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| What is Adapalene? |
| Adapalene is a vitamin A–related drug that is
applied to the skin to treat acne. Adapalene helps
the skin to renew itself more quickly and therefore
reduces pimple and blackhead formation. |
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| How does Adapalene work? |
| Adapalene appears to bind with specific receptors in
skin cells in a way that encourages the formation of
normal skin cells and discourages the formation of
acne lesions. |
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| Who should not use adapalene topical? |
| Do not use adapalene topical on sunburned,
windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. It
could make these conditions much worse. Also avoid
using adapalene topical on wounds or on areas of
eczema. Wait until these conditions have healed
before using this medication. |
| Adapalene topical is the FDA pregnancy category C.
This means that it is not known whether adapalene
topical will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this
medication without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant. |
| It is not known whether adapalene topical passes
into breast milk. Do not use adapalene topical
without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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| How should I use adapalene topical? |
| Use adapalene topical exactly as directed by your
doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain
them to you. |
| Wash your hands before and after applying this
medication. |
| Clean and dry the area to which you will apply
adapalene topical. Apply the medication to the
affected area. |
| When applying adapalene topical, avoid your eyes,
the inside of your nose and mouth, your lips, and
areas where the skin is broken to prevent excessive
irritation. If you get medication in any of these
areas, rinse it off with water. |
| Do not cover the affected area after applying
adapalene topical. Doing so could cause too much
medicine to be absorbed by your body and could be
harmful. |
| Adapalene topical is usually applied once daily at
bedtime. |
| It may take 8 to 12 weeks or more to see the effects
of this drug. Do not stop using adapalene topical if
you do not see results immediately. During the early
weeks of therapy, your acne may appear worse as
previously unseen lesions begin to erupt. This is a
temporary effect. |
| If you experience excessive burning, dryness, or
irritation ask your doctor about using adapalene
every other day or only a few days a week. |
| If you have dark skin and you notice a change in
your skin color, contact your doctor. |
| Store adapalene topical at room temperature away
from moisture and heat. |
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| What happens if I miss a adapalene dose? |
| Apply the missed adapalene dose as soon as you
remember. However, if it is almost time for your
next regularly scheduled dose, skip the dose you
missed and apply only your next regularly scheduled
dose. |
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| What happens if I overdose? |
| An overdose of adapalene topical is unlikely to
occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if
adapalene topical has been ingested, call a poison
control center or emergency room for advice. |
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| What should I avoid while using adapalene topical? |
| Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Adapalene
topical may increase the sensitivity of your skin to
sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective
clothing when sun exposure is unavoidable. |
| Do not use adapalene topical on sunburned,
windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin or on
open wounds. |
| Avoid using other topical products on the same area
at the same time unless directed to do so by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or
absorption of adapalene topical. |
| Do not cover the area after applying adapalene
topical. Doing so could cause too much medicine to
be absorbed by your body and could be harmful. |
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| What are the possible side effects of adapalene
topical? |
| Serious side effects are not likely to occur. Stop
using adapalene topical and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience an allergic reaction
(shortness of breath; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives). |
| You may experience some burning, warmth, stinging,
tingling, itching, redness, dryness, peeling, or
irritation while you are using adapalene topical. If
these side effects are excessive, ask your doctor
about using adapalene every other day or only
several days a week. These side effects should
decrease after the first few weeks of treatment. |
| If you notice a change in your skin color, contact
your doctor. |
| Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect
that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
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| What other drugs will affect adapalene topical |
| Do not use other topical prescription or
over-the-counter preparations unless directed to do
so by your doctor. They may interfere with your
treatment or increase irritation to your skin. |
| Avoid using harsh, abrasive, or irritating
cleansers, perfumes, or cosmetics on the area you
are treating. |
| Drugs other than those listed here may also interact
with adapalene topical. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines. |
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| Where can I get more information? |
| Your pharmacist has additional information about
adapalene topical written for health professionals
that you may read. |
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| Adapalene Storage |
| Store at room temperature. |
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| Adapalene Dosing |
| Wash and dry the affected areas. Apply a thin layer
of gel to the affected areas once daily at bedtime.
Avoid the eyes, lips and nose. There may be a
worsening of acne during the first few weeks of
therapy because adapalene promotes the growth of
pimples that have begun to form but are not yet
visible. Therefore, treatment should not be stopped
if acne appears to be worsening. Beneficial effects
should be seen by 8 to 12 weeks. |
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| Adapalene Drug Interactions |
| Excessive skin irritation may occur if adapalene is
used with other acne medications. |
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| Pregnancy and use Adapalene |
| Only very small amounts of adapalene are absorbed
through skin and into the body. However, there are
no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
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| Nursing Mothers use Adapalene |
| It is not known whether adapalene is excreted in
breast milk. |
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| Adapalene Side Effects |
| The most common side effects of adapalene are
irritation, redness, dryness, and itching of the
skin as well as flares of acne. Most of these side
effects lessen with continued use; however, if they
are bothersome, decreasing the frequency with which
adapalene is applied may reduce these side effects. |
| Adapalene may increase the sensitivity of the skin
to sun and lead to sunburn. Excessive sun exposure
should be avoided, and sunscreens should be used
over the treated areas if exposure to the sun cannot
be avoided. Adapalene should not be applied to
sunburned skin, cuts, eyes, nose or lips. |
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| Disclaimer: |
| Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical
treatment decision based on information contained in
this page without consulting other references
including the package insert of the drug, textbooks
and where relevant, expert opinion. We cannot be
held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for
use of any erroneous information contained on this
page. |
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