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Epiduo gel is a topical treatment used to treat acne. It contains two active ingredients that work together to fight acne blemishes (blackheads, whiteheads and inflammatory pimples), unclog pores and kill the acne bacteria.
It was approved for acne treatment in Europe by the European Medicines Agency in 2007 and is prescribed to treat mild to severe acne.
It can also be combined with oral antibiotics to treat severe acne. You can order either Lymecycline or Doxycycline as a combination pack with Epiudo gel online at euroClinix.
Epiduo gel contains two active ingredients: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.
Adapalene is a topical retinoid. It works by speeding up the rate of skin cell reproduction. This helps to quickly remove dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new healthy skin cells.
It also helps to reduce oil production in the skin, which prevents pores from becoming clogged and therefore reduces acne blemishes.
Benzoyl peroxide is antiseptic. It targets the acne bacteria which helps treat the condition. It also helps to remove dead skin cells and softens the top layer of skin.
There are several benefits of using Epiduo for acne treatment:
This makes Epiduo gel an effective and simple-to-use acne treatment.
Epiduo gel has been proven to treat acne vulgaris very effectively.
One study with 286 patients found:
This evidence demonstrates that Epiduo is an effective acne treatment.
You should start to see improvements within the first 4 weeks of using it.
Although, because of how the medicine works, it’s not uncommon for your skin to appear worse before it gets better.
However, you should allow up to 12 weeks for Epiduo to clear your skin completely.
The severity of your acne, how you use the treatment and your skincare regime will impact how long it takes to work.
Epiduo is suitable for most adults with mild to severe acne. However, you should always ask your doctor if you have another medical condition or take any other medication.
Epiduo is suitable for those 12 years and older who:
Do not use Epiduo if you:
To use Epiduo gel correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our medical team prescribes. This ensures the medication’s effectiveness, increases the chance of success and helps avoid side effects.
You should apply Epiduo once a day. You should apply it at nighttime before you go to bed so the medicine can work overnight.
You should apply a thin film of gel to all the affected areas. If you find that your skin is becoming irritated, it may be that you are applying too much.
Wash your hands thoroughly before applying. | |
Wash and dry the affected areas where you need to apply the gel. | |
Apply a thin layer of gel to all the affected areas. | |
Avoid applying gel on your eyes, lips and nostrils, as well as any broken or irritated skin.* | |
Wash your hands after applying the gel, and follow up with a moisturiser. |
*If you apply the gel to any of these areas, wash off immediately with soap and water.
Epiduo may also bleach fabrics. So, it’s important to wash your hands after applying the gel.
Skip the missed dose and continue from your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Applying too much may cause your skin to become irritated.
There are some things you can do to help manage your acne and avoid side effects.
Avoid harsh skincare products (e.g. acids or chemical peels). | |
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser before applying. | |
Apply a thick moisturiser after using Epiduo. |
It is also advised you use an effective method of contraception. There is a very low risk of the medicine entering the bloodstream. So, it is advised to avoid becoming pregnant as a precaution to prevent risk to an unborn baby.
Like all prescription medicines, Epiduo gel may cause side effects.
Very common and common side effects occur in 1 -10 in every 100 people using this medicine. These may include:
These side effects are common as this is how the medicine works, and they should subside as your skin gets used to the medicine.
Uncommon side effects occur in less than 1-10 in every 100 people. These may include:
Some side effects have been reported but are rare enough that the frequency cannot be estimated. These include:
For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.
Skin irritation is the most common side effect of Epiduo. It is sometimes known as skin purging.
You can change how you apply it to get your body used to treatment by:
You should also avoid sun exposure and harsh skincare products to prevent side effects.
If you experience severe irritation, you should pause or stop treatment if necessary.
Epiduo gel may interact with other medicines you take.
In particular, do not use Epiduo with:
When used with Epiduo, they may cause additional skin irritation.
If you take any other medicines, ask your doctor before using Epiduo.
Category | Status | Advice |
---|---|---|
Alcohol | Safe | It is safe to drink alcohol whilst using Epiduo gel. |
Pregnancy | Avoid | There is a very low risk of side effects of Epiduo during pregnancy and therefore should be avoided as a precaution. |
Breastfeeding | Caution | The amounts of medicine transferred into milk are too small to be harmful. However, ensure the infant does not come into contact with treated areas. |
Driving | Safe | Epiduo gel should not affect your ability to drive. |
Sun exposure | Avoid | Epiduo can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Sunburn can also cause irritation if Epiduo is applied. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a SPF 50 sun cream. |
Do not store Epiduo gel above 25°C. Keep it out of sight and reach of children. Once opened, discard after 6 months.
You should also not use it past the expiry date. You can see the expiry date on the medicine carton after EXP. The date refers to the last day of the month.
You should take any unused or expired Epiduo gel to a pharmacy to be disposed of. Do not dispose of it in the general waste or by flushing it down the toilet. This harms the environment.
No, Epiduo Gel is a prescription-only medication. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. This ensures the medication is safe and suitable for your needs.
You can receive an online prescription from euroClinix.
Ordering Epiduo gel online from euroClinix is convenient.
Follow these simple steps:
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Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.
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There are many different treatments available for acne. Alternatives include creams which have a thicker consistency than gels. Some alternatives may also be combined with oral antibiotics for more severe cases of acne.
Below are some common topical acne treatment alternatives to Epiduo.
Medicine | Active ingredient | Suitable for | Combined with oral antibiotic* | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Epiduo gel | Adapalene/ benzoyl peroxide | Acne of any severity OR moderate to severe when used with an antibiotic | - | |
Duac Once Daily Gel | Benzoyl peroxide/ clindamycin phosphate | Mild to moderate acne | - | |
Differin Gel | Adapalene | Mild to moderate acne | - | |
Skinoren cream | Azelaic acid | Mild to moderate acne OR moderate to severe when used with an antibiotic | - | |
Treclin gel | Tretinoin/ benzoyl peroxide | Acne of any severity | - |
*Can be taken with the oral antibiotics Lymecycline or Doxycycline.
Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.
Type of medicine | Topical retinoid/ antiseptic |
Used for | Acne |
Active ingredient(s) | Adapalene/ Benzoyl peroxide |
Works by | Reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria responsible for the acne bacteria. |
Effective within | 12 weeks |
Available as | Gel |
Available dosage(s) | 0.1% Adapalene/ 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide |
Usage instructions | Apply a thin layer once daily in the evening. |
Packaging | White plastic tube in a cardboard packaging. |
Manufacturer | Galderma |
Generic available | No |
Storage | Store below 25°C in the original packaging. Once opened, discard after 6 months. |
Prescription required | Yes, get it with our FREE online consultation |
Who is suitable for an online consultation* | Adults with mild to severe acne |
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