Substance / Medication

Hydroquinone

Overview

Active Ingredient
hydroquinone
RxNorm CUI
5509

Indications

Hydroquinone USP, 4% Skin Bleaching Cream is indicated for the gradual bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation.

Labeler: Nivagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Updated: 2026-01-20T00:00:00.000ZFull label on DailyMed

Contraindications

When this intervention should not be used

Prior history of sensitivity or allergic reaction to hydroquinone or to any of the ingredients of the product. The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or for children (12 years and under) has not been established.

Indications & Related Conditions

Conditions associated via SNOMED clinical relationships

Administration & Protocol

Dosing, route, and treatment protocol

Detailed dosage and administration information is available in the full FDA drug label.

View full prescribing information on DailyMed

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Biomarkers relevant to this intervention via related conditions

No monitoring biomarkers have been mapped yet. Biomarker-intervention linkages are derived through related conditions and will expand as the knowledge graph grows.

Clinical Trials

7 trials linked to this intervention

7
Total Trials
1
Recruiting
3
With Results

Research Evidence

Published studies and systematic reviews

Sort:
Exogenous ochronosis associated with hydroquinone: a systematic review.
Ishack Stephanie, Lipner Shari R · Int J Dermatol · 2022
PMID: 34486734Meta-Analysis
A Randomized, Controlled, Split-Face, Double-Blind Study Comparing Topical Malassezin to Hydroquinone 4% for Melasma.
Grimes Pearl E, Dias Shanaya, Oparaugo Nicole Chizara et al. · J Drugs Dermatol · 2026
PMID: 41493251RCT
Efficacy of overnight leave-on sandwich therapy with 5% cysteamine and ectoine cream compared to hydroquinone 4% cream for treatment of melasma: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Kusumawardani Arie, Murasmita Alamanda, Rosmarwati Ervina et al. · Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat · 2025
PMID: 40127492RCT
Comparison of the efficacy of cysteamine 5% cream and hydroquinone 4%/ascorbic acid 3% combination cream in the treatment of epidermal melasma.
Sepaskhah Mozhdeh, Karimi Fatemeh, Bagheri Zahra et al. · J Cosmet Dermatol · 2022
PMID: 35510765RCT
Oral tranexamic acid, hydroquinone 4% and low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for mixed melasma: Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation.
Elkamshoushi Abdelaal M, Romisy Doaa, Omar Salma S · J Cosmet Dermatol · 2022
PMID: 33826785RCT

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed

Benefits & Expected Outcomes

Benefits, expected outcomes, efficacy data, and NNT (Number Needed to Treat) are pending physician authorship and evidence review.

Risks & Side Effects

Adverse reaction and safety data for this drug is sourced from the FDA-approved label.

View adverse reactions & drug interactions on DailyMed

Related Symptoms

Symptoms associated with conditions this intervention addresses

No related symptoms have been mapped yet. Symptom linkages are derived through associated conditions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Alternative treatments, comparison data, and clinical decision support are pending physician authorship.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment plan.

Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.

Quick Facts

Type
Substance / Medication
Fully Specified Name
Hydroquinone (substance)
SNOMED CT
387422001
UMLS CUI
C0020306
RxNorm CUI
5509
Labeler
Nivagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Clinical Data

This intervention maps to 1 entities in the Ltrl knowledge graph.

1
Conditions
0
Biomarkers
0
Specialists
0
Symptoms
7
Clinical Trials

Data is sourced from SNOMED CT, UMLS, and the Ltrl clinical knowledge graph. Content sections marked as pending require physician authorship. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any treatment.