Vaniqa: Managing expectations is key to success

Patient expectations should be managed to ensure treatment with Vaniqa is successful. Some women will see results after 8 weeks of treatment. However, continued treatment may result in further improvement and is necessary to maintain beneficial effects (Wolf 2007). Use should be discontinued if no beneficial effects are noticed within 4 months of commencing therapy.

Vaniqa treatment timeline

Clinical management aid: The role of Vaniqa in the clinical management of facial hirsutism

Consultation before treatment with Vaniqa

Because Vaniqa is a topical cream, some patients may expect Vaniqa to act immediately, like a hair removal cream. Unrealistic expectations and the subsequent disappointment may cause compliance issues. It is important that these realistic expectations be established with the patient at the outset of treatment. Patients may need to consider using their preferred hair removal method (e.g. plucking, waxing) in conjunction with Vaniqa.

Vaniqa is applied twice daily

A thin layer of the cream should be applied to clean and dry affected areas and rubbed in thoroughly twice daily, at least eight hours apart. For maximal efficacy, the treated area should not be cleansed within 4 hours of application. Cosmetics (including sunscreens) can be applied over the treated areas, but no sooner than 5 minutes after the cream is applied.

Efficacy has only been demonstrated for affected areas of the face and under the chin. Application should be limited to these areas. The product should be applied such that no visual residual product remains on the treated areas after rub-in.

Vaniqa can be used in conjunction with other treatment options

Vaniqa is an easy-to-use, topically applied treatment which can be used with all other options to treat facial hirsutism, including systemic therapy. Vaniqa can slow hair growth and may reduce the frequency of the need for hair removal by other means (Shapiro 2005). In particular, Vaniqa enhances the management of facial hirsutism as an adjunct to laser therapy. Trials have demonstrated that laser therapy plus Vaniqa is more effective than laser therapy plus a placebo cream. Vaniqa appears to have a synergistic effect with this type of treatment
(Hamzavi 2007).

Treatment evaluation and reappointment

Patients should be scheduled for a visit to assess the treatment success after 4 months on Vaniqa, at which time most patients will present with improvement of the symptoms. However, if no response is seen after 4 months of Vaniqa application, withdrawal from this treatment option is recommended (see interactive timeline above).

Vaniqa is a continuous topical therapy for all skin and hair types

	Vaniqa can produce a significant reduction in hair growth within 8 weeks of starting therapy, but maintaining treatment is key to therapeutic success. The benefits of Vaniqa only last while treatment continues and diminish once treatment has stopped, with the return of hair growth back to levels before treatment initiation.
	Vaniqa is effective on all skin and hair types.
	Vaniqa’s efficacy and tolerability have been demonstrated in an extensive clinical programme involving over 1,500 subjects in clinical studies. Vaniqa slows down hair growth through a specific mode of action, regardless of whether the unwanted facial hair is due to hereditary or medical conditions.
	Vaniqa specifically inhibits the ornithine decarboxylase, one of the key enzymes involved in the growth of the hair shaft on the hair follicle. Because of its topical use and very low absorption rate, no systemic action could be observed.
	According to the clinical trials, side effects with Vaniqa are primarily mild and resolve without intervention or discontinuation. Only burning, stinging, tingling skin, rash and erythema were noted in a higher percentage of Vaniqa-treated subjects than in the placebo group.
	Acne was the most frequently reported side effect. It was primarily mild and resolved without intervention.