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Adapalene is a topical retinoid with FDA approval for treating acne vulgaris. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that are typically described in terms of generations with increased specificity of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) affinity with later generations. Clinicians use retinoids are used to treat a wide variety of skin disorders. Adapalene also has multiple off-label therapeutic applications, including the treatment of verrucae, molluscum contagiosum, Darier disease, Fox-Fordyce disease, Dowling-Degos disease, photoaging, pigmentary disorders, actinic keratoses, and alopecia areata. This activity outlines the indications, contraindications, interactions, monitoring, and other therapeutic information pertinent to members of an interprofessional team in the care of patients on adapalene therapy. Objectives: Identify the approved indications for adapalene. Describe the mechanism of action of adapalene. Summarize the adverse effect profile of adapalene. Review interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to improve patient outcomes using adapalene. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

If the adapalene is applied excessively, marked redness, scaling, or skin discomfort may occur. In addition, according to product labeling, chronic ingestion of the drug may lead to the same adverse drug reactions associated with excessive oral intake of vitamin A.

Adapalene is a topical retinoid that is FDA-approved for the treatment of acne vulgaris and used off-label in the treatment of many conditions, including verrucae, molluscum contagiosum, Darier disease, Fox-Fordyce disease, Dowling-Degos disease, photoaging, pigmentary disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, actinic keratoses, and alopecia areata. The multidimensional acne global grading system, which incorporates primary acne lesions (comedones, papules, and nodules) and associated secondary changes (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring), is useful in the comprehensive clinical evaluation of acne to guide appropriate treatment choices.[22] Clinicians and specialists who prescribe this agent and pharmacists interacting with patients must be fully aware of its side effects and contraindications. Pharmacists will also perform thorough medication reconciliation. Due to the lack of epidemiologic data, clinicians should not prescribe adapalene to women during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[9][16] Dermatology specialty-trained nursing staff should be on hand to counsel and follow up with patients on adapalene therapy. Nursing should assess patient compliance, answer questions regarding dosing/administration, monitor for adverse events, and promptly alert the prescriber if present. ALl interprofessional team members must maintain meticulous documentation in the patient's medical record and communicate with other team members as necessary so therapeutic modifications can be implemented if appropriate. Collaboration between all these disciplines in an interprofessional team can optimize adapalene therapy while minimizing adverse effects. [Level 5]