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Hydroquinone cream 40 mg/g Cream, 1 tube — NDC 24689-0101-01 package photo
Label image from the product's FDA listing (DailyMed) — may show a different pack size or an older label revision.

Hydroquinone cream 40 mg/g Cream, 1 tube — NDC 24689-101-01 (Billing 24689-0101-01)

by APNAR PHARMA LP · 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 28.35 g in 1 TUBE

This is a package of 1 tube of Hydroquinone cream 40 mg/g Cream from APNAR PHARMA LP, marketed since Nov 2021 and currently FDA-listed. It is this product's only package size.

NDC 24689-0101-01
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 24689-101-01 billing pads the product segment with a zero
Rx only On market Non-controlled ⇄ Compare with another NDC
🗂️ FDA directory synced Oct 1, 2026 · this listing last changed Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

Identity & classification

Regulatory identifiers FDA, NLM and CMS codes for this package

FDA NDC (as labeled) 24689-101-01
Product NDC 24689-101
11-digit billing NDC 24689010101
NCPDP billing unit GM — per gram (weight)
RxCUI 197795
UNII XV74C1N1AE
UPC 0324689101019
SPL Set ID ced62618-e87d-12b9-e053-2a95a90a3013
Established class (EPC) Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor
Mechanism of action Melanin Synthesis Inhibitors
Physiologic effect Depigmenting Activity
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2021-11-01
Route TOPICAL
Dosage form CREAM
Substance HYDROQUINONE

Drug-database identifiers Medi-Span GPI and First Databank GCN / HICL / AHFS classification

GPI-14 90872010003720
GPI class Hydroquinone
GCN Seq No 006313
GCN 24883
HICL code 002721
Ingredient (HICL) Hydroquinone
HIC1 code L
Therapeutic class — broad (HIC1) Skin/Subcutaneous Tissue
HIC2 code L9
Therapeutic class — intermediate (HIC2) Dermatologic Preparations,Miscellaneous
HIC3 code L9C
Therapeutic class — specific (HIC3) Hypopigmentation Agents
AHFS code 84:50.04.00
AHFS class Depigmenting Agents
FDB label name HYDROQUINONE 4% CREAM
FDB brand name Hydroquinone
Legend status F — Federal legend — prescription drug or device
Quick answers
  • GSN (GCN sequence number): 006313
  • GCN: 24883
  • GPI-14 (Medi-Span): 90872010003720
  • HICL (First Databank): 002721
  • AHFS class code: 84:50.04.00
  • RxCUI (RxNorm): 197795
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 24689-101-01 — a 5-3-2 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the product segment → 24689-0101-01. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Melanin Synthesis Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) Other dermatologicals
How it works Melanin Synthesis Inhibitors
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

Clinical

Label name HYDROQUINONE 4% CREAM Ingredient Hydroquinone
🧪 What is this product?

This is a topical cream containing hydroquinone at a concentration of 40 milligrams per gram. Hydroquinone is a melanin synthesis inhibitor typically used in skin-lightening products to reduce the appearance of dark patches or discoloration on the skin. This product is marketed without an approved FDA application and is classified as an unapproved drug.

Supplement & herbal interactions

🌿 Drug–supplement interaction checker →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer gPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startMarketing endStatus
24689-0101-01 You're viewing this Main listing 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON / 28.35 g in 1 TUBE 2021-11-01 — Active

Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Hydroquinone 4% 40 mg/g 75834-0137-01 Nivagen 1 tube $0.461 — Availability likely —
Hydroquinone 4% 40 mg/g 42192-0151-01 Acella 1 tube $0.513 — Availability likely —
Hydroquinone 40 mg/g 69367-0174-01 Westminster 1 tube $0.513 — Availability likely —
hydroquinone 40 mg/g 10135-0724-99 Marlex 1 tube — — FDA listed —
Hydroquinone cream 40 mg/gthis 24689-0101-01 APNAR 1 tube — — FDA listed —
Hydroquinone 4% 40 mg/g 50405-0800-01 SOHM, 1 tube — — FDA listed —
NU-DERM BLENDER Skin Lightener and Blending 40 mg/g 62032-0100-10 Obagi 28 g — — FDA listed —
NU-DERM CLEAR Skin Bleaching and Corrector 40 mg/g 62032-0101-36 Obagi 57 g — — FDA listed —
Obagi-C Rx system C-Therapy Night Skin Lightening with Vitamins C and E 40 mg/g 62032-0105-36 Obagi 57 g — — FDA listed —
NU-DERM SUNFADER Skin Lightener with Sunscreen (SPF 15) PABA FREE 40 mg/g; 75 mg/g; 55 mg/g 62032-0116-36 Obagi 57 g — — FDA listed —
Hydroquinone 4% 40 mg/g 71399-0400-01 Akron 28.35 g — — FDA listed —
Hydroquinone 4% 40 mg/g 72162-2422-02 Bryant 1 tube — — FDA listed —
Hydro-Q 40 mg/g 30815-0040-01 Dermavance 1 tube — — FDA listed —
About this product: other versions of the same ingredient, strength and form are listed above, least expensive first, with FDA equivalence ratings where available.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & generic status

