II. Indication

III. Mechanism

  1. Comedolytic
  2. Synthetic Retinoid analog

IV. Supplied

  1. Adapalene only
    1. Gel 0.1% (Over-the-counter in U.S. as of 2017)
    2. Gel 0.3%
    3. Cream 0.1%
    4. Lotion 0.1%
  2. Combinations
    1. Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide 0.1%/2.5% gel (Epiduo)
    2. Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide 0.3%/2.5% gel (Epiduo Forte)

V. Adverse Effects

  1. Same as Tretinoin, but less severe

VI. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category C
    1. But generally recommended to avoid in pregnancy (esp. first trimester)

VII. Efficacy

  1. As effective as Tretinoin (Retin-A)
  2. Better tolerated than Tretinoin (less irritation)
  3. Generic and cost (2019) is $20 for 45 grams

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

adapalene (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
ADAPALENE 0.1% CREAM Generic $2.85 per gram
ADAPALENE 0.1% GEL Generic OTC $0.51 per gram
ADAPALENE 0.3% GEL Generic $0.80 per gram
ADAPALENE 0.3% GEL PUMP Generic $2.66 per gram
ADAPALENE-BNZYL PEROX 0.1-2.5% Generic $0.59 per gram
ADAPALENE-BNZYL PEROX 0.3-2.5% Generic $2.10 per gram