Vaniqa® Cream (Eflornithine)

Vaniqa® is a prescription-only cream containing the active ingredient eflornithine (11.5%), used to treat excessive facial hair (hirsutism) in women. It slows hair growth but does not remove existing hair.

Hirsutism affects 5–15% of all women and can be caused by hormonal disorders (e.g., PCOS), medications, or a genetic predisposition. Vaniqa® is used in addition to mechanical hair removal methods (shaving, waxing, laser).

Eflornithine was originally developed as an antiparasitic drug against sleeping sickness. Its hair growth-inhibiting effect was discovered as an incidental side effect.

Mechanism of action:

• Eflornithine irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the skin
• ODC is a key enzyme in polyamine synthesis
• Polyamines are essential for cell division and hair growth
• This inhibition slows hair growth

Clinical effect:

• Slower hair growth in the treated area
• Hair becomes thinner and lighter
• Visible only after 4–8 weeks of regular use
• After stopping: return to the original hair growth within 8 weeks

Important: Vaniqa® does not remove hair. It only slows regrowth. Existing hair must still be removed mechanically.

Vaniqa® is suitable for:

• Women aged 18 years and older with hirsutism (excessive facial hair)
• As a complement to hair removal methods
• Regardless of the cause of the hirsutism

Advantages:

• Simple topical application
• Hormone-free treatment
• Can be combined with all hair removal methods
• Good safety profile

Not suitable:

• Children and adolescents under 18 years of age (safety and efficacy not established)
• For men (not approved)
• On other areas of the body (approved for the face only)
• Pregnancy (insufficient data)

Dosage:

• Apply thinly to the affected areas of the face twice daily
• At least 8 hours between applications
• An improvement can be seen within 8 weeks
• If effective: long-term therapy required (effect only with continued use)

Amount to apply:

• A pea-sized amount for each affected area per application
• Apply only to the face and adjacent chin areas

Application: 1. Clean and dry the face 2. Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa® to the affected areas 3. Rub in gently until the cream has been absorbed 4. Allow to dry for at least 5 minutes before applying sunscreen or makeup 5. Wash your hands

Important notes:

• Do not apply to damaged, irritated, or freshly shaved skin (wait at least 5 min. after shaving)
• Do not apply to the eyes or mucous membranes
• Continue to remove hair with your preferred method
• No treatment success within 4 months of starting: stop the treatment
• After stopping, hair growth returns within 8 weeks

Vaniqa® must not be used in cases of:

• Hypersensitivity to eflornithine or any of the other ingredients

Caution in cases of:

• Children and adolescents under 18 years of age (safety and efficacy not established, no data)
• Pregnancy (insufficient data)
• Breastfeeding (not recommended)
• Acne or other skin conditions on the face

Very common (10% or more):

• Acne

Common (1–10%):

• Burning, stinging at the application site
• Dry skin
• Itching
• Redness (erythema)
• Tingling
• Skin rash
• Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles)

Uncommon (0.1–1%):

• Ingrown hairs
• Swelling of the face (facial oedema)
• Contact dermatitis
• Numbness of the lips

Rare:

• Rosacea

Note: Most side effects are mild and temporary. In case of severe skin irritation, application can be reduced to once daily or paused.