🏛️
2021
On the market since
Nov 2021
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
5 years listed
🔒
·
No generic listed yet
brand only
ℹ️No FDA-approved generic found

We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • UNII 230OU9XXE4
    A waxy substance made from glycerin and stearic acid that acts as an emulsifier to blend oily and watery ingredients together. It also helps thicken and stabilize the medicine's texture.
  • UNII T5L8T28FGP
    Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid derived from crude oil. It acts as a lubricant and emollient in medications, helping pills slide smoothly during manufacturing and aiding moisture retention in topical products.
  • UNII 13A4J4NH9I
    A synthetic emulsifier derived from stearic acid and polyethylene glycol. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in liquid medicines and creams to create a smooth, uniform product.
  • UNII 6DC9Q167V3
    Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
  • UNII MZM1I680W0
    Propylene glycol stearate is a waxy substance made by combining stearic acid with propylene glycol. It acts as an emulsifier to help blend oil and water ingredients, and also serves as a thickener or stabilizer in the medicine.
  • UNII Z8IX2SC1OH
    Propylparaben is a chemical preservative used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in medicines and personal care products. It helps extend shelf life and maintain product safety during storage.
  • UNII 4VON5FNS3C
    Sodium metabisulfite is a preservative derived from sulfur compounds. It prevents microbial growth and oxidation in medicines, helping extend shelf life and maintain product stability.
  • UNII GW89575KF9
    Squalane is a lightweight oil derived from plant sources or synthesized. It acts as an emollient and lubricant in formulations, helping ingredients blend smoothly and improving product texture and spreadability.
  • UNII 4ELV7Z65AP
    Stearic acid is a fatty acid derived from plant or animal sources. It acts as a binder and lubricant in tablets and capsules, helping them hold together and flow smoothly during manufacturing.
  • UNII 059QF0KO0R
    Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.

10 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed — ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerAPNAR PHARMA LP
Labeler code24689
First marketedNov 2021
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio28 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration ⛔ Contraindications ⚠️ Warnings 🤒 Adverse Reactions 🆘 Overdosage 🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 📋 Description ⚠️ Precautions 📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel
🎯 Indications and Usage 30 words ▾

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM is indicated for the gradual bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation.

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 69 words ▾

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM should be applied to affected areas and rubbed in well twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime, or as directed by a physician. If no improvement is seen after 2 months of treatment, use of this product should be discontinued. There is no recommended dosage for pediatric patients under 12 years of age except under the advice and supervision of a physician.

⛔ Contraindications 37 words ▾

Prior history of sensitivity or allergic reaction to hydroquinone or to any of the ingredients of the product. The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or for children (12 years and under) has not been established.

⚠️ Warnings 129 words ▾

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic people.

Since this product contains no sunscreen, an effective broad spectrum sun blocking agent should be used and unnecessary solar exposure avoided, or protective clothing should be worn to cover bleached skin in order to prevent repigmentation from occurring. Hydroquinone may produce exogenous ochronosis, a gradual blue-black darkening of the skin. If this condition occurs, discontinue treatment and consult your physician.

The majority of patients developing this condition are Black, but it may also occur in Caucasians and Hispanics.

🤒 Adverse Reactions 38 words ▾

The following adverse reactions have been reported: dryness and fissuring of paranasal and infraorbital areas, erythema, and stinging. Occasional hypersensitivity (localized contact dermatitis) may develop. If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued and the physician notified immediately.

🆘 Overdosage 46 words ▾

There have been no systemic reactions reported from the use of topical hydroquinone. However, treatment should be limited to relatively small areas of the body at one time, since some patients experience a transient skin reddening and a mild burning sensation which does not preclude treatment.

