Patient Information
Adapalene Gel, 0.3%
(a dap’ a leen)
Important: For use on the skin only (topical). Do not use Adapalene Gel, 0.3% in or on your mouth, eyes, or vagina.
Read this Patient Information that comes with Adapalene Gel, 0.3% before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your treatment or your medical condition. If you have any questions about Adapalene Gel, 0.3%, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What is Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
Adapalene Gel, 0.3% is a prescription medicine for skin use only (topical) used to treat acne vulgaris in people 12 years of age and older.
Acne vulgaris is a condition in which the skin has blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
It is not known if Adapalene Gel, 0.3% is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age or in people 65 years of age and older.
Who should not use Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
Do not use Adapalene Gel, 0.3% if you:
● are allergic to adapalene or any of the ingredients in Adapalene Gel, 0.3%. See the end of this Patient Information for a complete list of ingredients in Adapalene Gel.
What should I tell my doctor before using Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
Before you use Adapalene Gel, 0.3%, tell your doctor if you:
- have other skin problems, including cuts or sunburn
- have any other medical conditions
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Adapalene Gel, 0.3% can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Adapalene Gel, 0.3% passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use Adapalene Gel, 0.3%.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your doctor if you use any other medicine for acne. Using Adapalene Gel, 0.3% with topical medicines that contain sulfur, resorcinol or salicylic acid may cause skin irritation.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I use Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
- Use Adapalene Gel, 0.3% exactly as your doctor tells you to use it. Adapalene Gel, 0.3% is for skin use only. Do not use Adapalene Gel, 0.3% in or on your mouth, eyes, or vagina.
- Apply Adapalene Gel, 0.3% 1 time a day. Do not use more Adapalene Gel, 0.3% than you need to cover the treatment area. Using too much Adapalene Gel, 0.3% or using it more than 1 time a day may increase your chance of skin irritation.
Applying Adapalene Gel, 0.3%:
- Wash the area where Adapalene Gel, 0.3% will be applied with a soap that does not contain a medicine and pat dry.
- Adapalene Gel, 0.3% comes in a tube and a pump. If you have been prescribed the:
• Tube: Squeeze a small amount onto your fingertips and spread a thin layer over the entire face and any other affected areas.
• Pump: Depress the pump to dispense a small amount of Adapalene Gel, 0.3% and spread a thin layer over the entire face and any other affected areas.
What should I avoid while using Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
- You should avoid spending time in sunlight or artificial sunlight, such as tanning beds or sunlamps. Adapalene Gel, 0.3% can make your skin sensitive to sun and the light from tanning beds and sunlamps. You should wear sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover the areas treated with Adapalene Gel, 0.3% if you have to be in sunlight.
- You should avoid weather extremes such as wind and cold as this may cause irritation to your skin.
- You should avoid applying Adapalene Gel, 0.3% to cuts, abrasions and sunburned skin.
- You should avoid skin products that may dry or irritate your skin such as harsh soaps, astringents, cosmetics that have strong skin drying effects and products containing high levels of alcohol.
- You should avoid the use of “waxing” as a hair removal method on skin treated with Adapalene Gel, 0.3%.
What are the possible side effects of Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
Adapalene Gel, 0.3% may cause serious side effects including:
- Local skin reactions. Local skin reactions are most likely to happen during the first 4 weeks of treatment and usually lessen with continued use of Adapalene Gel, 0.3%. Signs and symptoms of local skin reaction include:
- Redness
- Dryness
- Scaling
- Stinging or burning
- Allergic reactions. Adapalene Gel, 0.3% may cause an allergic reaction that may require medical treatment. Stop using Adapalene Gel, 0.3% and tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- skin rash, itching or hives
- trouble breathing or chest pain
- swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat
You may use a moisturizer for relief of dry skin or irritation, however you should avoid products that contain alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid.
The most common side effects of Adapalene Gel, 0.3% are:
- skin pain
- skin peeling
- sunburn
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Adapalene Gel, 0.3%. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects to Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747.
How should I store Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
- Store Adapalene Gel, 0.3% at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20° C to 25°C).
- Do not freeze Adapalene Gel, 0.3%.
Keep Adapalene Gel, 0.3% and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about Adapalene Gel, 0.3%
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use Adapalene Gel, 0.3% for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Adapalene Gel, 0.3% to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about Adapalene Gel, 0.3%. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Adapalene Gel, 0.3% that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in Adapalene Gel, 0.3%?
Active ingredient: adapalene
Inactive ingredients: carbomer 980, edetate disodium, methylparaben, poloxamer 182, propylene glycol, purified water and sodium hydroxide. May contain hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment.
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Manufactured by TOLMAR Inc.
Fort Collins, CO 80526 for
Sandoz Inc.
Princeton, NJ 08540
44457 Rev. 3 07/16