eflornithine; difluoromethylornithine (Vaniga, Ornidyl)

Introduction

Tradename: Vaniga (topical)

Indications

• Trypanosoma brucei-gambiense
• variable efficacy against Trypanosoma brucei-rhodesiense
• topical: reduce growth of unwanted facial hair
• hirsuitism

Dosage

• systemic
  • 400 mg/kg/day IV in 4 divided QID for 2 weeks
  • followed by 300 mg/kg/day PO for 3-4 weeks
  • 90% cure rate for stage II disease (abnormal CSF)
• topical

Pharmacokinetics

• topical (13.9%)
  • may take up to 8 weeks for effects
  • effective in 1/2 of women who try it

Adverse effects

• diarrhea
• anemia
• thrombocytopenia
• seizures
• hearing loss

Mechanism of action

• inhibits enzyme to slow hair growth

More general terms

• antiprotozoal agent

Additional terms

• Trypanosoma brucei-gambiense (African sleeping sickness)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3009
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=441361
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=57004