hydroquinone
Approved
Jan 18, 2002
Hydroquinone, aka benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, a derivative of benzene, having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. Its chemical structure features two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a para position. It is a white granular solid. Substituted derivatives of this parent compound are also referred to as hydroquinones. The name "hydroquinone" was coined by Friedrich Wöhler in 1843. In human medicine, hydroquinone is used as a topical application in skin whitening to reduce the color of skin. It does not have the same predisposition to cause dermatitis as metol does. In 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration revoked its previous approval of hydroquinone and proposed a ban on all over-the-counter preparations. The FDA stated that hydroquinone cannot be ruled out as a potential carcinogen. This conclusion was reached based on the extent of absorption in humans and the incidence of neoplasms in rats in several studies where adult rats were found to have increased rates of tumours, including thyroid follicular cell hyperplasias, anisokaryosis (variation in nuclei sizes), mononuclear cell leukemia, hepatocellular adenomas and renal tubule cell adenomas. One of the components in TRI-LUMA Cream, hydroquinone, is a depigmenting agent, and may interrupt one or more steps in the tyrosine-tyrosinase pathway of melanin synthesis. However, the mechanism of action of the active ingredients in TRI-LUMA Cream in the treatment of melasma is unknown. — NCATS
Clinical trial activity
43 trials · 66 clinical orgs · 2 marketing orgs
Earliest trial started May 1, 2006 (NCT00469183)
Timeline
2000s
- Jan 18, 2002
Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc. — Earliest FDA Approval
- Jan 18, 2002
Galderma — NDA Secondary Org
- Jan 18, 2002
Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc. — NDA Organization
- Jan 1, 2008
Earliest Phase 2 Sponsor(trial)
- Jan 1, 2008
Earliest Phase 3 Sponsor(trial)
- Jan 1, 2009
Earliest Phase 1 Sponsor(trial)
Indications
Studied for
- Brugada Syndrome · Phase 3
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 · Phase 4
- Diabetic Angiopathies · Phase 4
- Diabetic Retinopathy · Phase 4
- Facial Injuries · Phase 3
- Hemorrhoids · Phase 4
- Hyperpigmentation · Phase 4
- Infertility · Phase 2/Phase 3
- Lasers · Phase 2
- Lentigo · Phase 2
- Pigmentation Disorders · Phase 2
- Prostatitis · Phase 4
- Rosacea · Phase 1
- Skin Pigmentation · Phase 4
- Ulcer · Phase 3
Mechanism of action
- TyrosinaseANTAGONIST
PPO2 antagonist
- TyrosinaseINHIBITOR
Tyrosinase inhibitor
Combination products
tri-luma
Approval history
- approvedJan 18, 2002
Chemistry & pharmacology
SMILES
OC1=CC=C(O)C=C1- Mol. weight
- 110.1106 g/mol
- Lipinski Ro5
- Pass
- Rule of 3
- No
- Chirality
- Single Stereoisomer
- Inorganic
- No
- Polymer
- No
- Availability
- Prescription Only
Oral
No
Parenteral
No
Topical
No
Sources
- WikipediaHydroquinone ↗
- NCATSXV74C1N1AE ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL507419 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL232202 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL2106191 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL537 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL2079611 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL1906890 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL2092739 ↗
- ChEMBLCHEMBL531472 ↗
Also known as
- 1,4-benzenediol
- 1,4-benzenediol
- 1,4-benzenediol
- 1,4-benzenediol
- 1,4-benzenediol
- 1,4-dihydroxybenzene
- 1,4-dihydroxybenzene
- 1,4-dihydroxybenzene
- 205 e
- 205 e
- 4-hydroxyphenol
- 4-hydroxyphenol
- 4-hydroxyphenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside
- 4-hydroxyphenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutin
- arbutine
- arbutoside
- arbutyne
- artra
- benzene-1,4-diol
- benzene-1,4-diol
- benzene-1,4-diol
- beta-quinol
- black and white
- black and white bleaching cream
- black and white bleaching cream
- calcium dobesilate
- calcium dobesilate
- calcium dobesilate
- calcium dobesilate
- calcium doxybensylate
- calcium doxybensylate
- calcium doxybensylate
- dexium
- dihydroquinidine
- dihydroquinidine
- dihydroquinidine
- dihydroquinidine
- dihydroquinidine
- dihydroquinine
- dihydroquinine
- dobesilate
- dobesilate
- dobesilate
- dobesilate
- dobesilate
- dobesilate calcium
- doxium
- doxium
- doxium
- doxium 500
- eldopaque
- eldopaque forte
- eldopaque forte
- eldopaque forte
- eldoquin
- eldoquin forte
- eldoquin forte
- eldoquin forte
- esoterica
- glyhexylamide
- glyhexylamine isodiane
- hidroquilaude
- hidroquin
- hidroquinona isdin
- hydroconquinine
- hydroquinidine
- hydroquinidine
- hydroquinidine
- hydroquinidine
- hydroquinidine
- hydroquinidine, (1beta, 3alpha,4beta,8alpha,9r)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (1beta,3alpha,4beta,9s)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (1beta,4beta,9s)-(+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (3alpha,9s)-(+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (8alpha,9r)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (8alpha,9s)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (9r)-isomer
