Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide

Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide
Combination of
AdapaleneRetinoid
Benzoyl peroxideOxidizing agent
Clinical data
Trade namesEpiduo Gel, Epiduo Forte, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMicromedex Detailed Consumer Information
License data
Routes of
administration		Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)[1]
  • US: OTC / Rx-only[2][3][4]
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Identifiers
CAS Number
KEGG
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Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, sold under the brand name Epiduo among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the treatment of acne vulgaris.[2][3] It is a combination of adapalene, a synthetic retinoid; and benzoyl peroxide, an oxidizing agent.[2][3]

Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo Gel) was approved for medical use in the United States in December 2008.[5] Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo Forte) with a stronger adapalene strength was approved for medical use in the United States in July 2015.[6] Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (Differin Epiduo Acne Gel) is an over-the-counter version of Epiduo Gel that was approved for medical use in the United States in May 2026.[7][8]

It is available as a generic medication.[9] In 2023, it was the 319th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 200,000 prescriptions.[10]

Medical uses

Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.[2][3]

Side effects

Commonly reported side effects include the following:[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Adapax (Nova Pharmaceuticals Australasia Pty Ltd)". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 16 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Epiduo- adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel". DailyMed. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Epiduo Forte- adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel". DailyMed. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Differin Epiduo- adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel". DailyMed. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Drug Approval Package: Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Gel 0.1% and 2.5%". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Drug Approval Package: Epiduo Forte (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) Gel". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 12 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Approval Letter 220736O" (PDF). Accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Galderma receives U.S. FDA approval for Differin Epiduo Acne Gel Prescription-to-OTC switch". Galderma (Press release). 22 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Competitive Generic Therapy Approvals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Adapalene; Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023". ClinCalc. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
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