Vaniqa (Eflornithine Hydrochloride) - Summary

VANIQA SUMMARY

VANIQA® is a cream containing 13.9% (139 mg/g) of anhydrous eflornithine hydrochloride as eflornithine hydrochloride monohydrate (150 mg/g).

VANIQA (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9% is indicated for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women.

VANIQA has only been studied on the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin of affected individuals. Usage should be limited to these areas of involvement.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Vaniqa (Eflornithine)

Topical eflornithine hydrochloride improves the effectiveness of standard laser hair removal for treating pseudofolliculitis barbae: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. [2012]
eflornithine to hair laser treatment would improve efficacy in treating PFB... CONCLUSION: The addition of topical eflornithine to hair laser treatment

Ornithine decarboxylase-1 polymorphism, chemoprevention with eflornithine and sulindac, and outcomes among colorectal adenoma patients. [2010.10.06]
The ornithine decarboxylase-1 (ODC1) polymorphism at position +316 affects binding by transcriptional activators and repressors and modulates the risk of metachronous colorectal adenomas, particularly in association with aspirin use. We investigated the effects of ODC1 after treatment with difluoromethylornithine (eflornithine)/sulindac or placebo...

Nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy for second-stage African Trypanosoma brucei gambiense trypanosomiasis: a multicentre, randomised, phase III, non-inferiority trial. [2009.07.04]
BACKGROUND: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT; sleeping sickness) caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a fatal disease. Current treatment options for patients with second-stage disease are toxic, ineffective, or impractical. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) for second-stage disease compared with the standard eflornithine regimen... INTERPRETATION: The efficacy of NECT is non-inferior to that of eflornithine monotherapy. Since this combination treatment also presents safety advantages, is easier to administer (ie, infusion every 12 h for 7 days vs every 6 h for 14 days), and potentially protective against the emergence of resistant parasites, it is suitable for first-line use in HAT control programmes. FUNDING: Medecins Sans Frontieres (Dutch section), Medecins Sans Frontieres International, and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.

Nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy for second-stage Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness: a randomized clinical trial in Congo. [2007.12.01]
BACKGROUND: Human African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a fatal disease. Current treatment options for patients with second-stage disease are either highly toxic or impracticable in field conditions. We compared the efficacy and safety of the nifurtimox-eflornithine drug combination with the standard eflornithine regimen for the treatment of second-stage disease... CONCLUSIONS: The nifurtimox-eflornithine combination appears to be a promising first-line therapy for second-stage sleeping sickness. If our findings are corroborated by ongoing findings from additional sites (a multicenter extension of this study), the new nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy will mark a major and multifaceted advance over current therapies.

A randomized bilateral vehicle-controlled study of eflornithine cream combined with laser treatment versus laser treatment alone for facial hirsutism in women. [2007.07]
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although there are a multitude of therapeutic modalities for removing unwanted facial hair in women, there is very little information on using the newer medical treatment approaches in combination. This study was designed to determine whether topical eflornithine can enhance the efficacy of laser hair removal... CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of both investigator and patient assessments and hair count analysis, we have demonstrated that the addition of eflornithine to laser hair removal results in a more rapid and complete reduction of unwanted facial hair in women when the combination is used for up to 6 months.

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Clinical Trials Related to Vaniqa (Eflornithine)

Trial of Eflornithine Plus Sulindac in Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) [Not yet recruiting]
The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, Phase III trial is to determine if the combination of eflornithine plus sulindac is superior to sulindac or eflornithine as single agents in delaying time to the first occurrence of any FAP-related event. This includes: 1) FAP related excisional intervention involving the colon, rectum, pouch, duodenum and/or 2) clinically important events which includes progression to more advanced duodenal polyposis, cancer or death.

S0820, Adenoma and Second Primary Prevention Trial [Not yet recruiting]
The investigators hypothesize that the combination of eflornithine and sulindac will be effective in reducing a three-year event rate of adenomas and second primary colorectal cancers in patients previously treated for Stages 0 through III colon cancer.

Acetylsalicylic Acid and Eflornithine in Treating Patients at High Risk for Colorectal Cancer [Recruiting]
This phase II trial is studying how well giving acetylsalicylic acid together with eflornithine works in treating patients at high risk for colorectal cancer. Chemoprevention is the use of certain drugs to keep cancer from forming. The use of acetylsalicylic acid and eflornithine may prevent colorectal cancer

Efficacy - Safety of Eflornithine-Nifurtimox Combination Versus Eflornithine to Treat Human African Trypanosomiasis [Active, not recruiting]

Neoadjuvant Eflornithine and Bicalutamide Compared With Eflornithine Alone, Bicalutamide Alone, and No Neoadjuvant Therapy in Treating Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Brachytherapy or Radical Prostatectomy [Completed]
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as eflornithine, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Androgens can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Drugs used in hormone therapy, such as bicalutamide, may fight prostate cancer by stopping the adrenal glands from producing androgens. Combining eflornithine with bicalutamide may kill more tumor cells.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to compare the effectiveness of neoadjuvant eflornithine and bicalutamide with that of eflornithine alone, bicalutamide alone, and no neoadjuvant therapy in treating patients who are undergoing brachytherapy or radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

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Reports of Suspected Vaniqa (Eflornithine) Side Effects

Throat Tightness (3),  DRY Throat (3),  Respiratory Distress (3),  Blood Bilirubin Increased (1),  Pruritus (1),  Erythema (1),  Cardiac Disorder (1),  Faeces Discoloured (1),  Nasal Oedema (1),  Fatigue (1), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Vaniqa review by 55 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		facial
Dosage & duration:		1x daily (dosage frequency: 1x daily) for the period of 6 m
Other conditions:		acne
Other drugs taken:		retin a
		Reported Results
Benefits:		The benefits of this treatment were as I had hoped. I had developed some facial hair over the past few years and grew tired of tweezing and waxing. The treatment took a few months to work, but over time has minimized the hair growth. I will continue to use this as it is a very simple once a day application.
Side effects:		none
Comments:		Apply cream once daily to effected areas.