Eflornithine
About Eflornithine
Eflornithine is a prescription topical cream used to slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. It is commonly applied to the face and under the chin to manage excessive hair growth, a condition known as facial hirsutism. It does not act as a hair remover, but rather works directly within the skin to slow hair development.
For the best results, this cream must be used consistently every day, typically twice a day with at least eight hours between applications. It does not require any specific food restrictions since it is applied directly to the skin. To get the most benefit, you should maintain a gentle skincare routine and continue using your usual hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking, as this cream does not instantly dissolve existing hair.
While using Eflornithine, some people may experience mild skin reactions like redness, stinging, or minor bumps. These issues are usually temporary and mild, but you should consult your doctor if you experience severe burning, swelling, or a spreading skin rash.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have any pre-existing skin conditions, deep cuts, or open wounds on your face. This cream is not recommended for children under the age of 12, and anyone with a known allergy to any of its ingredients should not use it.
Since it is applied topically, Eflornithine has a very low risk of interacting with oral medications or alcohol. However, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using other medicated facial creams, as they can advise you on the safest way to manage your skincare routine.
Uses of Eflornithine
Medicinal Benefits
Eflornithine helps slow the growth of unwanted facial hair, making it easier to manage excessive facial hair while improving skin comfort and appearance.
Benefits may include:
- Helps slow the growth of unwanted facial hair with regular use.
- Allows longer intervals between shaving, plucking, waxing, or other hair removal methods.
- Helps reduce skin irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs caused by frequent hair removal.
- Over time, new hair growth may become finer, softer, and less noticeable.
- Helps improve comfort and reduce the self-consciousness associated with excessive facial hair growth.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Take a small amount of Eflornithine on the fingertip and apply it as a thin layer on the clean and dry affected area as advised by your doctor.
- Do not apply for at least 5 minutes after hair removal (such as plucking, shaving). Do not wash the treated area for at least 4 hours.
Storage
Side Effects of Eflornithine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Mild skin redness or itching
- Temporary stinging, burning, or tingling where the cream was applied
- Dry skin
- Small bumps, acne, or rash-like irritation
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe burning, swelling, or blistering of the treated skin
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid Contact with Eyes and Mouth: Keep Eflornithine away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If accidental contact occurs, rinse the area thoroughly with cool water.
- Do Not Apply to Damaged Skin: Do not apply the cream to broken, sunburned, grazed, or severely irritated skin.
- Apply After Hair Removal: Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes after shaving, waxing, or plucking before applying the cream to help reduce stinging or burning.
- Use consistently: Be patient, as it may take 4 to 8 weeks of regular daily use before you notice a visible reduction in facial hair growth.
- Continue Treatment as Directed: If you stop using Eflornithine, facial hair growth will gradually return to its original rate within about 8 weeks. Use the cream regularly as prescribed to maintain its benefits.
Drug Interactions
- There are no widely recognized major drug-drug interactions with this topical cream. However, you should check with your doctor before applying other medicated creams, acne treatments, or skin peeling agents to the same areas of your face.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Eflornithine with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Eflornithine.
Pregnancy
cautionEflornithine is a pregnancy category C drug. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Eflornithine is prescribed to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Eflornithine is excreted in human milk. Therefore, Eflornithine is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedEflornithine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Eflornithine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases or renal impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Eflornithine.
Children
unsafeEflornithine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Continue Hair Removal as Needed: Continue using your regular hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking, while using Eflornithine, as the cream slows new hair growth but does not remove existing hair.
- Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Apply a gentle, non-comedogenic sunscreen daily, as treated skin may become more sensitive to sunlight and UV damage.
- Avoid Harsh Skincare Products: Avoid using harsh facial scrubs, alcohol-containing toners, or strong chemical peels on the treated areas, as these may increase skin irritation.
Special Advise
Consult your dermatologist if you do not notice any improvement after 4 months of treatment with Eflornithine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Facial hirsutism: It is a condition in women that results in develops excessive hair growth on the face. It may be caused by an increase in levels of androgen (male hormone), menopause-related hormone changes and the most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges) or if you take medicines that can induce hair growth like cyclosporine (following organ transplants), glucocorticoids (against rheumatic or allergic diseases), minoxidil (against high blood pressure), etc. Unwanted facial hair in women can be a cosmetic problem and may produce emotional distress and mental trauma.
African sleeping sickness: It is a disease caused by the infection of a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted to humans by tsetse fly bites. The tsetse flies are found only in rural Africa. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints.
FAQs
Eflornithine is used to treat unwanted excess growth of facial hair (facial hirsutism) in women. It is also used to treat African sleeping sickness, a disease caused by protozoa.
Eflornithine contains Eflornithine that stops the activity of an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase that involved in the production of hair on the face. It also used to treat sleeping sickness (a disease caused by a protozoan infection in Africa).
Yes, Eflornithine may cause skin irritation, redness or peeling in some people. However, if the irritation persists or worsens, stop using Eflornithine and consult a doctor.
Eflornithine usually improves your skin condition in 4 to 8 weeks or longer of treatment. If you notice no improvement after a 5-6 month of treatment, please reach out to your doctor.
Eflornithine is for topical (for skin) use only. Do not apply Eflornithine on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped or irritated skin, mucous membranes, lesions, or large areas of skin. If the medicine gets into your eyes, nose or mouth, rinse with cold water. This medicine is for use only on the face and chin. Do not apply to other areas of the body.
No, it is not advised to stop using Eflornithine even after your symptoms are relieved. You should complete the full course of treatment. You might see improvement in your symptoms, but hair growth may return to pretreatment levels after you stop using eflornithine topical. Consult your doctor for further advice.
No, Eflornithine is not recommended for use in children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Eflornithine does not remove hair or cause hair loss. However, it should not be used on other body parts or the scalp as Eflornithine is used to treat unwanted growth of facial hair (facial hirsutism) in women.
Eflornithine should be used for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will determine the duration of the treatment based on your condition.
Clean and dry the affected areas and apply Eflornithine as a thin layer. Gently massage it into the skin with your fingers. Wash your hands before and after applying the medicine.
Eflornithine may cause a mild stinging sensation. However, it is advised to consult the doctor if the stinging sensation persists or worsens.
Eflornithine may cause side effects like acne, burning sensation, itching, scaling, skin dryness, mild tingling sensation or tenderness at the application site, bleeding, sore throat, and fever. Most of these side effects of Eflornithine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
You should consult your doctor before using Eflornithine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the safety of this topical cream during pregnancy has not been fully established. Talk to your doctor.
No, Eflornithine does not permanently remove hair or act as a depilatory. It only slows down the growth rate. If you stop using the cream, your hair will return to its original growth pattern. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, you can apply cosmetics, moisturizers, or sunscreen over Eflornithine. However, you should wait at least 5 minutes after applying the cream to let it dry and absorb completely. Talk to your doctor.
It is typically applied twice a day, at least 8 hours apart, or exactly as directed by your doctor. Talk to your doctor.
If you experience mild irritation, your doctor may suggest reducing applications to once a day for a short period. If the irritation persists or is severe, stop using the cream and talk to your doctor.
Eflornithine is only studied and approved for slowing down unwanted facial hair in women. It is not recommended for use on male facial hair or beard areas. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, you will need to continue your usual hair removal methods alongside Eflornithine, especially during the first few weeks, as Eflornithine only slows down new growth rather than removing existing hair. Talk to your doctor.
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