Adapalene: A review of its use in the treatment of acne vulgaris

• Published in: Drugs (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 64; no. 13; pp. 1465 - 1478
• Main Authors: WAUGH, John, NOBLE, Stuart, SCOTT, Lesley J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Auckland Adis International 01.01.2004; Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Adapalene; Administration, Cutaneous; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatologic Agents - adverse effects; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; Gels; Humans; Medical sciences; Naphthalenes - administration & dosage; Naphthalenes - adverse effects; Naphthalenes - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; Treatment Outcome; Human; Skin disease; Adapalene; Toxicity; Treatment efficiency; Retinoid; Review; Posology; Acne vulgaris; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Antiacneic agent; Pharmacokinetics; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0012-6667; 1179-1950
• DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200464130-00005

Adapalene (Differin) is a retinoid agent indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. In clinical trials, 0.1% adapalene gel has proved to be effective in this indication and was as effective as 0.025% tretinoin gel, 0.1% tretinoin microsphere gel, 0.05% tretinoin cream and 0.1% tazarotene gel once every two days; however, the drug was less effective than once-daily 0.1% tazarotene gel. It can be used alone in mild acne or in combination with antimicrobials in inflammatory acne and has proved efficacious as maintenance treatment. Adapalene has a rapid onset of action and a particularly favourable tolerability profile compared with other retinoids. These attributes can potentially promote patient compliance, an important factor in treatment success. Adapalene is, therefore, assured of a role in the first-line treatment of acne vulgaris.