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Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, 0.1%/2.5%

Prescription ANDA TE AB Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, 0.1%/2.5%
Generic name
Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, 0.1%/2.5%
Dosage form
Gel
Route
Topical
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Bryant Ranch Prepack
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
2
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Adapalene 1 mg/g 829539 View
Benzoyl Peroxide 25 mg/g 829539 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Gel
Route of administration
Topical
Presentations
4

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Retinoid [EPC] EPC All 35 members
Retinoids [CS] CS All 35 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
206164
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
May 23, 2018
Sponsor
ENCUBE
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
1
Products approved under application 206164.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
206164-001 ADAPALENE AND BENZOYL PEROXIDE GEL ADAPALENE; BENZOYL PEROXIDE Prescription AB

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 206164.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Original application 1 Approved May 23, 2018 Standard

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260615). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260615

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% is a combination of adapalene, a retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide, and is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. (1)

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For topical use only; adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Apply a thin film of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% to affected areas of the face and/or trunk once daily after washing. Use a pea-sized amount for each area of the face (e.g., forehead, chin, each cheek). Avoid the eyes, lips and mucous membranes. Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. (2) Apply a thin film of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% to affected areas of the face and/or trunk once daily after washing. Use a pea-sized amount for each area of the face (e.g., forehead, chin, each cheek). Avoid the eyes, lips and mucous membranes. (2)

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRNGTH Each gram of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% contains 1 mg (0.1%) adapalene and 25 mg (2.5%) benzoyl peroxide in a white to very pale yellow, opaque, aqueous based gel. Each gram of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% contains 1 mg (0.1%) adapalene and 25 mg (2.5%) benzoyl peroxide. (3)

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None. (4)

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure: Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided. (5.1) Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/burning, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% and may necessitate discontinuation. (5.2) 5.1 Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be minimized during the use of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. Patients with high levels of sun exposure and those with inherent sensitivity to sun should exercise particular caution. Use of sunscreen products and protective apparel, (e.g., hat) are recommended when exposure cannot be avoided. Weather extremes, such as wind or cold, may be irritating to patients under treatment with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. 5.2 Local Cutaneous Reactions Erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning may be experienced with use of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. These are most likely to occur during the first four weeks of treatment, are mostly mild to moderate in intensity, and usually lessen with continued use of the medication. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur. Depending upon the severity of these adverse reactions, patients should be instructed to use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of the application of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%, or discontinue use. The product should not be applied to cuts, abrasions, eczematous or sunburned skin. As with other retinoids, use of “waxing” as a depilatory method should be avoided on skin treated with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. Avoid concomitant use of other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have strong skin-drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or limes).

