Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone Brand Names

Aclaro | Aclaro PD | Alera | Alphaquin HP | Alustra | Claripel | Complex B | Dermarest Skin Correcting Cream Plus | Eldopaque Forte | Eldoquin Forte | EpiQuin Micro | Esoterica | Glyquin | Glyquin XM | Lustra | Lustra-AF | Lustra-Ultra | Melanex | Melpaque HP | Melquin HP | Melquin-3 | Nava-SC | Nuquin HP | Skin Bleaching | Solaquin Forte

What is Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a topical depigmenting agent. It is structurally related to monobenzone, a potent depigmenting agent. Unlike monobenzone, depigmentation caused by hydroquinone is reversible.

Hydroquinone is used for temporary bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions such as chloasma (melasma), freckles, and lentigines.

Sunscreens must be used concomitantly with topical hydroquinone; several commercial preparations do contain a sunscreen agent.

Hydroquinone is also used as an antioxidant for ether and in photographic development.

Hydroquinone has been available since before 1938.

Indications

1. chloasma
2. lentigines (freckles)
3. melasma
4. photoaging

For the treatment of lentigines (freckles) and/or other minor hyperpigmented skin conditions

Side Effects

1. contact dermatitis
2. corneal opacification
3. erythema
4. nail discoloration
5. skin discoloration
6. skin hyperpigmentation
7. skin irritation
8. xerosis

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• breast-feeding
• children
• hydroquinone hypersensitivity
• infants
• neonates
• ocular exposure
• paraben hypersensitivity
• pregnancy
• skin abrasion
• sulfite hypersensitivity
• sunburn
• sunlight (UV) exposure

Interactions

• Adapalene; Benzoyl Peroxide
• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Benzoyl Peroxide; Clindamycin
• Benzoyl Peroxide; Erythromycin
• Benzoyl Peroxide; Sulfur
• Estradiol
• Estradiol; Levonorgestrel
• Estradiol; Norethindrone
• Oxybutynin