Eflornithine

Text size:  |  Print  |   | 

What is Eflornithine?

Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the chin. Eflornithine works by blocking a natural substance that is needed for hair to grow and is located in your hair follicle (the sac where each hair grows).



Brand Name

Vaniq



Other Names



What is Eflornithine?

Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the chin. Eflornithine works by blocking a natural substance that is needed for hair to grow and is located in your hair follicle (the sac where each hair grows).

How

You may feel temporary stinging or burning if you apply eflornithine to broken skin.
  • Wash and dry the affected area(s).
  • Apply a thin layer to affected area(s) and rub in until absorbed.
  • Side Effects

  • stinging, burning, or tingling of the skin
  • redness of the skin
  • skin rash
  • acne
  • swollen patches of skin that are reddened and contain a buried hair
  • Eflornithine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
  • http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html
  • Precautions

    Before using eflornithine,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to eflornithine or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had severe acne.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using eflornithine, call your doctor.
  • Overdose

    You should not swallow eflornithine. If you apply extremely high doses (several tubes daily) of eflornithine to your skin you also may experience an overdose. If you swallow adapalene or apply extremely large amounts to your skin, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

    What If I Forget

    Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it, if at least 8 hours has passed since your previous application. However, if it is almost time for the next application, skip the missed dose and continue your regular application schedule. Do not apply extra cream to make up for a missed dose.

    Storage

    Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze eflornithine. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

    Dietary Restrictions

    Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

    Miscellaneous

    It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

    Other Uses

    This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

    Content provided by:

    The AHFS MedMaster Consumer Medication Information CMI® database is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. © 2008, ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All Rights Reserved. Duplication must be expressly authorized by ASHP, unless such duplication consists of printing or downloading portions of the data inherent in the program for non-commercial use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the database provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such database and specifically disclaims all such warranties and representations. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the database is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug in the database. The information contained in the database is not a substitute for medical care.

    Eflornithine Articles

    • Vaniqa Side Effects

      ...ne, Vaniqa is a brand name for the drug eflornithine. It is a cream that is used to slow the growth of unwanted facial hair. It is usually applied around the lips and under the chin. Its effecti...

    • Facts on Hair Removal

      Unwanted hair on different parts of the body is a challenge. Certain amounts of hair are acceptable in certain cultures, but for the most part, we only want hair where it's supposed to be. So, the...

    • 5 Ways to Treat PCOS

      Your doctor may prescribe low-dose birth control pills to treat PCOS. The contraceptive pill balances your body's estrogen and progesterone levels and lowers the output of male hormones that contr...

    • About Polycystic Ovarian Disease

      Polycystic ovarian disease also goes by the name polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. Women who are of child-bearing age are susceptible to this condition, which is a hormonal disorder. Its name is...

    Images provided by Google

    Related Drugs

    • Eflornithine

      Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the c...

    Eflornithine Blogs

    New Promise for Sleeping Sickness Treatment

    Geneva/New York--(ENEWSPF)--May 15, 2009 â A new treatment option for sleeping sickness, a fatal disease that threatens 60 million people across sub-Saharan Africa, has been added to the Essential Medicines List (EML) of the World Health...

    Neglected Diseases Update

    Sleeping sickness is estimated to cause 48,000 to 100,000 deaths a year in Sub-Saharan Africa. Effective disease control has been hampered by lack of safe oral drug treatments. Friday, Essential.org’s IPhealth listserv emailed a revised news...

    Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Write for us

    Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Learn More

    Eflornithine Topic Guide

    Advisor

    Name Your name here

    Profession What do you do?

    What makes this topic important to you: Did you train for this? Do you work in this profession? Are you affected by this topic?

    Is this topic important to you?

    Do you know a lot about it? Become a guide and lead the conversation on this topic. Be a Guide

    advertisement
    Members Who Dare

    More Members Who Dare

    Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Write for us

    Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Learn More


    Tools

    Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

    BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

    Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

    Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

    This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.