Patient leaflet - Adawell Forte 0.3%/2.5% gel, Adapalene/benzoyl Peroxide 0.3%/2.5% gel
1. What Adawell Forte is and what it is used for
Adawell Forte gel belongs to a group of medicines called “anti-acne preparation for topical use” i.e. it is used for the treatment of acne vulgaris, when comedones (blackheads, whiteheads), numerous papules and pustules (inflammatory pimples) are present.
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.
- Benzoyl peroxide, works as an antimicrobial agent and by softening and peeling the outer layer of the skin.
Adawell Forte 0.3% 12.5% gel should only be used in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
2. What you need to know before you use Adawell Forte
Do not use Adawell Forte gel:
- 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
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Adawell Forte gel.
You should not use Adawell Forte gel on areas where you have cuts, scrapes, sunburn or eczema.
- Make sure Adawell Forte gel does not get into your eyes, mouth or nostrils, or mucous membranes 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 Forte gel on your hair or coloured fabrics as it may bleach them and wash your hands thoroughly after you have used Adawell Forte gel.
If you experience persistent skin irritation when starting treatment with Adawell Forte gel contact your doctor (see section 3.How to use Adawell Forte). Other medicines and Adawell Forte gel
- Do not use other acne products (containing benzoyl peroxide and/ or retinoids) at the same time as Adawell Forte gel.
- Avoid using Adawell Forte gel at the same time as cosmetics that irritate, dry 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
Pregnancy
DO NOT use Adawell Forte if you are pregnant or thinking to become pregnant. Your doctor can give you more information.
If you fall pregnant while taking Adawell Forte 0.3% / 2.5% gel, the treatment must be discontinued and you should inform your doctor as soon as possible for a further follow-up.
Breast-feeding
If you are breast-feeding ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine. Your doctor will advise you whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to abstain from treatment with Adawell Forte 0.3% / 2.5% gel. If your doctor advises you to continue the treatment, avoid application of the gel to the chest in order to avoid contact exposure of the infant.
Driving and using machines
Adawell Forte gel has no or negligible effects on the ability to drive and use machines.
Adawell Forte contains propylene glycol
This medicine contains 40 mg propylene glycol (E1520) in each gram which is equivalent to 4 % w/w.
Adawell Forte contains polysorbates
Polysorbates can cause allergic reactions.
3. How to use Adawell Forte
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adawell Forte 0.3% / 2.5% gel is only intended for use in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over. Adawell Forte is a gel, used on the skin.
The doctor will decide which strength of Adawell Forte gel you need, depending on the severity and appearance of your acne. The doctor will also decide if you need any additional treatment.
- The skin should be clean and dry before application.
- Apply a thin film of gel evenly over the entire acne-affected areas of the face and/ or the trunk, once a day at bedtime. Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, nostrils and mucous membranes.
- If used on the face: wash and dry the face and use a pea size amount to cover each part of the face (e.g. forehead, chin, each cheek).
- Wash your hands thoroughly immediately after you have applied Adawell Forte gel.
Your doctor will tell you how long you will need to use Adawell Forte 0.3% / 2.5% gel. If you do not see any improvement after 4-8 weeks you should discuss with your doctor the benefit of continuing the treatment. If you experience persistent skin irritation during the first weeks when using Adawell Forte gel, contact your doctor. You may be asked to apply a moisturiser, to use the gel less often, to stop for a short time, or to stop using the gel.
Do not apply cosmetics (such as other facial creams or make-up) before the daily application of Adawell Forte gel. These products can be used after the applied gel has dried.
Use in children
Adawell Forte 0.3% / 2.5% gel should not be used by children below 12 years of age.
If you use more Adawell Forte gel than you should
If you use more Adawell Forte gel than you should on your skin, you will not get rid of your acne any quicker, but your skin may become irritated and red. Please contact your doctor or the hospital if:
- you have used more Adawell Forte gel than you should
- a child has accidentally taken this medicine
- you or someone else accidentally swallow this medicine.
Your doctor will advise you on what action needs to be taken.
If you forget to use Adawell Forte gel
Do not apply a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Adawell Forte gel
The spots (comedones, papules and pustules) will be reduced only after several applications of this medicine. Continue using Adawell Forte gel as long as prescribed by your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Date : 24.06.2026 Version : 09 210 mm
Front Side
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Adawell Forte 0.3%/2.5% Gel Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide 0.3%/2.5% Gel
(Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide)
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Approximately 1 in 10 people using this medicine may experience adverse skin reactions.
Stop using this medicinal 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 it 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):
- skin burning sensation
- irritation of the skin
- eczema
- reddening of the skin
- scaling
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Redness of the eyelid
- Tingling or sensation of pins and needles at the application site
- Itching of the skin, allergic skin reaction
- Rash
- Dry skin
In addition to the side effects described above, the following side effects have been reported with a lower strength of adapalene / benzoyl peroxide gel (1 mg/g + 25 mg/g):
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Sunburn
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):
- swelling of the eyelid
- tightness in the throat
- allergic contact reactions
- swelling face
- pain of skin (stinging pain)
- blisters (vesicles)
- difficulty in breathing
- skin discolouration (change in skin colour)
- application site burn
Adverse reactions typically associated with use of [Product Name] include mild to moderate application site reactions, such as skin irritation with redness, dryness, scaling, stinging and or burning of the skin. Application site burns are in general superficial, but more severe cases involving blistering, have been reported.
If you experience persistent skin irritation during the first weeks when using this medicinal product, contact your doctor. Adverse skin-reactions, such as skin irritation, are more frequent with higher strength gel than with lower strength (adapalene/benzoyl peroxide 1 mg/g + 25 mg/g gel). You may be asked to apply a moisturiser, to use the gel less often, to stop for a short time, or to stop using the gel. These reactions usually occur early in the treatment, and tend to gradually lessen over time.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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 Forte
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 Forte contains
- The active substances are: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. 1 g of gel contains 3 mg (0.3% 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 Forte looks like and contents of the pack
Homogeneous opaque gel of white to very pale yellow colour.
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.
Pack sizes:
One tube of 15 g
One tube of 30 g
One tube of 45 g
One tube of 60 g
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
ARTDB038698P
210 mm
Back Side