ADAPEN GEL contains Adapalene which belongs to the group of medicines called Retinoids. It is used to treat acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition which occurs when hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells.
ADAPEN GEL has an anti-inflammatory effect reducing soreness and irritation when used on the face, chest or back for acne, blackheads, spots and pimples. During the treatment, your doctor might ask you to avoid exposure to sunlight and artificial UV light.
Avoid using ADAPEN GEL if you have eczema (inflammatory skin condition), cuts or scrapes, and on sensitive areas such as the eyes, mouth and nostrils. ADAPEN GEL is not recommended for use in pregnant women. ADAPEN GEL should be used with caution in breastfeeding women.
ADAPEN GEL is not recommended for use in children (below 12 years of age). The most common side effects of using ADAPEN GEL include dryness, irritation, redness and burning sensation of skin. Call your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen over time.
ADAPEN GEL is believed to work by modifying the action of skin cells to produce fewer pimples or acne.
Apply ADAPEN GEL as advised by your physician. It is for external use only. Wash the areas to be treated with water, keep it clean and dry before applying this medicine. Apply a thin layer of this medicine with your fingertips to the affected areas and rub gently.
Avoid contact of ADAPEN GEL with the eyes, mouth or nose and sensitive areas of your body. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Stop using ADAPEN GEL and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
ADAPEN GEL is not recommended for use in women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Consult your doctor for advice.
If you become pregnant during the treatment, then discontinue it and consult your doctor immediately.
ADAPEN GEL should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. Consult your doctor before using it.
To avoid exposure of the infant, do not apply ADAPEN GEL to the chest when used during breast-feeding.
There is no proper information about the use of ADAPEN GEL in kidney patients. Consult your doctor before using it.
There is no proper information about the use of ADAPEN GEL in liver patients. Consult your doctor before using it.
Do not use ADAPEN GEL if you are allergic to Adapalene or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
ADAPEN GEL is not recommended for use if you:
Use in pediatrics:
ADAPEN GEL is not recommended for use in children (below 12 years of age). Consult your child’s doctor for advice.
Use in geriatrics:
Safety and effectiveness of ADAPEN GEL in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) have not been established. Consult your doctor before using it.
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before using ADAPEN GEL, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally use or swallow too much of ADAPEN GEL, consult your doctor immediately. Symptoms of overdose are irritation, redness, peeling or discomfort of skin.
Drug | : | Adapalene |
Pharmacological Category | : | Anti-inflammatory |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Acne vulgaris |
Dosage Forms | : | Gel, Cream |
Can ADAPEN GEL be used in the morning?
Apply ADAPEN GEL as advised by your physician. It is best when applied at night and washed off in the morning since it is sensitive to sunlight and may not yield good results. Consult your doctor for further queries.
Can ADAPEN GEL cause irritation?
Yes ADAPEN GEL can cause slight sensation of warmth and stinging after applying it for the initial 2-4 weeks but will reduce with continued usage. Consult your doctor if any of these bother you over time.
Can ADAPEN GEL be used daily?
No. ADAPEN GEL should be used according to the doctor’s advice. Using it daily won’t make the treatment faster instead the side effects might worsen. Make sure you use the same quantity at the same time each day for better effects of the medicine.
Can ADAPEN GEL make skin darker?
No. ADAPEN GEL doesn’t make skin darker. Instead, it can slightly make the skin lighter by healing acne, pimples, blackheads and spots. Consult your doctor for further queries.
Can I go outside after applying ADAPEN GEL?
No, avoid going out after applying ADAPEN GEL especially when its windy or raining since it can cause local irritation and skin discomfort. It is best used at night. Consult the doctor for further assistance.
1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs acting on skin and mucous membranes. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 953, 954.
2. Leila Tolaymat; Heidi Dearborn; Patrick M. Zito. Adapalene. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. StatPearls [Internet]. August 2022. [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482509/
3. Galderma R&D. Clinical Study to Test the Efficacy and Safety of Adapalene, 0.1%. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in February 2021] [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00598832
4. Piskin S, Uzunali E. A review of the use of adapalene for the treatment of acne vulgaris. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. August 2007. [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374937/
5. Laboratoires Galderma. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in February 2022] [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.921.pdf
6. Galderma Canada Inc. Adapalene. [Revised in December 2018] [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00048625.PDF
7. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). [Accessed on 28th November 2022] https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs
Written By Dr. Jeenal Rajani, Pharm.D.
Last updated on 28 Nov 2022 | 05:39 PM(IST)
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