OpenClaim

Adapalene Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of adapalene include dry skin, skin burning sensation, and acne, based on 184,160 FDA adverse event reports from 2004 to 2025. 28.5% of reports found the drug to be ineffective.

#1 Reported: Dry SkinAll side effects ↓Top Co-Medication: Benzoyl-peroxideDrug interactions ↓57% of Reports Are AdultDemographics ↓

Adapalene side effects

Percentages show how often each reaction appears relative to total reports for adapalene.

1
Drug Ineffective28.5%52,407
2
Dry Skin25.2%46,493
3
Skin Burning Sensation23.1%42,595
4
Acne21.9%40,379
5
Erythema21.3%39,277
6
Skin Irritation14.5%26,787
7
Skin Exfoliation12.0%22,055
8
Inappropriate Schedule Of Product Administration9.0%16,503
9
Rash8.6%15,831
10
Overdose7.2%13,278
11
Pain Of Skin6.9%12,756
12
Pruritus6.6%12,240
13
Hypersensitivity4.6%8,442
14
Underdose2.8%5,210
15
Condition Aggravated2.8%5,134

These are voluntary reports and do not establish that adapalene caused these reactions.

Report severity

0.9%Serious1,621 reports
0.3%Hospitalizations478 reports
<0.1%Fatal36 reports

Seriousness is determined by the reporter, not by OpenClaim.

Adapalene drug interactions

Other drugs that appear in adverse event reports alongside adapalene. Drugs flagged as a suspected cause appear in the first column. Drugs taken at the same time but not suspected appear in the second.

Also suspected

1
Benzoyl-peroxide0.6%1,058
2
Sodium-oxybate0.1%236
3
Isotretinoin<0.1%116
4
Ethinyl-estradiol<0.1%112
5
Clindamycin<0.1%106
6
Doxycycline<0.1%102
7
Drospirenone<0.1%100
8
Dupilumab<0.1%94
9
Minocycline-hydrochloride<0.1%64
10
Adalimumab<0.1%43
11
Sertraline-hydrochloride<0.1%38
12
Dapsone<0.1%37
13
Apremilast<0.1%32
14
Tretinoin<0.1%29
15
Infliximab<0.1%28

Taken alongside

1
Ergocalciferol0.4%814
2
Benzoyl-peroxide0.4%691
3
Ibuprofen0.4%680
4
Cetirizine-hydrochloride0.3%624
5
Acetaminophen0.3%620
6
Ascorbic-acid0.3%484
7
Albuterol0.3%482
8
Levothyroxine-sodium0.2%458
9
Clindamycin0.2%389
10
Loratadine0.2%368
11
Fluticasone0.2%321
12
Buspirone-hydrochloride0.2%285
13
Sertraline-hydrochloride0.2%283
14
Montelukast-sodium0.1%272
15
Omeprazole0.1%269

Co-occurrence in adverse event reports does not establish a drug interaction. Patients often take multiple medications, and these lists reflect prescribing patterns rather than causal relationships. Consult a healthcare provider about potential drug interactions.

Who reports adapalene side effects

68.1% of adapalene adverse event reports involve female patients and 19.1% involve male patients. The largest age group is adult at 57%. These figures reflect who reports side effects, not underlying risk.

Sex

Female68.1%
Male19.1%
Unknown12.8%

Age group

< 2<0.1%
2–111.5%
12–1740.2%
18–6456.6%
65+1.7%

What is adapalene used for

Conditions and purposes for which patients were taking adapalene when the adverse event was reported.

Acanthosis NigricansAcidosisAcneAcne ConglobataAcne CysticAcne PustularActinomycotic Abdominal InfectionAdverse EventAllergy To AnimalAllergy To MetalsAlopeciaAnaemiaAntibiotic TherapyArthropod BiteAccidental Exposure To Product

Showing 15 of 235 indications

Adapalene brand names and reporting trend

Adapalene is sold under the brand name Epiduo.

Brand names

Epiduo185,390

Quarterly reports (2004–2025)

20052010201520202025

An upward trend reflects increased FAERS reporting overall, not necessarily increased risk.

Taking adapalene with another medication?

Ask OpenClaim about your specific drug combination. Get a sourced report using FDA data, drug labels, and medical literature.

Check my medications