Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide

Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide

Combination of
Adapalene	Retinoid
Benzoyl peroxide	Peroxide
Clinical data
Trade names	Epiduo, Epiduo Forte, Tactupump Forte, Desarena, Effezel, Belakne Combi, Aciduo
AHFS/Drugs.com	Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information
License data	US  DailyMed:  Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide
Routes of administration	Topical
ATC code	D10AD53 ( WHO ) D10AE51 ( WHO )
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) [1] US: ℞-only [2] [3] In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Identifiers
CAS Number	1194805-81-6  N
KEGG	D10792  N
NY  (what is this?)    (verify)

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 retinoid; and benzoyl peroxide. ^{[2] [3]}

It is available as a generic medication. ^[4] In 2023, it was the 319th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 200,000 prescriptions. ^[5]

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]}

• Skin redness
• Scaling
• Dry skin
• Contact dermatitis
• Skin irritation
• Stinging
• Burning

Research

A 2011 meta-analysis of clinical trials has shown this combined therapy to be more effective than either of its ingredients by themselves. ^[6]

The use of adapalene/benzoyl peroxide in combination with oral antibiotics (lymecycline) has been studied; ^[7] the combination was well tolerated and showed an improved success rate compared to those receiving only antibiotics (47.6% vs. 33.7%, P = 0.002).

References

1. "Adapax (Nova Pharmaceuticals Australasia Pty Ltd)". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 16 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
2. "Epiduo- adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel". DailyMed. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
3. "Epiduo Forte- adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel". DailyMed. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
4. "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.
5. "Adapalene; Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
6. Tan J, Gollnick HP, Loesche C, Ma YM, Gold LS (August 2011). "Synergistic efficacy of adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% in the treatment of 3855 acne vulgaris patients". The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 22 (4): 197–205. doi:10.3109/09546631003681094. PMID   20666678. S2CID   34631151.
7. Dréno B, Kaufmann R, Talarico S, Torres Lozada V, Rodríguez-Castellanos MA, Gómez-Flores M, et al. (August 2011). "Combination therapy with adapalene-benzoyl peroxide and oral lymecycline in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind controlled study". The British Journal of Dermatology. 165 (2): 383–90. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10374.x. PMID   21495995. S2CID   21793660.