Home Drug Guide Eflornithine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Eflornithine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Ornidyl, Vaniqa, Iwilfin

Classification

Therapeutic: Antineoplastic, Antiviral, Cosmetic adjunct

Pharmacological: Amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
  • Reduction of facial hair in women (Vaniqa)

Mechanism of Action

Eflornithine inhibits the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, leading to decreased polyamine synthesis, which is essential for cell proliferation, thus exerting antitumor, antiparasitic, and anti-hirsutism effects depending on indication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: For African trypanosomiasis: IV or intramuscular injection as per protocol. For facial hirsutism: topically applied twice daily.

Pediatric: Dosing varies; generally not first-line, consult specific guidelines.

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustments, but renal function should be monitored.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment, but caution advised.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption following IV administration; minimal oral absorption.

Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Not significantly metabolized.

Excretion: Primarily excreted unchanged in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 3 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to eflornithine.

Precautions

  • Monitor renal function during therapy, especially in renal impairment.
  • Use with caution in pregnancy and lactation; inform patients of potential risks.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Gastrointestinal upset (Common)
  • Hypotension (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Myelosuppression, including leucopenia and thrombocytopenia (Uncommon)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Cimetidine may increase serum levels of eflornithine.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, blood counts, renal function.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements due to GI upset.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed. Monitor blood counts and renal function regularly.

Evaluation: Observe for adverse effects and therapeutic response.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report signs of infection or bleeding.
  • Follow up for blood tests.
  • Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure during Vaniqa therapy.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for severe hypersensitivity reactions.
  • In pregnancy, use only if clearly needed, as safety is not established.

Genetic Factors: None well-established.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with urine tests for amino acids.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, confusion, hypotension.

Treatment: Supportive care, dialysis in severe cases, monitor vital signs and laboratory parameters.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable for 2-3 years when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.