Westerhoff formula cream

Westerhoff formula cream is a topical triple combination therapy developed and studied by the Pak Emirates Military Hospital for the treatment of melasma. The formulation consists of 4.7% N-acetylcysteine, 2% hydroquinone, and 0.1% triamcinolone acetate. Hydroquinone acts as a skin-depigmenting agent by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, thereby blocking the conversion of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) to melanin. N-acetylcysteine serves as an antioxidant and a precursor to glutathione, which can shift melanogenesis from eumelanin to pheomelanin and provide cytoprotective effects. Triamcinolone acetate is a medium-potency corticosteroid included to mitigate the inflammatory response and irritation often associated with topical hydroquinone and N-acetylcysteine application. This combination is typically applied twice daily for a duration of 8 weeks.

Other names

Triple combination creamWesterhoff formulaN-acetylcysteine + hydroquinone + triamcinolone acetate cream