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Adawell 0.1%/2.5% gel, Adapalene/benzoyl Peroxide 0.1%/2.5% gel – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

Medicine strength:
0.1%/2.5%
Contains active substances:
ATC code:
Similar medicines:

Sources: Original (products.mhra.gov.uk) · About this document

Patient leaflet - Adawell 0.1%/2.5% gel, Adapalene/benzoyl Peroxide 0.1%/2.5% gel

1. What Adawell is and what it is used for

Adawell is used for the treatment of acne. This gel combines two active ingredients, Adapalene and Benzoyl peroxide which work together but in different ways:

Adapalene belongs to a group of products known as retinoids and acts specifically on the skin processes that cause acne. The other active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, works as an antimicrobial agent and by softening and peeling the outer layer of the skin.

2. What you need to know before you use Adawell

Do not use Adawell:

  • If you are pregnant
  • If you are planning a pregnancy

  • If you are allergic to adapalene or benzoyl

    peroxide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions

  • You should not use Adawell on areas

    where you have cuts, scrapes, sunburn or eczema.

  • Make sure Adawell does not get into your

    eyes, mouth or nostrils, and other very sensitive areas of the body. Should this occur wash these areas immediately with plenty of warm water.

  • Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and

    UV lamps.

  • Avoid getting Adawell on your hair or

    coloured fabrics as it may bleach them and wash your hands thoroughly after you have used the medicine.

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before

    using Adawell.

Other medicines and Adawell

  • Do not use other acne products (containing

    benzoyl peroxide and / or retinoids) at the same time as Adawell.

    • Avoid using Adawell at the same time as cosmetics that are irritant, drying or exfoliate the skin.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

DO NOT use Adawell if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Your doctor can give you more information.

If you fall pregnant while taking Adawell, the treatment must be discontinued and you should inform your doctor as soon as possible for a further follow-up.

Adawell can be used during breast-feeding. To avoid contact exposure of the infant, application of Adawell to the chest should be avoided.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Not relevant

Adawell contains propylene glycol

This medicine contains 40 mg propylene glycol (E1520) in each gram which is equivalent to 4% w/w.

Adawell contains polysorbates

Polysorbates can cause allergic reactions.

3. How to take Adawell

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Adawell is only intended for use in adults, adolescents and children aged 9 years and over. This medicine is for external use only. Apply a thin film of gel evenly over acne affected areas once a day at bedtime, avoiding the eyes, lips and nostrils. The skin should be clean and dry before application. You should wash your hands thoroughly after you have used Adawell.

Your doctor will tell you how long you will need to use Adawell.

If you feel that the effect of Adawell is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience persistent irritation when applying Adawell, contact your doctor. You may be asked to apply a moisturizer, to use the gel less often or to stop for a short time, or to stop using the gel altogether.

If you use more Adawell than you should

If you use more Adawell than you should on your skin, you will not get rid of your acne quicker, but your skin may become irritated and red.

Please contact your doctor or the hospital:

  • If you have used more Adawell than you should.
  • If a child has accidentally taken this medicine.
  • If you accidentally swallow this medicine. Your doctor will advise you on action to be taken.

If you forget to use Adawell

Do not apply a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

210 mm

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Adawell 0.1%/2.5% Gel Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide 0.1%/2.5% Gel

(Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide)

Date : 24.06.2026 Version : 10

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if you develop throat tightness or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue, feel faint, or have difficulty breathing. Stop using the product if you develop hives or itching of the face or body. The frequency with which these side effects occur is not known.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

  • dry skin
  • local skin rash (irritative contact dermatitis)
  • burning sensation
  • irritation of the skin
  • reddening of the skin
  • scaling

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • itching of the skin (pruritus)
  • sunburn

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

  • swelling face, allergic contact reactions
  • swelling of the eyelid
  • tightness in the throat
  • pain of skin (stinging pain)
  • blisters (vesicles)
  • difficulty in breathing
  • skin discolouration (change in skin colour)
  • application site burn.

If skin irritation appears after application of this medicinal product, it is generally mild to moderate, with local signs as redness, dryness, scaling, burning and pain of skin (stinging pain), which peak during the first week and resolve without additional treatment. Application site burns are in general superficial, but more severe cases involving blistering have been reported.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov. uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Adawell

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and tube. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 30°C.

After first opening of the tube, use the product within 6 months.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Adawell contains

  • The active substances are: adapalene

    and benzoyl peroxide. 1 g of gel contains

    1 mg (0.1% w/w) adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, hydrous, equivalent to 25 mg (2.5% w/w) of anhydrous benzoyl peroxide.

    • The other ingredients are: propylene glycol (E1520); glycerol; sepineo P600 (Acrylamide and sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer (1:1), isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate); poloxamer 124; disodium edetate; docusate sodium; purified water.

What Adawell looks like and contents of the pack

Homogeneous opaque gel of white to very pale-yellow colour.

Pack size of 1 tube of 30 g, 45 g or 60 g. Gel is packed in white HDPE/LLDPE plastic tubes with a white HDPE head, having an aluminium peel-off seal and closed with a white polypropylene screw-cap.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Zydus Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd

Sandretto Building

Cavalry Hill Industrial Park

Weedon

Northampton

England NN7 4PP

United Kingdom

Manufacturer:

BELTAPHARM S.R.L

Via Stelvio 66, – 20095

Cusano Milanino

Milan,

Italy

Adalvo Limited

Malta Life Sciences Park,

Building 1, Level 4,

Sir Temi Zammit Buildings,

San Gwann, SGN 3000,

Malta

This leaflet was last revised in 06/2026

ARTDB038699P

210 mm

/Volumes/PTC/Pkg. Back Side

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 58839/0081

Last revision stated in the text: June 2026 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

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

Facts about Adawell 0.1%/2.5% gel, Adapalene/benzoyl Peroxide 0.1%/2.5% gel

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substances Adapalene, Benzoyl peroxide
Strength 0.1%/2.5%
Pharmaceutical form Cutaneous gel
Homogeneous opaque gel of white to very pale-yellow colour
How is it taken Cutaneous
Excipients Propylene glycol (E1520), Glycerol, Sepineo P600, Poloxamer 124, Disodium edetate, Docusate sodium, Purified water, Acrylamide and sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer (1:1), isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate
Pack sizes 45 gram
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 24 months
In-use shelf life (after first opening): 6 months
Storage Do not store above 30°C
Drug group (ATC) Anti-acne preparations for topical use, D10AD Retinoids for topical use in acne
  1. D Dermatologicals
    1. D10 Anti-acne preparations
      1. D10A Anti-acne preparations for topical use
        1. D10AD Retinoids for topical use in acne
          1. D10AD53 adapalene, combinations
Marketing authorisation PL 58839/0081
Marketing authorisation holder Zydus Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd
Codes GTIN 5065022644156 · BNF 13060100

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.1.0 of 12 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.