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 61 words ▾

Topical application of hydroquinone produces a reversible depigmentation of the skin by inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) (Denton, C. et al., 1952) 1 and suppression of other melanocyte metabolic processes (Jimbow, K. et al., 1974) 2 . Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light will cause repigmentation of bleached areas (Parrish, J.A. et al., 1978) 3 .

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 123 words ▾

HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM is available in a 1 oz (28.35 g) tube with (NDC 24689-101-01). Store at 20°C-25°C (68°F-77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. All prescription substitutions and/or recommendations using this product shall be made subject to state and federal statutes as applicable.

Please NOTE: This is not an Orange Book product and has not been subjected to FDA therapeutic or other equivalency testing. No representation is made as to generic status or bioequivalency. Each person recommending a prescription substitution using this product shall make such recommendation based on his/her professional knowledge and opinion, upon evaluating the active ingredients, inactive ingredients, excipients and chemical information provided herein.

Manufactured for: Apnar Pharma LP 4820 Lanier Road, Chino, CA, USA 91710 Rev.08/21

📋 Description 65 words ▾

Each gram of HYDROQUINONE USP, 4% SKIN BLEACHING CREAM contains 40 mg hydroquinone, in a cream base of Glyceryl Monostearate, Mineral Oil, PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, Polyoxl-40 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Purified water, sodium metabisulfite, Squalane and Stearic Acid. Chemically, hydroquinone is C6H6O2 and has a molecular weight of 110.11. The chemical name is 1,4 dihydroxybenzene, and the structural formula of hydroquinone is: Hydroquinone structure

⚠️ Precautions ~2 min read ▾

(see WARNINGS) General- Test for skin sensitivity before using by applying a small amount to an unbroken patch of skin; check within 24 hours. Minor redness is not a contraindication, but where there is itching or vesicle formation or excessive inflammatory response further treatment is not advised. Close patient supervision is recommended.

Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching agent which may produce unwanted cosmetic effects if not used as directed. The physician should be familiar with the contents of this insert before prescribing or dispensing this medication. Information for Patients- Sunscreen use is an essential aspect of hydroquinone therapy because even minimal sunlight sustains melanocytic activity.

To prevent repigmentation, during treatment and maintenance therapy, sun exposure on treated skin should be avoided by application of a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) or by use of protective clothing. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous mmembranes. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children.

In case of accidental ingestion, call a physician or a poison control center immediately. Drug Interactions- Patients are cautioned on concomitant use of medications that are known to be photosensitizing. Carcinogenesis , Mutagenesis , Impairment of Fertility - Studies of hydroquinone in animals have demonstrated some evidence of carcinogenicity.

The carcinogenic potential of hydroquinone in humans is unknown. Published studies have demonstrated that hydroquinone is a mutagen and a clastogen. Treatment with hydroquinone has resulted in positive findings for genetic toxicity in the Ames assay in bacterial strains sensitive to oxidizing mutagens, in in vitro studies in mammalian cells, and in the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects- Pregnancy Category C- Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical hydroquinone. It is also not known whether topical hydroquinone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Topical hydroquinone should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nurs ing Mothers- It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when topical hydroquinone is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use- Safety and effectiveness for pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.

📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel 29 words ▾

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 28.35 g Tube Carton NDC 24689-101-01 Rx Only Hydroquinone USP, 4% Skin Bleaching Cream Apnar Pharma LP Net Wt 1 oz (28.35g) Hydroquinone Cream_ Carton

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗

About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product Marketed without an FDA application

Listed without an FDA application

This product's marketing category indicates it is marketed without an approved FDA application (no NDA, ANDA, or BLA on file). Having an NDC does not by itself establish FDA approval — the NDC Directory is a listing system, not an approval decision. Approval-linked data such as Orange Book therapeutic-equivalence ratings therefore does not apply.

What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data — Not published for this NDC Applies only to products approved under an NDA/ANDA; many listings are out of scope.
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Is this NDC FDA-approved?
An NDC listing does not by itself establish FDA approval — the NDC Directory records that a product is listed with FDA, not that it was reviewed and approved. This listing's marketing category is "Unapproved Drug Other". Products approved under an application carry an NDA, ANDA, or BLA number.
Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The form printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed is the one the FDA registered. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero and the dashes are dropped. The Identity section at the top of this page lists each form of this code.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by APNAR PHARMA LP. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
APNAR PHARMA LP is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.
← 24689-0004-01 · Apnar 24689-0102-01 · APNAR →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.