Hydroquinone cream is a bleaching agent that is used as a topical agent for skin areas that are hyperpigmented. Sun exposure should be avoided as repigmentation may occur. For the treatment of melasma, it is also used with a derivative of vitamin A called tretinoin and topical corticosteroids called fluocinolone (See Tri-luma).

Hydroquinone Uses:

• Skin bleaching:

  • Freckles, chloasma, melasma, senile lentigines, and other undesirable spots of melanin hyperpigmentation are among the hyperpigmented skin problems that can be gradually bleached off with this method.

Hydroquinone doses in Adults

Hydroquinone dose in the treatment of Skin bleaching:

• Twice daily, in the morning and at night, apply a thin coating of the medication to the troublesome regions.
• Rub firmly. After two to three months of therapy, the treatment could be stopped if there is no progress.

Use in Children:

Refer to adults' dosing.

Pregnancy Risk Factor C

• It has not yet been tested in pregnant women.
• Studies on animal reproduction have not been done.
• It is unknown if the drug will be absorbed systemically.

Use during breastfeeding:

• The drug's potential for excretion in breast milk is unclear.
• It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers use it with caution.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

In the manufacturer's labeling, an adjustment in the dose has not been provided in patients with kidney disease.

Dose in Liver disease:

In the manufacturer's labeling, adjustments in the dose have not been provided in patients with liver disease.

Side effects of Hydroquinone.

• Dermatologic:

  • Stinging of the skin
  • Xeroderma
  • Erythema
  • Inflammation
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Dermatitis

• Local:

  • Local irritation

Contraindications to Hydroquinone:

Allergic reactions to hydroquinone or any component of the formulation

Monitoring parameters:

Monitor the response to treatment.

How to administer Hydroquinone?

• It is only meant to be used outside.
• Avoid coming into contact with your eyes and mucous membranes.
• With your fingertips, spread a thin coating over the afflicted area and thoroughly rub it in.
• A thin layer should be applied to the affected skin with fingertips and rubbed well.
• To avoid repigmentation, sun exposure should be avoided using protective clothing and sunscreen (SPF of 15 or more).

Mechanism of action of Hydroquinone:

• By preventing the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to DOPA, it inhibits the metabolic activities of melanocytes (3, 4 dihydroxyphenylalanine).
• This results in reversible skin depigmentation.
• Sun exposure can reverse these effects and cause repigmentation. 
• Individuals will experience different effects.

International Brands of Hydroquinone:

• Esoterica Daytime
• Hydroquinon Time Release
• Lustra
• Lustra-AF
• Lustra-Ultra
• Aclaro
• Alphaquin HP
• AMBI Fade
• Blanche
• EpiQuin Micro
• Melpaque HP
• Melquin 3
• NeoStrata HQ Skin Lightening
• Remergent HQ
• Skin Bleaching
• Skin Bleaching-Sunscreen
• TL Hydroquinone
• Active 4
• Corrector 4
• Drula Fade Superforte Medicate
• Lustra-AF
• Nuderm Sunfader
• Esoterica Facial
• Esoterica Fade Nighttime
• Esoterica Sensitive Skin
• Exuviance Lightening Complex
• Seequin 4 IDs
• Aldoquin
• Avoquin
• Claripel
• Clasifel
• Crema Blanca Bustillos
• Cremoquinona
• Delanin
• Depiquin
• Domina
• Eldopaque
• Eldopaque Forte
• Eldoquin
• Eldoquin Cream
• Eldoquin Forte
• Eldoquine
• Equinon
• Equinon Forte
• Eslite
• Esomed
• Etnoderm
• Fediquin
• Filtroquinona
• Gentleclean
• Ginomi
• Hi-Quin
• Hidroquin
• Laviquin
• Licoforte
• Licoforte Gel
• Melanasa
• Melanosa
• Melanox
• Melashine
• Melloderm-HQ
• Melquin HP
• Melquine
• Noir
• Obagi
• Pediquin
• Pharquinon
• Pigmentasa
• Polyquin Forte
• Qian Bai
• Quinbloc
• Quinoret Forte
• Sebrinal
• Solaquin
• Solaquin Forte
• Spotclen

Hydroquinone Brand Names in Pakistan: