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Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel 0.3%/2.5% for acne vulgaris

  • Review
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is typically treated with a combination of a topical retinoid plus an antimicrobial agent, as recommended by national and international evidence-based guidelines around the globe. Adapalene, a synthetic topical retinoid, is available in two concentrations (0.1% and 0.3%) and in once-daily fixed-dose combinations with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5%. Adapalene 0.3%/BPO 2.5% is approved for use for moderate-to-severe acne with proven efficacy, good safety and tolerability across a spectrum of patient variables (different ages, genders, and skin types) and disease severity. While some patients experience issues with transient tolerability during retinoid and BPO therapy, it is our clinical experience that good patient education to set expectations and provide strategies to minimize irritation can overcome the majority of issues. This article reviews the data supporting the use of adapalene 0.3%/2.5% in practice, including the complementary mechanism of action of adapalene and BPO, clinical data from a range of settings, and key aspects of patient education.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Galderma and Valerie Sanders, of Sanders Medical Writing, for providing funding and editorial assistance. The patients in this manuscript have given written informed consent to publication of their case details.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Dermato-Cancérologie, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France

    Brigitte Dréno

  2. Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, England, UK

    Alison M. Layton

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Patricia Troielli

  4. Department of Dermatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marco Rocha

  5. Galderma R&D, Entre-deux-villes, Galderma, Switzerland

    Rajeev Chavda

Authors
  1. Brigitte Dréno
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  2. Alison M. Layton
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  3. Patricia Troielli
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  4. Marco Rocha
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  5. Rajeev Chavda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brigitte Dréno.

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Disclosures

Pr Dréno has served as a consultant for Galderma; Dr Layton has served as a consultant, principal investigator, and/or received honoraria for unrestricted educational events and lectures from Galderma, La Roche Posay, L’Oreal, Proctor and Gamble, Mylan, Leo, Novartis, Lily, and Origimm; Dr Troielli has received honoraria for lectures and served as a consultant for Galderma; Dr Rocha has served as an advisor and/or received honoraria from Galderma, Pierre-Fabre, Eucerin, and Leo Pharma; Dr Chavda is an employee of Galderma.

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Dréno, B., Layton, A.M., Troielli, P. et al. Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel 0.3%/2.5% for acne vulgaris. Eur J Dermatol 32, 445–450 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2022.4275

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2022.4275

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