Monobenzone Cream 20% w/w

Albaquin is a skin cream containing the compound, Monobenzone used for skin depigmentation in the treatment of loss of skin color in vitiligo characterized by white patches on the skin due to loss of melanocytes. It works by decreasing the amount of melanin and brings about uniform coloring of the patient's skin. This cream is not effective in treating hyper-pigmentation resulting from other pigments.

Uses

Albaquin is used to treat the uneven appearance of the skin due to a loss of skin color in vitiligo. It works by permanently removing color from normal skin located around skin with vitiligo and causes destruction of melanocytes and permanent depigmentation. This helps to make the appearance of the skin even. Albaquin is used in case of extensive / advanced condition of Generalised Vitiligo where most of the body goes white and when depigmentation is the only option to give a uniform white color to the skin.

Mechanism Of Action

Monobenzone is a depigmenting agent whose mechanism of action is not fully understood. Monobenzone, applied topically to the skin, is used as a depigmenting agent inhibiting melanin produced by polymerization of oxidation products of tyrosine and dihydroxyphenyl compounds. Monobenzone works by permanently removing color from normal skin located around skin with vitiligo.

Monobenzone may cause destruction of melanocytes and permanent depigmentation. This effect is erratic and may take one to four months to occur while existing melanin is lost with normal sloughing of the stratum corneum. Hyperpigmented skin appears to fade more rapidly than does normal skin, and exposure to sunlight reduces the depigmenting effect of the drug.

Administration

• Apply a thin layer of Albaquin to the normal colored skin area which requires depigmentation usually two to three times daily or as directed by physician. There is no recommended dose for children under 12 years of age except under the advice and supervision of a physician.
• It may take up to 4 months before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Once the desired skin color is achieved, this medication is applied only as needed to maintain the new skin color (usually 2 times a week). Use Albaquin cream regularly to get the most benefit from it.
• Inform the doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 4 months.

Side Effects

Mild burning, irritation, redness, cracking, or peeling of the treated skin may occur. If any of these effects worsen, tell your doctor. Skin that is not treated with Monobenzone may also become discolored or irregular in appearance. Sometimes these effects may be permanent.

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Precaution

• This medication is for use on the skin only.  Albaquin cream should be applied with a patch test for 48 h to detect hypersensitivity.
• Avoid application of Albaquin to the eyelids and areas close to the eye.
• Avoid getting this product in your eyes or on the inside of your nose or mouth. If the cream is accidentally applied in these areas, flush with plenty of water.
• After using this medication, the skin will be permanently affected and sensitive to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Always use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater, and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Warning

• Monobenzone is a potent depigmenting agent, neither a skin fairness cream nor mild cosmetic bleach. Do not use unless prescribed by your doctor or without strict supervision of a Physician.
• Do not use this drug to treat other skin discoloration problems ("sun spots," "age spots," freckles, skin discoloration caused by hormone medicine, perfumes, pregnancy, or skin trauma).
• Keep this out of reach of children.

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is a loss of brown color (skin color) from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white patches. This happens because melanocytes in the skin are destroyed. Vitiligo can also affect the mucous membranes (such as the tissue inside the mouth and nose) and the eye.The exact cause of Vitiligo is unknown however it is said to be an autoimmune skin disorder which means immune cells of the body destroy the melanocytes (cells that produce brown pigment melanin). It is also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to get the disorder.

Symptoms of vitiligo

White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo. These patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:

• The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)
• Around the mouth
• Eyes
• Nostrils
• Navel
• Genitals
• Rectal areas

People with vitiligo often have hair that turns grey early. Those with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.

Age Spots

Age spots, also called liver spots, are flat gray, brown or black spots. They occur due to sun damage, and are referred to by doctors as “solar lenities”. These small, darkened patches vary in size and usually appear on the hands and face or other areas frequently exposed to the sun. Though age spots are very common in adults older than age 40, they can affect younger people as well.

Melasma

Melasma also called as Chloasma is a dark skin discoloration that appears on sun-exposed areas of the face. These spots are similar in appearance to age spots but are larger areas of darkened skin that appear most often as a result of hormonal changes.

Melasma is a very common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, young women with brownish skin tones are at greatest risk. It is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and is especially common in pregnant women, women who are taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma.

Freckles

Freckles are flat, tanned circular spots that typically are the size of the head of a common nail. The spots are multiple and may develop randomly on the skin, especially after repeated exposure to sunlight. These are particularly common in people of fair complexion on upper-body skin areas like the cheeks, nose, arms, and upper shoulders. They may appear on people as young as age 1 or 2. Most freckles on a person's skin are usually uniform in color. On different people, freckles may vary somewhat in color -- they may be reddish, yellow, tan, light brown, brown, or black -- but they are basically slightly darker than the surrounding skin. They tend to become darker and more apparent after sun exposure and lighten in the winter months. Freckles are due to an increase in the amount of melanin and not due to an increase in the total number of melanocytes.

Science

Monobenzone is used as a topical medicine to permanently depigment normal skin surrounding vitiliginous lesions only in patients with disseminated (greater than 50 percent of body surface area) idiopathic vitiligo.