I am unable to locate the product in my area because of its being on back order and not available. I have used it for many years very successfully and am afraid to try a non FDA approved product. Any guidance re. What others are doing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to other Vaniqua users for their guidance. I have a medical condition requiring this product.
What product is recommended because Vaniqa is on back order until July 2018?
- Asked
- 20 Jan 2018 by majorsite
- Updated
- 22 January 2019 (4 weeks ago)
- Topics
- vaniqa, hirsutism, fda
Responses (12)
I want to know the same thing
I haven't found another product but would love to know if anyone else has, also. Meanwhile, I cut back to one application a day, and a smaller bit than I had been using. Trying to make it last longer - I have also been using it for many years. When I called the company they said it was a manufacturing problem being addressed as fast as possible. The woman I spoke with said to call them monthly for any updates, that they're trying to make this happen sooner. (800) 678-1605.
PLEASE - looking for an answer too. I just was prescribed middle of March 2018. This is crazy. What's the manufacturing problem? Scary, statement, don't you think? Where is it manufactured and what's in it there's such a problem?
All she said was that is is not a safety issue so I don't know anything more than that. Call the number I posted above and see what they say.
I have ordered it, successfully, from Universaldrugstore.com. They are out of Canada and the Vaniqa is produced in United Kingdom. It takes a little hassle to get an international money order and mail to them but I got it within a few weeks and it works great. Good luck ladies!
I just checked that website. It says its temporarily unavailable.
Hi! How long did it take for you to receive it? Universal drugstore site says it was shipped but I haven’t received it yet after 3 weeks...
I just called the company and was told product is back ordered until december.. tried to order through canadian universal drugstore as was suggested and their website also lists it as temporarily unavailable.. this is terrible for people that need this product
My pharmacy just notified me that the cost is over $5,000.00 for one tube. This is crazy ridiculous!! Who would pay that??
I contacted Cipla Pharmaceutical Company by instant messenger last night to inquire about availability. I believe the company is located in India. They responded today saying Vaniqa’s will no longer be sold in the USA.
I purchased the generic Vaniqa to hold me over until July 2018. I call Allergan mid July to find out the date the medication would return to pharmacies. I was told it would now not be available until December 2018. This date is not firm however. I have purchase the generic at Tara Skin Care online in 15 gm tubes. This is all they offer. It seems to be as effective as the brand product.
What is the name of the generic one? All I am finding is skin lightening creams.
There is also a generic version called Eflora. I’ve been using it for over a month now and it works just as well as Vaniqa. I purchased it from three different online pharmacies and all arrived within two weeks of purchase.
To all vaniqa-users from another vaniqa-user:
1) I just rang them today, 21/8/18, and now they are saying it will be ready by the end of September;
2) some GOOD ADVICE: do you still have your old tube of vaniqa? If so, here is information about the way to extend the life of this very expensive (and currently unavailable) skin product --
POKE A HOLE IN THE TUBE WITH A PIN and squeeze more vaniqa out of it. Long after the cream will not come out of the top of the tube, it can be squeezed out through a pin hole.
AND when one pin hole stops working, make another one on the other side.
You will be surprised how well this works and how much it will extend the use of what was in the tube.
I've been trying to post this info for a while but couldn't locate this discussion. Hope this helps everyone.
I suffer from hirsutism due to thyroid issues and polycystic ovaries. I am so distraught over Vaniqa not being available and they are constantly pushing back the available date. They simply have no idea how many women desperately rely on this drug. I am now shaving twice a day as nothing else works!!! Nothing!!! One thing for sure, they’ve never run out of viagra, do they?
I hear ya. This is just awful! The whole year has been messed up over Vaniqa - just do not understand! First it was April 2018, then July 2018, then August 2018 and now September 2018. I emailed to Allergan about it and got one response citing the April 2018 date now they do not even answer my email to customer service. The standby cream is Eflora. A lot cheaper but I don't think it works as well. This is all so upsetting/
Received a call from my pharmacy this evening; they got a massage that vaniqa is discounted... I did ask if it was replaced with another they didn’t know. I’m in Florida and it’s been on back order since May. Help!
Have you found anything?
I've been ordering through universaldrugstore.com. I ordered in October and then again just put in a refill today, and it accepted the refill without a problem. When you go to the main page and search for vaniqa it allows you to order it, there's nothing on their website that says it's backordered. You do need a prescription but you can just scan it or take a picture of it and send it to them. I haven't had any issues ordering from them.
Thank you for commenting and offering directions on how to obtain Vaniqa with a prescription. Wondering how you found the prices on universal as compared to what you used to pay in the drugstore. Haven't heard that pharmacies will be supplied with Vaniqa anytime soon. I have used the site Tara Skin care without a prescription and been happy with the product and their service.
Price wise they’re actually, per gram, about the same. I was getting it from Walgreens, using their discount program, and I would get the 45 grams. Universal drugstore has 60 gram tubes for $142 and free shipping. I once did the math and it comes up the same. Shipping is also really fast, I ordered on a Sunday and received it in less then two weeks.
I have been having same issue for at least a year! Ugh! I don't know what the hold up is! I called my pharmacy again today, they said probably around December 24th?! Who knows.
Anyway, in the meantime, I wanted to try "Hair Free', so I ordered it on-line. I have no idea if it works or not, because the smell was so horrific to me, (I have a lot of allergies), that I sent it right back.
I then tried a tube of cream I found at CVS, I think it was called "Barely There", or something like that. Don't bother! A total waste of money!
Right now I'm using one I found on Amazon. I needed something with no smell. It's called "Inhibitif". It comes in a dropper bottle, which can be a bit messy. It isn't great, but it's better than nothing. I had to use it for 4 weeks, twice a day until I noticed any help.
Anyone else have any suggestions?
I have to assume that you have not read throughly thru the answers to questions on this subject. You can buy, without a prescription, Eflora(available on Tara Skin website) which is the exact same products as Vaniqa. It comes in a smaller volume than the prescription. I find it just as effective as the prescription Vaniqa. There is one post that says the writer was told by her pharmacist not to buy Eflora. She doesn't state the reason for this warning from the pharmacist.Because Vaniqa is usually not covered by insurance, the pharmacy makes more money on it when you have to pay full price.
I am a medical professional and feel comfortable with the continued use of Eflora.
I was just able to get a Vaniqa refill at a Kroger Pharmacy in Ohio. Cost was $178 for a 45 g tube. Luckily I only have to refill 1 x per year.
Is anyone else at all worried that this has been discontinued because of a safety issue and they aren't telling us because of fear of being sued? Because I don't understand this AT ALL. I have ordered and used Eflora from rakuten.com and it works but I don't know why Vaniqa disappeared. A shortage of an ingredient? I don't believe it - my doctor seems oblivious/unconcerned but she doesn't have this issue so... who knows?

Further Information
- Vaniqa Information for Consumers
- Vaniqa Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Vaniqa (detailed)
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