Hydroquinone, Medorfa HP, Medorfa, Kexm, Medorfa HP Plus, Kuxm, Medorfa LP, Kutea, Keido, Kaxm, Medorfa Plus

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on June 29, 2023

This article describes hydroquinone’s uses, side effects, and more.

Note: Hydroquinone is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was originally approved in 1982, but it’s no longer FDA-approved due to certain questions surrounding the drug’s safety. However, the FDA allows doctors to prescribe drugs that are not approved. If you have questions about the safety of hydroquinone, talk with your doctor.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about hydroquinone.

Is it safe to use hydroquinone together with mometasone or tretinoin?

Possibly. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe mometasone furoate or tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova) with hydroquinone to treat serious skin conditions that can’t be managed with hydroquinone alone. (Keep in mind that mometasone is a strong steroid drug and it’s not recommended for use on the face.)

Hydroquinone, mometasone, and tretinoin are topical* medications used for hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) and other skin conditions. These drugs have some similar side effects. They include irritation, dryness, stinging, and redness or discoloration. Using these drugs together could worsen these side effects.

Hydroquinone, tretinoin, and mometasone are not available as a combination drug in the United States. However, a brand-name drug called Tri-Luma is available that contains hydroquinone, tretinoin, and another mild steroid cream (fluocinolone). Tri-Luma is prescribed to treat moderate to severe melasma. (Hydroquinone by itself is also prescribed for melasma.)

If you’re interested in using mometasone or tretinoin with hydroquinone, talk with your doctor. They can tell you more about your options.

* “Topical” means applied to the skin.

How does hydroquinone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening medication. It works by reducing the number of melanocytes (skin cells found in the outer layer of the skin).

Melanocytes make melanin, which is responsible for the pigment (color) of the skin, hair, and eyes. By reducing melanocytes, hydroquinone helps to gradually lighten the skin tone in the areas where you apply the cream.

Hydroquinone typically takes up to 4 weeks to start working to lighten the skin. But individual results can depend on various factors. These include your skin tone, level of hyperpigmentation (skin darkening), and how your skin reacts to hydroquinone. Your doctor will likely recommend stopping treatment if there’s no change in your skin tone after 2 months.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of hydroquinone are described below.

Note: Hydroquinone is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was originally approved in 1982, but it’s no longer FDA-approved due to certain questions surrounding the drug’s safety. However, the FDA allows doctors to prescribe drugs that are not approved. If you have questions about the safety of hydroquinone, talk with your doctor.

Use for certain skin conditions, including melasma

Doctors may prescribe hydroquinone topical* cream for treating hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) caused by certain skin conditions. These include melasma, acne scars, freckles, age spots, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions that can cause skin darkening. Hydroquinone is used for this purpose in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Hydroquinone may be prescribed long term if it’s effective after about 2 months of treatment. With long-term treatment, your doctor may recommend that you take breaks, during which you’ll temporarily stop applying hydroquinone cream. This helps you avoid certain side effects, such as ochronosis (blue-black darkening of skin tone in areas where it’s applied).

Doctors may not prescribe hydroquinone topical cream in certain situations, such as for skin inflammation (swelling and damage) or if you have sensitive or dry skin.

* “Topical” means applied to the skin.

Hydroquinone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of hydroquinone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about hydroquinone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for hydroquinone listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with topical hydroquinone cream are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about hydroquinone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for hydroquinone listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Hydroquinone’s mild side effects include the following in areas where the cream is applied:

• skin dryness
• redness or discoloration
• irritation or stinging
• itchiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for hydroquinone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of hydroquinone are listed below

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about hydroquinone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for hydroquinone listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, hydroquinone’s serious side effects include:

• ochronosis (blue-black darkening of skin tone in areas where it’s applied)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for hydroquinone” section.

Below, you’ll find information about hydroquinone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of hydroquinone

Hydroquinone isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with hydroquinone won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with hydroquinone.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with hydroquinone. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

You should apply sunscreen and avoid exposing your skin to sunlight while you’re using hydroquinone. Sunlight reverses the skin lightening effect of the drug.

Warnings for hydroquinone

Some people should not use hydroquinone, and others should use it cautiously.

Hydroquinone topical cream could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether hydroquinone is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for hydroquinone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Hydroquinone topical cream can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to hydroquinone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe hydroquinone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to hydroquinone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of hydroquinone

You should not use more hydroquinone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much hydroquinone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and hydroquinone

Information about hydroquinone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Hydroquinone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether hydroquinone should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Hydroquinone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether hydroquinone should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

This article describes hydroquinone’s uses, side effects, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about hydroquinone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my hyperpigmentation come back if I stop using hydroquinone?
• Are other medications available to treat my condition?
• How long can I use hydroquinone safely?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Godse KV. (2009). Triple combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and mometasone furoate with glycolic acid peels in melasma. https://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2009;volume=54;issue=1;spage=92;epage=93;aulast=Godse
• Hydroquinone 4% — hydroquinone cream. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/47f0cbfb-b73b-4572-95d2-992c7382df3a/spl-doc
• Hydroquinone. (n.d.). aocd.org/page/Hydroquinone
• Majid I. (2010). Mometasone-based triple combination therapy in melasma: Is it really safe? https://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2010;volume=55;issue=4;spage=359;epage=362;aulast=Majid
• Mometasone furoate — mometasone furoate cream. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/015a259c-a0cb-4440-b8f2-0a31aa76fb88/spl-doc?hl=mometasone
• Schwartz C, et al. (2023). Hydroquinone. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539693/
• Tretinoin — tretinoin cream. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8ca7d0c6-3b30-4133-8c10-dbc94cbdccf6/spl-doc?hl=tretinoin
• Tri-Luma (fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin) cream, 0.01%/4%/0.05% for topical use. (2014). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021112s009lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.