Topical Eflornithine: Efficacy in Reducing Unwanted Facial Hair Growth in Women

Eflornithine 15% cream, an inhibitor of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, was shown to be effective in reducing unwanted facial hair growth in women. In clinical studies with 596 adult women, eflornithine was superior to placebo, with 58% of users experiencing some improvement in facial hirsutism after 24 weeks compared to 34% of those using a placebo. Additionally, 32% of eflornithine users were judged to be successfully treated versus 8% of placebo users. The treatment also reduced discomfort and bother by 33%, compared to 15% with placebo. However, hair growth returned to pretreatment levels within 8 weeks of discontinuing the cream. Skin-related adverse events were more common with eflornithine than with placebo. The cream was approved in the US for managing excessive facial hair in women, and approval processes were ongoing in other countries at the time of the document.