Hydroquinone vs. Lysteda for Skin Discoloration and Hemorrhage: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

hydroquinone cream

Tranexamic acid

(Lysteda)

Summary for Hydroquinone

Prescription only

Hydroquinone cream is used to bleach dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration) from certain skin conditions, such as freckles, melasma, and aging. Hydroquinone cream is applied to the skin, typically twice daily. It's important to protect yourself from the sun while you use this skin-lightening medication because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The most common side effects of hydroquinone cream include redness and stinging on the skin. Currently, hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only. The FDA no longer approves the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone cream.

Indications for Hydroquinone

Lightening or bleaching of dark spots on skin (hyperpigmentation)

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Applied to the skin
Can be stored at room temperature

Cons

Can cause skin dryness, redness, and stinging
Can cause blue-black skin discoloration, especially in black people
Must use sunscreen because exposure to sunlight can reverse effects of the medication

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

Skin dryness
Skin redness
Cracking of the skin
Stinging

Warnings for Hydroquinone

Allergic reaction
Blue-black skin discoloration
Skin darkening

Summary for Lysteda

Prescription only

Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) is a medication that's used to treat heavy menstrual periods in women who have the ability to have children. It helps lessen the amount of blood you lose during a heavy period. Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) is a tablet that's taken by mouth 3 times a day for up to 5 days of your monthly period. Side effects can include headache, back pain, and stomach pain. This medication might raise your risk for blood clots.

Indications for Lysteda

Heavy menstrual bleeding that happens during several menstrual cycles in a row

Pros and Cons for Lysteda

Pros

One of the few non-hormonal medications that can be used for heavy periods
Only need to take for up to 5 days during your period
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Need to take 3 times a day
Should avoid taking if you're using hormonal contraceptives (like birth control pills) because of risk for blood clots
Not a good option if you've had a blood clot or if you're at high risk for blood clots

Common Side Effects for Lysteda

Headache (50%)
Nasal and sinus symptoms (runny or stuffy nose, congestion; 25%)
Back pain (21%)
Stomach pain (20%)

Warnings for Lysteda

Risk of blood clots
Vision and eye problems
Severe allergic reactions

Prices with our coupons for Hydroquinone vs. Lysteda

Hydroquinone1 tube / 28.35g of 4%

$22.74$47.40

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Tranexamic Acid30 tablets / 650mg

$36.82$145.45

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Hydroquinone vs. Lysteda

hydroquinone cream

Tranexamic acid

Summary for Hydroquinone

Indications for Hydroquinone

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

Warnings for Hydroquinone

Summary for Lysteda

Indications for Lysteda

Pros and Cons for Lysteda

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lysteda

Warnings for Lysteda

Prices with our coupons for Hydroquinone vs. Lysteda

Compare other Skin Discoloration and Hemorrhage drugs

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hydroquinone cream

Tranexamic acid

Summary for Hydroquinone

Indications for Hydroquinone

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

Warnings for Hydroquinone

Summary for Lysteda

Indications for Lysteda

Pros and Cons for Lysteda

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lysteda

Warnings for Lysteda