Eflornithine chemical structure
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Vaniqa

Eflornithine (α-difluoromethylornithine or DFMO) is a drug manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis which has various uses. It was initially developed as a cancer medication; and while it has no significant effects on cancerous malignancies, it was found to be very effective in combatting African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), in particular the West African form1 of the disease. It is hoped that eflornithine will replace the relatively toxic melarsoprol. Supplies of Eflornithine are limited as it is not very cost effective to manufacture. Aventis stopped making eflornithine in 1995 because of this very reason. more...

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The drug company gave the rights to manufacture the drug to the World Health Organization, who attempted to find a new supplier. Eflornithine is also an effective hair removal agent and is the active ingredient in Vaniqa brand hair removal cream.

Eflornithine appears to work by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), an enzyme that regulates cell division.

Sleeping Sickness Treatment

In 2001, Aventis made a 5-year agreement with the WHO to manufacture eflornithine, melarsoprol and pentamidine, in sufficient amounts to cover existing needs. The yearly value of the drugs donated by Aventis under this agreement is US$5 million. Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, the non-profit international medical group, assisted in the creation of the new agreement. MSF will work to distribute the drugs. In addition, under the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb, the manufacturer of Vaniqua, will pay for part of the eflornithine. The 5-year agreement will expire in 2006. In 2004, Aventis merged with Sanofi-Sythélabo to form Sanofi-Aventis.

The trade name of eflornithine as manufactured for the treatment of sleeping sickness is Ornidyl®.

As of September 2005, the World Health Organization's eflornithine page is reporting that the India Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad, India and ILEX Oncology in Texas, United States are both working on new ways of making eflornthine more cheaply. The WHO goes on to say that ILEX is experimenting with an oral formulation of the drug as a treatment for cancer and that trials of the new oral formulation for efficacy against sleeping sickness are underway.

Hair Removal Cream

As a topical application, the drug has been shown to be an effective hair growth retardant in some patients, and is sold under the brand name Vaniqa® (eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9%). Efficacy data submitted to FDA observed about 58% of women using it on facial hair had improvement2. This study suggested it may be particularly effective in postmenopausal women. One large published study on safety found the product rarely caused significant side effects such as acne, follicle irritation, itching or dryness3. This corroborates unpublished data submitted to FDA showing about 2% of subjects discontinued use due to adverse reactions.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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How to banish facial hair - beauty q+a
From Shape, 9/1/03 by Beth Janes

What's the best method for getting rid of hair on the face?

Q tweeze my facial hairs now, but is there an easier way to get rid of the hair for good?

A What's best for you depends on your budget, skin and personal preference. But there are several effective options--both temporary and permanent. Here's a guide to help you find your way to smoother skin.

* Waxing is quick and inexpensive; you can have it done at a spa/salon or you can do it at home. Either way, you'll stay hair-free for four to eight weeks. At home, try Nad's Facial Wand no-heat wax ($10; at drugstores) or opt for pre-waxed strips, which are easy to use. Just rub the strips between your palms to warm the wax, then press onto clean skin. Pull skin taut and quickly remove the strip, tugging downward. A good product to try: One Touch Facial Strip Wax ($3.85; at drugstores). To soothe post-removal redness and bumps, apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream (available at drugstores) which is an anti-inflammatory, explains Soren White, M.D., a New York City dermatologist.

* Topical creams minimize the problem but don't get rid of hair completely, so you'll need to supplement with other methods (although less frequently over time). The prescription cream Vaniqa (visit vaniqa, com for information) slows hair growth, while over-the-counter Biore Beyond Smooth Daily Facial Moisturizer ($6; at drugstores) and Aveeno Positively Smooth Facial Moisturizer ($14; at drugstores) make hair finer and less visible. If you discontinue use of any of these, however, hair grows back at its normal rate and thickness.

* Lasers heat up the pigment in hair, disabling the follicle from which the hair grows (the sensation is comparable to having a rubber band snapped against your skin). You'll need four to six treatments (at $150-$300 each) spaced about four to six weeks apart. Though many doctors consider the treatment permanent, officially it's a "permanent reduction" of hair because there's no data yet on long-term effectiveness, says White.

* Electrology is a permanent removal treatment (electrolysis is one form) that destroys hair follicles one by one with an electric current, which can feel like a static shock. The hair must be visible (why you shouldn't wax beforehand), however, and you'll need about 15 15-to 30-minute treatments over the course of several months priced at about $30 each. Visit electroloqy.com for more information.--Beth Janes

Send questions to Shape, Beauty Q & A, One Park Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016; fax: (212) 725-9228; e-mail: BeautyQ&A@Shape.com.

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