Key Patient Counseling Points:

• Avoid contact with eyes, lips, angles of nose, and mucous membranes
• Do not apply on cuts, abrasions, eczematous, or sunburned skin.
• Application of moisturizers may be necessary for relief of dry skin or irritation.
• If cutaneous reactions (such as erythema, scaling, and stinging/burning) are severe, the frequency should be reduced or adapalene discontinued.
• Other topical preparations (sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid) should not be used prior to using topical adapalene.
• Adapalene causes sun-sensitivity. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds. Protective clothing and application of sunscreen are recommended when sun exposure cannot be avoided.
• Cold temperatures or wind may also increase skin irritation during drug therapy.
• Symptomatic improvement may not be seen for a few months.

Class:

Retinoid, Antiacne

Mechanism of Action:

Adapalene exhibits retinoic acid-like activity, reducing important features of the pathology of acne vulgaris by normalizing the differentiation of follicular epithelial cells and keratinization to prevent microcomedone formation. Adapalene enhances keratinocyte differentiation without inducing epidermal hyperplasia and severe irritation, such as is seen with retinoic acid. Adapalene decreases formation of comedones, and inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions.

• Key Patient Counseling Points