapalene gel is contraindicated in patients who have known hypersensitivity to adapalene or any excipient of adapalene gel [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Contraindicated in patients who have known hypersensitivity to adapalene or any excipient of adapalene gel. ( 4 )

Mechanism of action

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to cytosolic receptor protein. Biochemical and pharmacological profile studies have demonstrated that adapalene is a modulator of cellular differentiation, keratinization, and inflammatory processes. However, the significance of these findings with regard to the mechanism of action of adapalene for the treatment of acne is unknown. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Clinical pharmacodynamic studies have not been conducted for adapalene gel. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Systemic exposure of adapalene following topical application of adapalene gel was evaluated in a clinical trial. Sixteen acne subjects were treated once daily for 10 days with 2 grams of adapalene gel applied to the face, chest and back, corresponding to approximately 2 mg/cm 2 . Fifteen subjects had quantifiable (LOQ = 0.1 ng/mL) adapalene levels resulting in a mean C max of 0.553 ± 0.466 ng/mL on Day 10 of treatment. The mean AUC 0-24hr was 8.37 ± 8.46 ng.h/mL as determined in 15 of the 16 subjects on Day 10. 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. Adapalene was rapidly cleared from plasma and was not detected 72 hours after the last application for all but one subject. Exposure of potential circulating metabolites of adapalene was not measured. Excretion of adapalene appears to be primarily by the biliary route. In another clinical trial in subjects with moderate to moderately severe acne, adapalene gel, 0.3% or Adapalene Gel, 0.1% was applied to the face and optionally to the trunk, once daily for 12 weeks. Seventy-eight (78) subjects had plasma adapalene levels evaluated at Weeks 2, 8, and 12. Of the 209 plasma samples analyzed, adapalene concentrations were below the limit of detection (LOD = 0.15 ng/mL) of the method in all samples but three. For the three samples, traces of adapalene below the limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.25 ng/mL) of the method were found. One of these samples was taken at Week 12 from a male subject treated with adapalene gel, 0.3% who treated the face and the trunk for eight weeks (thereafter, only the face was treated). The second and third samples were from the Week2 and 12 visits of a female subject treated with Adapalene Gel, 0.1% who treated only the face for 12 weeks. In this study, the average daily usage of product was 1 g/day.

Indicated ICD-10 codes

Source: RxNorm + openFDA + RxClass + FAERS · 2026

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