Why is Differin a prescription?

Question

I was prescribed Differin for skin irritation from shaving and for acne, and upon hearing it was a gel, I was surprised to find out that it was prescription only. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Answer 1

Because it was approved as a drug to be taken for acne as opposed to go through the testing for a cosmetic. Depending on the procedural law, it might become an over the counter medication in the future, like I heard it happens to several other medications, but I do not know specifically which drug that has happened to.

Answer 2

Prescription doesn't mean pills - it can be salves, creams, gels, treated bandages, tinctures, syrups, losenges and more.  It just means that the stuff is strong and has restrictions.  If you look at the testing

http://www.differin.com/AboutDifferin/Pr...

among other things it hasn't been tested for safety on pregnant women.

  Since it causes skin irritation in some cases, I am not sure why it was given to you for that as it is an acne treatment.