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Differin

Adapalene · Gel

Over-the-counter NDA RLD 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
Differin
Generic name
Adapalene
Dosage form
Gel
Route
Topical
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
Product type
Human Otc Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
6
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
Adapalene 3 mg/g 829539 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Gel
Route of administration
Topical
Presentations
8

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
020380
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
May 31, 1996
Sponsor
GALDERMA LABS LP
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
6
Products approved under application 020380.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
020380-002 DIFFERIN GEL ADAPALENE Over-the-counter — RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
—
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

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 020380.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 21 Labeling Approved June 14, 2022 Standard
Supplement 13 Labeling Approved March 23, 2018 Standard
Supplement 11 Labeling Approved May 19, 2017 Standard
Supplement 10 Efficacy Approved July 8, 2016 Standard
Supplement 4 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 5, 2007 N/A
Original application 1 Type 3 - New Dosage Form Approved May 31, 1996 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 6, 2024
  • 0 · Supplement · June 15, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · March 29, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · March 28, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · October 2, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · May 25, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · May 24, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · March 30, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · March 30, 2017

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20231227). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20231227 HUMAN OTC DRUG · 20221207

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE DIFFERIN Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3%, is a retinoid, indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )

Purpose acne treatment

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Wash affected areas gently with a non-medicated soap. Apply a thin film of DIFFERIN Gel to the entire face and any other affected areas of the skin once daily in the evening. Avoid application to the areas of skin around eyes, lips, and mucous membranes. A mild transitory sensation of warmth or slight stinging may occur shortly after the application of DIFFERIN Gel. Instruct patients to minimize sun exposure and to use moisturizers for relief of dry skin or irritation. If therapeutic results are not noticed after 12 weeks of treatment, therapy should be re-evaluated. For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use. Wash affected areas gently with a non-medicated soap. ( 2 ) Apply a thin film of DIFFERIN Gel, to the entire face and other affected areas of the skin once daily in the evening. ( 2 ) For topical use only. Not for ophthalmic, oral or intravaginal use. ( 2 )

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Each gram of DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3% contains 3 mg adapalene in an off-white aqueous gel. Gel, 0.3% ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DIFFERIN Gel is contraindicated in patients who have known hypersensitivity to adapalene or any excipient of DIFFERIN Gel [ see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1) ]. Contraindicated in patients who have known hypersensitivity to adapalene or any excipient of DIFFERIN Gel. ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Allergic/ Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergy/hypersensitivity reactions include anaphylaxis angioedema, face edema, eyelid edema, lip swelling, and pruritis. Discontinue DIFFERIN Gel in the event of an allergic/hypersensitivity reaction.( 5.1 ) Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure: Avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided ( 5.2 ). Local Cutaneous Reactions: Erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning were reported with use of DIFFERIN Gel. Concomitant use of other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime) should be approached with caution. ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Allergic/ Hypersensitivity Reactions Adverse reactions including anaphylaxis angioedema, face edema, eyelid edema, lip swelling, and pruritus that sometimes required medical treatment have been reported during postmarketing use of adapalene. Advise a patient to stop using DIFFERIN Gel and seek medical attention if experiencing allergic or anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions during treatment. 5.2 Ultraviolet Light and Environmental Exposure Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be minimized during use of DIFFERIN Gel. Patients who normally experience high levels of sun exposure, and those with inherent sensitivity to sun, should be warned to exercise caution. Use of sunscreen products and protective clothing over treated areas is recommended when exposure cannot be avoided. Weather extremes, such as wind or cold, also may be irritating to patients under treatment with DIFFERIN Gel. 5.3 Local Cutaneous Reactions Cutaneous signs and symptoms such as erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning were reported with use of DIFFERIN Gel. These were most likely to occur during the first four weeks of treatment, were mostly mild to moderate in intensity, and usually lessened with continued use of the medication. Depending upon the severity of these side effects, patients should be instructed to either use a moisturizer, reduce the frequency of application of DIFFERIN Gel or discontinue use. Avoid application 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. As DIFFERIN Gel has the potential to induce local irritation in some patients, concomitant use of other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime) should be approached with caution.

Warnings For external use only

Do not use on damaged skin (cuts, abrasions, eczema, sunburn) if you are allergic to adapalene or any of the ingredients in this product. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a doctor before use.

