Vaniqa cream contains the active ingredient eflornithine, which is a medicine used to reduce the rate of unwanted facial hair growth in women. This is a condition called hirsutism.
What is it used for?
- Treatment of excessive hair growth on the face (facial hirsutism) in women.
How does it work?
- Vaniqa cream contains the active ingredient eflornithine, which is a medicine used to reduce the rate of unwanted facial hair growth in women. This is a condition called hirsutism. The unwanted hair is usually grows around the lips or under the chin. It may be associated with hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or with treatment with certain medicines.
- Eflornithine works by blocking the action of an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase. This is an enzyme found in hair follicles and is needed for hair to grow. By blocking this enzyme, eflornithine slows down hair growth.
- The cream is applied to the affected areas of skin to reduce the growth of unwanted hair.
- Eflornithine only slows down the growth of unwanted hair.
How do I use it?
- Vaniqa cream should be applied to the affected areas of the face and under the chin twice a day, at least eight hours apart.
- Clean and dry the affected areas of skin first, then apply the cream in a thin layer. Rub it in thoroughly until you you can't see it.
- Don't apply the cream immediately after removing hair. You should wait for at least five minutes before applying Vaniqa if you have shaved, plucked or used hair removal creams on the area, as otherwise the cream could cause burning or stinging.
- Avoid applying the cream to skin that is broken or irritated.
- Take care to avoid getting the cream inside your mouth or nose, or in your eyes. Rinse the area with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
- Wash your hands after applying the cream.
- For maximum effect, you should not clean the treated area of skin within four hours of applying the cream. You can use cosmetics (including sunscreens) on the treated areas, but don’t apply them for at least five minutes after you have applied the cream.
Use with caution in
- Women with decreased kidney or liver function.
- Not to be used in
- Girls aged under 18 years.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Males.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. You should use an alternative method to manage facial hair if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Get further advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by women who are breastfeeding. Get further advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Acne (usually mild).
Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)
- Burning, stinging or tingling skin.
- Dry skin.
- Redness of the skin.
- Rash.
- Itching.
- Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis).
Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)
- Ingrown hair.
- Swelling of the face or mouth.
- Cold sores.
- Reduced skin pigmentation.
- Abnormal hair texture and growth.
- Dermatitis.
- Skin bleeding or blistering.
- Numb lips.
Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)
- Skin tightness.
- Skin cysts.
- Chronic skin disorder called rosacea, where the nose and cheeks are abnormally inflamed and red.
- Blistering rash.
- Worsening of hirsutism.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
- This medicine is not known to affect any other medicines. However, as with all medicines, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.
You can apply cosmetics (including sunscreens) to the areas of skin treated with this medicine, but don’t apply them any sooner than five minutes after applying Vaniqa cream.
References:
https://www.rxlist.com/vaniqa-drug.htm
http://www.vaniqa.com
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-hair/a8628/vaniqa-cream-eflornithine/
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-19859/vaniqa-topical/details
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6398/smpc
https://www.drugs.com/vaniqa.html
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