Vaniqa
Eflornithine
Eflornithine 13,9% cream
What is this medicine?
Eflornithine interferes with a chemical in the hair follicles of the skin. This results in slower hair growth where the cream is applied. Eflornithine is used to reduce unwanted facial hair in women. It does not permanently remove hair or "cure" unwanted facial hair. However it will help you manage your condition and improve your appearance. Eflornithine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should my health care professional know before I take this medicine?
Do not use Eflornithine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. Eflornithine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether eflornithine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether eflornithine passes into breast milk. Do not use this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. This medicine has not been approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. Eflornithine is for external use only. Continue to use Eflornithine even if you do not see immediate results. Reduction in facial hair occurs gradually. Improvement may be seen as early as 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, however it may take longer in some individuals. If no improvement is seen after 6 months of use, treatment should be discontinued. Hair growth may return to pretreatment levels approximately 8 weeks after discontinuation of treatment.
How should I take this medicine?
Eflornithine is for external use only. Apply Eflornithine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Eflornithine does not permanently remove hair or "cure" unwanted facial hair. It is not a hair remover (depilatory). You will need to continue using your current hair removal techniques. Eflornithine will help you manage your condition and improve your appearance. his medicine is for external use only. The cream is usually applied twice daily, at least eight hours apart, or as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands before and after each application. Remove any facial hair that is present using your current hair removal techniques. Wait at least 5 minutes after hair removal before applying Eflornithine. Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected areas of the face and nearby affected areas under the chin and rub it in thoroughly. Do not wash the treatment areas for at least 4 hours after application. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this occurs, wash the area with water. If the cream gets in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water and contact your doctor. Eflornithine may cause temporary redness, rash, burning, stinging, or tingling, especially if it is applied to broken or irritated skin. If irritation develops, reduce the application of Eflornithine to once a day. If irritation continues, stop using the cream and contact your doctor. Cosmetics or sunscreen may be used after applying Eflornithine, but you should wait a few minutes to allow the treatment to be absorbed before applying them.
What may interact with this medicine?
Before using Eflornithine, talk to your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, especially if you are using any other topical preparations. You may not be able to use this medicine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Eflornithine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What should I watch for while taking this medicine?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this occurs, wash the area with water. If Eflornithine gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor.
What side effects may I notice from this medicine?
Eflornithine may cause temporary redness, rash, burning, stinging, or tingling, especially if it is applied to broken or irritated skin. If irritation develops, reduce the application to once a day. If irritation continues, stop using Eflornithine and contact your doctor. Hair bumps (folliculitis) may also occur. If these continue, contact your doctor. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Eflornithine, skip the dose you missed and apply your next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not apply a double dose of this medication or try to "make up" a missed dose.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the medication to freeze.
