Differinadapalene

Name: DIFFERIN (adapalene) — FDA Adverse Event Reports
Creator: PillSignal
License: https://open.fda.gov/license/

According to the FDA label: DIFFERIN Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. DIFFERIN Gel, 0.3%, is a retinoid, indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )

5,999 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2004–2026)

This data reflects voluntary reports submitted to the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the medication caused the event. Data may be incomplete or contain errors. Learn more about AEMS. New to this data? Read our guide on how to interpret FDA adverse event reports →

New to FDA adverse event data? Here's how to read these reports →

Top Reported Adverse Events

The most frequently reported events in association with Differin in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.

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Drug Ineffective 2,481 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →
Dry Skin 901 reports
Skin that lacks moisture, which can feel rough, tight, or flaky.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Skin Burning Sensation 554 reports
Acne 526 reports
A skin condition causing pimples, usually on the face, chest, or back.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Skin Irritation 518 reports
Erythema 488 reports
Redness of the skin.
Full definition in the glossary →
Condition Aggravated 430 reports
A report that the person's existing health condition got worse. This describes a worsening of something the person already had, not necessarily a new problem caused by the drug.
Full definition in the glossary →
Rash 370 reports
An area of irritated, red, or bumpy skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Skin Exfoliation 336 reports
Peeling or shedding of the outer layer of skin.
Full definition in the glossary →
Therapy Cessation 227 reports
Pruritus 195 reports
Itching of the skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Hypersensitivity 179 reports
An exaggerated reaction by the immune system, similar to an allergic reaction.
Full definition in the glossary →
Pain 122 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →
Pain Of Skin 116 reports
Therapeutic Product Effect Incomplete 78 reports
A report that the medication only partly worked. Similar to drug ineffective, it reflects that someone felt the treatment did not fully help.
Full definition in the glossary →

Browse the full glossary →

Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.

Who Is Reporting

Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.

By Sex

View reporter sex data as a table

Differin adverse event reports by reporter sex
Sex	Reports
Female	2,496
Male	1,068
Unknown	9

By Age Group

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Differin adverse event reports by reporter age group
Age group	Reports
0-17	510
18-34	585
35-49	258
50-64	119
65-74	43
75+	15

This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.

Reported Outcomes

Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Differin. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.

View outcome data as a table

Differin adverse event reports by reported outcome
Outcome	Reports
Non-Serious	5,152
Other Serious	642
Hospitalization	299
Disability	37
Life-Threatening	27
Death	25

Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.

Report Volume Over Time

Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Differin. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.

View report trend as a table

Differin adverse event reports by year
Year	Reports
2004	12
2005	12
2006	26
2007	9
2008	28
2009	26
2010	33
2011	78
2012	62
2013	58
2014	71
2015	118
2016	118
2017	72
2018	82
2019	175
2020	128
2021	108
2022	155
2023	195
2024	832
2025	878
2026 (partial)	2,723

The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.

Medications commonly reported with Differin

In FDA adverse event reports that mention Differin, these medications appeared most often in the same report.

Clindamycin (187 reports)
Ergocalciferol (147 reports)
Doxycycline Hyclate (142 reports)
Albuterol (138 reports)
Doxycycline (138 reports)

This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.

Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.

Data Source

This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.

View this data on the FDA website →

Data last updated: June 2026