A prescription cream for unwanted facial hair

VaniqaT is a prescription drug which was approved by the FDA in the United States on July 31, 2000 for treating excessive facial hair in women, which is often part of hirsutism.

It may be a welcome alternative for women for whom this problem is considered serious enough to warrant tweezing, waxing, or shaving at least once a week for hair removal. Vaniqa is actually not a brand new drug, but rather a new topical-use version of the older drug eflornithine (brand name Ornidyl).

Vaniqa, like Viagra, is considered to be a "lifestyle drug", a drug which generally improves our quality of life, but is not considered to be essential for good health. Vaniqa is the first prescription drug approved in the United States to treat this condition. It was effective, compared to placebo, in approximately 25% of women who used it during the pre-release clinical trials. Although Vaniqa currently appears have few side effects, when used as directed, post-release experience often modifies the safety profile for new drugs.