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Topical eflornithine.

J A Balfour¹, K McClellan

¹Adis International Inc., Langhorne, Pennsylvania, USA.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

|November 14, 2001

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Eflornithine cream effectively reduces unwanted facial hair in women by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase. Improvements were seen in as little as two weeks, with sustained results and improved well-being, though hair growth returned after discontinuation.

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See all related articles

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Dermatology
Biochemistry

Background:

Unwanted facial hair (hirsutism) affects many women.
Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a key enzyme in hair growth.
Eflornithine is an irreversible inhibitor of ODC.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eflornithine 15% cream for treating facial hirsutism.
To assess the impact of eflornithine on patient well-being.

Main Methods:

Clinical trials involving women with unwanted facial hair.
Application of eflornithine 15% cream or placebo twice daily.
Objective and subjective assessments of hair growth and patient-reported outcomes.

Main Results:

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Eflornithine cream was superior to placebo in reducing facial hair growth within 2-8 weeks.
Significant improvements in hirsutism were observed in 58% of eflornithine users versus 34% for placebo at 24 weeks.
Eflornithine use led to greater reductions in discomfort and bother compared to placebo.

Conclusions:

Eflornithine 15% cream is an effective treatment for reducing facial hirsutism in women.
Treatment offers significant improvements in hair reduction and patient well-being.
Hair growth returns to baseline within 8 weeks of discontinuing eflornithine.