BFAD MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 19

: Hydroquinone 1-2% Solution was reclassified from cosmetics to drugs.
: Serious adverse reactions include convulsion and tremors, as well as occasional hypersensitivity reactions.
: Prolonged use may produce hyperpigmentation known as ochronosis, which is irreversible.
: Hydroquinone use is restricted to pathological hyperpigmentation such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, and lentigines.
: No, its use for skin bleaching and incorporation in cosmetics for skin whitening is no longer approved.
: Warnings include: not to be used longer than two months; not to be applied on broken skin; not to be used on children under 12 years old; and not to treat more than 10% of total body surface.
: Hydroquinone should not be used longer than two (2) months.
: Yes, it should not be used on children under twelve (12) years of age.
: Manufacturers are given six (6) months from the approval date to exhaust existing supplies, reformulate, or apply for initial registration of Hydroquinone as Drugs.
: The memorandum circular took effect immediately upon adoption on August 15, 1994.