ADAPALENE

Details

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Molecular Formula	C28H28O3
Molecular Weight	412.5201
Optical Activity	NONE
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Charge	0

SHOW SMILES / InChI

Structure Search

SMILES

COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=CC=C3C=C(C=CC3=C2)C(O)=O)C45CC6CC(CC(C6)C4)C5

InChI

InChIKey=LZCDAPDGXCYOEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C28H28O3/c1-31-26-7-6-23(21-2-3-22-12-24(27(29)30)5-4-20(22)11-21)13-25(26)28-14-17-8-18(15-28)10-19(9-17)16-28/h2-7,11-13,17-19H,8-10,14-16H2,1H3,(H,29,30)

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula	C28H28O3
Molecular Weight	412.5201
Charge	0
Count

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry	No
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Optical Activity	NONE

Description
Sources: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2000/20748lbl.pdf

Adapalene is a topical retinoid primarily used in the treatment of acne and is used (off-label) to treat keratosis pilaris as well as other skin conditions. Galderma currently markets it under the trade names Differin in some countries, and Adaferin in India. Adapalene acts on retinoid receptors. Biochemical and pharmacological profile studies have demonstrated that adapalene is a modulator of cellular differentiation, keratinization, and inflammatory processes all of which represent important features in the pathology of acne vulgaris. Mechanistically, adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to the cytosolic receptor protein. Although the exact mode of action of adapalene is unknown, it is suggested that topical adapalene normalizes the differentiation of follicular epithelial cells resulting in decreased microcomedone formation.

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary Target	Pharmacology	Condition	Potency
Retinoic acid receptor gamma 18 Target ID: CHEMBL2003 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10651997	Agonist 2752
Retinoic acid receptor beta 18 Target ID: CHEMBL2008 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10651997	Agonist 2752

Conditions

Condition	Modality	Targets	Highest Phase	Product
Acne vulgaris 34 Sources: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2000/20748lbl.pdf	Primary		Approved 8583	DIFFERIN Approved Use Adapalene gel, 0.1% is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Launch Date 1996

C_max

Value	Dose	Co-administered	Analyte	Population
0.04 ng/mL EXPERIMENT https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10898827	6.8 mg 1 times / day multiple, topical dose: 6.8 mg route of administration: Topical experiment type: MULTIPLE co-administered:		ADAPALENE plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNHEALTHY age: ADULT sex: UNKNOWN food status: UNKNOWN

Doses

Dose	Population	Adverse events
0.1 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Studied dose Dose: 0.1 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.1 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20415678	unhealthy, 12–26 Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 12–26 Sex: M+F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20415678	Disc. AE: Irritation skin... AEs leading to discontinuation/dose reduction: Irritation skin (severe, 9.2%) Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20415678
0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007702	unhealthy, 45 - 65 Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 45 - 65 Sex: F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007702	Disc. AE: Irritation skin... AEs leading to discontinuation/dose reduction: Irritation skin (severe, 7.5%) Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007702
0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	unhealthy Health Status: unhealthy Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	Disc. AE: Erythema, Scales... AEs leading to discontinuation/dose reduction: Erythema Scales Application site dryness Stinging Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf

AEs

AE	Significance	Dose	Population
Irritation skin	severe, 9.2% Disc. AE	0.1 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Studied dose Dose: 0.1 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.1 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20415678	unhealthy, 12–26 Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 12–26 Sex: M+F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20415678
Irritation skin	severe, 7.5% Disc. AE	0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007702	unhealthy, 45 - 65 Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 45 - 65 Sex: F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007702
Application site dryness	Disc. AE	0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	unhealthy Health Status: unhealthy Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf
Erythema	Disc. AE	0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	unhealthy Health Status: unhealthy Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf
Scales	Disc. AE	0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	unhealthy Health Status: unhealthy Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf
Stinging	Disc. AE	0.3 % 1 times / day multiple, topical Recommended Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 0.3 %, 1 times / day Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf	unhealthy Health Status: unhealthy Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf

