Aklief

Generic name: trifarotene
Dosage form: Topical Cream
Drug class: Topical acne agents
Approval date: October 4, 2019
Company: Galderma
Treatment for: Acne Vulgaris

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

Patient Information

Important Information

Aklief Cream is for use on the skin only. Do not use Aklief Cream in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.

What is Aklief Cream?

Aklief Cream is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat acne vulgaris in people 9 years of age and older.

It is not known if Aklief Cream is safe and effective in children younger than 9 years old.

Before using Aklief Cream

Before you start treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have skin problems, including eczema, cuts or sunburn
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Aklief Cream will harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Aklief Cream passes into your breast milk. Breastfeeding women should use Aklief Cream on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest time needed while breastfeeding. Do not apply Aklief Cream to the nipple and areola to avoid contact with your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you use any other medicine for acne.

Related/similar drugs

doxycycline, clindamycin topical, erythromycin topical, tetracycline, Tazorac

How should I use Aklief Cream?

• Use Aklief Cream exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Apply a thin layer of cream over the affected areas one time each day, in the evening.

Applying Aklief Cream:

• Wash the area where the cream will be applied and pat dry.
• If you receive a sample tube of Aklief Cream, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about how much to apply.
• Aklief Cream comes in a pump.
  • Press down on (depress) the pump 1 time to dispense a small amount of Aklief Cream and spread a thin layer over your face (forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin). Avoid contact with your eyes, lips, mouth, and the corners of your nose.
  • Press down on the pump 2 times to dispense enough Aklief Cream to apply a thin layer to cover your upper trunk (the area of your upper back that you can reach, shoulders, and chest). One more pump may be used to apply a thin layer of Aklief Cream to your middle and lower back, if acne is present.
• When you begin treatment with Aklief Cream, you should begin applying a moisturizer on your skin as often as needed. See “Local skin irritation” below.

What should I avoid while using Aklief Cream?

• Minimize exposure to sunlight. You should avoid using sunlamps, tanning beds, and ultraviolet light during treatment with Aklief Cream. If you have to be in sunlight or are sensitive to sunlight, use a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more, and wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to cover the treated areas.
• Avoid using Aklief Cream on skin areas with cuts, abrasions, eczema, or on sunburned skin.
• Avoid using skin products that may dry or irritate your skin, such as:
  • medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers
  • soaps, cleansers, and cosmetics that have strong skin drying effects
  • products that contain high amounts of alcohol
• Avoid the use of “waxing” as a hair removal method on skin treated with Aklief Cream.

Aklief side effects

Aklief Cream may cause serious side effects including:

• Local skin irritation. Local skin reactions are common with Aklief Cream, are most likely to happen during the first 4 weeks of treatment and may decrease with continued use. Signs and symptoms of local skin reactions include:
  • redness
  • scaling
  • dryness
  • stinging or burning
To help reduce your risk of developing these local skin reactions, when you begin treatment, you should begin applying a moisturizer on your skin as often as needed.

Tell your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of a local skin reaction. Your doctor may tell you to use Aklief Cream less often, or temporarily, or permanently stop your treatment.

The most common side effects of Aklief Cream include: itching and sunburn.

See What should I avoid while using Aklief Cream?

These are not all the possible side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137.

How should I store Aklief Cream?

• Store Aklief Cream at room temperature, 68° to 77° F (20° to 25°C)
• Keep Aklief Cream away from heat.
• If you receive a sample tube of Aklief Cream from your healthcare provider, keep the tube tightly closed.

Keep Aklief Cream and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of Aklief Cream.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information Leaflet. Do not use this medicine for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in Aklief Cream?

Active ingredient: trifarotene

Inactive ingredients: allantoin, copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate, dispersion 40% in isohexadecane, cyclomethicone, 5% ethanol, medium-chain triglycerides, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, purified water.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer