Eflornithine
From Ganfyd
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Facial hirsutism in women
Eflornithine 11.5% cream (Vaniqa®) is indicated in the treatment of facial hirsutism in women. Eflornithine irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase which is an enzyme involved in the production of the hair shaft by the hair follicle.
The SPC warns that excessive hair growth can result from serious underlying disorders (e.g. polycystic ovary syndrome, androgen secreting neoplasm) or certain medications. It suggests that these factors should be considered in the overall medical treatment of patients who might be prescribed eflornithine.
Evidence
The Scottish Medicines Consortium’s advice is that Eflornithine 11.5% cream is acceptable for restricted use. It is restricted to use in women for whom alternative drug therapy is ineffective, contraindicated or considered inappropriate. The Midlands Therapeutics Review and Advisory Committee (MTRAC) suggest it is an acceptable primary care intervention. However, the evidence base for efficacy and long-term safety is weak.
- Scottish Medicines Consortium review
- MTRAC review
- SPC [1].
- For RCTs regarding eflornithine, click here.
African sleeping sickness
Intravenously, eflornithine is used in the treatment of sleeping sickness, transmitted in parts of Africa by the tsetse fly. The rights to the compound for this purpose are held by the United Nations.
