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Eflornithine
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Eflornithine, sold under the brand name Vaniqa among others, is a medication used to treat African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and excessive hair growth on the face in women.[1][3][4] Specifically it is used for the second stage of sleeping sickness caused by T. b. gambiense and may be used with nifurtimox.[3][5] It is taken intravenously (injection into a vein) or topically.[3][4] It is an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor.[2]
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Trade names | Vaniqa, Iwilfin, others |
Other names | α-difluoromethylornithine or DFMO |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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Routes of administration | intravenous, topical |
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Bioavailability | 100% (Intravenous) Negligible (topical) |
Metabolism | Not metabolized |
Elimination half-life | 8 hours |
Excretion | Kidney |
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Formula | C6H12F2N2O2 |
Molar mass | 182.171 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects when applied as a cream include rash, redness, and burning.[4] Side effects of the injectable form include bone marrow suppression, vomiting, and seizures.[5] It is unclear if it is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[5] It is recommended typically for children over the age of 12.[5]
Eflornithine was developed in the 1970s and came into medical use in 1990.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] In the United States the injectable form can be obtained from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[5] In regions of the world where the disease is common eflornithine is provided for free by the World Health Organization.[8]