Benoquin DescriptionMonobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone occurs as a white, almost tasteless crystalline powder, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in water.
Each gram of Benoquin Cream contains 200 mg of monobenzone USP, in a water-washable base consisting of purified water USP, cetyl alcohol NF, propylene glycol USP, sodium lauryl sulfate NF and white wax NF.
Benoquin - Clinical PharmacologyBenoquin Cream 20% is a depigmenting agent whose mechanism of action is not fully understood.
The topical application of monobenzone in animals, increases the excretion of melanin from the melanocytes. The same action is thought to be responsible for the depigmenting effect of the drug in humans. 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. The histology of the skin after depigmentation with topical monobenzone is the same as that seen in vitiligo; the epidermis is normal except for the absence of identifiable melanocytes.
Indications and Usage for BenoquinBenoquin Cream 20% is indicated for final depigmentation in extensive Vitiligo.
Benoquin Cream 20% is applied topically to permanently depigment normal skin surrounding vitiliginous lesions in patients with disseminated (greater than 50 percent of body surface area) idiopathic vitiligo.
Benoquin Cream 20% is not recommended in freckling; hyperpigmentation caused by photosensitization following the use of certain perfumes (berlock dermatitis); melasma (chloasma) of pregnancy; or hyperpigmentation resulting from inflammation of the skin. Benoquin Cream 20% is not effective for the treatment of cafe-au-lait spots, pigmented nevi, malignant melanoma or pigmentation resulting from pigments other than melanin (e.g.: bile, silver, or artificial pigments).
ContraindicationsBenoquin Cream 20% contains a potent depigmenting agent and is not a cosmetic skin bleach. Use of Benoquin Cream 20% is contraindicated in any conditions other than disseminated vitiligo. Benoquin Cream 20% frequently produces irreversible depigmentation, and it must not be used as a substitute for hydroquinone.
Benoquin Cream 20% is also contraindicated in individuals with a history of sensitivity or allergic reactions to this product, or any of its ingredients.
WarningsBenoquin Cream 20% is a potent depigmenting agent, not a mild cosmetic bleach. Do not use except for final depigmentation in extensive vitiligo.
Keep this, and all medications out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, call a physician or a Poison Control Center immediately.
Precautions(See Warnings):
GeneralBenoquin Cream 20% is for External Use Only. Following therapy with Benoquin Cream 20%, the skin will be sensitive for the rest of the patient’s life. He/she must use sunscreens during exposure to the sun.
Information for the PatientBenoquin Cream 20% contains a potent depigmenting agent and is not a cosmetic skin bleach. Use of Benoquin Cream 20% is contraindicated in any conditions other than disseminated vitiligo. Use only for final depigmentation in extensive vitiligo. Areas of normal skin distant to the site of Benoquin Cream 20% application may become depigmented, and irregular, excessive, unsightly, and frequently permanent depigmentation may occur.
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertilityNo long term studies have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential.
Pregnancy: Category CAnimal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Benoquin Cream 20%. It is also not known whether Benoquin Cream 20% can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, or can affect reproduction capacity. Benoquin Cream 20% should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing MothersIt is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Benoquin Cream 20% is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric UseThe safety and effectiveness of Benoquin Cream 20% in pediatric patients below the age of 12 years have not been established.
Adverse ReactionsMild, transient skin irritation and sensitization, including erythematous and eczematous reactions have occurred following topical application of Benoquin Cream 20%. Although those reactions are usually transient, treatment with Benoquin Cream 20% should be discontinued if irritation, a burning sensation, or dermatitis occur. Areas of normal skin distant to the site of Benoquin Cream 20% application frequently have become depigmented, and irregular, excessive, unsightly, and frequently permanent depigmentation has occurred.
Benoquin Dosage and AdministrationA thin layer of Benoquin Cream 20% should be applied and rubbed into the pigmented area two or three times daily, or as directed by physician. Prolonged exposure to sunlight should be avoided during treatment with Benoquin Cream 20%, or a sunscreen should be used.
Depigmentation is usually accomplished after one to four months of Benoquin Cream 20% treatment. If satisfactory results are not obtained after four months of Benoquin Cream 20% treatment, the drug should be discontinued. When the desired degree of depigmentation is obtained, Benoquin Cream 20% should be applied only as often as needed to maintain depigmentation (usually only two times weekly).
