Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library adapalene topical

adapalene topical

Pronunciation: a DAP a leen TOP i kal

Brand: Differin

Differin

slide 1 of 2, Differin,

0.1%

Image of Differin
slide 1 of 2

Differin

slide 2 of 2, Differin,

0.1%

Image of Differin
slide 2 of 2
What is the most important information I should know about adapalene topical?

What is the most important information I should know about adapalene topical?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

 What is adapalene topical?

What is adapalene topical?

Adapalene is a medicine similar to vitamin A. It helps the skin renew itself.

Adapalene topical (for use on the skin) is used to treat severe acne in people who are at least 12 years old.

Adapalene topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using adapalene topical?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using adapalene topical?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to adapalene.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions.

It is not known whether adapalene passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

It is not known whether adapalene will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Adapalene is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

How should I use adapalene topical?

How should I use adapalene topical?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Using adapalene topical in larger amounts than recommended will not make it work faster, and may cause unpleasant side effects.

Do not take by mouth. Adapalene is for use only on the skin.

Adapalene topical is usually applied once daily in the evening.

Wash your hands before applying this medicine.

Clean your skin with a mild non-medicated skin cleanser before applying the medicine. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.

Apply a thin layer to the entire face or other affected skin areas. Avoid applying the medicine to the creases of your nose, or on your lips.

Do not apply to open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. Do not apply any other skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

You may use a skin moisturizer if your skin becomes dry while using adapalene. Avoid creams or lotions that contain alpha hydroxy or glycolic acids.

It may take several weeks before your acne improves, and it may get slightly worse for a short time when you first start using adapalene. Keep using the medication as directed, even if you think it is not working.

Call your doctor if skin symptoms do not begin to improve within 8 to 12 weeks of using this medicine.

Do not use adapalene topical to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

 What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

 What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include skin redness, scaling, or irritation.

 What should I avoid while using adapalene topical?

What should I avoid while using adapalene topical?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Adapalene can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid using other skin medications that contain sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid (common in topical acne medications or skin cleansers).

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime.

 What are the possible side effects of adapalene topical?

What are the possible side effects of adapalene topical?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • skin redness, stinging, burning, or peeling after sun exposure.

Some side effects may occur during the first 4 weeks of using this medicine. These side effects should become less noticeable with continued use.

Common side effects may include:

  • dry, red, or scaly skin;
  • feeling of warmth and mild stinging or burning;
  • peeling skin; or
  • skin pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 What other drugs will affect adapalene topical?

What other drugs will affect adapalene topical?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied adapalene. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

 Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about adapalene topical.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details