Eflornithine

Eflornithine, sold under the brand name Vaniqa among others, is a <a href="/facts/Medication/h9mhwWP2">medication</a> used to treat <a href="/facts/African_trypanosomiasis/zuvUoRKC">African trypanosomiasis</a> (sleeping sickness) and <a href="/facts/Hirsutism/k8o1X8xP">excessive hair growth</a> on the face in women. Specifically it is used for the second stage of sleeping sickness caused by <a href="/facts/T._b._gambiense/nNTY1A0A">T. b. gambiense</a> and may be used with <a href="/facts/Nifurtimox/S1hTGQbt">nifurtimox</a>. It is taken <a href="/facts/Intravenously/AwwuD3Nu">intravenously</a> (injection into a vein) or <a href="/facts/Topically/alFfLndS">topically</a>. It is an <a href="/facts/Ornithine_decarboxylase/kAKxbPJE">ornithine decarboxylase</a> inhibitor.
Common side effects when applied as a cream include rash, redness, and burning. Side effects of the injectable form include <a href="/facts/Bone_marrow_suppression/NEdoL9nj">bone marrow suppression</a>, vomiting, and <a href="/facts/Seizures/zuIrQyze">seizures</a>. It is unclear if it is safe to use during <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> or <a href="/facts/Breastfeeding/cdWXyYDX">breastfeeding</a>. It is recommended typically for children over the age of 12.
Eflornithine was developed in the 1970s and came into medical use in 1990. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. In the United States the injectable form can be obtained from the US <a href="/facts/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention/NmoJNDV5">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. In regions of the world where sleeping sickness is common, eflornithine is provided for free by the <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">World Health Organization</a>.

Eflornithine open-in-new

Eflornithine