Vaniqa

Generic Name: Eflornithine
Class: Skin and Mucous Membrane Agents, Miscellaneous
VA Class: DE900
Chemical Name: 2-(Difluoromethyl)-dl-ornithine monohydrochloride monohydrate
Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂F₂N₂O₂•HCl•H₂O
CAS Number: 67037-37-0

Introduction

Hair growth retardant.¹

Uses for Vaniqa

Reduction of Unwanted Facial Hair

Reduction of unwanted facial hair in women.^{1 2}

Vaniqa Dosage and Administration

General

• 
  

  Marked improvement may occur after 8 weeks of therapy.^{1 2} Hair growth usually returns to baseline levels 8 weeks after discontinuing therapy.^{1 2 8}

  
  

Administration

Topical Administration

Apply to skin as a 13.9% cream.^{1 2}

Apply only to affected areas of the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin; not intended for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.¹

Apply a thin film and rub in thoroughly.¹

Do not wash treated areas for at least 4 hours after application.^{1 2}

Continue hair removal techniques (e.g., plucking, tweezing, cutting, shaving), as needed, throughout treatment.¹ Do not apply cream for at least 5 minutes after hair removal.¹

May apply cosmetic products and sunscreens after cream has dried.^{1 2}

Dosage

Available as eflornithine hydrochloride; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.¹

Adults

Reduction of Unwanted Facial Hair

Topical

Apply a thin film twice daily at least 8 hours apart (or as directed by clinician).^{1 2}

If skin irritation or intolerance develops, reduce application frequency to once daily.^{1 8} If irritation continues, discontinue therapy.^{1 8}

Cautions for Vaniqa

Contraindications

• 
  

  Known hypersensitivity to eflornithine or any ingredient in the formulation.¹

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Discontinue therapy if hypersensitivity reactions occur.¹

General Precautions

Dermatologic Effects

Possible transient stinging or burning if applied to abraded or broken skin.^{1 2}

Skin irritation may occur in susceptible patients or in those using higher than recommended dosages.^{1 6 8}

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.¹

Lactation

Not known whether eflornithine is distributed into milk.¹ Caution if used in nursing women.¹

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in children <12 years of age.¹

Geriatric Use

No substantial differences in safety relative to younger adults.¹

Common Adverse Effects

Burning, stinging, and/or tingling skin; erythema; rash.^{1 2 6}

Interactions for Vaniqa

Not known whether topical eflornithine interacts with other topically applied drugs.¹

Vaniqa Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following topical application, percutaneous absorption is <1%.¹

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether eflornithine crosses the placenta or is distributed into milk.¹

Elimination

Metabolism

No evidence that eflornithine is metabolized.^{1 b}

Elimination Route

Any absorbed eflornithine is excreted in urine as unchanged drug.^{1 b}

Half-life

Approximately 8 hours at steady state.^{1 b}

Stability

Storage

Topical

25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C); do not freeze.¹

ActionsActions

• 
  

  Retards the rate of hair growth.¹ Reduces unwanted hair growth ^{1 2 8} and may cause hair to become finer and lighter.²

  
  


• 
  

  Precise mechanism of action is unknown.^{1 2 8} May inhibit ornithine decarboxylase, which catalyzes biosynthesis of intracellular polyamines required for cell division and differentiation;^{1 2 3 4 7} inhibition of cell division and differentiation may reduce rate of hair growth.^{1 5}

  
  

Advice to Patients

• 
  

  Importance of providing patient a copy of manufacturer’s patient information.^{1 8}

  
  


• 
  

  Eflornithine retards hair growth; it is not a depilatory agent.^{1 8} Continue hair removal techniques (e.g., plucking, tweezing, cutting, shaving) as needed.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Improvement may be seen within 4–8 weeks of initiating therapy; however, condition may return to pretreatment levels 8 weeks after discontinuing therapy.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^{1 8}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Eflornithine Hydrochloride

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Topical	Cream	13.9%	Vaniqa	Skinmedica

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 03/2011. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Vaniqa 13.9% Cream (SKINMEDICA INC): 30/$70.99 or 60/$133.98

Vaniqa 13.9% Cream (SKINMEDICA INC): 60/$120.99 or 120/$241.98

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions July 2005. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

References

1. Bristol-Myers Squibb. Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9% cream) prescribing information and patient information. Plainsboro, NJ; 2000 Jul 27.

2. Anon. Eflornithine cream for facial hair reduction. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2000; 42:96. [PubMed 11015161]

3. Paulson YJ, Gilman TM, Heseltine PNR et al. Eflornithine treatment of refractory Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Chest. 1992; 101:67-74. [IDIS 290171] [PubMed 1729113]

4. Marion Merrell Dow. Ornidyl (eflornithine hydrochloride for injection concentrate). Kansas City, MO; 1990 Nov.

5. Hynd PI, Nancarrow MJ. Inhibition of polyamine synthesis alters hair follicle function and fiber composition. J Invest Dermatol. 1996; 106:249-53. [PubMed 8601724]

6. Hickman JG, Huber F, Palmisano M. Human dermal safety studies with eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream (Vaniqa), a novel treatment for excessive facial hair. Curr Med Res Opin. 2001; 16:235-44. [PubMed 11268707]

7. Milord F, Pépin J, Loko L et al. Efficacy and toxicity of eflornithine for treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness. Lancet. 1992; 340:652-55. [IDIS 302125] [PubMed 1355219]

8. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Plainsboro, NJ; personal communication.

a. Women First HealthCare. Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride) cream 13.9%, prescribing information and patient information. San Diego, CA; 2002 Sep.

b. Malhotra B, Noveck R, Behr D et al. Percutaneous absorption and pharmacokinetics of eflornithine HCL 13.9% cream in women with unwanted facial hair. J Clin Pharmacol. 2001; 41:972-8. [PubMed 11549102]

More Vaniqa resources

• Vaniqa Side Effects (in more detail)
• Vaniqa Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Vaniqa Support Group
• 8 Reviews for Vaniqa - Add your own review/rating

• Vaniqa Topical Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Vaniqa Cream MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Vaniqa Consumer Overview

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