Introduction How it works Uses Efficacy How to use Side effects
Eflornithine administered by injection is used to treat African sleeping sickness, a disease caused by protozoa (tiny one-celled animals). However, eflornithine hydrochloride applied topically as a cream is the first agent known to help slow the rate of excessive hair growth. It is marketed under the brand name Vaniqa® and comes as eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9% cream. It is available on prescription from a doctor in the United States and elsewhere.
Eflornithine works by blocking the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) that stimulates hair growth. Eflornithine HCl cream 13.9% has been shown to slow the rate of hair growth in animal and human studies. Studies with eflornithine cream have been limited to treating unwanted hair on the face, around the lips and chin.
Eflornithine HCl cream is indicated for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. Over 20 million American women in the United States have excessive facial hair caused by the following factors:
Women with excessive facial hair often experience low self-esteem and embarrassment. Eflornithine HCl cream slows the rate of hair growth and is often used in combination with other hair removal techniques to maintain a hair-free complexion.
In two double-blind placebo controlled trials, 35% of patients treated with eflornithine cream show significant improvement after 24 weeks of treatment compared with 9% of patients treated with placebo. Differences between the treatment and placebo groups could be seen as early on as 4 weeks after starting treatment in some patients, whilst in other patients, differences were not apparent until after 8 weeks of treatment. It appears that the longer eflornithine is used, the better it works.
Over time the need for additional hair removal techniques to maintain a hair-free complexion may reduce. However, the treatment is not effective for everyone.
Eflornithine HCl cream is very well tolerated. Some women may experience minor and temporary skin irritations including:
If skin irritation develops, the dose may be reduced to once a day. If irritation continues you should stop using the cream.
Approved datasheets are the official source of information for medicines, including approved uses, doses, and safety information. Check the individual datasheet in your country for information about medicines.
We suggest you refer to your national drug approval agency such as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), UK Medicines and Healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) / emc, and NZ Medsafe, or a national or state-approved formulary eg, the New Zealand Formulary (NZF) and New Zealand Formulary for Children (NZFC) and the British National Formulary (BNF) and British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).
