Alera

Generic name: Hydroquinone Topical
Drug class: Topical depigmenting agents

Usage of Alera

Alera (for the skin) is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots, melasma (sun damage), or chloasma (darkened skin caused by hormonal changes).

Alera may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Alera side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alera may cause serious side effects. Stop using Alera and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe skin redness, burning, or stinging;

severe skin dryness, cracking, or bleeding;

blisters or oozing; or

blue or black discoloration of the skin (especially if you are Hispanic or African-American).

Common side effects of Alera may include:

mild burning or stinging of treated skin; or

mild itching, redness, or other irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Alera

You should not use Alera if you are allergic to hydroquinone or peroxide.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

liver or kidney disease;

asthma or sulfite allergy; or

if you are using any antibiotic medicine.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old without medical advice.

Relate drugs

How to use Alera

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Alera is usually applied each morning and at bedtime. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.

Before you start using Alera, use a "test dose" to see if you have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Apply a very small amount of the medicine to a small area of healthy skin, and check the area within 24 hours. If there is no reaction other than minor redness, begin using the full prescribed amount of the medicine.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine, unless you are using it to treat the skin on your hands.

Apply this medicine only to the affected skin areas that need to be lightened. Try not to get any medicine on the skin around these areas.

Do not use Alera on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 months, or if your condition gets worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the container tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Alera

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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