Eflornithine Hydrochloride

Indications

Eflornithine Hydrochloride cream, 13.9%, is used to reduce unwanted facial hair in women. It has only been studied on the face and on the affected areas just under the chin, so use should stay within those areas.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Eflornithine stops hair growth by blocking the anagen phase of hair production. It does this by binding irreversibly to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which is also called suicide inhibition. Once it is bound, eflornithine physically keeps the natural substrate, ornithine, away from the active site of the enzyme.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Data from clinical trials cover only a small number of exposed pregnancies (22), and they show no clinical evidence that Eflornithine harms mothers or foetuses. Of those 22 pregnancies, only 19 happened while the patient was using Eflornithine. These 19 ended with 9 healthy infants, 5 elective abortions, 4 spontaneous abortions and 1 birth defect (Down's Syndrome in a 35 year old). Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity, and the possible risk to humans is unknown. So women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should use another way to manage facial hair.

Lactation

It is not known whether eflornithine or its metabolites pass into human milk. Women should not use Eflornithine while breastfeeding.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Apply Eflornithine cream to the affected area twice daily, at least eight hours apart. It has only been shown to work on affected areas of the face and under the chin, so keep the application to these areas. The largest amounts used safely in clinical trials were up to 30 grams per month. You may notice an improvement within eight weeks of starting. Continued treatment may bring further improvement and is necessary to maintain the benefit. The condition may go back to its pre-treatment level within eight weeks after treatment is stopped. If no benefit is noticed within four months of starting therapy, stop using it. Some patients may need to keep using a hair removal method (e.g. shaving or plucking) along with Eflornithine cream. In that case, apply the cream no sooner than five minutes after shaving or other hair removal, because stinging or burning may increase otherwise. Elderly (>65 years): No dosage adjustment is necessary. Pediatric population: The safety and efficacy of Eflornithine in children aged 0 to 18 years have not been established, and there is no data to support use in this age group. Hepatic/renal impairment: The safety and efficacy of Eflornithine in women with hepatic or renal impairment have not been established. Its safety has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment, so take caution when prescribing the cream for these patients. Put a thin layer of the cream on clean, dry affected areas and rub it in thoroughly. Rub it in until no visible residue remains on the treated skin. Wash your hands after applying. For the best effect, don't cleanse the treated area within four hours of application. Cosmetics (including sunscreens) can be applied over the treated areas, but no sooner than five minutes after the cream.