[DEPIGMENTATION FORUM]
[After being “banned” from a “x” forum that more than a forum honestly it’s a fake business trying to sell products without prescriptions and not even a real customer service…I decided that was time to create a depigmentation forum that focus about depigmentation. the main reason is to give and recieve information around the world build a new community where you can find people with similiar goals, make new friends, give opinions and information and just be part of something that we really are looking to be. I really didn’t even know or tough about creating a new forum ’till Omar a guy from new jersy inspired me just ‘cuz he wrote first an depigmentation blog just like this and then a forum. so then i tough to myself. hey I can do that too. so here we are. trying to do some contribution to my society and by the way not copying at all.]
http://depigmentation.freeforums.org/index.php
[MY PERSONAL JOURNEY]
[ I started to really want to depigment many years ago but no ’till last year around February 2006 that I did a long research on-line about depigmentation and the only depigment agent that really kills melanocites… (monobenzone). so I decided that was time for me to start the dream of my life… once I read and look all over the internet about the good and bads I was sure more than ever that my life will start to change and YES I do have vitiligo.]
[February, 2006. I ordered from China. my first “sample” of monobenzone cream. I got it without any prescriptions. I started to apply it to my body. My big inspiration at that point in my life that actually I found it on-line was Dr. Vikki in her article ” My Prescription for Depigmentation“ http://www.bitchwithstyle.com I didn’t really see any changes but I knew that I takes from 1 - 4 months to see real results. so I was very happy applying every single day. I did a nice and happy rutine. and honestly I even enjoyed applying monobenzone to my body. Feets, legs, arms, torso,chest and neck. then I decided that my “sample” was running out. so I decided again to buy more monobenzone cream from china, this time I got 50% compound cream. my contact was a person in China who was very fast and sounded professional trough email. So from march till around August 2006 I was happy with my results so far. [I don’t have any pics to show from that time] but results where showing every single day more and more.. i noticed that my feet’s started to depigment like behind my knees a big white spots.. you could tell that something was happening… I didn’t really noticed that I was depigmenting my arms and my chest and stomach too. seems to happen so slow and evenly that it’s really hard to tell in some part of your body. but at the same time something that took my attention was going on. my the trunk of my penis was starting to appear a small dark spots the were small but they got bigger with more and more applications of monobenzone… as well my knees turned very dark my elbows and my ankles and in my hands my knuckles they still were dark. and seems like they didn’t want to depigment… oh well I was happy for most of the part. but I stopped monobenzone from august 2006 till almost january 2007 when I got my second [1kilogram] of “pure micromonobenzone powder” from an online source that didn’t ask for a prescription either. So as soon as i got my monobenzone podwer and at that time being a member of a depig forum on-line where I used to read a lot “sellers” and people maybe in the same situation like me I didn’t really believe to much but still I had to believe in some people to help me out or at least to help me figured out how to keep in track. the forum was good at that point ‘cuz made me realize that is a lot people out there with same goals and dreams in life. so it’s always nice to share that. actually I got my last monobenzone podwer from the store who owns the forum where I was member till someone decided to kick me off [lol]. no big deal.. at that time I made a really good friend who still now goes to that forum occasionally].
[From january till around august everything was going great! people started to notice my “pale” so even at work people started to tell me comments like “you looks so pale” or ” you need a tan” so that really made me realize that monobenzone was doing the job! (’cuz before I don’t think so nobody could told me that I need a “tan” ‘cuz I’m already tan.. so hope it makes sense..) I was super happy. feeling that happy super feeling inside. that maybe I always wanted to feel. but something happened around end of august. I remember right before I started to sundly get re-pigmentation in my face.. that I did went to the zoo one Sunday and I did remember I took a lot son cuz even with umbrella the sun was so strong and of course I was in Florida! [that’s the only thing that I remember that could cause my re-pigmentation?] but honestly not sure. it could just be my body fighting back the monobenzone? and It was so fast that i think not even 3 weeks my face was almost completely re-pigmented so I had my original color back in my face! the time from where I started to repigmenting was so sad and bad that I really felt DOWN most all the time. really bad. I never felt like that before. like I didn’t want to go out, or hang out with friends or even go to work! So I decided to go to a derma. the first dr. who saw me said that i had vitiligo. because the dark spots in my elbows and knuckles in my hands were still dark. and at that time decided to go to buy some camouflage. so finally i found this wonderful product that in my opinion it’s really great! very natural looking and long lasting. http://www.dermablend.com/the idea that use “make up” made me feel so down but was the only thing that at the same time made me feel “normal” just ‘cuz seeing myself in the mirror with that horrible re-pigmentation [dark and white spots] was so not me].
