Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Drug profile · INN

adapalene

adapalene (EPIDUO) is a retinoic acid receptor agonist. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

FDA: approved
US status approved
Patents linked 3
Pipeline programs 3
News articles 0
Drug details — adapalene
US status
approved
Class
Route
TOPICAL
Patents
3
Programs
3
Data quality
0.84

Quick answer

adapalene (EPIDUO) is a retinoic acid receptor agonist. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

Key facts

INN adapalene
Brand EPIDUO
Mechanism Retinoic acid receptor agonist
Target Retinoic acid receptor
Route TOPICAL
Formulation LOTION

Mechanism of action

Retinoic acid receptor agonist

Primary target: Retinoic acid receptor

Approval history

Authority Status Date
FDA approved

Pipeline programs

  1. Adapalene 0.3% / BPO 2.5% gel Phase 3 · UAS Pharmaceuticals Pty · Acne Vulgaris
  2. Adapalene Phase 1 · Teva Pharma · Acne Vulgaris
  3. Adapalene 0.003 MG/MG / Benzoyl Peroxide 0.025 MG/MG Topical Gel [Epiduo] Approved · AVENUE THERAPEUTICS · Acne Vulgaris

Related & competitor drugs

  1. isotretinoin Retinoic acid receptor agonist
  2. tazarotene Retinoic acid receptor agonist
  3. tretinoin Retinoic acid receptor agonist
  4. palovarotene Musculo-skeletal system (M09)
  5. trifarotene Retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist

Related patents

  1. US 11273132

    Topical dapsone and dapsone/adapalene compositions and methods for use thereof

    Expires Mon Mar 10 2042 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  2. US 8871447

    Immunogens and corresponding antibodies specific for high molecular weight aggregation intermediates common to amyloids formed from proteins of differing sequence

    Expires Mon Oct 23 2034 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  3. US 6723695

    CTL epitopes from EBV

    Expires Mon Apr 15 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    expired

Frequently asked questions

What is adapalene?

adapalene (EPIDUO) is a retinoic acid receptor agonist. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

What is the brand name for adapalene?

EPIDUO is a marketed brand name for adapalene. Check FDA Drugs@FDA for the current US label holder and prescribing information.

What is the US approval status of adapalene?

adapalene has approved status in the United States according to our Drugs@FDA-derived records. Verify on the official FDA label before clinical or commercial decisions.