Hydroquinone
/api/v1/drug/hydroquinoneMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action classes: Melanin Synthesis Inhibitors; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Uses Uses ■ For the gradual fading of age spots ■ Lightens dark pigment in the skin ■This product provides minimal SPF protection.
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDADirections Directions ■ Adult topical dosage is a thin layer to the affected area once or twicedaily■There is no recommended dosage for children under 12 years of age except under the advice and supervision of a doctor ■ Keep refrigerated
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAWarnings ■Sun exposure should be avoided indefinitely by using a high SPF sunscreen agent, a sunblocking agent, or protective clothing to cover bleached skin in order to prevent darkening from reoccurring ■ Do not get into eyes ■Keep out of reach of children ■For external use only ■Not recommended for children under 12 years of age ■ If swallowed get medical help or contact a poison control center immediately.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Jan 18, 2002NDANDA021112Galderma Labs Lp
FAERS reports
- 1Erythema17616%
- 2Drug Ineffective16615%
- 3Condition Aggravated1049.3%
- 4Skin Burning Sensation998.9%
- 5Pruritus867.7%
- 6Skin Exfoliation817.3%
- 7Product Use In Unapproved Indication746.6%
- 8Dry Skin665.9%
- 9Rash645.7%
- 10Product Use Issue585.2%
- 11Skin Irritation565.0%
- 12Intentional Product Use Issue554.9%
- 13Skin Hyperpigmentation544.8%
- 14Intentional Product Misuse514.6%
- 15Off Label Use504.5%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Hydroquinone as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Visualizing the mechanism of quinol oxidation and inhibition of a bd-type oxidase using cryo-EM.Science advances · 2026 · van der Velden TT, Kayastha K, Pelser F, et al.PMID 42160434DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aec9946
- Gadolinium vanadate nanostructure-engineered screen-printed gold electrodes for the electrochemical monitoring of Tert-butylhydroquinone in food samples.Food chemistry · 2026 · Priscilla JD, Sakthivel K, Lee ML, et al.PMID 42155270DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149584
- Geroprotective effects of bioactive compounds against hydroquinone toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: an in vivo and in silico insight.Biogerontology · 2026 · Cherian J, Kunigiri S, Vegesna J, et al.PMID 42154051DOI 10.1007/s10522-026-10452-x
- Fully portable smartphone-integrated device coupled with nanozyme-based assay for sensitive detection of TBHQ in edible oils.Food chemistry · 2026 · Wu Q, da Silva Ferreira MV, Kamruzzaman M, et al.PMID 42143517DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149610
- Efficacy and Safety of Topical Metformin vs Kligman Formula in the Treatment of Melasma: A Split-Face Study.Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD · 2026 · Ayesha E, Hanif S, Agaiby S, et al.PMID 42081634DOI 10.36849/JDD.9193
- MiR-20b-5p Is Involved in Hydroquinone-Induced TK6 Cell Cycle Arrest and Oxidative Damage Through JNK1 Signaling Pathway and Targeting Nrf2.Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology · 2026 · Guo P, Hu X, Yu L, et al.PMID 42043288DOI 10.1002/jbt.70866
- Discovery of novel tert-butylhydroquinone derivatives as potential anti-endothelial injury agents: Synthesis, in vitro, and in vivo evaluation.Bioorganic chemistry · 2026 · Zhang J, Ma MQ, Shao MZ, et al.PMID 42000455DOI 10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.109865
- Hydroquinone and Emerging Depigmenting Agents: Clinical Guidelines, Regulatory History, and Global Safety Considerations.Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD · 2026 · Lotten MAV, Bourne AK, Amechi C, et al.PMID 41931693DOI 10.36849/jdd.9353
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 54 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Hydroquinone as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- A 4-week Study Investigating Two Targeted Brightening Serum (A and B) Versus 4% Hydroquinone in Women With Mild to Severe Full-face HyperpigmentationCompleted · Interventional · 18 enrolled · Revision SkincareNCT07644871updated 2026-06-12
- Comparison of Efficacy of Topical Westerhoff Formula Cream Vs Topical 4% Hydroquinone for the Treatment of MelasmaCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · Pak Emirates Military HospitalNCT07508098updated 2026-04-02
- A 16-week Clinical Study Investigating a Dark Spot Corrector Serum in Women With Moderate Discrete HyperpigmentationCompleted · Interventional · 48 enrolled · Revision SkincareNCT07468175updated 2026-03-12
- Comparison of Efficacy of Metformin Gel 30% vs Triple Combination Cream (Hydroquinone 4%, Flucinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Tretinoin 0.025%) in Treatment of Melasma in Tertiary Care Hospital KarachiCompleted · Interventional · 34 enrolled · Jinnah Postgraduate Medical CentreNCT07345507updated 2026-01-21
- Azelaic Acid 20% vs Hydroquinone 4% in Epidermal MelasmaCompleted · Interventional · 146 enrolled · Gujranwala medical college District Headquarters Hospital, GujranwalaNCT07327983updated 2026-01-08
- Fractionated 1927nm Laser for Hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes V and VICompleted · Interventional · 15 enrolled · University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterNCT05493280updated 2025-12-15
- Prospective Evaluation of Topical Almond Oil vs HydroquinoneRecruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · University of California, DavisNCT04875715updated 2025-09-12
- COMPARISON OF A COSMETIC SERUM AND 4% HYDROQUINONE FOR TREATING MELASMA OVER 84 DAYSRecruiting · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Laboratoire Dermatologique ACMNCT07071363updated 2025-08-20
- Efficacy and Safety of a Combined Serum Containing Melasyl™, 10% Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and HEPESNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 68 enrolled · Dr.dr.Irma Bernadette, SpKK (K)NCT07121439updated 2025-08-13
- A Study to Assess Efficacy of Supporting Properties and Safety of ARTNEO in Patients With Knee OsteoarthritisCompleted · Interventional · 70 enrolled · NPO PetrovaxNCT06032442updated 2025-06-03
Frequently asked questions
- How does Hydroquinone work?
- Mechanism-of-action classes: Melanin Synthesis Inhibitors; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
- What is Hydroquinone used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Hydroquinone carries indications including: Uses Uses ■ For the gradual fading of age spots ■ Lightens dark pigment in the skin ■This product provides minimal SPF protection.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Hydroquinone?
- Hydroquinone is classified as Other dermatologicals, Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor, Melanin Synthesis Inhibitors, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Depigmenting Activity.
- What are the brand names for Hydroquinone?
- Hydroquinone is marketed under brand names including EpiQuin Micro, Lustra, Neova Complex HQ Plus, Remergent HQ, Tri-Luma.
hydroquinone is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.