[That Dr. prescribe me levothorid so i was taking that for almost 3 weeks. [I really don’t even know what I did that] but anyhow.. at that time i was so scared about monobenzone and thinking if I continue applying I ‘ll keep getting the ugly re-pigmentation specially in my face… so that made me stop and I didn’t really want to apply more ’till see a dr. so from August to beginning of October i was continue repigmenting and I decided to go to a local Dr. so I did. this time the dr was nicer and more open to the first one. so he said that I do have vitiligo and he said that my “vitiligo” was very ex-tense cuz he saw my body, my arms and my legs and he really tough that i was pretty much already depigmented. but the true was that i never told him that I was using monobenzone for almost a year. so he just figured out that i had vitiligo. so he did mention benoquin and I could tell he knew the drug but not really in deep. so he prescribe me benoquin. and he said come and see me again in January].
[After that visit was so funny because i had the benoquin prescription in my hands. it’s amazing but “monobenzone” or whatever it was i was applying to my body it was working. definitly not evenly in all my body but it was working.
[I was still very skeptical about continue or not using monobenzone my own mix cream that i made before. it helped a lot being part of a vitiligo forum. and exactly was there where I found Dr. Resnik http://www.resnikskininstitute.comsearching for a Dr who really knows about depigmentation in Florida. so I went to see him. with a lot of questions to need to be answer by him and his experience using benoquin].
[please read all the questions and answers that i got from Dr Resnisk. on http://depigmentation.freeforums.org/ ]
[At this point I really believe that depigmenting it’s a very challenging treatment and a very long and expensive one too. a side of everything else. it’s the psychological physical and social stress that I’m still going trough. the question to be make at this point could be… It is really worth it? or why?]
[Honestly I’m still thinking about the answers. my mind working faster lately lol. I think it’s worth it. just because the color that I’m in love is the color underneath my “tan color” and it’s not a pale white paper color. not at all it’s so natural and so beautiful. that just thinking about it makes me do it again go all over again. applying every day monobenzone in my body trying to kill the melanocites and let my real skin color shine. not because what people will see, but what I want to really see. myself. my own skin color. that’s all about it. why? it’s a really hard question. it’s just because I feel the that way. that makes me happy. makes me feel complete and be real].
[for now I decided that I’ll continue using monobenzone. I’ll try to do all over my body but no my face.or my part just because it’s very strong that really burn in that areas. arms and legs are pretty OK but even sometimes it hurt a little bit for while after applying it. my body is responding ok to the treatment but the only bad thing is my re-pigmentation. and I really hope this could be the last time i ll have it. I really hope that using every single day monobenzone It will kill the melanocities and every day will be harder for then to re-pigment. the dr. told me that I need to use it always. because if not the risk in repigmenting is high. but everybody it’s different and this is just my personal experience so your case could be different].
[hope this can really help someone out there who’s reading and hoping for answers. this is my own journey and I decided I wanted to be the this way. hope you will find the strenght and knowledge in your life].
[I’ll keep updating my treatment and hopefully one day stop here and tell ya that my skin is totally all over even white].
[COMPOUND MONOBENZONE CREAM 20%]
[Finally… last nov. 16th I got my first 120 grams of compound monobenzone cream 20% from leesburg pharmacy. http://www.leesburgpharmacy.com/ I’m so happy! you only need a prescription from your dr. and actually he needs to fax it and you got the real product. I’m so happy now I’m gonna start again my treatment. I been applying the cream in my neck, arms [where I still have some repigmentation] but i think is fading away. thanks god! I apply to my feets and behind my ears and hands at night and sometimes during the day. so twice a day application is my goal to see faster results. the questions is .. I don’t know how long will last me 120 grams.. I’m hoppin will be around 2 weeks? so the cost of monobenzone per month will be around 240$, or so. not bad because I’m getting a real product trough a real pharmacy and compound laboratory].
[UPDATE DECEMBER 2007]
[ Just before xmas I’m start to feeling great again. Monobenzone it’s working great. and my repigmentation due maybe to the “monobenzone” that i got online is fading away. thanks god!!! I don’t support for any reason buy monobenzone from online sellers. (VERY DANGEROUS)!!! please if you think about depigmentation and if you do have vitiligo please visit your Dr. and ask about monobenzone. I learned my lesson. first time i got monobenzone online and i paid the price. I’ll update soon with pictures. for now that’s all. o yeah.. btw seems like i got banned from VIS??? why?? no idea. but I do believe that was no reason for that].
