Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone
Adult Indications & Dosage
Pediatric Indications & Dosage
Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Use in Specific Populations
Administration & Monitoring
Overdosage
Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
How Supplied
Images
Patient Counseling Information
Precautions with Alcohol
Brand Names
Look-Alike Names

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

Disclaimer

WikiDoc MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY. WikiDoc is not a professional health care provider, nor is it a suitable replacement for a licensed healthcare provider. WikiDoc is intended to be an educational tool, not a tool for any form of healthcare delivery. The educational content on WikiDoc drug pages is based upon the FDA package insert, National Library of Medicine content and practice guidelines / consensus statements. WikiDoc does not promote the administration of any medication or device that is not consistent with its labeling. Please read our full disclaimer here.

Overview

Hydroquinone is a dermatological agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of discoloration of skin, hyperpigmentation of skin. Common adverse reactions include burning sensation, contact dermatitis, localized erythema.

Adult Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

Indications

• Skin Lightening
• To gradually lighten hyperpigmentation of the skin such as age spots, liver spots, freckles or hyperpigmentation that can occur as a result of pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives.

Dosing

• Use fingertips to apply a thin layer to affected areas. Use both morning and night or as directed by a physician. Gradual lightening of the discolored area can be expected in most cases.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

Guideline-Supported Use

Indications and Dosage

• Discoloration of skin: emulsion, apply topically twice daily to affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months.

• Hyperpigmentation of skin: cream and gel, with or without sunscreens, apply topically twice daily to the affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months; rub in well.

• Hyperpigmentation of skin: cream with sunblock, apply topically twice daily to the affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months; do not rub in.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Hydroquinone in adult patients.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric) in the drug label.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

Guideline-Supported Use

Indications and Dosage

• Safety and efficacy not established in children less than 12 years of age; not recommended for use except under physician supervision.

• Discoloration of skin: 12 years and older; emulsion, apply topically twice daily to affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months.

• Hyperpigmentation of skin: 12 years and older; cream and gel, with or without sunscreens, apply topically twice daily to the affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months; rub in well.

• Hyperpigmentation of skin: 12 years and older; cream with sunblock, apply topically twice daily to the affected area(s) or as directed by physician for no longer than 2 months; do not rub in.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Hydroquinone in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to hydroquinone or any component of hydroquinone products.
• Pregnancy, safety not established.
• Children 12 years of age and under; safety not established.

Warnings

There is limited information regarding Warnings of Hydroquinone in patients.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical Trials Experience

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Clinical Trials Experience in the drug label.

Postmarketing Experience

Dermatologic: Burning sensation, contact dermatitis, localized erythema

Drug Interactions

There is limited information regarding Drug Interactions of Hydroquinone in patients.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category (FDA): There is no FDA guidance on usage of Hydroquinone in women who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Category (AUS): There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Hydroquinone in women who are pregnant.

Labor and Delivery

There is no FDA guidance on use of Hydroquinone during labor and delivery.

Nursing Mothers

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in women who are nursing.

Pediatric Use

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in pediatric settings.

Geriatic Use

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in geriatric settings.

Gender

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone with respect to specific gender populations.

Race

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone with respect to specific racial populations.

Renal Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in patients with hepatic impairment.

Females of Reproductive Potential and Males

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Hydroquinone in women of reproductive potentials and males.

Immunocompromised Patients

There is no FDA guidance one the use of Hydroquinone in patients who are immunocompromised.

Others

Administration and Monitoring

Administration

Topical

• Avoid exposure of treated areas to sunlight.
• Avoid contact with eyes.

Monitoring

• Repigmentation

IV Compatibility

There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Hydroquinone in patients.

Overdosage

There is limited information regarding Overdose of Hydroquinone in patients.

Pharmacology

Template:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox entryTemplate:Chembox E numberTemplate:Chembox RTECSTemplate:Chembox AppearanceTemplate:Chembox DensityTemplate:Chembox MeltingPtTemplate:Chembox BoilingPtTemplate:Chembox SolubilityInWaterTemplate:Chembox StructureTemplate:Chembox EUClassTemplate:Chembox RPhrasesTemplate:Chembox SPhrasesTemplate:Chembox NFPATemplate:Chembox FlashPtTemplate:Chembox Supplement

Template:Chembox header2 | Hydroquinone
Identifiers
CAS Number	123-31-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:17594 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL537 Y
ChemSpider	764 Y
ECHA InfoCard
KEGG	D00073 Y
UNII	XV74C1N1AE Y
InChI InChI=1S/C6H6O2/c7-5-1-2-6(8)4-3-5/h1-4,7-8H Y Key: QIGBRXMKCJKVMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H6O2/c7-5-1-2-6(8)4-3-5/h1-4,7-8H Key: QIGBRXMKCJKVMJ-UHFFFAOYAX
SMILES c1cc(ccc1O)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H6O2
Molar mass	110.11 g·mol−1
Hazards
Related compounds
Template:Chembox header2 | Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Mechanism of Action

• Hydroquinone acts by inhibiting the breakdown of tyrosine to 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine (dopa) and thus suppresseing metabolic processes of melanocytes, to produce depigmentation of the skin which is reversible

Structure

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Structure in the drug label.

Pharmacodynamics

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Pharmacodynamics in the drug label.

Pharmacokinetics

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.

Nonclinical Toxicology

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.

Clinical Studies

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Clinical Studies in the drug label.

How Supplied

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone How Supplied in the drug label.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15-30°C / 59-86°F).
• Close cap securely after each use.

Images

Drug Images

{{#ask: Page Name::Hydroquinone |?Pill Name |?Drug Name |?Pill Ingred |?Pill Imprint |?Pill Dosage |?Pill Color |?Pill Shape |?Pill Size (mm) |?Pill Scoring |?NDC |?Drug Author |format=template |template=DrugPageImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Pill Name }}

Package and Label Display Panel

{{#ask: Label Page::Hydroquinone |?Label Name |format=template |template=DrugLabelImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Label Page }}

Patient Counseling Information

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Patient Counseling Information in the drug label.

Precautions with Alcohol

Alcohol-Hydroquinone interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

Brand Names

ACTIVE 4

Look-Alike Drug Names

There is limited information regarding Hydroquinone Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

Drug Shortage Status

Drug Shortage

Price

References

The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.

{{#subobject:

 |Label Page=Hydroquinone
 |Label Name=Hydroquinone ingredients and appearance.png

}}

{{#subobject:

 |Label Page=Hydroquinone
 |Label Name=Active 4.jpg

}}