Erfa Hydroquinone: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is ERFA HYDROQUINONE used for?

ERFA HYDROQUINONE is used to lighten areas of darkened skin caused by sun exposure, skin damage, pregnancy, medications or age.

Before your doctor prescribes ERFA HYDROQUINONE, they will check your areas of darkened skin to make sure they are not due to a more serious skin condition.

How does ERFA HYDROQUINONE work?

ERFA HYDROQUINONE blocks the formation of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color.

What are the ingredients in ERFA HYDROQUINONE?

Medicinal ingredients: hydroquinone

Non-medicinal ingredients: Ammonium hydroxide, butylhydroxytoluene, citric acid anhydrous, disodium edetate, ethanol 96%, glycolic acid, propylene glycol, polyquaternium-10, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite anhydrous, and purified water.

ERFA HYDROQUINONE comes in the following dosage forms:

As a gel, 4% w/w.

Do not use ERFA HYDROQUINONE if you:

• Are allergic to hydroquinone;
• Are allergic to sodium metabisulfite or any of the other ingredients in ERFA HYDROQUINONE;
• Are allergic to any part of the container.
• Are taking any medicines that make your skin more sensitive to light. These include medicines used to prevent or treat malaria, like resorcinol and phenol.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ERFA HYDROQUINONE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• Have asthma.
• Are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• Have or have had cancer.

Other warnings you should know about:

The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or for children has not been studied.

Treatment amount, duration and use:

• Do not apply ERFA HYDROQUINONE on broken skin or on mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are in your nose or mouth and in or around your genitals and anus. Do not apply ERFA HYDROQUINONE to any of these areas. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact with eyes, broken skin or mucous membranes, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Do not use ERFA HYDROQUINONE on large areas of skin. Do not apply it more often your doctor tells you to. Too much ERFA HYDROQUINONE may irritate your skin or cause other side effects.
• Do not use ERFA HYDROQUINONE for longer than 2-3 months or the duration recommended by your doctor.

Sun protection:

• You must protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light while using ERFA HYDROQUINONE. This includes using sunscreen and wearing clothing that protects your skin from the sun. Use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 (UVA & UVB) and cover the treated areas with clothing or a wide brimmed hat. This is to prevent your skin from darkening again and to prevent sunburn. ERFA HYDROQUINONE contains ingredients that make your skin more sensitive to light. Use clothing whenever possible to protect from UV light.
• Do not use tanning lamps and tanning beds.
• If you get sunburned, stop using ERFA HYDROQUINONE until your sunburn has healed.
• After stopping ERFA HYDROQUINONE treatment, continue to protect your skin from sunlight.

Monitoring your skin:

• If the skin areas you are treating are not lighter after 3 weeks of applying ERFA HYDROQUINONE, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will need to assess your skin for more serious conditions and decide if you can keep using ERFA HYDROQUINONE.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with ERFA HYDROQUINONE:

• Any medicines that make your skin more sensitive to light. These include medicines used to prevent or treat malaria, resorcinol and phenol. Other medicines may also make your skin more sensitive to light. If you are not sure if a medicine you take does this, talk to your doctor. You should not use ERFA HYDROQUINONE if you are taking these medicines.

• Products called peroxides. These include benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne and is often found in topical acne products. Hydrogen peroxide is used to disinfect minor wounds and to bleach hair. You should not use ERFA HYDROQUINONE along with these products since this can change the colour of your skin. If

  • you get peroxides on your skin at the same time as ERFA HYDROQUINONE, wash your skin with a mild soap and water.

How to use ERFA HYDROQUINONE:

• Use ERFA HYDROQUINONE exactly as your doctor has told you to.
• Follow all instructions given to you by your doctor.

Test for skin sensitivity before use:

• Apply a small amount of ERFA HYDROQUINONE onto your skin.
• Do not apply to skin that has any cracks, cuts or sores on it.
• Check to see how your skin looks 24 hours after you have applied ERFA HYDROQUINONE.
• If your skin is itchy, swollen or has blisters on it where you applied ERFA HYDROQUINONE, do not use it again.

How to use:

• If your skin was not sensitive after the steps above, you can start using ERFA HYDROQUINONE.
• Put a small amount (a pea-sized amount) of ERFA HYDROQUINONE on your fingertip.
• Apply a thin even layer onto the dark spots. Include about a half inch of the normal skin that surrounds your dark spots in your application.
• Lightly rub ERFA HYDROQUINONE into your skin. The medicine should become invisible almost at once. If you can still see it, you are using too much.
• Do not apply ERFA HYDROQUINONE to the corners of your nose, your mouth, eyes, on any mucous membranes or on open wounds. Spread it away from those areas when applying it.
• Keep the treated area uncovered after applying ERFA HYDROQUINONE.
• Wash hands with soap after you have applied ERFA HYDROQUINONE to prevent brown spots on your fingernails.

Usual dose:

The usual dose is a small amount (a pea-sized amount) twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Your doctor may tell you to apply ERFA HYDROQUINONE less often. Your doctor will decide how often and for how long you should use ERFA HYDROQUINONE.

Overdose:

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

What are possible side effects from using ERFA HYDROQUINONE?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking ERFA HYDROQUINONE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include skin reactions such as:

• redness
• dryness
• burning
• peeling
• itching
• tingling
• stinging
• increased sensitivity to sunlight and UV light
• increased possibility of sunburn
• acne-like skin eruption

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Store at room temperature between 15 - 30°C. Do not freeze. Keep the tube totally sealed to protect it from light. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the product if dark coloration is observed, even if it is within the expiry period.

If you want more information about ERFA HYDROQUINONE:

• Talk to your healthcare professional.
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website www.searchlightpharma.com , or by calling 1-647-945-9762.

Last Revised SEP 29, 2022