Pharmacodynamics

There are no studies examining the inhibition of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in human skin following the application of topical eflornithine. However, there are studies in the literature that report the inhibition of ODC activity in skin following oral eflornithine. It is postulated that topical eflornithine hydrochloride irreversibly inhibits skin ODC activity. This enzyme is necessary in the synthesis of polyamines. Animal data indicate that inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase inhibits cell division and synthetic functions, which affect the rate of hair growth. VANIQA® (eflornithine hydrochloride) cream, 13.9% has been shown to retard the rate of hair growth in non-clinical and clinical studies.

Pharmacokinetics

The mean percutaneous absorption of eflornithine in women with unwanted facial hair, from a 13.9% w/w cream formulation, is less than 1% of the radioactive dose, following either single or multiple doses under conditions of clinical use, that included shaving within 2 hours before radiolabeled dose application in addition to other forms of cutting or plucking, and tweezing to remove facial hair. Steady state was reached within four days of twice-daily application. The apparent steady-state plasma t1/2 of eflornithine was approximately 8 hours. Following twice-daily application of 0.5 g of the cream (total dose 1 g/day; 139 mg as anhydrous eflornithine hydrochloride), under conditions of clinical use in women with unwanted facial hair (n=10), the steady-state Cmax, Ctrough and AUC12hr were approximately 10 ng/mL, 5 ng/mL, and 92 ng•hr/mL, respectively, expressed in terms of the anhydrous free base of eflornithine hydrochloride. At steady state, the dose-normalized peak concentrations (Cmax) and the extent of daily systemic exposure (AUC) of eflornithine following twice-daily application of 0.5 g of the cream (total dose 1 g/day) is estimated to be approximately 100- and 60-fold lower, when compared to 370 mg/day once-daily oral doses. This compound is not known to be metabolized and is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

General

For external use only.

Transient stinging or burning may occur when applied to abraded or broken skin.

Information for Patients

Patients using VANIQA® should receive the following information and instructions:

1. This medication is not a depilatory, but rather appears to retard hair growth to improve the condition and the patient's appearance. Patients will likely need to continue using a hair removal method (e.g., shaving, plucking, etc.) in conjunction with VANIQA® (eflornithine hydrochloride) cream, 13.9%.
   
   
2. Onset of improvement was seen after as little as 4-8 weeks of treatment in the 24-week clinical trials. The condition may return to pretreatment levels 8 weeks after discontinuing treatment.
   
   
3. If skin irritation or intolerance develops, direct the patient to temporarily reduce the frequency of application (e.g., once a day). If irritation continues, the patient should discontinue use of the product.

Refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for additional important information and instructions.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility

In a 12-month photocarcinogenicity study in hairless albino mice, animals treated with the vehicle alone showed an increased incidence of skin tumors induced by exposure to ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) light, whereas mice treated topically with VANIQA® at doses up to 600 mg/kg [19X the Maximum Recommended Human Dose (MRHD) based on body surface area (BSA)] showed an incidence of skin tumors equivalent to untreated-control animals.

A 2-year dermal carcinogenicity study in CD-1 mice treated with VANIQA® revealed no evidence of carcinogenicity at daily doses up to 600 mg/kg (950X the MRHD based on AUC comparisons).

Eflornithine did not elicit mutagenic effects in an Ames reverse-mutation assay or clastogenicity in primary human lymphocytes, with and without metabolic activation. In a dermal micronucleus assay, eflornithine hydrochloride cream, 13.9%, at doses up to 900 mg/kg (58X the MRHD based on BSA) in rats yielded no evidence of genotoxicity.

In a dermal fertility and early embryonic development study in rats treated with VANIQA®, there were no adverse reproductive effects at doses up to 450 mg/kg (29X the MRHD based on BSA). In a peri- and postnatal study in rats, eflornithine administered in the drinking water was associated with maternal toxicity and reduced pup weights at doses of at least 625 mg/kg (40X the MRHD based on BSA) and a slightly reduced fertility index, which was considered to be of questionable biological significance, at 1698 mg/kg (110X the MRHD based on BSA). No effects were seen with an oral dose of 223 mg/kg (14X the MRHD based on BSA). In the latter study, the multiples of the human exposure are likely much higher, since eflornithine is well absorbed orally in rats, whereas minimal absorption occurs in humans treated topically.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

In the first dermal embryo-fetal development study in rats treated with eflornithine hydrochloride cream, 13.9% (in which no precautions were taken to prevent ingestion of drug from application sites), maternal toxicity and fetal effects including reduced numbers of live fetuses, decreased fetal weights, and delayed ossification and development of the viscera were observed at doses of 225 and 450 mg/kg (15X and 29X the MRHD based on BSA, respectively). When the study was repeated under conditions that avoided ingestion from application sites, no maternal, fetal or teratogenic effects were observed at doses up to 450 mg/kg (29X the MRHD based on BSA). In the first study in which no precautions were taken to prevent ingestion, circulating plasma levels were 11- to 14-fold higher than in the second study in which ingestion was prevented. In a dermal embryo-fetal development study in rabbits treated with VANIQA® (eflornithine hydrochloride) cream, 13.9% no adverse maternal or fetal effects occurred at doses up to 90 mg/kg (11X the MRHD based on BSA). Significant dermal irritation, as well as possible ingestion of VANIQA® occurred at 300 mg/kg/day (36X the MRHD based on BSA) and was associated with maternal deaths, abortions, increased fetal resorptions, and reduced fetal weights. Fetotoxicity in the absence of maternal toxicity has been reported in oral studies with eflornithine with fetal no-effect doses of 80 mg/kg in rats and 45 mg/kg in rabbits. In these studies, no evidence of teratogenicity was observed in rats given up to 200 mg/kg or in rabbits given up to 135 mg/kg.

