• Confidential assessment
  • Reviewed by doctors
  • Same-day collection from your local pharmacy

Product features

  • Oral antibiotic lymecycline kills the bacteria that cause acne

  • Adapalene gel stimulates skin renewal to help clear blocked pores

  • Works to reduce inflammation

What are lymecycline and adapalene gel?

Lymecycline is an oral antibiotic, also known as branded tablet Tetralysal. Adapalene gel is a daily treatment you apply to your skin. You may also see this combination as lymecycline and Differin, which is a branded adapalene gel.

How do they work?

Lymecycline antibiotic tablets kill the bacteria that cause acne. Adapalene retinoid gel works to unblock pores and reduce inflammation, mild spots, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Together, adapalene and lymecycline target both the cause and symptoms of acne.

How to use lymecycline and adapalene gel

Lymecycline should be taken once a day, preferably in the morning, with water. Apply a thin layer of adapalene gel to freshly washed, dry skin daily, just before going to bed. 

Treatment results

The combination of lymecycline and adapalene is effective on a variety of types of acne. Lymecycline can be effective at treating:

  • Small bumps filled with pus (pustules)
  • More painful lumps under the skin (nodular acne)
  • Boil-like acne (cystic)

Adapalene gel unblocks pores and breaks down blackheads and whiteheads. It also reduces redness and inflammation for a lot of people. However, you may have to wait 6-8 weeks before you start seeing acne clearing up.

Side effects of lymecycline and adapalene gel

As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking lymecycline. These include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and headaches.

Adapalene gel can cause dry skin, irritation to the treated area, burning sensation, and redness. It can also make skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, try to protect yourself from the sun, use oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen, and avoid sunbeds or sun lamps.

For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the lymecycline and adapalene gel patient information leaflets. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.

Medication

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A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment

Prescription delivery

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Lymecycline and adapalene gel FAQs

  • Who can take lymecycline and adapalene gel?

    Lymecycline and adapalene gel is a combination treatment for those with moderate to severe acne.

  • Can I use lymecycline and adapalene gel while pregnant or breastfeeding?

    You shouldn't take lymecycline or use adapalene gel while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before starting treatment.

  • Where can I buy lymecycline and adapalene gel (Differin)?

    You’ll need a prescription to buy lymecycline and adapalene gel, if you’re using an online service like ours.

    One of our clinicians can prescribe these medications after an online consultation where we make sure they’re right for you. It only takes a few minutes.

  • Lymecycline and adapalene gel (Differin) warnings

    Lymecycline

    During your consultation you should let your clinician know if you have:

    • Hepatic impairment or renal insufficiency (a failure of liver and kidney function).
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes or fever).
    • Myasthenia Gravis (a disease that weakens the muscles). 

    Taking more than the prescribed dose of lymecycline could cause liver problems. You should also avoid direct exposure to sunlight or other strong UV light sources, for example sunbeds.

    If you experience skin discomfort, stop taking lymecycline and speak to your clinician via your Patient Record.

    Adapalene gel

    • Don’t use the gel on cut or grazed areas of skin.
    • Don’t use it if you have eczema.
    • Avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, nostrils, or other sensitive areas of the body (wash immediately with warm water if it does happen).
    • If you experience sensitivity or irritation, stop using and tell your clinician (they may recommend applying less often or to pause until the symptoms go away).
    • Avoid artificial UV light like sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight while using this gel. 

    If you’re unsure about any of the above, please contact to your clinician.

  • Do lymecycline and adapalene gel interact with any other medications?

    So our clinicians can prescribe an effective and safe acne treatment, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly. This includes any medications for other skin conditions like eczema.

    Lymecycline can make other medications less effective, from certain contraceptive pills to indigestion remedies. While using adapalene gel, you should also avoid medications that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene as they may increase skin irritation and dryness.

  • Alternative acne treatments

    Our clinicians can prescribe a range of acne treatments including other gels and creams, different oral antibiotics and tailored combinations of these. If you’re a woman with hormonal acne, your treatment could include the contraceptive pill co-cyprindiol (widely known as Dianette or Clairette). 

Delivery and collection information

  • Standard delivery (Free)

    Packages will be delivered within 2-3 working days of your order being approved.

    You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.

    If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:

    • Post your parcel through your letter box
    • Deliver to neighbour
    • Deliver to your chosen safe place

    If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver the next working day.

  • Next day delivery (£4.95)

    Mainland UK

    • Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive the next day (Tuesday - Saturday).
    • Orders approved up to 11am Saturday will arrive on Sunday.
    • Orders approved after 11am Saturday and all-day Sunday will arrive Tuesday.

    Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and other offshore UK destinations:

    • Please allow an additional 24 to 48 hours for offshore UK destinations

    You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.

    If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:

    • Post your parcel through your letter box
    • Deliver to neighbour
    • Deliver to your chosen safe place

    If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver to you the next working day.

  • Click and Collect (Free)

    If your order is approved by 5pm Monday-Friday, you should be able to pick it up the same day from selected pharmacies - provided they have your treatment in stock.

    We suggest you ring your chosen pharmacy before you go to collect your treatment, just to make sure they have it in stock and ready.