Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: ADAPALENE - TOPICAL (uh-DAP-uh-leen)
BRAND NAME(S): Differin
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: This medication is used to treat acne.
HOW TO USE: Wash the affected area(s), then apply once a day right before bedtime. A thin film is usually enough. Avoid contact with the eyes. Do not apply to the inside of the lips, nose or mouth. To avoid contaminating the container do not touch the tip while withdrawing medicine. During the early weeks of use, the acne may appear to worsen. This is due to the medicine working on unseen pimples and is expected to occur. Results should be obvious after 8-12 weeks.
SIDE EFFECTS: Redness, dryness, scaling, burning and itching of the skin can occur. The effects usually lessen as you continue to use the medicine. If these continue or are bothersome, notify your doctor. Unlikely but report: very red/irritated skin, intense burning sensation. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor if you have: allergies, sunburn. Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be minimized while using this medicine. Use of sunscreen and protective clothing will allow more sun exposure. Adapalene should not be applied to cuts, scrapes, sunburned or eczema-affected skin. Particular caution is advised when you have used products containing sulfur, resorcinol or salicylic acid. Wait until the effects of such products on the skin have decreased before using adapalene. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether adapalene is excreted into human milk. Discuss the risks of breast-feeding with your doctor.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription medication you may take or use, especially: medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect, products with significant amounts of alcohol/spices/lime. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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- Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.
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