Eflornithine hcl medication acts as hair growth inhibiting agent. It is used topically to reduce unwanted facial hair also called facial hirsutism in women. It is found to be highly effective in reducing excessive hair growth. It is also used in the form of injection for treating African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness. Eflornithine hydrochloride cream is for topical use in women suffering from facial hirsutism. It is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase ODC, an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of ornithine to putrescine, which plays an important role in cell division and proliferation in the hair follicle.

Excessive growth of facial or body hair in women is called hirsutism. It is not a disease. It is usually the result of an underlying adrenal, ovarian, or central endocrine imbalance. Facial hirsutism often leads people to anxiety and depression due to avoidance of social situations. The condition usually develops during puberty and becomes more pronounced as the years go by. However, it can appear at any age due to an inherited tendency, over-production of male hormones called androgens, medication or diseases. A woman whose hirsutism is caused by an increase in male hormones has a pattern of hair growth similar to that of a man. A woman whose hirsutism is not hormone-related has long, fine hairs on her face, arms, chest, and back. Females with this condition usually have irregular menstrual cycles. They sometimes have small breasts and deep voices, and their muscles and genitals may become larger than those without this condition.

Different types of hirsutism are idiopathic hirsutism and secondary hirsutism. Idiopathic hirsutism is generally hereditary due to the family history disorder. Women with idiopathic hirsutism have normal menstrual cycles and no evidence of any of the conditions associated with secondary hirsutism. Secondary hirsutism is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome is an inherited hormonal disorder characterized by menstrual irregularities, biochemical abnormalities and obesity. This type of hirsutism may also be caused by malfunctions of the pituitary or adrenal glands, use of male hormones drugs or due to adrenal or ovarian tumors. Hirsutism triggered by tumors is very unusual. Treating with eflornithine hydrochloride helps women reduce their facial hair and lead a happy life.