HYDROQUINONE- hydroquinone cream

Manufacturer
Marlex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Effective date
2025-11-13
Label type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG LABEL
Version
5
Source
full-release
Hydrated at
2026-05-31 21:46:00

Label at a glance#

Producthydroquinone
Active ingredientHYDROQUINONE
Label structure14 sections

Indications and uses

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.

Dosage and administration

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM should be applied to affected areas and rubbed in well twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime, or as directed by a physician. If no improvement is seen after 2 months of treatment, use of this product should be discontinued. There is no recommended dosage for pediatric patients under 12 years of age except under the advice and supervision of a physician.

Label contents#

Full prescribing information#

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4%

Skin Bleaching Cream

Rx Only

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY

NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION SECTION

Each gram of HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM contains 40 mg hydroquinone, in a cream base of Glyceryl Monostearate, Mineral Oil, PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, Polyoxl-40 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Purified water, sodium metabisulfite, Squalane and Stearic Acid.

Chemically, hydroquinone is C 6H 6O 2and has a molecular weight of 110.11. The chemical name is 1,4 dihydroxybenzene, and the structural formula of hydroquinone is:

structurestructure

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION

Topical application of hydroquinone produces a reversible depigmentation of the skin by inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) (Denton, C. et al., 1952) 1and suppression of other melanocyte metabolic processes (Jimbow, K. et al., 1974) 2. Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light will cause repigmentation of bleached areas (Parrish, J.A. et al., 1978) 3.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAMis indicated for the gradual bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION

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.

WARNINGS

WARNINGS SECTION

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic people.

Since this product contains no sunscreen, an effective broad spectrum sun blocking agent should be used and unnecessary solar exposure avoided, or protective clothing should be worn to cover bleached skin in order to prevent repigmentation from occurring.

Hydroquinone may produce exogenous ochronosis, a gradual blue-black darkening of the skin. If this condition occurs, discontinue treatment and consult your physician. The majority of patients developing this condition are Black, but it may also occur in Caucasians and Hispanics.

PRECAUTIONS

PRECAUTIONS SECTION

(see WARNINGS)

General

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS SECTION

Test for skin sensitivity before using by applying a small amount to an unbroken patch of skin; check within 24 hours. Minor redness is not a contraindication, but where there is itching or vesicle formation or excessive inflammatory response further treatment is not advised. Close patient supervision is recommended.

Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching agent which may produce unwanted cosmetic effects if not used as directed. The physician should be familiar with the contents of this insert before prescribing or dispensing this medication.

Information for Patients

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS SECTION

Sunscreen use is an essential aspect of hydroquinone therapy because even minimal sunlight sustains melanocytic activity. To prevent repigmentation, during treatment and maintenance therapy, sun exposure on treated skin should be avoided by application of a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) or by use of protective clothing. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, call a physician or a poison control center immediately.

Drug Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS SECTION

Patients are cautioned on concomitant use of medications that are known to be photosensitizing.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION

Studies of hydroquinone in animals have demonstrated some evidence of carcinogenicity. The carcinogenic potential of hydroquinone in humans is unknown.

Published studies have demonstrated that hydroquinone is a mutagen and a clastogen. Treatment with hydroquinone has resulted in positive findings for genetic toxicity in the Ames assay in bacterial strains sensitive to oxidizing mutagens, in in vitro studies in mammalian cells, and in the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.

Pregnancy

PREGNANCY SECTION

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical hydroquinone. It is also not known whether topical hydroquinone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Topical hydroquinone should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

NURSING MOTHERS SECTION

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when topical hydroquinone is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

PEDIATRIC USE SECTION

Safety and effectiveness for pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION

The following adverse reactions have been reported: dryness and fissuring of paranasal and infraorbital areas, erythema, and stinging. Occasional hypersensitivity (localized contact dermatitis) may develop. If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued and the physician notified immediately.

