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Differin Topical Gel 3 mg/g: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
3 mg/g
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Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · About this document

Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Differin Topical Gel 3 mg/g

What is DIFFERIN Gel?

DIFFERIN Gel is a prescription medicine for skin use only (topical) used to treat acne vulgaris in people 12 years of age and older.

It is not known if DIFFERIN Gel is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age or in people 65 years of age and older.

Do not use DIFFERIN Gel if you are allergic to adapalene or any of the ingredients in DIFFERIN Gel. See the end of this Patient Information leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in DIFFERIN Gel.

Before using DIFFERIN Gel, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have other skin problems, including cuts, abrasions, sunburn, or skin that is dry, itchy, or red

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DIFFERIN Gel, can harm your unborn baby.

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if DIFFERIN Gel passes into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use DIFFERIN Gel. If you use DIFFERIN Gel while breastfeeding, use DIFFERIN Gel on the smallest area of the skin and for the shortest time needed. Do not apply DIFFERIN Gel to areas that may increase the risk of getting DIFFERIN Gel in your child’s mouth or eyes.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I use DIFFERIN Gel?

  • Use DIFFERIN Gel exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
  • Apply DIFFERIN Gel 1 time a day in the evening.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you do not notice a difference in your acne after using DIFFERIN Gel for 12 weeks

Applying DIFFERIN Gel:

  • Wash the area where DIFFERIN Gel will be applied with a mild soap that does not contain a medicine and pat dry.

  • DIFFERIN Gel comes in a pump. If you have been prescribed the:

    • Pump: Depress the pump to dispense a small amount of DIFFERIN Gel and spread a thin layer over the entire face and any other affected area.
    • Do not apply DIFFERIN Gel on areas of the skin around your eyes, lips, nose, and mouth.
  • Wash your hands after applying DIFFERIN Gel.

What should I avoid while using DIFFERIN Gel?

  • Avoid spending time in sunlight, including sunlamps. DIFFERIN Gel can make your skin sensitive to the sun and the light from sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear hat and clothes that cover the areas treated with DIFFERIN Gel if you have to be in sunlight.
  • Cold weather and wind may irritate your skin treated with DIFFERIN Gel.
  • Do not apply DIFFERIN Gel to cuts, abrasions, sunburned skin, or skin that is dry, itchy, or red.
  • Avoid skin products that may dry or irritate your skin such as harsh soaps or cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that make your skin dry, and products that contain high levels of alcohol, astringents, spices, or limes.
  • Avoid the use of “waxing” as a hair removal method on skin treated with DIFFERIN Gel.

What are the possible side effects of DIFFERIN Gel?

DIFFERIN Gel may cause serious side effects including:

  • Allergic reactions. DIFFERIN Gel may cause serious allergic reactions that sometimes may require medical treatment. Stop using DIFFERIN Gel and tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:

    • skin rash, itching or hives
    • trouble breathing or chest pain
    • swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Skin reactions at the treated site. DIFFERIN Gel may cause skin reactions including redness, scaling, dryness, stinging, and burning. These skin reactions are most likely to happen during the first 4 weeks of treatment, and usually lessen with continued use of DIFFERIN Gel. Your healthcare provider may tell you to use a moisturizer, decrease how often you use DIFFERIN Gel, or stop treatment with DIFFERIN Gel if you get any skin reactions. If you use a moisturizer, you should avoid moisturizers that contain alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The most common side effects of DIFFERIN Gel include dry skin, skin pain, itching, and skin peeling.

These are not all the possible side effects of DIFFERIN Gel.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137.

How should I store DIFFERIN Gel?

  • Store DIFFERIN Gel at room temperature between 68° F to 77° F (20° C to 25° C).
  • Do not freeze DIFFERIN Gel.

Keep DIFFERIN Gel and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of DIFFERIN Gel.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use DIFFERIN Gel for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give DIFFERIN Gel to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can also ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about DIFFERIN Gel that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in DIFFERIN Gel?

Active ingredient: adapalene

Inactive ingredients: carbomer 940, edetate disodium, methylparaben, poloxamer 124, propylene glycol, purified water and sodium hydroxide. May contain hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment.

Marketed by: GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P., Dallas, Texas 75201 USA

Made in Canada.

GALDERMA is a registered trademark.

P52321-X

Revised: 12/2023

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About this document

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · Application number: NDA 021753 · View the label on DailyMed

Revision date stated in the text: December 2023

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Differin Topical Gel 3 mg/g

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
  • This drug is available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Rx
Drug class Retinoid
Active ingredient Adapalene 3 mg/g
Dosage form Gel
Route Topical
Marketing status listed in the FDA NDC Directory
Company (applicant) GALDERMA LABS LP
FDA approval NDA 021753New Drug Application (NDA) Approved June 19, 2007
Reference listed drug This is the reference listed drug (RLD) that generics are compared with.
Therapeutic equivalence (TE) code ABCodes starting with A mean the FDA rates the drug therapeutically equivalent to its reference drug (Orange Book).
Generics Adapalene with the same TE code
Manufacturers 1 labelers list this drug on DailyMed
Packages (NDC)
Package
3 mg/g – 45 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0299-5918-45
3 mg/g – 45 g in 1 bottle, pump / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0299-5918-25
3 mg/g – 15 g in 1 tube / 1 in 1 carton NDC 0299-5918-15
3 mg/g – 2 g in 1 tube NDC 0299-5918-02

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed, data as of October 31, 2026. FDA data (DailyMed, Orange Book, Drug Shortages, enforcement reports). Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.