This article explains how adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are similar and different. You can view a detailed article about tretinoin topical cream if you’d like more information about this drug. To learn more about adapalene topical gel, talk with your doctor.
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Questions about adapalene and tretinoin
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream.
Can adapalene or tretinoin be used for anti-aging or hyperpigmentation?
Adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream aren’t approved for anti-aging or hyperpigmentation. But doctors may prescribe either of these drugs off-label for these purposes. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
To learn more about using adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream for anti-aging or hyperpigmentation, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options for this condition.
Between adapalene and tretinoin, is one a better treatment for acne?
Doctors may prescribe either adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream to treat acne. In studies, adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream were both effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they come in different forms. Adapalene comes in a gel, and tretinoin comes in a cream.
Keep in mind that your results from using adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Uses of adapalene and tretinoin
Here’s a summary of adapalene topical gel’s and tretinoin topical cream’s approved uses:
| adapalene topical gel | tretinoin topical cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | acne | acne |
| Prescribed to | adults and children ages 12 years and older | adults and children ages 12 years and older |
If you’d like to know more about using either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream is an option to consider.
Cost of adapalene and tretinoin
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for adapalene topical gel and this coupon page for tretinoin topical cream. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
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Brand-name versions
Below is information about whether adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream is available in a brand-name version.
Adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are generic medications. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
Here’s a summary about brand-name versions of adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream:
| adapalene topical gel | tretinoin topical cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | adapalene | tretinoin |
| Brand-name versions | Differin | Avita, Refissa, Renova, Retin-A |
If your doctor prescribed adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream, but you’d like to know about using its brand-name version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the brand-name version is right for you.
Dosage of adapalene and tretinoin
Below is dosage information for the condition that both adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that tretinoin topical cream treats, see this article about tretinoin topical cream dosage. For detailed dosage information for adapalene, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Adapalene topical gel’s dosage
Below is a summary of adapalene topical gel’s recommended dosage in adults and certain children:
| Condition | How it’s used | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older | gel that’s applied to the skin | small amount of gel to spread a thin layer over the face and any other affected areas | once per day in the evening |
Tretinoin topical cream’s dosage
Below is a summary of tretinoin topical cream’s recommended dosage in adults and certain children:
| Condition | How it’s used | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older | cream that’s applied to the skin | half-inch strip of cream or enough to lightly cover the affected area | once per day at bedtime |
Side effects of adapalene and tretinoin
Adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream. You can also check out this article about tretinoin topical cream side effects. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information about side effects of adapalene topical gel.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream:
| adapalene topical gel | tretinoin topical cream | |
| dry skin | ✓ | ✓ |
| stinging | ✓ | ✓ |
| skin peeling | ✓ | ✓ |
| redness or discoloration | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
An allergic reaction is possible with adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in studies for tretinoin topical cream.
Serious side effects
Below is a serious side effect reported with adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream:
| adapalene topical gel | tretinoin topical cream | |
|---|---|---|
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
An allergic reaction is possible with adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in studies for tretinoin topical cream.
With a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Warnings for adapalene and tretinoin
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not use adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are summarized below. Before using either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Warnings for adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream are summarized in the table below:
| adapalene topical gel | tretinoin topical cream | |
|---|---|---|
| other skin problems, including cuts, sunburns, or skin that’s dry, itchy, red, or discolored | ✓ | |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view this detailed article about tretinoin topical cream if you’d like to know more about its warnings. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more details about the warnings of adapalene topical gel. You can also view the prescribing information for adapalene topical gel and tretinoin topical cream.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- If I’m a good candidate for both drugs, are there reasons why one would be prescribed over the other?
- How long should it take before I see a difference from using adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream?
- Would adapalene topical gel or tretinoin topical cream interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.