Table of contents:
- Use
- What is Adapalene for?
- How do I use Adapalene?
- How do I store Adapalene?
- Dose
- What is the recommended dose of Adapalene for adults?
- What is the Adapalene dosage for children?
- In what dosage is Adapalene available?
- Side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to Adapalene?
- Precautions & Warnings
- What should be known before using Adapalene?
- Is Adapalene safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
- Interaction
- What medicines may interact with Adapalene?
- Can food or alcohol interact with Adapalene?
- What health conditions can interact with Adapalene?
- Overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
Use
What is Adapalene for?
Adapalene is a gel drug used to treat acne. This medicine can reduce the number of pimples and speed up the healing of pimples that appear.
Adapalene belongs to a class of drugs called retinoids. The way this drug works is by affecting cell growth and reducing swelling and inflammation.
How do I use Adapalene?
Wash your hands before using this medicine. Then, gently clean the skin with facial cleansing soap and pat dry.
Apply this medicine in a thin layer on your pimples using your fingertips. Or, you can also use cotton or gauze to apply the medicine. Usually this drug is used once before bed, or according to doctor's instructions.
Use this medication only on the skin. Do not apply to the inner lips or into the nose or mouth. Do not use on wounds, abrasions, sunburned skin or eczema and avoid using this medicine from the eyes.
If this medicine gets into the eyes, immediately flush it out with water. Contact a doctor if eye irritation occurs. Wash your hands after using this medicine to avoid getting the medicine in your eyes.
During the first few weeks of using adapalene, your acne may appear worse because the drug acts on the pimples that are deep in the skin. Results will start showing at use 8-12 weeks later.
For maximum results, this drug should be used regularly. To help you remember, use this medication at the same time every day so you don't miss use.
Do not use more or more often than the instructions. This is because the skin will not improve any faster, and will only increase the risk of redness, peeling and pain.
These drugs are available in various strengths and forms (gel, cream, solution). Which type of medication is best depends on your skin condition and response to therapy. Tell the doctor if the condition does not improve or gets worse.
How do I store Adapalene?
This medication is best stored at room temperature and away from exposure to direct light and damp areas. Don't store adapalene in the bathroom, and don't freeze it either.
Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.
Dose
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the recommended dose of Adapalene for adults?
Usual dosage: Apply to the affected area once a day before going to bed.
The area of the face with acne should be thoroughly cleaned with water and dried before applying adapalene. There will be a sensation of heat or warmth after using the cream formulation of adapalene.
At the beginning of use, your acne may look worse, but do not stop using it, because the real effects only appear after a long period of use, between 8-12 weeks.
What is the Adapalene dosage for children?
For 11 years and under: it is not known whether this drug is safe for children under 1 year of age.
For 12 years and over: Apply to the affected area once a day before going to bed.
The area of the face with acne should be thoroughly cleaned with water and dried before applying adapalene. There will be a sensation of heat or warmth after using the cream formulation of adapalene.
At the beginning of use, your acne may look worse, but do not stop using it, because the real effect will appear after a long time of use, between 8-12 weeks.
In what dosage is Adapalene available?
Adapalene is available in the following dosages:
Gel, Topical: 3 mg.
Side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to Adapalene?
Seek immediate medical help if you experience the following signs of an allergic reaction:
- itchy rash
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat
During the first 4 weeks of using adapalene topical, your skin may feel dry, red, scaly, and even sore. Contact your doctor if these side effects get worse. However, this is a side effect that may occur at the beginning of its use.
Other minor side effects that may arise include:
- skin feels sore, warm, spicy
- tingling sensation
- itchy rash
- flushed
- irritation
These side effects do not require special medical care. What's more, this condition will disappear when your body has successfully adapted to adapalene.
However, do not hesitate to always consult a doctor, because a doctor may be able to help you prevent side effects or even reduce other side effects.
Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions & Warnings
What should be known before using Adapalene?
Before using Adapalene, be sure to pass some important information to your doctor.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to adapalene or any other medicines.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription or nonprescription medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal products you are using.
- Be sure to name all skin care products, including soaps, cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had eczema or cancer.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using adapalene, call your doctor.
- Avoid exposure to real and artificial sunlight and wear protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen with SPF 15 and above, especially if you get sunburns easily. Also avoid prolonged exposure to cold or wind. adapalene can cause your skin to be sensitive to sunlight or extreme weather.
- Do not use hot wax to pull out hair during adapalene treatment.
Is Adapalene safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.
This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), because animal experiments have shown that this drug has side effects in these baby animals. There has not been an appropriate treatment for its use in infants and toddlers, therefore adapalene may be a risk to both mother and baby.
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = Not at risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
Interaction
What medicines may interact with Adapalene?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
Adapalene can interact with 14 types of drugs, including the following:
- ammoniated mercury / salicylic acid topical (Emersal)
- benzoic acid / salicylic acid topical (Whitfields Ointment)
- benzoyl peroxide / salicylic acid topical (Cleanse & Treat, Inova 8/2, Cleanse & Treat Plus, BeyondClear, Inova 4/1)
- coal tar / lactic acid / salicylic acid topical (SLT)
- coal tar / salicylic acid topical (X-Seb T Pearl, X-Seb T Plus)
- coal tar / salicylic acid / sulfur topical (Pazol XS, Sebutone, Ala Seb T)
- doxycycline / salicylic acid topical (Avidoxy DK)
- hydrocortisone / salicylic acid / sulfur topical (Scalacort DK, Coraz)
- isotretinoin (Accutane, Claravis, Myorisan, Absorica, Amnesteem, Zenatane, Sotret)
- pyrithione zinc / salicylic acid topical (X-Seb Plus)
- salicylic acid topical (Compound W, Duofilm, Dermarest Psoriasis Skin Treatment, and many more)
- salicylic acid / sodium thiosulfate topical (Versiclear, Exoderm)
- salicylic acid / sulfur topical (Sebex, SAStid, Fostex Medicated Cleansing Cream, Sebulex Shampoo and Conditioner, Sebulex Shampoo, Pernox Lotion, Pernox Regular, Pernox Lemon, Fostex Medicated Cleaning Bar, Sastid Soap, Meted, Sebulex, Pernox Scrub Cleanser, Pernox, Fostex Medicated, Ala Seb)
- Salicylic acid / urea topical (Kerasal, Carb-O-Sal5, Salvax Duo Plus, Salvax Duo)
Can food or alcohol interact with Adapalene?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions can interact with Adapalene?
Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:
- Eczema. Use of this medication can cause serious irritation to the skin of people with eczema. Therefore, it is not advisable if adapalene is used by people with eczema.
- Seborrheic dermatitis - Use of this medication may cause or increase the irritation associated with eczema or seborrheic dermatitis
Overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
