Adapalene

Adapalene
Clinical data
Trade namesDifferin, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa604001
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: D
Routes of
administration
Topical
Drug classRetinoids
ATC code
Physiological data
ReceptorsRetinoic acid receptor (RAR)
MetabolismKnown to accumulate in the liver and GI-tract. In human, mouse, rat, rabbit, and dog cultured hepatocytes, metabolism appears to affect the methoxybenzene moiety but remains incompletely characterized. The major products of metabolism are glucuronides. Approximately 25% of the drug is metabolized; the rest is excreted as parent drug
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityVery low
MetabolismKnown to accumulate in the liver and GI-tract. In human, mouse, rat, rabbit, and dog cultured hepatocytes, metabolism appears to affect the methoxybenzene moiety but remains incompletely characterized. The major products of metabolism are glucuronides. Approximately 25% of the drug is metabolized; the rest is excreted as parent drug
MetabolitesGlucuronides
Elimination half-lifebetween 7 and 51 hours
ExcretionBile duct
Identifiers
  • 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.149.379
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC28H28O3
Molar mass412.529 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point300 °C (572 °F)
Boiling point606.3 °C (1,123.3 °F)
  • COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=CC3=C(C=C2)C=C(C=C3)C(=O)O)C45CC6CC(C4)CC(C6)C5
  • InChI=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) Y
  • Key:LZCDAPDĜCYOEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
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Adapalene, sold under the brand name Differin among others, is a third-generation topical retinoid primarily used in the treatment of mild-moderate acne, and is also used off-label to treat keratosis pilaris as well as other skin conditions. Studies have found adapalene is as effective as other retinoids, while causing less irritation. It also has several advantages over other retinoids. The adapalene molecule is more stable compared to tretinoin and tazarotene, which leads to less concern for photodegradation. It is also chemically more stable compared to the other two retinoids, allowing it to be used in combination with benzoyl peroxide. Due to its effects on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, adapalene is superior to tretinoin for the treatment of comedonal acne and is often used as a first-line agent. The Swiss company Galderma developed adapalene.