Adapalene (Differin) is used to treat acne. It helps in keeping skin pores clear. Adapalene is available only with doctor's prescription. To know more about the uses of Differin, you will need to speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Adapalene is available in form of topical gel in U.S. and Canada. Apply the medicine to clean, dry areas of the skin affected by acne. Apply it gently and rub it well. Wash your hands afterwards to remove any medicine that may remain on them. It is very important that you use Adapalene only as directed. You should not increase the dose. Do not use it more often and for a longer time than directed by your doctor. The overuse may cause irritation of the skin. Do not apply Adapalene to wind burned or sunburned skin or on open wounds.

Do not use Adapalene around the eyes, lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If the medicine accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Use of Adapalene is not recommended on wind burned or sunburned skin and on open wounds.

To help clear up your acne completely, it is very important that you keep using Adapalene for the full time of treatment. Do not stop to use, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a short time. If you stop using Adapalene shortly then, your acne may return or get worse. Also, for the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment, your skin condition may appear to worsen. This is expected. Do not stop using Adapalene during this time.

Consult your doctor about the possible side effects of using Differin for your condition.

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

DO NOT GET THIS MEDICINE in your eyes or on the inside of your nose or mouth. FOR THE FIRST 2 TO 3 WEEKS OF TREATMENT, your skin condition may appear to worsen. This is expected. Do not stop using the medicine during this time. DO NOT USE OTHER MEDICINES ON YOUR SKIN without first discussing it with your doctor. While you are using this medicine, you may use cosmetics. After using cosmetics, thoroughly wash and dry the affected area before applying this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen if you must be outside. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned skin. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Differin should be kept out of reach of children when not in use. If the medicine become outdated or you are no longer taking it then you need to discard it safely. Consult your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Differin may increase sensitivity to the sun in your skin. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen if you must be outside. Do not apply this medicine to sunburned skin.

Do not use other medicines on your skin without first discussing it with your doctor.

While you are using Differin, you may use cosmetics. After using cosmetics, thoroughly wash and dry the affected area before applying this medicine.

If you plan to become pregnant while using Differin, discuss the benefits and risks of using Differin during pregnancy with your doctor. It is unknown if Differin is excreted in breast milk. Hence, if you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Differin, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about the risks to your baby.