Sourcing

Vendor/Aggregator	ID	URL
ChEBI	CHEBI:31174	https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:31174
ChemicalBook	CB6771245	https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB6771245
eMolecules	901333	https://www.emolecules.com/cgi-bin/more?vid=901333
MolPort	MolPort-003-986-211	https://www.molport.com/shop/molecule-link/MolPort-003-986-211
Selleck Chemicals	Adapalene	http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Adapalene.html
ZINC	ZINC000003784182	http://zinc15.docking.org/substances/ZINC000003784182

PubMed

Title	Date	PubMed
Assessment of adapalene gel for the treatment of actinic keratoses and lentigines: a randomized trial.	2003 Jul	12833014
13-cis-retinoic acid competitively inhibits 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidation by retinol dehydrogenase RoDH-4: a mechanism for its anti-androgenic effects in sebaceous glands?	2003 Mar 28	12646198
Retinoids: fascinating up-and-coming scenario.	2003 May	12773802
The synthetic retinoid adapalene inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells in vitro.	2003 Nov 10	14506747
Clinical review: topical retinoids.	2003 Oct	14619325
Single-blind and comparative clinical study of the efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide 4% gel (BID) and adapalene 0.1% Gel (QD) in the treatment of acne vulgaris for 11 weeks.	2003 Sep	14522627
Cumulative irritancy comparison of adapalene gel 0.1% versus other retinoid products when applied in combination with topical antimicrobial agents.	2003 Sep	12963899
Is combined oral and topical therapy better than oral therapy alone in patients with moderate to moderately severe acne vulgaris? A comparison of the efficacy and safety of lymecycline plus adapalene gel 0.1%, versus lymecycline plus gel vehicle.	2003 Sep	12963898
Spotlight on adapalene in acne vulgaris.	2004	15554742
[The clinical observation of treating acne vulgaris with "xiao cuo fang"].	2004 Apr	15307690
Skin tolerability and efficacy of combination therapy with hydrogen peroxide stabilized cream and adapalene gel in comparison with benzoyl peroxide cream and adapalene gel in common acne. A randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial.	2004 Aug	15327558
A successful maintenance approach in inflammatory acne with adapalene gel 0.1% after an initial treatment in combination with clindamycin topical solution 1% or after monotherapy with clindamycin topical solution 1%.	2004 Dec	15764049
Topical tretinoin or adapalene in acne vulgaris: an overview.	2004 Jul	15764031
Phototoxic effects of topical azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene were not detected when applied immediately before UVB to normal skin.	2004 Jul-Aug	15319156
Topical agents used in the management of hyperpigmentation.	2004 Jun-Jul	15334278
Facial tolerability of topical retinoid therapy.	2004 Nov-Dec	15624747
Meta-analysis of topical tazarotene in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.	2004 Oct	15543714
Topical retinoids in the management of acne: the best path to clear results.	2004 Oct	15543712
Comparison of topical retinoids in the treatment of acne.	2004 Sep-Oct	15556727
Retinoid therapy for acne. A comparative review.	2005	15675886
Cumulative irritation potential of adapalene 0.1% cream and gel compared with tretinoin microsphere 0.04% and 0.1%.	2005 Apr	15916222
Drugs. Adapalene.	2005 Apr 26-May 2	15881906
The efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.3% in the treatment of acne vulgaris: A randomized, multicenter, investigator-blinded, controlled comparison study versus adapalene gel 0.1% and vehicle.	2005 Aug	16209161
Topical retinoids in inflammatory acne: a retrospective, investigator-blinded, vehicle-controlled, photographic assessment.	2005 Feb	15811485
Mechanisms of the comedolytic and anti-inflammatory properties of topical retinoids.	2005 Jan-Feb	15696984
Fox fordyce disease in a prepubertal girl.	2005 Jan-Feb	15660912
Acne vulgaris.	2005 Jun	16135322
Topical retinoids during pregnancy (continued).	2005 Jun	15981398
Prediction of genotoxicity of chemical compounds by statistical learning methods.	2005 Jun	15962942
Benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, and their combination in the treatment of acne vulgaris.	2005 Mar	15863861
Adapalene vs. metronidazole gel for the treatment of rosacea.	2005 Mar	15807740
Milia en plaque.	2005 Mar	15752313
The potential immunomodulatory effects of topical retinoids.	2005 Mar 1	15748544
Prescribing patterns for topical retinoids within NAMCS data.	2005 Mar-Apr	15776774
Clinical experience results with clindamycin 1% benzoyl peroxide 5% gel (Duac) as monotherapy and in combination.	2005 Mar-Apr	15776773
Tazarotene cream versus adapalene cream in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study.	2005 Mar-Apr	15776771
Cumulative irritation potential of adapalene 0.1% cream and gel compared with tazarotene cream 0.05% and 0.1%.	2005 May	15984630
Minimal important difference (MID) of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): results from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.	2005 May 20	15907211
Mechanism-based treatment of acne vulgaris: the value of combination therapy.	2005 May-Jun	15898282
Combination therapy with adapalene gel 0.1% and doxycycline for severe acne vulgaris: a multicenter, investigator-blind, randomized, controlled study.	2005 May-Jun	15891249
Pseudoacne of the nasal crease in a patient with congenital deafness and pigmentary mosaicism.	2005 Nov-Dec	16354272
Comedolytic effect of a novel RARgamma-specific retinoid, ER36009: comparison with retinoic acid in the rhino mouse model.	2005 Nov-Dec	16280299
[Rosacea. Clinical features, pathogenesis and therapy].	2005 Sep	16133636
Anti-inflammatory effects of tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) 0.1% and adapalene 0.1% in rats.	2005 Sep	16045694
The potential risks of nanomaterials: a review carried out for ECETOC.	2006 Aug 14	16907977
Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, phase III trial.	2006 Feb	16443054
The MORE trial: effectiveness of adapalene gel 0.1% in real-world dermatology practices.	2006 Jul	16910026
The results of the MORE trial: overview.	2006 Jul	16910025
Adapalene gel, 0.1%, as maintenance therapy for acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, investigator-blind follow-up of a recent combination study.	2006 May	16702497
Treatment of solar lentigines.	2006 May	16631967

Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide

Cream should be applied to affected areas of the skin, once daily at nighttime.

Route of Administration: Topical

In Vitro Use Guide

Explants of normal human skin and explants of acne patients were incubated with adapalene (10(-7) or 10(-6) M) for 24 h. Evaluation of epidermal expression by immunohistochemistry showed a decreased expression of TLR-2 and IL-10 in explants of normal skin and explants of acne with adapalene. On the contrary, adapalene increased CD1d expression in explants of acne patients. Thus, adapalene can modulate the epidermal immune system by increasing the CD1d expression and by decreasing the IL-10 expression by keratinocytes.

Substance Class	Chemical Created by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:02:43 GMT 2025` Edited by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:02:43 GMT 2025`
Record UNII	1L4806J2QF
Record Status	`Validated (UNII)`
Record Version

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Name

Type

Language

ADAPALENE

Official Name

English

EPIDUO COMPONENT ADAPALENE

Preferred Name

English

CD-271

Code

English

IDP-126 Component Adapalene

Code

English

DIFFERIN

Brand Name

English

ADAPALENE [MI]

Common Name

English

CD 271

Code

English

ADAPALENE [MART.]

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [ORANGE BOOK]

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [VANDF]

Common Name

English

2-NAPHTHALENECARBOXYLIC ACID, 6-(4-METHOXY-3-TRICYCLO(3.3.1.(SUP 13,7))DEC-1-YLPHENYL)-

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [USP-RS]

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [USP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

Adapalene [WHO-DD]

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [EP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [JAN]

Common Name

English

2-NAPHTHALENECARBOXYLIC ACID, 6-(4-METHOXY-3-TRICYCLO(3.3.1.1(SUP 3,7))DEC-1-YLPHENYL)-

Common Name

English

ADAPALENE [USAN]

Common Name

English

6-[3-(1-Adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid

Systematic Name

English

adapalene [INN]

Common Name

English

CABTREO COMPONENT ADAPALENE

Brand Name

English

Classification Tree Code System Code

WHO-VATC

QD10AD53