Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans

Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical Dental Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer

Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.

Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library eflornithine topical

eflornithine topical

Pronunciation: ee FLOOR nih theen

Brand: Vaniqa

What is the most important information I should know about eflornithine topical?

What is the most important information I should know about eflornithine topical?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

 What is eflornithine topical?

What is eflornithine topical?

Eflornithine interferes with a chemical in hair follicles under the skin, which slows hair growth where the medicine is applied.

Eflornithine topical is used to reduce unwanted facial hair in women.

Eflornithine topical does not permanently remove facial hair or prevent hair growth.

Eflornithine topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

 What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using eflornithine topical?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using eflornithine topical?

You should not use eflornithine topical if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether eflornithine topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Eflornithine topical is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

How should I use eflornithine topical?

How should I use eflornithine topical?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin.

Eflornithine topical is usually applied twice daily, at least 8 hours apart. This medicine is for use only on the face and chin. Do not apply to other areas of the body.

Before application, remove any facial hair using your desired hair removal method (razor, tweezers, etc). Wait at least 5 minutes before applying eflornithine topical.

Wash your hands before and after applying the medicine.

Apply a thin layer to all affected areas of the face or under the chin and rub in thoroughly.

Wait until the medicine dries completely before you apply cosmetics or sunscreen to treated areas.

Do not wash the treatment areas for at least 4 hours after application of eflornithine topical.

If this medicine irritates your skin, you may need to reduce applications to once daily.

Call your doctor if skin irritation does not improve, or if it gets worse.

Eflornithine topical is not a hair remover (depilatory). You will need to continue using your current hair removal techniques. Eflornithine topical can help you manage your condition and improve your appearance.

Eflornithine topical will reduce facial hair growth gradually. Keep using the medicine even if you do not see immediate results. It may take 4 to 8 weeks or longer before you notice improvement.

Stop using this medicine if you do not get the desired results after 6 months of use.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the medicine to freeze.

Hair growth may return to pretreatment levels approximately 8 weeks after you stop using eflornithine topical.

 What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

 What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of eflornithine topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

 What should I avoid while using eflornithine topical?

What should I avoid while using eflornithine topical?

If the medicine gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor.

 What are the possible side effects of eflornithine topical?

What are the possible side effects of eflornithine topical?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using eflornithine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe irritation of treated skin; or
  • redness or crusting around your hair follicles.

Common side effects may include:

  • temporary redness, rash, burning, stinging, itching, or tingling;
  • acne or red bumps on the skin;
  • skin dryness; or
  • headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 What other drugs will affect eflornithine topical?

What other drugs will affect eflornithine topical?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied eflornithine. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

 Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about eflornithine topical.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details