How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
This combination product contains 2 medications: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. Together, these medications belong to the group of medications called acne therapy. It is used to treat acne on the face, chest, and back.
Adapalene works by unplugging blocked oil glands in the skin. Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria associated with acne. This medication should start to work within 4 to 8 weeks and you should see additional improvement as you continue to use this gel.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each gram of white-to-very-pale-yellow opaque gel contains adapalene 0.3% (3 mg) and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (25 mg). Nonmedicinal ingredients: acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, docusate sodium, edetate disodium, glycerin, isohexadecane, poloxamer 124, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, sorbitan oleate, and purified water.How should I use this medication?
Apply a thin film of gel to the affected areas of the face, chest, and back once daily in the evening after washing gently with a non-medicated cleanser and blotting dry with a soft towel.
4 pea-sized amounts should be enough to cover your whole face (e.g., one on the forehead, chin, and each cheek). Do not spot apply – cover the entire affected area. Avoid the eyes, lips, corners of the nose, and mucous membranes (e.g., inside the mouth or nose). Do not apply the gel to cuts, broken skin, eczema, or sunburned skin.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply more gel to make up for a missed application. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from freezing, keep it tightly closed, and keep it out of the reach of children. This medication should be used within a period of 6 months after opening for the TactuPump and 3 months after opening for the TactuPump Forte.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, or any ingredients of this medication
- have eczema or seborrheic dermatitis
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- dry skin
- itchy skin
- scaling skin
- skin irritation (redness, burning, stinging)
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- swollen, blistered, or sunburned skin
- very dry, itchy, or red skin
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Proper use: This medication should only be applied to the skin. Do not apply on eyes, lips, corners of the nose, mucous membranes (e.g., inside the mouth or nose), broken skin, cuts, sunburned skin, or open wounds. If the gel is accidently applied to these areas, rinse thoroughly with water.
You should not use other acne medications or treatments applied to the skin while you are using this medication, unless recommended by your doctor. Also, avoid using other products that may irritate the skin (e.g., medicated or abrasive soaps, cosmetics that have strong skin-drying effects, and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or limes). Avoid waxing, chemical hair removal, chemical peels, dermabrasion, or laser treatments on skin that is treated with this medication. It is recommended that you use cosmetics that do not clog your pores while using this medication.
This medication may bleach hair and coloured fabric. Be careful when applying this medication around the hairline and use white pillowcases and sheets.
Skin irritation: Skin redness, dryness, scaling, burning, or itchiness may occur, especially during the first 4 weeks of using this medication. These effects are usually mild and lessen with continued treatment. If you experience severe skin irritation or if skin irritation that continues or worsens, contact your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a moisturizer, change your dose, or change how often you use the medication.
Sun exposure: Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight (including sunlamps and tanning beds) while using this medication. Use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and protective clothing over treated areas when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Extreme wind and cold may also irritate your skin while using this medication.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while you are using this medication. If you become pregnant while using this medication, stop using it and contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if adapalene - benzoyl peroxide passes into breast milk. If this medication is applied to the chest area, an infant may come into contact with the medication or ingest it from the mother's skin, affecting the child.
If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using TactuPump have not been established for children under 9 years old. The safety and effectiveness of the higher concentration medication TactuPump Forte have not been established in children under 12 years old.
Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for people 65 years of age and older.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between adapalene - benzoyl peroxide and any of the following:
- dapsone
- isotretinoin
- medications applied to the skin that contain sulphur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid
- other acne medications applied to the skin
- multivitamins containing vitamin A
- porfimer
- verteporfin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/TactuPump-FORTE
