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Expert Q&A
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| By Alesia Hanson, RPh Registered Pharmacist | ||
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My doctor prescribed Alphaquin HP for a dark spot. Are there any over-the-counter medications that work as well?
There are a couple of OTC creams with the same active ingredient as Alphaquin HP. Over-the-counter hydroquinone is only available in a 2 percent strength, which would be half the strength of the one you're using. It may not work as well, because it's only half as strong as what you've been using. You may have to ask your pharmacy to special order the creams for you because the over-the-counter skin lightening creams are not often carried everywhere. Any pharmacy should be able to get it for you though. Some names of creams to look for are Eldopaque, Esoterica, Palmers Skin Success Fade Cream or Solaquin. Some of these brand names are made in prescription strengths too, so be sure to specify that you need the over-the-counter version with 2 percent hydroquinone."
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