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What is the most important information I should know about
eflornithine topical?
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Eflornithine topical is for external use only. |
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Continue to use eflornithine topical even if you do not see
immediate results. Reduction in facial hair occurs gradually.
Improvement may be seen as early as 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, however
it may take longer in some individuals. If no improvement is seen after
6 months of use, treatment with eflornithine topical should be
discontinued. Hair growth may return to pretreatment levels
approximately 8 weeks after discontinuation of treatment with
eflornithine topical. |
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What is eflornithine topical?
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Eflornithine interferes with a chemical in the hair
follicles of the skin. This results in slower hair growth where
eflornithine topical is applied. |
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Eflornithine topical is used to reduce unwanted facial hair
in women. Eflornithine topical does not permanently remove hair or "cure"
unwanted facial hair. Eflornithine topical will help you manage your
condition and improve your appearance. |
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Eflornithine topical may also be used for purposes other
than those listed in this medication guide. |
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Who should not use eflornithine topical?
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Do not use eflornithine topical if you have had an allergic
reaction to it in the past. |
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Eflornithine topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C.
This means that it is not known whether eflornithine topical will harm
an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant. |
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It is also not known whether eflornithine passes into breast
milk. Do not use eflornithine topical without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Eflornithine topical has not been approved for use by
children younger than 12 years of age. |
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How should I use eflornithine topical?
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Apply eflornithine topical exactly as directed by your
doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
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Eflornithine topical does not permanently remove hair or "cure"
unwanted facial hair. It is not a hair remover (depilatory). You will
need to continue using your current hair removal techniques.
Eflornithine topical will help you manage your condition and improve
your appearance. |
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Eflornithine topical is for external use only. |
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Eflornithine topical is usually applied twice daily, at
least eight hours apart, or as directed by your doctor. |
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Wash your hands before and after each application of
eflornithine topical. |
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Remove any facial hair that is present using your current
hair removal techniques. Wait at least 5 minutes after hair removal
before applying eflornithine topical. Apply a thin layer of eflornithine
topical to the affected areas of the face and nearby affected areas
under the chin and rub it in thoroughly. |
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Cosmetics or sunscreen may be used after applying
eflornithine topical, but you should wait a few minutes to allow the
treatment to be absorbed before applying them. |
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Do not wash the treatment areas for at least 4 hours after
application of eflornithine topical. |
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Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
If this occurs, wash the area with water. If eflornithine topical gets
in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water and contact your doctor. |
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Eflornithine topical may cause temporary redness, rash,
burning, stinging, or tingling, especially if it is applied to broken or
irritated skin. If irritation develops, reduce the application of
eflornithine topical to once a day. If irritation continues, stop using
eflornithine topical and contact your doctor. |
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Continue to use eflornithine topical even if you do not see
immediate results. Reduction in facial hair occurs gradually.
Improvement may be seen as early as 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, however
it may take longer in some individuals. If no improvement is seen after
6 months of use, treatment with eflornithine topical should be
discontinued. Hair growth may return to pretreatment levels
approximately 8 weeks after discontinuation of treatment with
eflornithine topical. |
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Store eflornithine topical at room temperature away from
moisture and heat. Do not allow the medication to freeze. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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If you miss a dose of eflornithine topical, skip the dose
you missed and apply your next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do
not apply a double dose of this medication or try to "make up" a missed
dose. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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An overdose of eflornithine topical is not likely to occur.
If the cream has been ingested, or if you suspect an overdose has
occurred, contact your doctor, hospital emergency room, or poison
control left for advice. |
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What should I avoid while using eflornithine topical?
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Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
If this occurs, wash the area with water. If eflornithine topical gets
in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and contact your doctor. |
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What are the possible side effects of eflornithine topical?
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Eflornithine topical may cause temporary redness, rash,
burning, stinging, or tingling, especially if it is applied to broken or
irritated skin. If irritation develops, reduce the application of
eflornithine topical to once a day. If irritation continues, stop using
eflornithine topical and contact your doctor. |
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Hair bumps (folliculitis) may also occur. If these continue,
contact your doctor. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect eflornithine topical?
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Before using eflornithine topical, talk to your doctor if
you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications,
especially if you are using any other topical preparations. You may not
be able to use eflornithine topical, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
eflornithine topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about
eflornithine topical written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