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most commonly reported adverse events (≥1%) in patients treated with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% were dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation. (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Encube Ethicals Private Limited, at 1-833-285-4151 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. During clinical trials, 1401 subjects were exposed to adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. A total of 1036 subjects with acne vulgaris, 12 years and older, were treated once daily for 12 weeks to 12 months. Related adverse events reported within 12 weeks of treatment and in at least 1% of subjects treated with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% and those reported in subjects treated with the vehicle gel are presented in Table 1 : Table 1. Drug Related Adverse Events Reported in Clinical Trials by At Least 1% of Patients Treated For 12 Weeks System Organ Class/Preferred Term Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 0.1% / 2.5% N=564 Vehicle gel N=489 Subjects with AE (s) 14% 4% Dry Skin 7% 2% Contact dermatitis 3% <1% Application site burning 2% <1% Application site irritation 1% <1% Skin irritation 1% 0% Local tolerability evaluations, presented in Table 2 , were conducted at each study visit in clinical trials by assessment of erythema, scaling, dryness, burning, and stinging. Table 2. Incidence of Local Cutaneous Irritation in Controlled Clinical Trials (N=553) Treatment Emergent Signs and Symptoms Maximum Severity During Treatment End of Treatment Severity (12 Weeks) Mild Moderate Severe Mild Moderate Severe Erythema 27% 13% 1% 8% 2% 1% Scaling 35% 11% 1% 9% 1% <1% Dryness 41% 13% 1% 10% 2% <1% Stinging/burning 41% 15% 3% 7% 2% 1% Analysis over the 12 week period showed that local tolerability scores for erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning peaked at Week 1 of therapy and decreased thereafter. During a pediatric clinical trial, 285 children with acne vulgaris, 9 to 11 years of age were treated with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% or with the vehicle gel once daily for 12 weeks. Overall, the safety profile of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% in these subjects is comparable to the safety profile observed in older subjects 12 years of age and above, both in the nature and frequency of the observed adverse events. Analysis of local tolerability evaluations shows similar incidence of treatment emergent signs and symptoms as in subjects 12 years of age and above, with local tolerability signs and symptoms peaking during the first week and decreasing over time. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%: eyelid edema, sunburn, blister, pain of skin, pruritus, swelling face, conjunctivitis, skin discoloration, rash, eczema, throat tightness and allergic contact dermatitis. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant topical acne therapy should be used with caution because a possible cumulative irritancy effect may occur, especially with the use of peeling, desquamating, or abrasive agents. No formal drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C. There are no well-controlled trials in pregnant women treated with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with the combination gel or benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, such studies are not always predictive of human response; therefore, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus. No teratogenic effects were observed in rats treated with oral doses of 0.15 to 5.0 mg adapalene/kg/day, up to 25 times (mg/m2/day) the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 2 grams of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. However, teratogenic changes were observed in rats and rabbits when treated with oral doses of ≥ 25 mg adapalene/kg/day representing 123 and 246 times MRHD, respectively. Findings included cleft palate, microphthalmia, encephalocele and skeletal abnormalities in rats; and umbilical hernia, exophthalmos and kidney and skeletal abnormalities in rabbits. Dermal teratology studies conducted in rats and rabbits at doses of 0.6 to 6.0 mg adapalene/kg/day [25 to 59 times (mg/m2) the MRHD] exhibited no fetotoxicity and only minimal increases in supernumerary ribs in both species and delayed ossification in rabbits. 8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether adapalene or benzoyl peroxide is excreted in human milk following use of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5%. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% is administered to a nursing woman. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% in pediatric patients under the age of 9 have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1% / 2.5% did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action Adapalene Adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to cytosolic receptor protein. Biochemical and pharmacological profile studies have demonstrated that adapalene is a modulator of cellular differentiation, keratinization and inflammatory processes. However, the significance of these findings with regard to the mechanism of action of adapalene for the treatment of acne is unknown. Benzoyl peroxide Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent with bactericidal and keratolytic effects.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% is a white to very pale yellow, opaque gel for topical use containing adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. Adapalene, a synthetic retinoid, is a naphthoic acid derivative with retinoid-like properties. The chemical name for adapalene is (6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid). It has the following structural formula: Adapalene: Molecular formula: C 28 H 28 O 3 Molecular weight: 412.5 Benzoyl Peroxide is a highly lipophilic oxidizing agent that localizes in both bacterial and keratinocyte cell membranes. The chemical name for benzoyl peroxide is dibenzoyl peroxide. It has the following structural formula: Benzoyl Peroxide: Molecular formula: C 14 H 10 O 4 Molecular weight: 242.23 Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% contains the following inactive ingredients: carbopol 980, d-limonene, docusate sodium solution, edetate disodium, glycerin, poloxamer 182, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium hydroxide and sorbitan monooleate. adapalene-str-1 bpo-str-fig-2

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel USP, 0.1% / 2.5% is white to very pale yellow in color and opaque in appearance, and is supplied as follows: 45 gram pump NDC 21922-052-50 Storage and handling Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from heat.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
181,513
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: ADAPALENE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
72162-2296-2 72162-2296 Bryant Ranch Prepack 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (72162-2296-2) / 45 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP April 30, 2024
21922-052-50 21922-052 Encube Ethicals, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (21922-052-50) / 45 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP August 14, 2023
72162-2296 72162-2296 Bryant Ranch Prepack — August 14, 2023
21922-052 21922-052 Encube Ethicals, Inc. — August 14, 2023

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.