OVERDOSAGE

OVERDOSAGE SECTION

There have been no systemic reactions reported from the use of topical hydroquinone. However, treatment should be limited to relatively small areas of the body at one time, since some patients experience a transient skin reddening and a mild burning sensation which does not preclude treatment.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAMshould be applied to affected areas and rubbed in well twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime, or as directed by a physician. If no improvement is seen after 2 months of treatment, use of this product should be discontinued. There is no recommended dosage for pediatric patients under 12 years of age except under the advice and supervision of a physician.

HOW SUPPLIED

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAMis available in a 1 oz (28.35 g) tube with (NDC 10135-0724-99)

Store at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

All prescription substitutions and/or recommendations using this product shall be made subject to state and federal statutes as applicable. Please NOTE: This is not an Orange Book product and has not been subjected to FDA therapeutic or other equivalency testing. No representation is made as to generic status or bioequivalency. Each person recommending a prescription substitution using this product shall make such recommendation based on his/her professional knowledge and opinion, upon evaluating the active ingredients, inactive ingredients, excipients and chemical information provided herein.

SPL UNCLASSIFIED SECTION

Manufactured for and Distributed by:

Marlex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

New Castle, DE 19720

Rev. 3/21IT

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 28.35GM Tube Carton

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 10135-0724-99

Rx Only

Hydroquinone USP, 4%

Skin Bleaching Cream

Net Wt 1oz (28.35g)

principle display panelprinciple display panel

DailyMed RxNorm Mappings#

RxCUI, RxNorm string, TTY table
RxCUIRxNorm stringTTYSPL version
197795hydroquinone 4 % Topical CreamPSN5
197795hydroquinone 40 MG/ML Topical CreamSCD5
197795hydroquinone 4 % Topical CreamSY5

DailyMed Pharmacologic Classes#

Class, Version, Type table
ClassVersionTypeEffective
HYDROQUINONE Pharmacologic Class Indexing2Indexing - Pharmacologic Class20180813

DailyMed Product Concepts#

Product concept, Relation, Version table
Product conceptRelationVersionEffective
85490a6b-2306-6bf2-c51b-eb63537dc2daProduct name120140508

DailyMed Package Descriptions#

Package NDC, Product, Description table
Package NDCProductDescriptionFormQuantityStrengthSPL version
10135-724-99hydroquinone1 in 1 CARTONCREAM15
10135-724-99hydroquinone28.35 g in 1 TUBECREAM28.355

DailyMed Billing Units#

Package NDC, Billing unit, Product NDC table
Package NDCBilling unitProduct NDCDailyMed indexing SPLSPL versionEffective
10135-724-99GM - Gram10135-724547b0f78-7bc6-4596-aa3d-a754717862ad12022-09-12

Products#

Every source-derived product name is available through these pages.

DailyMed product names page 1 of 1 · 11 matching rows.

NDC Codes#

Product NDC, Package NDC table
Product NDCPackage NDC
10135-72410135-724-99

Ingredients#

Every source-derived ingredient row is available through these pages.

DailyMed ingredient rows page 1 of 1 · 11 matching rows.

Source Document#

Source XML

openFDA label cross-check#

OpenFDA label data provides additional search and identifier links. DailyMed’s Structured Product Label is the canonical label on FDA.report. Matching records are deduplicated before they are shown below.

Matched openFDA labels page 1 of 1 · 1 matching rows.

Brand, Generic, Manufacturer table
BrandGenericManufacturerSPL set IDEffective dateAvailable safety fieldsJoin
hydroquinoneHYDROQUINONEMarlex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.be22c3e0-8760-1568-e053-2995a90a112a2025-11-13Warnings, Adverse reactionsExact identifier
ndc (package): 10135-724-99
ndc (product): 10135-724
ndc11 (package): 10135072499
spl id: 438085c1-0d95-b6b3-e063-6394a90ada2d
spl set id: be22c3e0-8760-1568-e053-2995a90a112a

Reported adverse events (FAERS/openFDA)#

Adverse event summaries are temporarily unavailable. Other product information remains available.