Eflornithine - Safe and Tolerable

Vaniqa: Safety and tolerability

In a key study of the long-term safety of eflornithine, Vaniqa was well tolerated over the entire treatment duration period, when applied twice daily for one year (Schrode 2000b). In addition, contact sensitisation, phototoxicity, and photosensitisation reactions may be a potential issue with a regularly applied topical medication. However, Vaniqa has not been shown to be associated with these possible side effects (Hickman 2001).

Vaniqa: Tolerability profile

	Vaniqa is well tolerated, with a low degree of percutaneous absorption and low systemic exposure (SPC 2010).
	Side effects, such as acne, are primarily mild and resolve without intervention (SPC 2010).
	Almost no difference was observed in worsening of pre-existing acne in Vaniqa (7%) and placebo (8%) treated patients. Nor was any difference observed in new onset of acne in Vaniqa vs. placebo treated patients (SPC 2010).
	Vaniqa does not have contact sensitising, photocontact allergic or phototoxic properties (Hickman 2001).

Vaniqa: Easily incorporated into daily life

Vaniqa can be co-prescribed with, and complements, other methods of facial hair control (SPC 2010, Shapiro 2005).
  • A non-hormonal topical treatment.
  • Vaniqa and laser combination is well tolerated.

Vaniqa should be applied twice daily. Vaniqa is cosmetically acceptable and easily applied (SPC 2010).
  • A light, fragrance-free cream in a 60g tube.
  • Apply a thin layer twice daily, at least 8 hours apart.
  • Apply at least 5 minutes after shaving or other methods of hair removal (e.g. plucking).
  • Cosmetics or sunscreens may be applied over treated areas just 5 minutes after Vaniqa has been applied.
  • 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 (Wolf 2007).

The effects of Vaniqa after discontinuation of treatment

The effects of Vaniqa after discontinuation of treatment
Once treatment is stopped, hair growth will revert back to levels before treatment initiation (Wolf 2007)

	Vaniqa is cosmetically acceptable and easily applied (SPC 2010)
	Vaniqa should be used twice daily, on a continual basis (SPC 2010). If no beneficial effects are noticed within 4 months, discontinue use.
	Vaniqa is well tolerated (Schrode 2000b) and can be used with common hair removal methods, laser therapy and oral contraceptives (Shapiro 2005, Hamzavi 2007, SPC 2010)