Aklief (trifarotene) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat acne. The drug comes as a topical cream. It’s usually applied topically once daily.

Aklief is used in people ages 9 years and older to treat acne.

The active ingredient in Aklief is trifarotene. Aklief belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids.

This article describes the dosage of Aklief, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Aklief, see this in-depth article.

This section describes the usual dosages of Aklief. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Aklief’s form?

  • Aklief comes as a topical cream that you apply to your skin.

What strength does Aklief come in?

  • Aklief comes in one strength of 0.005%. (Each gram contains 50 micrograms [mcg] of trifarotene.)

What are the usual dosages of Aklief in adults?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for Acne

The table below shows the typical Aklief dosage for adults based on acne location. Aklief is usually applied once daily in the evening.

Acne locationAklief dose
face (cheeks, forehead, chin, nose)one pump
upper back, shoulders, and chesttwo pumps
middle and lower backone pump

What’s the dosage of Aklief for children?

Aklief is used to treat acne in children ages 9 years and older.

The dosage used in children is the same as the dosage for adults. To learn more, see the “What are the usual dosages of Aklief?” section above.

How to use Aklief

Aklief comes as a cream you apply topically to the affected areas on your skin. It’s supplied in a pump.

Before applying Aklief, be sure your skin is clean and dry. You should only apply a thin layer of cream on the affected area once daily in the evening.

Avoid getting Aklief cream into your eye, lips, mouth, nose creases, or vagina. It’s also recommended not to apply Aklief cream on damaged skin (cuts), eczema (a skin condition), or sunburned skin.

The manufacturer also provides step-by-step instructions explaining how to use Aklief.

Is Aklief used long term?

Yes, Aklief is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term. If your acne goes away over time, your doctor may stop Aklief if they feel treatment is no longer needed.

Do not use more Aklief than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Aklief

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Aklief. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.