- hydroquinidine, (9s)-(+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine dihydrochloride, (1beta,4beta,3s)-(+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine dihydrochloride, (3alpha,9s)-(+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine hcl
- hydroquinidine hydrochloride
- hydroquinidine hydrochloride
- hydroquinidine, (+-)-isomer
- hydroquinidine monosulfate
- hydroquinidine monosulfate, (1beta,3alpha,4beta,8alpha,9r)-isomer
- hydroquinidine monosulfate, (1beta,3alpha,4beta,9s)-isomer
- hydroquinidine sulfate
- hydroquinidine sulfate, (9s)-isomer
- hydroquinine
- hydroquinine
- hydroquinine
- hydroquinine
- hydroquinine
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone
- hydroquinone calcium sulfate
- hydroquinone calcium sulfonate
- hydroquinone, copper (1+) salt
- hydroquinone glucose
- hydroquinone, lead (2+) salt (2:1)
- hydroquinone, monocopper (2+) salt
- icn brand 1 of hydroquinone
- icn brand 2 of hydroquinone
- icn brand 3 of hydroquinone
- icn brand 4 of hydroquinone
- idrochinone
- lcn 834
- lcn-834
- lentoquine
- licostrata
- lustra
- melanasa
- melanex
- melanex
- melpaque
- melquin
- metahexamide
- metahexamide
- metahexamide
- metahexamide
- methahexamide
- methexamide
- neoquine
- neostrata hq
- p-benzenediol
- p-benzenediol
- p-benzenediol
- phiaquin
- p-hydroquinone
- p-hydroquinone
- p-hydroxyphenol
- p-hydroxyphenol
- plough brand 1 of hydroquinone
- plough brand 2 of hydroquinone
- quinol
- quinol
- sérécor
- solaquin
- solaquin forte
- solaquin forte
- stratus brand 1 of hydroquinone
- stratus brand 2 of hydroquinone
- ultraquin
Clinical trials
| NCT ID | Phase | Start date | Sponsor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07121439 | N/A | Sep 15, 2025 | University of Indonesia |
| NCT06787846 | N/A | Aug 17, 2023 | Cosmetique Active International |
| NCT06957834 | Phase 2 | Jun 6, 2023 | Government of Singapore |
| NCT06010810 | Phase 3 | Jun 1, 2023 | University of Indonesia |
| NCT05887219 | Phase 1 | Nov 1, 2022 | Government of Pakistan |
| NCT05511948 | Phase 2 | Aug 18, 2022 | DermBiont, Inc., Zepeda Dermatologia |
| NCT06013540 | Phase 2 | Aug 1, 2022 | Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre |
| NCT05095922 | Phase 4 | Nov 1, 2021 | Nantong University |
| NCT05013801 | N/A | Sep 30, 2021 | Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Unilever |
| NCT05007262 | Phase 2 | Aug 31, 2021 | Baili Pharmaceutical Group, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicines |
| NCT04875715 | Phase 4 | Jul 1, 2021 | University of California, Davis |
| NCT04597203 | N/A | Oct 31, 2020 | Mahidol University |
| NCT05969587 | Phase 3 | Nov 28, 2019 | China Medical University |
| NCT03982849 | Phase 2 | Jul 31, 2019 | Islamabad Medical and Dental College |
| NCT04345094 | N/A | Jul 1, 2019 | Pacific Skin Institute, Sytheon Ltd. |
| NCT03585179 | Phase 3 | Aug 1, 2018 | Centro Dermatológico Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua |
| NCT02977507 | N/A | Dec 13, 2016 | Allergan |
| NCT02782455 | Phase 4 | Dec 1, 2016 | Services Hospital, Lahore, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan |
| NCT03049059 | Phase 2 | Jun 1, 2016 | Mae Fah Luang University Hospital |
| NCT03751163 | Phase 3 | Mar 16, 2016 | University of Indonesia |
Organizations
Research & Development (66)
| Organization | Org type | Trials | As lead sponsor | Phases | Earliest year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galderma | For profit | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2006 |
| University of Indonesia | Academic/Hospital | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2016 |
| Benha University | Academic/Hospital | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2014 |
| Aix-University of Marseille | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2009 |
| Allergan | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2016 |
| American Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2009 |
| Azidus | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2008 |
| Baili Pharmaceutical Group | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Callender Center for Clinical Research | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2009 |
| Catalysis SL | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2009 |
| Centro Dermatológico Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2018 |
| Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicines | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2021 |
| China Medical University | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2019 |
| Cosmetique Active International | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cynosure, Inc. | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2013 |
| DermBiont, Inc. | For profit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Episciences, Inc. | For profit | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2013 |
| Esteve Labs | For profit | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2008 |
| François Rabelais University | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2009 |
| Fundacion Iberoamericana Itaca | Academic/Hospital | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2008 |
Marketing (2)
| Organization | Org type | Relationship | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galderma | For profit | NDA2 | Jan 18, 2002 |
| Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc. | For profit | NDA | Jan 18, 2002 |