Although VANIQA® was not formally studied in pregnant patients, 22 pregnancies occurred during the trials. Nineteen of these pregnancies occurred while patients were using VANIQA®. Of the 19 pregnancies, there were 9 healthy infants, 4 spontaneous abortions, 5 induced/elective abortions, and 1 birth defect (Down's Syndrome to a 35-year-old). Because there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, the risk/benefit ratio of using VANIQA® in women with unwanted facial hair who are pregnant should be weighed carefully with serious consideration for either not implementing or discontinuing use of VANIQA®.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether or not eflornithine hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when VANIQA® is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of this product have not been established in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.

Geriatric Use

Of the 1373 patients on active treatment in clinical studies of VANIQA®, approximately 7% were 65 years or older and approximately 1% were 75 or older. No apparent differences in safety were observed between older patients and younger patients.

Laboratory Test Abnormalities

No laboratory test abnormalities have been consistently found to be associated with VANIQA®. In an open-label study, some patients showed an increase in their transaminases; however, the clinical significance of these findings is not known.

VANIQA® 

(eflornithine hydrochloride) cream, 13.9%

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

This section contains important information about VANIQA® that you should read before you begin treatment. This section does not list all the benefits and risks of VANIQA® and does not take the place of discussions with your doctor or healthcare professional about your condition or your treatment. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare professional. The medicine described here can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Only your healthcare professional can determine if VANIQA® is right for you.

What is VANIQA®?

VANIQA® (pronounced "VAN-i-ka") is a prescription medication applied to the skin for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women.

The active ingredient in VANIQA® is eflornithine hydrochloride. VANIQA® also contains ceteareth-20, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, mineral oil, PEG-100 stearate,  phenoxyethanol, propylparaben, stearyl  alcohol and water. 

How does VANIQA® work?

VANIQA® interferes with an enzyme found in the hair follicle of the skin needed for hair growth. This results in slower hair growth and improved appearance where VANIQA® is applied.

VANIQA® does not permanently remove hair or "cure" unwanted facial hair. It is not a depilatory. Your treatment program should include continuation of any hair removal technique you are currently using.

VANIQA® will help you manage your condition and improve your appearance.

Improvement in the condition occurs gradually. Don't be discouraged if you see no immediate improvement. Be patient. Improvement may be seen as early as 4 to 8 weeks of treatment. Improvement may take longer in some individuals. If no improvement is seen after 6 months of use, discontinue use. Clinical studies show that in about 8 weeks after stopping treatment with VANIQA®, the hair will return to the same condition as before beginning treatment.

Who should not use VANIQA®? 

You should not use VANIQA® if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the cream. All ingredients are listed on the tube and at the beginning of this leaflet.    

You should not use VANIQA® if you are less than 12 years of age.

What should you tell your doctor before using VANIQA®?

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, tell your doctor.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, discuss with your doctor whether you should use VANIQA® during pregnancy. No clinical studies have been performed in pregnant women.

If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using VANIQA®. It is not known if VANIQA® is passed to infants through breast milk. 

If you are taking any prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines or using any facial or skin creams, check with your physician before use of VANIQA®.

How should I use VANIQA®?

Use VANIQA® only for the condition for which it was prescribed by your doctor. Do not give it to other people or allow other people to use it.

You will need to continue your normal procedures for hair removal until desired results have been achieved. You may then be less bothered by the time spent in removing hair or the frequency of hair removal. VANIQA® is to be used twice daily, at least eight hours apart, or as directed by your doctor. VANIQA® is for external use only.

Follow the instructions for application of VANIQA® carefully. Apply a thin layer of VANIQA® to the affected areas of the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin and rub in thoroughly. You should not wash the treatment areas for at least 4 hours after application of VANIQA®. Wash your hands after each application.

VANIQA® may cause temporary redness, rash, burning, stinging or tingling, especially when the skin is damaged. If irritation continues, stop use of VANIQA® and contact your doctor. Avoid getting the medication in your eyes or inside your nose or mouth. If the product gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor.

If you forget or miss a dose of VANIQA®, do not try to “make it up”. Return to your normal application schedule as soon as you can.

You may use your normal cosmetics or sunscreen after applying VANIQA®, but you should wait a few minutes to allow the treatment to be absorbed before applying them.

If your condition gets worse with treatment, stop use of VANIQA® and contact your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of VANIQA®? 

VANIQA® may cause temporary redness, stinging, burning, tingling or rash on areas of the skin where it is applied. Folliculitis (hair bumps) may also occur. If these persist, consult your doctor.

How should VANIQA® be stored? 

VANIQA® should be stored at 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). Do not freeze.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

This medicine was prescribed for your particular condition. Do not use it for another condition or give it to anyone else.

This summary does not include everything there is to know about VANIQA®. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information about VANIQA®, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information upon which this leaflet is based. You may want to read it and discuss it with your doctor or healthcare professional. Remember, no written summary can replace careful discussion with your doctor.

Rx only

Distributed by: Allergan USA, Inc.

Madison, NJ 07940

© 2018 Allergan. All rights reserved.

 All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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