Vaniqa

Vaniqa is a prescription medication used to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. 

It belongs to a group of drugs called other dermatologicals. It works to slow the growth of facial hair. 

This medication comes in cream form and is typically applied to the face and under the chin twice a day, at least 8 hours apart. 

Common side effects of Vaniqa include acne, hair bumps, and stinging/burning of the skin. 

Vaniqa is a prescription medication used to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. It is only for use on the face and surrounding areas under the chin. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Allergan, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Vaniqa.  See "Vaniqa Precautions" section.

Common side effects of Vaniqa include:

• acne
• folliculitis (hair bumps)
• stinging or burning of the skin
• headache
• dry skin
• itching or tingling of the skin
• redness or irritation of the skin
• indigestion
• rash
• hair loss
• dizziness

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Vaniqa. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA­-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, or using any facial or skin creams. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Vaniqa including the following: 

• Allergic reactions. Your doctor may discontinue Vaniqa if you experience an allergic reaction. 
• Skin irritation. If skin irritation or intolerance develops to Vaniqa, your doctor may reduce the frequency of application from twice a day to once a day. If irritation continues, your doctor may discontinue Vaniqa. 

Vaniqa may cause temporary redness, rash, burning, stinging or tingling, especially when the skin is damaged. If irritation continues, stop use of Vaniqa and contact your doctor. 

Vaniqa is for external use ONLY. 

Do not use Vaniqa if you:

• are allergic to Vaniqa or to any of its ingredients
• if you are less than 12 years of age

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Vaniqa, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before using Vaniqa, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Vaniqa or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, or using any facial or skin creams.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Vaniqa falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Vaniqa should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Vaniqa crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Vaniqa.

Use Vaniqa only for the condition for which it was prescribed by your doctor.

This medication comes in cream form and is to be used twice daily, at least eight hours apart, or as directed by your doctor. 

Follow the instructions for application of Vaniqa carefully. 

• Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa to the affected areas of the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin and rub in thoroughly.
• Do not wash the treatment areas for at least 4 hours after application of Vaniqa.
• Wash your hands after each application. 
• Avoid getting the medication in your eyes or inside your nose or mouth. If the product gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor.

If you forget or miss a dose of Vaniqa, do not try to “make it up”. Return to your normal application schedule as soon as you can.

You may use your normal cosmetics or sunscreen after applying Vaniqa, but you should wait a few minutes to allow the treatment to be absorbed before applying them.

Vaniqa does not permanently remove hair or "cure" unwanted facial hair. You will need to continue your normal procedures for hair removal. 

Improvement in the condition occurs gradually. Don't be discouraged if you see no immediate improvement. Be patient. Improvement may be seen as early as 4 to 8 weeks of treatment. Improvement may take longer in some individuals. If no improvement is seen after 6 months of use, discontinue use. Clinical studies show that in about 8 weeks after stopping treatment with Vaniqa, the hair will return to the same condition as before beginning treatment. 

If your condition gets worse with treatment, stop use of Vaniqa and contact your doctor.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended dosage regimen of Vaniqa (eflornithine) is application twice a day, at least 8 hours apart. 

Information is not available for overdosage. However, if you have used high doses of Vaniqa, such as multiple tubes a day, or have swallowed the cream, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at 25°C (77°F).
• Do not freeze. 
• Do not give it to other people or allow other people to use it. 
• Keep this medication and all medications out of the reach of children.