DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Adapalene Pads (ADE-ah-PAH-leen)
Brand Name: Differin

Adapalene Pads is used for:

Treating acne. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Adapalene Pads is a retinoid-like medicine. It works by decreasing acne formation.

Do NOT use Adapalene Pads if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Adapalene Pads

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Adapalene Pads:

Some medical conditions may interact with Adapalene Pads. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have eczema or sunburn

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Adapalene Pads. Because little, if any, of Adapalene Pads is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Adapalene Pads may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Adapalene Pads:

Use Adapalene Pads as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Adapalene Pads is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, angles of the nose, and mouth. Exposure of Adapalene Pads to the eye may cause swelling, redness, and irritation.
• Do not apply Adapalene Pads to cuts, abrasions, eczema, or sunburned skin. If you are sunburned, do not use this product on the sunburned area until your skin has completely recovered.
• Before applying Adapalene Pads, clean the area to be treated with mild soap or soapless cleanser and gently dry.
• Remove the pledget from the foil just before using. Throw the pledget away after a single use.
• Apply a thin film of Adapalene Pads to the affected area, using enough to lightly cover the entire area. Rub in gently. Wash your hands immediately after using Adapalene Pads.
• If you miss a dose of Adapalene Pads, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Adapalene Pads.

Important safety information:

• Adapalene Pads may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Adapalene Pads. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Acne may worsen in the early stages of taking Adapalene Pads. This is due to the action of Adapalene Pads on unseen lesions. It may take 8 to 12 weeks before you see the full benefit.
• Do not use any other medicines or products on your skin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
• Wind and cold temperatures may irritate the affected skin.
• Use Adapalene Pads with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Adapalene Pads, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Adapalene Pads during pregnancy. It is unknown if Adapalene Pads is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Adapalene Pads, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Adapalene Pads:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Acne; dry skin; feeling of warmth; irritation; itching; peeling; redness; scaling; sunburn; temporary burning or stinging.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistering; crusting; excessive redness or peeling; swelling.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Adapalene Pads:

Store Adapalene Pads at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not use the pledget if the seal is broken. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Adapalene Pads out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Adapalene Pads, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Adapalene Pads is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Adapalene Pads. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.