DEA schedule
Is adapalene a controlled substance?
Federal schedule for adapalene from the FDA NDC directory, checked against the DEA controlled substances list.
Source: FDA NDC Directory file dated 2026-10-22. Publisher page
No. Adapalene is not a federally controlled substance. None of its FDA NDC listings carries a DEA schedule, and adapalene is not on the DEA controlled substances list.
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Schedule check
| Source | What it lists |
|---|---|
| FDA NDC directory | 13 prescription listings from 11 labelers, none with a DEA schedule |
| DEA controlled substances list | adapalene is not on the list |
Adapalene NDC listings
| NDC | Product | Form | Strength | Labeler | DEA schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0299-5918 | DIFFERIN | gel | 3 mg/g | Galderma Laboratories, L.P. | None |
| 45802-453 | Adapalene | cream | .1 g/100g | Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd | None |
| 0168-0424 | Adapalene | cream | 1 mg/g | E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC | None |
| 63629-8791 | Adapalene | cream | 1 mg/g | Bryant Ranch Prepack | None |
| 72162-1048 | Adapalene | cream | 1 mg/g | Bryant Ranch Prepack | None |
| 0472-0126 | adapalene | gel | 3 mg/g | Actavis Pharma, Inc. | None |
| 46708-549 | ADAPALENE | gel | 3 mg/g | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited | None |
| 51672-1377 | Adapalene | gel | 3 mg/g | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. | None |
| 62332-549 | ADAPALENE | gel | 3 mg/g | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | None |
| 68308-666 | ADAPALENE | gel | 3 mg/g | Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC. | None |
| 49908-118 | Adapalene | swab | 1 mg/mL | CALL INC. (dba Rochester Pharmaceuticals) | None |
| 21922-051 | Adapalene Gel USP, 0.3% | gel | 3 mg/g | Encube Ethicals, Inc. | None |
| 72162-2295 | Adapalene Gel USP, 0.3% | gel | 3 mg/g | Bryant Ranch Prepack | None |
Questions
Is adapalene a controlled substance?
No. Adapalene is not a federally controlled substance. None of its FDA NDC listings carries a DEA schedule, and adapalene is not on the DEA controlled substances list.
Is adapalene a narcotic?
No. Adapalene is not on the DEA controlled substances list, so the DEA does not classify it as a narcotic. Its FDA established pharmacologic class is Retinoid.
Does this page cover state schedules?
No. This page reports the federal schedule only. Some states schedule drugs on their own; check your state board of pharmacy.