Adapco Gel 0.1% (Adapalene) 15g

Atco Laboratories LimitedDRAP reg. 050525

We dispense this on prescription

Our own policy: it must not be used in pregnancy in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany or Canada, so a doctor should prescribe it. We accept a prescription from any registered doctor in Pakistan.

Pack

15g tubeRs 299In stock

Order on WhatsApp

Same day or next day in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi for orders confirmed before 6pm. Tracked courier, 2 to 4 working days everywhere else. Delivery Rs 250 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Rs 300 everywhere else, cash on delivery. Delivery details

Prices in PKR, checked 15 October 2026.

What Adapco Gel is

A gel containing adapalene 0.1%, a retinoid for acne, made by Atco Laboratories Limited in Karachi.

Registered with DRAP under number 050525. DRAP’s registry gives a registration date of 29 August 2008, packs of 15g and 3g in an aluminium tube, and the label claim “Each gm contain: Adapalene 0.1% w/w”. We sell the 15g tube.
DRAP also registers Adapco Forte (adapalene 0.3%), Adapco Plus (adapalene 0.1% with benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) and Adapco Cream. They are different products, and we don’t stock them.
DRAP’s notified price index has no entry for Adapco Gel (searched for “Adapco” and “adapalene”, 16 October 2026), and the registry lists it as de-controlled with no approved price. Our price is the one printed on the carton.

What is in the gel

One active ingredient, from the label claim in DRAP’s registry.

Adapco Gel active ingredient
Active ingredient	Strength
Adapalene	0.1% w/w

What it is approved for

Acne, and only acne, in every country we checked. No regulator we checked approves adapalene for acne scars, marks or skin texture.

Approved use of adapalene 0.1% gel, by country
Label	Approved for
US, Differin Gel 0.1% (non-prescription)	“For the treatment of acne”, from 12 years.
UK, Differin Gel (October 2022)	“mild to moderate acne where comedones, papules and pustules predominate. Acne of the face, chest or back is appropriate for treatment.”
Germany, Differin 0.1% Gel (February 2025)	Acne on the face only: “bei Akne vulgaris im Gesicht” (acne vulgaris of the face), with blackheads, papules or pustules.
France, Differine 0.1% gel (June 2024)	“Acné de sévérité moyenne” (moderate acne), particularly acne with blackheads and whiteheads.
Canada, Differin (2021)	“Treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.”

Prescription: the US differs from everywhere else

Non-prescription in the US since 2016; prescription-only in the UK, France, Germany and Canada. We dispense it on prescription.

Prescription status of adapalene 0.1% gel, by country
Country	Status
US (FDA, 8 July 2016)	Non-prescription: the FDA approved “the over-the-counter use of Differin Gel (adapalene), 0.1%, for the treatment of acne in adults and children ages 12 years and older.”
UK	Prescription only medicine.
France	Liste I (prescription).
Germany	Verschreibungspflichtig (prescription).
Ireland	Not stated in the Irish product information we link.
Canada	Prescription.

We found no DRAP document stating its status in Pakistan. Dispensing it on prescription is our own policy, stricter than the US, because five of these countries’ labels contraindicate it in pregnancy, and because it is how we dispense the other acne creams we stock.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The labels disagree sharply on pregnancy. They mostly agree it can be used while breastfeeding.

Adapalene 0.1% gel in pregnancy and breastfeeding, by label
Label	What it says
UK	Contraindicated in pregnancy and in women planning a pregnancy. Breastfeeding: can be used, avoiding the chest.
Germany	“Differin ist in der Schwangerschaft und bei Frauen, die eine Schwangerschaft planen, kontraindiziert” (contraindicated in pregnancy and in women planning one). “kann während der Stillzeit angewendet werden” (can be used while breastfeeding).
France	Contraindicated in pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy; can be used while breastfeeding.
Canada	“contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant”. Breastfeeding: caution, and avoid applying it to the chest.
Ireland	Contraindicated: section 4.3 lists “Pregnancy (see section 4.6). Women planning a pregnancy.” Section 4.6: “Differin should not be used in pregnancy or in those intending to conceive.” “Differin can be used during breastfeeding.”
US, non-prescription	“If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a doctor before use.” Stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant or are planning to.

When to expect improvement

It works slowly, and acne can look worse first. The labels give different timescales.

When improvement is expected with adapalene 0.1% gel, by label
Label	What it says
US, non-prescription	“It may take up to 3 months of daily use for results to appear.” Ask a doctor if there is no improvement after 3 months.
France	Improvement visible after 4 to 8 weeks, clearly better after 3 months.
Germany	“in einem Zeitraum von 4 bis 8 Wochen sichtbar” (visible within 4 to 8 weeks).
Canada	“clearly evident after four to eight weeks of treatment”.
UK	No timescale; the doctor should assess progress after three months.

Early worsening: the US label says “during the early weeks of use, your acne may appear to worsen before it improves (this is normal)”.

Using it with other acne medicines

The labels disagree about benzoyl peroxide. On other retinoids, such as the tretinoin in Skin A, the UK and Irish labels say they should not be used at the same time.

Adapalene with other acne medicines, by label
Label	What it says
UK and Ireland, Differin Gel	Water-based benzoyl peroxide gels up to 10% “may be used in the morning when Differin Gel is used at night as there is no mutual degradation or cumulative irritation.” But other retinoids or medicines that work the same way “should not be used concurrently”.
UK, Epiduo (adapalene with benzoyl peroxide)	“other retinoids or benzoyl peroxide or drugs with a similar mode of action should not be used concurrently.”
US labels	Benzoyl peroxide is not mentioned.

