Hidroquinona

AKA 1,4 dihydroxybenzene
 
Mecanismo
  • Competitively inhibits tysosinase and causes selective reactive oxygen radical damage to melanosomes and melanocytes
  • Tyrosinase catalyses multiple steps in the synthesis of melanin from amino-acid tyrosine (steps C,D,F)
      • notion image
 
Adverse reactions
  • Pregnancy class C
  • Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis
  • Ochronosis with prolonged use
    • histologically similar to Alkaptonuria - endogenous ochronosis
    • Exogenous ochronosis can also occur with topical phenol, resorcinol, systemic antimalarials