Adapalene is a topical retinoid that normalises the way skin cells mature and shed, unblocking pores and calming the inflammation that drives acne. Applied once daily at night, it is a first-line treatment for mild to moderate acne.

The condition it treats

Acne vulgaris is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit: blocked follicles, excess sebum and inflammation producing comedones, papules and pustules, most often on the face, chest and back. Beyond the skin, its impact on confidence and mood is well documented, and untreated inflammatory acne can scar.

How the service runs on Scripter

Patients book online, complete the pre-consultation questionnaire, and the guided pathway walks the practitioner through the acne vulgaris consultation with the screening and counselling steps built in. The supply decision, the record and any GP notification are produced in the same flow, documented against the exact protocol version in force.

Training and eligibility requirements.

Who can deliver this service, and who it can be delivered to. The governing PGD document defines the definitive inclusion, exclusion and supply criteria; the Scripter consultation pathway enforces them, and every consultation is documented against the protocol version it ran under.

Practitioner training

✓Registered healthcare professional from a profession authorised to supply under PGDs (Schedule 16, Part 4 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012), such as a pharmacist, nurse, paramedic or physiotherapist, with current registration with their professional regulator

✓Practising from premises suitable for the service, such as registered pharmacy premises or a registered clinic

✓Assessed clinical competency for this service, declared and reviewed as part of PGD authorisation

✓Sign-off against the current version of this PGD in Scripter before first supply; sign-offs expire automatically when the protocol is updated, and the platform notifies everyone affected

✓In-date basic life support and safeguarding training

✓Indemnity arrangements covering the service

Patient eligibility

✓Patients within the governing PGD's age range presenting with mild to moderate acne

✓Pregnancy and breastfeeding screened; topical retinoids are avoided in pregnancy

✓Severe, nodulocystic or scarring acne referred rather than treated

✓Counselling on night-time application, irritation and sun exposure completed in the pathway

Adapalene 0.1% PGD questions

How long before adapalene works?+

Visible improvement typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, and skin can look slightly worse in the first few weeks. The pathway sets that expectation and books the review accordingly.

Can it be used in pregnancy?+

No. Topical retinoids are avoided in pregnancy, which is why pregnancy screening is a hard gate in the consultation.

What if the acne is severe?+

Nodulocystic, scarring or treatment-resistant acne is outside this PGD and is referred, with the consultation record supporting the referral.

More acne PGDs.

Related protocols in the same category, all delivered through the same platform.

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo)

Acne vulgaris

View PGD

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