This article explains how tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo are similar and different. Epiduo comes in two strengths, and one of them is called Epiduo Forte. In this article, we use “Epiduo” to refer to both strengths. You can view detailed articles about tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo if you’d like more information about these drugs.
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Questions about tretinoin and Epiduo
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo.
Can tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo be used for wrinkles?
Tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo aren’t approved to treat wrinkles. But doctors may prescribe either of these drugs off-label for this purpose. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
To learn more about using tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo for wrinkles, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options for this condition.
Is it safe to use tretinoin and Epiduo together?
It’s unlikely, so only if your dermatologist or doctor says this combination is safe for you.
Epiduo contains adapalene. Like tretinoin, adapalene is a type of medication used for treating acne called a topical retinoid. While adapalene and tretinoin work slightly differently to treat acne, using more than one topical retinoid may increase the risk for side effects. These include dry or irritated skin.
If your doctor prescribes more than one topical retinoid for you to use, they’ll likely recommend you apply these products at different times of day. Spacing out applications can help lower your risk for side effects.
Talk with your dermatologist or doctor if you have more questions about using tretinoin and Epiduo together.
Between tretinoin and Epiduo, is one a better treatment for acne?
Doctors may prescribe either tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo to treat acne. In studies, tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte were each effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, Epiduo contains two active ingredients: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Tretinoin is the only active ingredient in tretinoin topical cream.
Guidelines by the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) for acne treatment suggest adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin as acceptable treatments. Using a combination, such as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide together, may be recommended if a single product isn’t working well enough.
Keep in mind that your results from using tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo 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.
Side effects of tretinoin and Epiduo
Tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo 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 tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo 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 tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte. You can also check out these articles about tretinoin topical cream side effects and Epiduo side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte:
| tretinoin topical cream | Epiduo and Epiduo Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| dry skin | ✓ | ✓ |
| skin irritation and burning at and around the site(s) where the medication is applied | ✓ | ✓ |
| contact dermatitis | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte:
| tretinoin topical cream | Epiduo and Epiduo Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| changes in skin pigment where the medication is applied, which goes away if treatment is stopped | ✓ | ✓† |
| increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light, such as tanning beds | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe skin peeling, irritation, or discoloration | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
* A serious allergic reaction is possible with tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo. But it wasn’t reported in studies for tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte.
† Changes in skin pigment were not reported in clinical studies of Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, but they have been reported with Epiduo Forte since the drug was approved.
With a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Uses of tretinoin and Epiduo
Here’s a summary of tretinoin topical cream’s and Epiduo’s approved uses:
| tretinoin topical cream | Epiduo and Epiduo Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • treat acne | • treat acne |
| Prescribed to | • adults and children ages 12 years and older | • Epiduo: adults and children ages 9 years and older • Epiduo Forte: 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 tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo is an option to consider.
Cost of tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo 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 tretinoin topical cream and this coupon page for Epiduo. 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.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
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Generic versions
Below is information about whether Epiduo or Epiduo Forte is available in a generic version. Tretinoin topical cream is a generic medication that’s based on the brand-name drug Retin-A.
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 version.
Here’s a summary about generics of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte:
| Epiduo | Epiduo Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | adapalene and benzoyl peroxide | adapalene and benzoyl peroxide |
| Available as a generic | Yes | Yes |
If your doctor prescribed Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, but you’d like to know about using its generic version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic version is right for you.
Dosage of tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo
Below is dosage information for the condition that both tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo treat, see these articles about tretinoin topical cream dosage and Epiduo dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo. 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.
Tretinoin topical cream’s dosage
Below is a summary of tretinoin topical cream’s recommended dosage in adults and children.
| Condition | How it’s used | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older | applied to the skin in the evening | apply a small amount as directed by your doctor | once per day |
Epiduo and Epiduo Forte’s dosage
Below is a summary of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte’s recommended dosage in adults and children. These medications come as a topical gel.
| Condition | How it’s used | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| acne in adults, for Epiduo and Epiduo Forte | applied to the skin | apply a small amount as directed by your doctor | once per day |
| acne in children ages 9 years and older, for Epiduo | applied to the skin | apply a small amount as directed by your doctor | once per day |
| acne in children ages 12 years and older, for Epiduo Forte | applied to the skin | apply a small amount as directed by your doctor | once per day |
Warnings for tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo
Some medications may not be recommended if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not use tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo, while others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo 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 tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo are summarized in the table below:
| tretinoin topical cream | Epiduo and Epiduo Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| consistent sun or other ultraviolet (UV) light exposure | ✓ | ✓ |
| eczema | ✓ | ✓ |
| sensitive skin | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 more detailed articles about tretinoin topical cream and Epiduo if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for tretinoin topical cream, Epiduo, and Epiduo Forte.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether tretinoin topical cream or Epiduo 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:
- Is there a reason why tretinoin might be better for my condition than Epiduo or Epiduo Forte?
- If I’m a good candidate for both drugs, are there reasons why you would prescribe one over the other?
- How long should it take before I notice a difference from using tretinoin, Epiduo, or Epiduo Forte?
- Does either medication work more quickly than the other to treat acne?
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.