Patient leaflet - Differin 0.1% w/w gel
1. What Differin is and what it is used for
- The active substance in Differin is adapalene, which has an anti-inflammatory effect reducing soreness and irritation.
- It is used on the face, chest or back for acne, where the skin has lots of blackheads, spots and pimples.
- Differin is only absorbed into the body in very small amounts and has little effect, except on the surface of the skin.
2. What you need to know before you use Differin
Do not use Differin:
- If you are pregnant
- If you are planning a pregnancy
- If you are allergic to adapalene or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
- Do not use this medicine on areas where you have cuts or scrapes or if you have a skin condition called eczema.
- Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth or nostrils, and avoid other very sensitive areas of the body. If accidental contact does occur, immediately wash with warm water.
- If you experience sensitivity or irritation when applying this medicine, stop using it and tell your doctor. You may be asked to use the gel less often, or to stop using it until symptoms subside.
- You should avoid exposure to sunlight and artificial UV light whilst using Differin.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Other medicines and Differin
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
- Other acne products (containing benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin or clindamycin) may be used with Differin but they must be applied in the morning and Differin at night.
Cosmetics may be used but they must not cause blackheads or dry the skin.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
- DO NOT use Differin if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Your doctor can give you more information.
- If you fall pregnant while using Differin, the treatment must be discontinued and you should inform your doctor as soon as possible for a further follow-up.
- Differin can be used during breast-feeding. To avoid contact exposure of the infant, application of Differin to the chest should be avoided.
Differin contains:
- 40 mg of propylene glycol (E1520) in each gram which is equivalent to 4% w/w, it may cause skin irritation.
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed)
3. How to use Differin
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Differin is only intended for use in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
- This medicine is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
- Differin is applied at night before going to bed, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
- Thoroughly wash the areas to be treated with water. Make sure the skin is clean and dry before using this medicine.
- Put on a thin film of the gel with your fingertips to the affected areas and rub in gently.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards.
- How long you will have to use this medicine will depend on how quickly your acne improves. After you have used this medicine for three months, it is important that you see your doctor. He or she can then check the improvement of your acne.
If you use more Differin than you should or accidentally swallow the gel
- If you put too much Differin on your skin, you will not get rid of your acne any quicker, but your skin may become irritated and red. Some peeling or discomfort could also occur.
- In the rare event that you accidentally swallow any of this medicine, seek medical advice.
If you forget to use Differin
Don’t worry if you forget to apply your Differin at the right time. When you remember, start using this medicine again, in the same way as before.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Differin Gel may cause the following side effects at the site of application.
Contact a doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms-you may need urgent medical treatment: Swelling of the face, lips or throat which makes it difficult to swallow or breathe, rash, itching, hives and dizziness. This could be a sign of angioedema or a severe allergic reaction (frequency not known, cannot be estimated from the available data).
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- dry skin
- irritation of the skin
- burning sensation of the skin
redness of the skin (erythema)
L-04-1748-01
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
- local skin reaction (contact dermatitis)
- skin discomfort
- sunburn
- itching of the skin (pruritus)
- peeling skin (exfoliation)
- acne
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- allergic contact reaction
- pain or swelling of the skin
- irritation, redness, itching or swelling of the eyelids
- darkening of fair skin
- lightening of darker skin
- application site burn
Application site burns (mostly superficial burns but also second degree or severe burn) 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 Yellow Card 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 Differin
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 tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not freeze.
Replace cap tightly after each use.
If your medicine shows any signs of discolouration or deterioration contact your pharmacist for advice.
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 Differin contains
Each 1 g of gel contains 1mg adapalene.
Also contains: carbomer 980, propylene glycol (E1520), poloxamer 182, disodium edetate, methyl
parahydroxybenzoate (E218), phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid and purified water.
What Differin looks like and contents of the pack
Differin is a smooth, white, topical gel.
It is available in tubes of 1 x 30 g and 2 x 30 g on prescription from your doctor.
Manufactured by: Laboratoires Galderma ZI Montdésir, 74540 Alby-sur-Chéran, France. Procured from within the EU. Product Licence Holder: Quadrant Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Lynstock House, Lynstock Way, Lostock, Bolton,
BL6 4SA. Repackaged by: Maxearn Limited, Unit 29, Oakhill Trading Estate, Devonshire Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 3PT.
PL 20774/1748 Differin 0.1% w/w Gel
Differin is a registered trademark of GALDERMA S.A.
Leaflet revision date: 3rd March 2023
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Contact Quadrant
Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,
Tel: 01204 471 269
L-04-1748-01
POM