Vaniqa
Vaniqa (eflornithine) is a prescription cream that's used to reduce unwanted facial hair growth in women. Vaniqa (eflornithine) belongs to a group of medications called ornithine decarboxylase inhibitors (ODC). It blocks a protein called ODC in the skin to slow down hair growth. The cream is applied on the face and under the chin twice a day, with at least 8 hours in between. Potential side effects include acne and stinging skin.
Note: Vaniqa (eflornithine) was discontinued in 2023. An alternative medication with the same active ingredient is the brand Florexa, which is still available.
What is Vaniqa (eflornithine)?
What is Vaniqa (eflornithine) used for?
- Unwanted facial hair in women
How Vaniqa (eflornithine) works
Vaniqa (eflornithine) is a topical skin product that slows down the activity of the protein ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). ODC plays an important part in hair growth. Reducing this protein's activity leads to less cell production in the hair follicles. So when Vaniqa (eflornithine) is applied to the skin, it results in less hair growth.
Drug facts
Side effects of Vaniqa (eflornithine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Acne (11-21%)
- Razor bumps (5-16%)
- Stinging skin (4-8%)
- Headache (4%)
- Burning skin (4%)
- Itching (3-4%)
- Tingling skin (2-4%)
- Dry skin (2-3%)
- Rash (2-3%)
- Redness (1-3%)
- Skin irritation (1-2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Bleeding skin
- Chapped or swollen lips
- Numbness
- Red, itchy rash
- Cold sores
- Rosacea
The following Vaniqa (eflornithine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Convulsions (seizures)
loss of hearing
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Vaniqa (eflornithine)
Pros
- Lessens the need for facial hair removal by slowing down hair growth
- Can continue to use makeup and sunscreen
- Side effects are usually mild
Cons
- Doesn't stop hair growth completely
- Need to leave on for at least 4 hours before washing the area for the best results
- Can only be used on the face and affected areas under the chin
Pharmacist tips for Vaniqa (eflornithine)
- Continue your normal hair removal routines as needed while using Vaniqa (eflornithine). Wait at least 5 minutes after hair removal before applying Vaniqa (eflornithine).
- Rub Vaniqa (eflornithine) in well and don't wash the treated area for at least 4 hours after applying.
- You can apply makeup or sunscreen over the treated areas with Vaniqa (eflornithine) once the cream has dried. This usually takes a few minutes.
- If you experience skin irritation while using Vaniqa (eflornithine), you can talk to your prescriber about applying it just once daily instead of twice daily. If irritation continues, you might have to stop taking the medication altogether.
- Wash your hands after applying Vaniqa (eflornithine) and avoid getting it in your eyes or inside your nose or mouth. If the cream gets in your eyes, rinse them well with water and contact your prescriber.
- If you don't see any improvements in unwanted facial hair after using Vaniqa (eflornithine) for 6 months, contact your prescriber about other treatment options.
Common questions about Vaniqa (eflornithine)
Yes, Vaniqa (eflornithine) was discontinued by its manufacturer in early 2023. Another brand, Florexa, contains the same active ingredient and is still available on the market. Discuss alternative treatment options for unwanted hair growth with your dermatologist or primary care provider.
Typically not. There isn't enough information about how safe Vaniqa (eflornithine) is to use in men, or how well it works. The medication was FDA approved only for use in women over 12 years old based on clinical studies.
No. Vaniqa (eflornithine) isn't sold over the counter since it requires a prescription.
Don't use Vaniqa (eflornithine) on your head unless your prescriber told you to do so. It hasn't been studied this way, and it isn't known if it's safe or effective to use the medication on your head. Be careful when applying it to your face or chin, so that you only put it on areas where you would like to treat unwanted hair growth.
No, Vaniqa (eflornithine) won't permanently remove facial hair or completely stop hair from growing. It can slow down the growth of facial hair, but you'll likely still need to continue normal hair removal routines. However, you might have to do this less often as you keep using Vaniqa (eflornithine). After you stop using the medication, your hair will grow back the same as it did before in about 8 weeks.
Based on the way Vaniqa (eflornithine) works, it should slow down the growth of all types of facial hair in women. Clinical studies of Vaniqa (eflornithine) included over 1,370 women with multiple different skin types. But there aren't studies specifically comparing how well the medication works on different types of hair. If you have concerns about how well the medication is working for you, speak to your prescriber.
In clinical studies, 27% of people who used Vaniqa (eflornithine) saw marked improvement compared to 8% of people who used a placebo (no active medication) after 24 weeks. Additionally, 5% of people using Vaniqa (eflornithine) saw clear or almost clear skin.
You won't see results from Vaniqa (eflornithine) right away. Results can occur as early as 4 to 8 weeks after starting treatment, but it might take longer for some people. If you don't notice any improvement after 6 months you should talk to your prescriber.
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Risks and warnings for Vaniqa (eflornithine)
Vaniqa (eflornithine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
For external use only
Only use Vaniqa (eflornithine) on the skin, specifically on your face and the areas under your chin. If you apply this medication to broken skin, you might feel temporary stinging or burning at the application site. If this becomes bothersome, talk to your prescriber. If any gets in your eyes, rinse them immediately with water to prevent irritation or damage, and contact your prescriber.
Vaniqa (eflornithine) dosage
Typical dosage for Vaniqa (eflornithine)
Apply a thin layer to the affected areas on the face and under the chin twice a day, at least 8 hours apart.
Interactions between Vaniqa (eflornithine) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.