Stop use and ask doctor if you become pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, while using the product you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as itching, rash, hives, swelling of the lips, eyelids, and shortness of breath) irritation becomes severe you see no improvement after 3 months of once daily use Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequently reported (≥ 1%) adverse reactions were erythema, scaling, dryness, and/or burning/stinging. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Galderma Laboratories, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137 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 reactions 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. In the multi-center, controlled clinical trial, signs and symptoms of local cutaneous irritation were monitored in 258 acne subjects who used DIFFERIN Gel once daily for 12 weeks. Of the subjects who experienced cutaneous irritation (erythema, scaling, dryness, and/or burning/stinging), the majority of cases were mild to moderate in severity, occurred early in treatment and decreased thereafter. The incidence of local cutaneous irritation with DIFFERIN Gel from the controlled clinical trial is provided in the following table: Table 1: Physician assessed local cutaneous irritation with DIFFERIN Gel Incidence of Local Cutaneous Irritation with DIFFERIN Gel (N = 253*) Maximum Severity Scores Higher Than Baseline Mild Moderate Severe Erythema 66 (26.1%) 33 (13.0%) 1 (0.4%) Scaling 110 (43.5%) 47 (18.6%) 3 (1.2%) Dryness 113 (44.7%) 43 (17.0%) 2 (0.8%) Burning/Stinging 72 (28.5%) 36 (14.2%) 9 (3.6%) * Total number of subjects with local cutaneous data for at least one post-Baseline evaluation Table 2: Patient reported local cutaneous reactions with DIFFERIN Gel DIFFERIN (adapalene) Gel Vehicle Gel N = 258 N = 134 Related* Adverse Reactions Dry Skin Skin Discomfort Desquamation 57 (22.1%) 36 (14%) 15 (5.8%) 4 (1.6%) 6 (4.5%) 2 (1.5%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) * Selected adverse reactions defined by investigator as Possibly, Probably or Definitely Related The following adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% of subjects: acne flare, contact dermatitis, eyelid edema, conjunctivitis, erythema, pruritus, skin discoloration, rash, and eczema. In a one-year, open-label safety trial of 551 subjects with acne who received DIFFERIN Gel, the pattern of adverse reactions was similar to the 12-week controlled study. 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of adapalene: Immune system disorders: angioedema, face edema, lip swelling Skin disorders: application site pain Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from clinical trials with DIFFERIN Gel use in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of adapalene to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at dose exposures 40 and 81 times, respectively, the human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 2 g resulted in fetal skeletal and visceral malformations ( see Data ). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data No malformations were observed in rats treated with oral adapalene doses of 0.15 to 5.0 mg/kg/day, up to 8 times the MRHD based on a mg/m2 comparison. However, malformations were observed in rats and rabbits when treated with oral doses of ≥ 25 mg/kg/day adapalene (40 and 81 times the MRHD, respectively, based on a mg/m2 comparison). Findings included cleft palate, microphthalmia, encephalocele, and skeletal abnormalities in rats and umbilical hernia, exophthalmos, and kidney and skeletal abnormalities in rabbits. Dermal adapalene embryofetal development studies in rats and rabbits at doses up to 6.0 mg/kg/day (9.7 and 19.5 times the MRHD, respectively, based on a mg/m 2 comparison) exhibited no fetotoxicity and only minimal increases in skeletal variations (supernumerary ribs in both species and delayed ossification in rabbits). 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of topical adapalene gel or its metabolite in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. In animal studies, adapalene is present in rat milk with oral administration of the drug. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. It is possible that topical administration of large amounts of adapalene could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk ( see Clinical Considerations ). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for DIFFERIN Gel and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from DIFFERIN Gel, or from the underlying maternal condition. Clinical Considerations To minimize potential exposure to the breastfed infant via breastmilk, use DIFFERIN Gel on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding. Avoid application of DIFFERIN Gel to areas with increased risk for potential ingestion by or ocular exposure to the breastfeeding child. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 12. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of DIFFERIN Gel did not include subjects 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently than younger subjects. Safety and effectiveness in geriatric patients age 65 and above have not been established.

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action 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.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION DIFFERIN (adapalene) Gel contains adapalene 0.3% (3 mg/g) in a topical aqueous gel for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris, consisting of carbomer 940, edetate disodium, methylparaben, poloxamer 124, propylene glycol, purified water, and sodium hydroxide. May contain hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment. The chemical name of adapalene is 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid. It is a white to off-white powder, which is soluble in tetrahydrofuran, very slightly soluble in ethanol, and practically insoluble in water. The molecular formula is C 28 H 28 O 3 and molecular weight is 412.53. Adapalene is represented by the following structural formula.

Active Ingredient

openFDA Drug Labeling

Drug Facts Active ingredient Adapalene 0.1% (retinoid)* *read consumer information leaflet

10 OVERDOSAGE Chronic ingestion of the drug may lead to the same side effects as those associated with excessive oral intake of vitamin A.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/ STORAGE AND HANDLING DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3% is supplied in the following size. 45 g pump - NDC 0299-5918-25 Storage : Store at controlled room temperature 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C) with excursions permitted between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C). Protect from freezing. Keep out of reach of children.

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
0299-4910-00 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 TUBE in 1 BLISTER PACK (0299-4910-00) / 2 g in 1 TUBE July 8, 2016
0299-4910-10 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (0299-4910-10) / 15 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP January 1, 2020
0299-4910-15 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0299-4910-15) / 15 g in 1 TUBE July 8, 2016
0299-4910-40 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (0299-4910-40) / 45 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP January 1, 2020
0299-4910-45 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (0299-4910-45) / 45 g in 1 TUBE July 8, 2016
0299-5918-25 0299-5918 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 1 BOTTLE, PUMP in 1 CARTON (0299-5918-25) / 45 g in 1 BOTTLE, PUMP September 15, 2009
0299-4910 0299-4910 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. — July 8, 2016
0299-5918 0299-5918 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. — September 15, 2009

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
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

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