Adapalene (Prescription)

Topical Retinoid
Compare To Other Treatments

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. 

Animal studies in rats showed no teratogenic effects after oral (not topical) application of adapalene at doses up to 20 times higher than recommended human doses. However, adapalene administered orally to rats at doses 100 times higher than recommended human doses has shown fetal harm. 

Thus, due to the lack of well-controlled clinical studies in pregnant women and the potential risk seen in animal studies, a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant should speak to her doctor before start using adapalene.

>> More on How to Treat Acne During Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether adapalene is excreted in human milk after topical application. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, consult your doctor before you start using adapalene during breastfeeding.

Do not apply adapalene to the nipple area and make sure the infant’s skin does not come into contact with the areas of skin that have been treated with adapalene. Make sure to wash your hands after application of adapalene.

References
  1. Medlineplus.gov. (2024). Adapalene: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604001.html#storage-conditions [Accessed 11 Sept. 2024].
  2. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. (2024). Adapalene. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0008827/?report=details. [Accessed 11 Sept. 2024].
  3. Uptodate.com. (2024). Adapalene. [online] Available at: https://www-uptodate-com.eresources.mssm.edu/contents/adapalene-drug-information?search=adapalene&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~20&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#F6217581. [Accessed 11 Sept. 2024].
  4. Epocrates.com. (2024). Adapalene. [online] Available at: https://online.epocrates.com/drugs/178310/adapalene-topical/Monograph. [Accessed 11 Sept. 2024].
  5. DailyMed.nlm.nih.gov. (2024) DIFFERIN- adapalene gel. [online] Available at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0739d631-171b-42a8-bd55-0022b8df2d8a [Accessed 11 Sept. 2024].
  6. Tolaymat L, Dearborn H, Zito PM. Adapalene. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482509/

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