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Hydroquinone: Drug information

Hydroquinone: Drug information
(For additional information see "Hydroquinone: Patient drug information")

For abbreviations, symbols, and age group definitions used in Lexicomp (show table)
Brand Names: US
  • AMBI Fade [OTC] [DSC];
  • Blanche;
  • EpiQuin Micro [DSC];
  • Esoterica Daytime [OTC] [DSC];
  • Esoterica Fade Nighttime [OTC] [DSC];
  • Hydroquinone Time Release [DSC];
  • NeoStrata HQ Skin Lightening [OTC] [DSC];
  • Remergent HQ [DSC];
  • TL Hydroquinone [DSC]
Brand Names: Canada
  • Corrector 4 [DSC];
  • Drula Fade Superforte Medicate [DSC];
  • Erfa Hydroquinone;
  • Nuderm Sunfader [DSC];
  • Seequin 4 IDs [DSC]
Pharmacologic Category
  • Depigmenting Agent
Dosing: Adult
Skin bleaching

Skin bleaching: Topical: Apply a thin layer to the affected areas and rub in well twice daily, in the morning and at bedtime Discontinue use if no improvement is seen after 2 to 3 months of treatment.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Pediatric
Skin bleaching

Skin bleaching: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Refer to adult dosing.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Older Adult

Refer to adult dosing.

Dosage Forms: US

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Cream, External:

AMBI Fade: 2% (56 g [DSC]) [contains cetyl alcohol, disodium edta, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium metabisulfite, soy protein, soya sterol]

Blanche: 4% (30 g) [contains cetearyl alcohol, disodium edta, sodium metabisulfite]

EpiQuin Micro: 4% (30 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, sodium metabisulfite, trolamine (triethanolamine), vitamin a (retinol), vitamin e (vit e)]

Esoterica Daytime: 2% (70 g [DSC]) [contains disodium edta, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, sodium bisulfite]

Esoterica Daytime: 2% (70 g [DSC]) [contains disodium edta, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, sodium metabisulfite]

Esoterica Fade Nighttime: 2% (70 g [DSC]) [contains disodium edta, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, sodium metabisulfite]

Hydroquinone Time Release: 4% (30 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, edetate (edta) disodium, sodium metabisulfite, trolamine (triethanolamine)]

Remergent HQ: 4% (30 mL [DSC]) [contains sodium metabisulfite]

TL Hydroquinone: 4% (30 g [DSC]) [contains benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, edetate (edta) disodium, methylparaben, sodium metabisulfite, trolamine (triethanolamine)]

Generic: 4% (28.35 g, 28.4 g)

Gel, External:

NeoStrata HQ Skin Lightening: 2% (30 g [DSC]) [fragrance free, oil free; contains propylene glycol, sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite]

Generic Equivalent Available: US

May be product dependent

Dosage Forms: Canada

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Cream, External:

Drula Fade Superforte Medicate: 4-4 GM/100GM ([DSC])

Nuderm Sunfader: 7.5-4-5.5 % ([DSC])

Generic: 4% ([DSC])

Gel, External:

Seequin 4 IDs: 4% ([DSC])

Generic: 4% (30 g)

Administration: Adult

For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Apply a thin layer using fingertips to the affected areas and rub in well. Avoid sun exposure during treatment and maintenance therapy by using a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) or protective clothing.

Administration: Pediatric

Topical: For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Shake solution prior to use. Wash and pat dry affected area prior to application. Apply a thin layer using fingertips to the affected areas and rub in well. Avoid sun exposure during treatment and maintenance therapy by using a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) or protective clothing.

Use: Labeled Indications

Skin bleaching: Gradual bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions, such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation

Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:

Eldopaque may be confused with Eldoquin

Eldopaque Forte may be confused with Eldoquin Forte

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified. Frequency not defined.

Dermatologic: Allergic skin reaction, dermatitis, erythema, inflammation, stinging of the skin, xeroderma

Local: Local irritation

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to hydroquinone or any component of the formulation

Warnings/Precautions

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: Limit application to area no larger than face and neck or hands and arms.

Metabolism/Transport Effects

None known.

Drug Interactions

There are no known significant interactions.

Pregnancy Considerations

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical administration; the amount of systemic absorption is unknown.

Breastfeeding Considerations

It is not known if hydroquinone is excreted in breast milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution be exercised when administering hydroquinone to nursing women

Mechanism of Action

Produces reversible depigmentation of the skin by suppression of melanocyte metabolic processes, in particular the inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine); sun exposure reverses this effect and will cause repigmentation.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset and duration of depigmentation produced by hydroquinone varies among individuals

Pricing: US

Cream (Blanche External)

4% (per gram): $2.60

Cream (Hydroquinone External)

4% (per gram): $2.56 - $3.77

Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.

Brand Names: International
  • Aldoquin (CO);
  • Avoquin (BH);
  • Bioquin (ID);
  • Claripel (AR, BR);
  • Clasifel (PY, UY);
  • Crema Blanca (MX);
  • Cremoquinona (CO, EC);
  • Delanin (TH);
  • Depiquin (BD);
  • Domina (VN);
  • Effasun (FR);
  • Eldopaque (AE, CY, GB, GR, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, PE, QA, SA, SG, SY, YE);
  • Eldopaque Forte (AE, CY, EG, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE);
  • Eldoquin (AE, CR, CY, DO, GB, GT, HK, HN, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, MX, NI, OM, PA, PE, PK, PT, QA, SA, SG, SV, SY, YE);
  • Eldoquin Cream (NZ);
  • Eldoquin Forte (AE, CY, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE);
  • Eldoquine (EG);
  • Equinon (ID);
  • Eslite (IN);
  • Esomed (IL);
  • Fediquin (ET);
  • Filtroquinona (CR, DO, EC, GT, HN, NI, PA, SV);
  • Ginomi (KR);
  • Hi-Quin (BH);
  • Hidropeek (BR);
  • Hidroquin (CR, DO, GT, HN, NI, PA, SV);
  • Hydroquin (FR);
  • Laviquin (KR);
  • Licoforte (ES);
  • Licoforte Gel (MT);
  • Melanasa (ES);
  • Melanex (MX);
  • Melanosa (KR);
  • Melanox (ID);
  • Melashine (MY);
  • Melloderm-HQ (TH);
  • Melquin HP (KR);
  • Noir (BD);
  • Obagi (VN);
  • Pediquin (BH);
  • Pharquinon (VE);
  • Pigmentasa (ES);
  • Qian Bai (CN);
  • Quinbloc (MY);
  • Quinoret Forte (CR, DO, GT, HN, NI, PA, SV);
  • Sebrinal (PY);
  • Skinox (ID);
  • Solaquin (AE, CY, GB, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, MY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE);
  • Solaquin Forte (AE, CY, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, MY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE);
  • Spotclen (BD);
  • Unitone (CL)


For country code abbreviations (show table)
  1. Active 4 cream (hydroquinone) [prescribing information]. Champlain, NY: Vivier Pharma, Inc; November 2013.
  2. Melpaque HP cream (hydroquinone) [prescribing information]. Miami, FL: Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc; November 2014.
  3. Melquin 3 liquid (hydroquinone) [prescribing information]. Miami, FL: Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc; November 2014.
  4. Neostrata HQ Skin Lightening gel (hydroquinone) [prescribing information]. Princeton, NJ: NeoStrata Co., Inc.; March 2011.
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