Monobenzone
Clinical data
Other namesHydroquinone benzyl ether, Hydroquinone monobenzyl ether, Benzyl p-hydroxyphenyl ether, Benzyl hydroquinone, Benzoquin, 4-(phenylmethoxy)phenol
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
Routes of
administration		Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • CA: Unscheduled
  • US: ℞-only Unscheduled
Identifiers
  • 4-(benzyloxy)phenol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.002.804
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC13H12O2
Molar mass200.237 g·mol−1
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Monobenzone, also called 4-(Benzyloxy)phenol and monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is an organic chemical in the phenol family with chemical formula C6H5CH2OC6H4OH.[1][2] It is used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation.[3] It is a colourless solid that is classified as the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone is soluble in alcohol, benzene, and diethyl ether, and practically insoluble in water.

Pharmacology

The topical application of monobenzone in animals increases the excretion of melanin from 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.

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. Therefore, 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. Monobenzone is also being considered for the treatment of melanoma.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "4-(Benzyloxy)phenol - Substance Summary". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "4-(Benzyloxy)phenol, 98%". ChemExper. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Monobenzone topical". eMedicineHealth. WebMD, Inc. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "Monobenzone as Immunotherapy for Melanoma". jwatch. Retrieved 2012-06-26.

Further reading

  • "Monobenzone". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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