No label we checked names tretinoin or azelaic acid as an interaction. Tretinoin, in Skin A Cream, is another retinoid, so the UK and Irish “should not be used concurrently” covers it. No label addresses azelaic acid, in Skinoren.

Our own advice: if you already use Skin A (another retinoid) or Skinoren, ask your doctor before adding Adapco Gel.

Who must not use it, and care while using it

Not on broken or irritated skin, and not by anyone allergic to it.

Warning: US non-prescription label: “Do not use on damaged skin (cuts, abrasions, eczema, sunburn)”.
Warning: German label, as contraindications: not on cracked or grazed skin, acute dermatitis or eczema, and not for severe forms of acne or secondary acne such as chloracne, where it has not been studied.
Keep it away from the eyes, mouth, the angles of the nose and other mucous membranes; if it gets in an eye, wash at once with warm water (UK label).
Keep sun and UV exposure to a minimum (US and UK labels); the US label also names tanning beds and says to use sunscreen outdoors.
Don’t wax skin where it has been applied (US label and Canadian monograph; the UK, Irish, French and German labels don’t mention it).
Children under 12: not studied or not authorised (UK, France, Germany, Canada); the US label says ask a doctor.

Checking your pack is genuine

As of 15 October 2026, no DRAP alert, recall or safety notice names Adapco or adapalene.

The carton and tube should say adapalene 0.1% and Adapco Gel, not Adapco Forte or Adapco Plus, which are different products.
Check that the batch number and expiry date are printed on both the carton and the tube.

We buy only from authorised distributors, and check the batch and expiry on every item before it is packed.

Information as of 15 October 2026. DRAP publishes new alerts on dra.gov.pk.

Returns and replacements

Medicines and supplements can’t be returned once they have left our pharmacy.

Returned medicine can never go back into saleable stock. That is a safety rule, not a commercial one.
If an item arrives damaged or wrong, tell us on WhatsApp within 24 hours and we replace it. That is us fixing our mistake, not a return.
Anything that arrives expired or within a month of expiry we replace or refund, your choice, with no time limit.

Our returns policy

Frequently asked questions

What is the use of Adapco gel?

Acne. Adapco Gel contains adapalene 0.1%, and every label we checked approves adapalene 0.1% gel for acne and nothing else: the UK label for mild to moderate acne with blackheads, papules and pustules on the face, chest or back; the German label for acne on the face only.

What is adapalene gel used for?

Treating acne. It is a retinoid, approved for acne in the US, UK, France, Germany, Ireland and Canada. It is non-prescription in the US and prescription-only in the UK, France, Germany and Canada (the Irish product information we link doesn’t state its category); we dispense it on prescription.

What does adapalene gel do to your face?

It treats acne slowly: improvement usually shows after 4 to 8 weeks (French, German and Canadian labels), and the US label says it may take up to 3 months. Acne can look worse in the early weeks, and it can irritate the skin; the US label says to stop if irritation becomes severe. Its US label says your skin may be more sensitive while you use it, so keep sun exposure to a minimum and use sunscreen.

Can I use Adapco daily?

Once a day, and no more often. The US label for adapalene 0.1% gel says “use once daily” and “do not use more than one time a day”, because “Applying more than directed will not provide faster or better results, but may worsen skin irritation.” The UK, French, German and Canadian labels also say once a day, at bedtime. The UK label allows for a doctor to reduce how often it is used, or pause it, if the skin needs it.

How to apply Adapco gel?

The UK label: once a day before bed, after washing, as a thin film on the areas affected by acne, applied with the fingertips and avoiding the eyes and lips, on dry skin. The US label: clean the skin gently and pat dry, then “cover the entire affected area with a thin layer”; if your acne is on the face, apply it to the entire face. Not on cuts, grazes, eczema or sunburnt skin.

Can adapalene remove acne scars?

It is not approved for that. Every label we checked approves adapalene for acne itself, not for acne scars or marks. For scarring, see a dermatologist.

Questions about Adapco Gel 0.1% (Adapalene) 15g?

Send your question on WhatsApp and a pharmacist will come back to you.

WhatsApp Order Call 0316 5534828

Written by the ePharmacyy pharmacy team.

Last checked against the sources below on 15 October 2026

DRAP registration

Adapco Gel (050525), Atco Laboratories Limited. DRAP’s registry shows: Provisionally Active, “Not Verified”.
Adapco Forte 0.3%w/w Gel (083213), Atco Laboratories Limited. DRAP’s registry shows: Provisionally Active, “Partially Verified”.
Adapco Plus Gel (061583), Atco Laboratories Limited. DRAP’s registry shows: Provisionally Active, “Not Verified”.
Adapco Cream (050526), Atco Laboratories Limited. DRAP’s registry shows: Provisionally Active, “Not Verified”.

DRAP publishes no definition of this verification flag, so we can’t tell you what it means. We searched DRAP’s website for “Adapco” and “adapalene” on 16 October 2026 and found no alert naming Adapco or adapalene. When we tested it, the search did not find a word that appears only inside an alert’s attached PDF, so an alert that names a product only in its PDF may not show up. DRAP describes its registered products index as a provisional list that “cannot be used as a reference for any purpose”. Checked against the registry on 15 October 2026.