Epiduo Gel

What is Epiduo gel?

Epiduo 0.1%/2.5% gel is a topical gel medicine which contains the active ingredients adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. It is a treatment for acne in adults and children aged 9 years and above. You cannot buy Epiduo gel without a prescription.

It works to unblock the pores and sebaceous glands, which helps to decrease inflammation and redness caused by acne.

Additionally, it kills the bacteria that cause acne and promotes skin turnover, which also helps to clear blocked pores and reduce harmful bacteria on the skin.

Epiduo gel is particularly useful when used to treat acne that is moderate to severe.

What is Epiduo gel used to treat?

This lightweight gel is an effective acne treatment.

Sebum is a natural, oily substance that is required to keep your skin smooth. Acne is often caused by an overproduction of sebum, which can block the skin's pores and cause them to become infected. This can result in the formation of spots, whiteheads and blackheads.

Using Epiduo gel has provided effective treatment for acne for many sufferers. The active ingredient, adapalene, belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids and acts specifically on the skin processes that create acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial agent that softens and peels the outer layering of the skin. It is an antiseptic which fights the bacteria that causes acne.

As well as acne spots, using Epiduo will also treat blackheads and whiteheads.

How does Epiduo gel work?

Epiduo’s two active ingredients work in separate ways to treat acne.

Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that reduces the growth of keratin skin cells, which can be responsible for blocking the skin’s pores. This ingredient works to unblock the pores and sebaceous glands, which helps sebum to escape. This action works to relieve redness and inflammation.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial. This active ingredient will kill the bacteria that causes acne. Furthermore, it will help to reduce bacteria by promoting skin turnover, which also helps to clear blocked pores.

What is the Epiduo purge?

Epiduo is likely to make your acne worse particularly at the start of your treatment. This is called the Epiduo skin purge and is usually triggered by Epiduo beginning to work on the bacteria that causes acne on the surface of the skin. Your skin will need time to adapt to it's new skin care regime.

The Epiduo skin purge will usually last between 4 to 6 weeks, after which you will begin to see noticeable improvement to your symptoms and your acne.

Does Epiduo gel reduce acne scarring?

Epiduo can help to reduce acne scarring from previous acne outbreaks. A clinical study concluded that Epiduo can reduce the risk of new acne scars from forming. During the clinical study, Epiduo also increased the percentage of people with 'hardly visible scars' from 9.7% to 45.2%, thus demonstrating that it is an effective topical long term treatment for acne scars.

Who can use Epiduo gel?

Epiduo gel may not be suitable for everyone to use as an acne treatment.

Do not use Epiduo gel if any of the below apply to you:

• You are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, adapalene or any other ingredient contained in this medicine
• You are currently pregnant or think you might be pregnant
• You are trying to get pregnant

It is not suitable for children who are under the age of 9 years old.

Full details of why Epiduo gel may not be suitable for you can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Can you buy Epiduo gel over the counter?

Epiduo gel is a prescription-only medicine (POM), meaning it is not for sale over the counter. You must have been prescribed this medication by a medical professional.

As Epiduo gel is a prescription medicine, you will need to fill out an online consultation questionnaire before you can order it. This will be assessed by a registered prescriber, who will review your answers and assess your condition to make sure Epiduo is a suitable medicine for you to use.

Can you buy Epiduo gel online in the UK?

You can buy Epiduo gel online, but you should only order it from a regulated pharmacy, like Medicine Direct.

Epiduo gel alternatives

A large number of medicines are available to treat acne. Acne comes in varying levels of severity and can affect people differently, so some treatments may be more suitable for certain types of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is also one of the active ingredients contained in Duac gel.

Treclin Gel is another topical treatment that includes active retinoids such as Tretinoin.

Other topical treatments available for acne treatment include:

• Acnecide
• Differin
• Finacea gel
• Dalacin T lotion

Oral medication may also be prescribed to treat acne, such as Erythromycin or Minocycline.