Epiduo Forte

Acne Vulgaris

Treatment

3 Active Studies for Epiduo Forte

What is Epiduo Forte

Adapalene

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Adapalene is a topical medication used to treat acne vulgaris. It works by reducing inflammation, sebum production and hyperkeratinization of the follicular infundibulum, which is associated with Cutibacterium acnes. While there are other medications that are more effective, Adapalene has a better safety profile. Differin and Epiduo are two brands of Adapalene that have been approved by the FDA. Differin is available as a gel, cream, lotion or solution, while Epiduo is a combination gel of Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide.

Adapalene

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Epiduo Forte Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Adapalene

Adapalene

1996

71

Effectiveness

How Epiduo Forte Affects Patients

Adapalene helps to prevent new acne and skin inflammation. It works similarly to other retinoid compounds, but is sensitive to sunlight and should be used with sunscreen. Some common side effects reported are redness, flaking, dryness, and a burning or stinging sensation.

How Epiduo Forte works in the body

Adapalene is used to treat and manage mild to severe acne. It works by binding to receptors in the skin to control the growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation. Adapalene can also inhibit the growth of _Cutibacterium acnes_, the bacteria associated with acne, by reducing the activity of certain immune cells. When used with benzoyl peroxide, a medication with antibacterial properties, the combination can reduce comedones and other inflammatory lesions.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Epiduo Forte is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The measure of dosage shifts, as per the method of delivery (e.g. Topical or Gel) indicated in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Acne Vulgaris

0.001 mg/mg, , 0.003 mg/mg, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.1 %, 0.3 %, 45.0 mg/mg, 1.5 mg/mg

Topical, Cream, Cream - Topical, , Gel, Gel - Topical, Lotion, Lotion - Topical, Swab, Swab - Topical, Liquid, Liquid - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Kit

Warnings

Epiduo Forte Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Adapalene may interact with Pulse Frequency

Common Epiduo Forte Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Epiduo Forte Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Adapalene is generally safe, although an overdose may cause redness, scaling, and skin discomfort. An acute dose of over 5000 mg/kg has been shown to be safe in rats and mice. No systemic or local toxicity was seen in rats treated with 6 mg/kg/day of 0.3% adapalene.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Epiduo Forte Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Epiduo Forte?

18 active clinical trials are currently exploring the use of Epiduo Forte for the management of Acne.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Acne Vulgaris

3 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 4

Epiduo Forte Reviews: What are patients saying about Epiduo Forte?

5

Patient Review

12/26/2020

Epiduo Forte for Acne

The main downside to this prescription is that it can cause your skin to itch and burn when you first start using it. But, it's been really effective in clearing up my acne. I only get breakouts around my monthly cycle now, but this medication has made a big difference overall. Plus, one tube lasts me more than a year!

4.7

Patient Review

10/18/2015

Epiduo Forte for Acne

4.3

Patient Review

11/8/2019

Epiduo Forte for Acne

At first, this medication definitely dried out my skin. After a few months, though, my skin seemed to adjust and I saw much better results. My skin is now clearer than it once was, although I do still get the occasional pimple.

3.7

Patient Review

11/6/2015

Epiduo Forte for Acne

I'm seeing some improvement after two weeks, though there's still quite a ways to go. The side effects have been manageable but annoying; my skin is also looking healthier overall.

3.3

Patient Review

12/10/2016

Epiduo Forte for Acne

Epiduo forte is fantastic if you don't mind a little bit of temporary discomfort. Every time I use it, my face gets red and dried out; however, the results are always worth it because my face is usually clear by morning! So I recommend this treatment to anyone with similar skin type issues.

3.3

Patient Review

12/11/2019

Epiduo Forte for Acne

This stuff burns really bad. I can't seem to win whether I use it or not. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend finding something else.

3

Patient Review

5/4/2016

Epiduo Forte for Acne

This made my face burn and the moisturizer didn't help.

1.7

Patient Review

6/27/2017

Epiduo Forte for Acne

The pain is unbearable, like acid. My skin is peeling and no amount of moisturizer is helping.

1

Patient Review

11/24/2019

Epiduo Forte for Acne

If you have sensitive skin, I would recommend avoiding this treatment. Unfortunately, I didn't do my research and now my face is burning, peeling, and itching.

1

Patient Review

2/29/2020

Epiduo Forte for Acne

Unfortunately, this medication caused more problems than it solved. I developed inflammation, welts, and burning sensations. Do not use this product.

1

Patient Review

2/21/2017

Epiduo Forte for Acne

This treatment was terrible for me! It dried and burned my skin so badly that even washing my face caused pain. I stopped using it over a week ago and my face is still peeling, hurting, and burning. My doctor told me to only use it every other night, but even with washing it off in the morning and using a thick, heavy facial moisturizer, the burning and pain was too much to tolerate. And on top of that, there was no improvement in my acne. This just overall destroyed all my facial skin.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about epiduo forte

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long does Epiduo Forte take to clear acne?

"1/3 of people who used Epiduo Forte for 12 weeks saw their acne improve."

Answered by AI

How long does it take for Epiduo Forte to work?

"Your acne will likely get worse before it gets better when you start using Epiduo (adapalene / benzoyl peroxide). However, after about a month of using the medication daily, your skin should start to show improvement. It's important to be patient though, as it can take up to 12 weeks to see the full effects of the medication."

Answered by AI

Does Epiduo Forte help with acne scars?

"According to the OSCAR study, treating acne early and effectively with Epiduo Forte Gel can reduce the risk of atrophic scars."

Answered by AI

What is Epiduo Forte used for?

"The medication is a combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, which are used to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Epiduo Forte

Image of Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, United States.

Isotretinoin vs Tetracycline for Acne

Any Age
All Sexes
Charleston, SC

In the effort to find better treatments for Moderate Acne, which often relies on long-term antibiotic use, researchers are exploring alternative options. While Isotretinoin, a Vitamin A derivative, is highly effective for severe acne, its side effects limit its use for milder cases. A recent study from our institution investigated a new approach: weekly Isotretinoin dosing. The results were promising, with acne improvement and no major side effects. This suggests that weekly Isotretinoin could be a successful alternative for moderate acne in both males and females. To validate these findings, investigators propose a randomized controlled trial comparing weekly Isotretinoin to daily Doxycycline over four months. This study could confirm the safety and effectiveness of weekly Isotretinoin, as well as shed light on patient satisfaction, and long-term results compared to standard antibiotics. This research may offer a breakthrough in treating moderate acne while addressing concerns about antibiotic overuse.

Phase < 1
Recruiting

Medical University of South Carolina

Alex Richmond, MD, MSCR