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Efnithin 13.9% Cream is used to treat unwanted growth of facial hair (facial hirsutism) in women. It is also used to treat African sleeping sickness, a disease caused by protozoa. It contains Eflornithine which works by blocking a natural substance that stimulates hair growth. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as acne, burning sensation, itching, scaling, skin dryness, mild tingling sensation or tenderness at the application site.

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Written By Bayyarapu Mahesh Kumar , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
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More about the Product

Composition :

EFLORNITHINE-13.9%W/W

Manufacturer/Marketer :

Zydus Cadila

Consume Type :

Topical

Expires on or after :

Dec-28

Return Policy :

Not Returnable

About Efnithin 13.9% Cream

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is a prescription topical cream used to slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. It is commonly applied to the face and under the chin to manage excessive hair growth, a condition known as facial hirsutism. It does not act as a hair remover, but rather works directly within the skin to slow hair development.

For the best results, this cream must be used consistently every day, typically twice a day with at least eight hours between applications. It does not require any specific food restrictions since it is applied directly to the skin. To get the most benefit, you should maintain a gentle skincare routine and continue using your usual hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking, as this cream does not instantly dissolve existing hair.

While using Efnithin 13.9% Cream, some people may experience mild skin reactions like redness, stinging, or minor bumps. These issues are usually temporary and mild, but you should consult your doctor if you experience severe burning, swelling, or a spreading skin rash.

Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have any pre-existing skin conditions, deep cuts, or open wounds on your face. This cream is not recommended for children under the age of 12, and anyone with a known allergy to any of its ingredients should not use it.

Since it is applied topically, Efnithin 13.9% Cream has a very low risk of interacting with oral medications or alcohol. However, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using other medicated facial creams, as they can advise you on the safest way to manage your skincare routine.

Uses of Efnithin 13.9% Cream

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is used in the treatment of Facial hirsutism (unwanted facial hair in women). The detailed uses of Efnithin 13.9% Cream are as follows:

Unwanted facial hair in women (facial hirsutism): Efnithin 13.9% Cream slows down the rate of hair growth on the face and under the chin. It does not remove hair permanently, but it makes the hair grow much slower, finer, and lighter, which reduces the need for frequent hair removal.

Key Benefits

Efnithin 13.9% Cream helps slow the growth of unwanted facial hair, making it easier to manage excessive facial hair while improving skin comfort and appearance.

Benefits may include:

  • Helps slow the growth of unwanted facial hair with regular use.
  • Allows longer intervals between shaving, plucking, waxing, or other hair removal methods.
  • Helps reduce skin irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs caused by frequent hair removal.
  • Over time, new hair growth may become finer, softer, and less noticeable.
  • Helps improve comfort and reduce the self-consciousness associated with excessive facial hair growth.
Side effects of Efnithin 13.9% Cream
  • Keep your skin clean by gently washing your face two times daily and after sweating. Choose a mild and non-abrasive cleanser.
  • Use gentle alcohol-free skin care products. Avoid products that might irritate your skin such as exfoliants, astringents and toners.
  • Acne may also occur due to oil in the hair. Thus, if you have oily hair, shampoo more frequently than you do now and keep your hair away from face.
  • Keep your hands off your face as touching face throughout the day might worsen acne. Also, do not pick, squeeze or pop acne as it will prolong the healing process and increase the risk of dark spots and scarring.
  • Avoid tanning by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing when outdoors.
Here are the steps to manage medication-triggered Burning Or Stinging:
  • If you experience burning or stinging sensations and suspect that they may be related to medication, consult a doctor or healthcare expert to determine the cause and best course of treatment.
  • Avoid harsh products, extreme temperatures, and other potential irritants that may exacerbate burning or stinging.
  • Your healthcare professional may recommend applying a soothing or protective agent, such as a cream, gel, or ointment, to help alleviate burning or stinging.
  • Follow your healthcare professional's advice on how to care for the affected area, as gentle cleaning and care instructions may vary depending on the location and severity of the burning or stinging.
  • Schedule follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan as needed. If the burning or irritation persists or worsens, seek medical attention.
  • Stop taking the medication you suspect for causing a burning sensation and talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
  • Use creams or ointments with corticosteroids on the affected area to help reduce swelling and itching.
  • Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperatures, as they can make the burning sensation worse.
  • Applying a cool compress to the area can help soothe it temporarily.
  • Drink lots of fluids or water to keep your skin hydrated.
  • Avoid harsh soaps, strong chemicals, hot water, and tight clothing that can irritate your skin.
  • Eat foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 to help keep your skin healthy.
  • Apply moisturizer immediately after showering or bathing.
  • Use a moisturizer containing lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerine, hyaluronic acid or jojoba oil.
  • Do not use hot water for bathing. Instead use warm water and limit showers and bath to 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Apply a sunscreen with SPF-30 or higher.
  • Avoid harsh soaps, detergents and perfumes.
  • Do not scratch or rub the skin.
  • Drink adequate water to prevent dehydration.
  • Wear pants, full sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat while going out in the sun.
Here are the few steps for dealing with itching caused by drug use:
  • Report the itching to your doctor immediately; they may need to change your medication or dosage.
  • Use a cool, damp cloth on the itchy area to help soothe and calm the skin, reducing itching and inflammation.
  • Keep your skin hydrated and healthy with gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers.
  • Try not to scratch, as this can worsen the itching and irritate your skin.
  • If your doctor prescribes, you can take oral medications or apply topical creams or ointments to help relieve itching.
  • Track your itching symptoms and follow your doctor's guidance to adjust your treatment plan if needed. If the itching persists, consult your doctor for further advice.
Managing Medication-Triggered Erythema (Redness of the Skin or Skin redness): A Step-by-Step Guide:
  • Consult your doctor if you experience skin redness, itching, or irritation after taking medication.
  • Your doctor may adjust your treatment plan by changing your medication or providing guidance on managing your erythema symptoms.
  • Your doctor may recommend or prescribe certain medications to help alleviate symptoms.
  • Apply cool compresses or calamine lotion to the affected skin area to reduce redness and itching.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help alleviate symptoms and keep your skin hydrated.
  • Monitor your skin condition closely and promptly report any changes, worsening symptoms, or concerns to your healthcare provider.

Directions for Use

  • Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
  • Take a small amount of Efnithin 13.9% Cream on the fingertip and apply it as a thin layer on the clean and dry affected area as advised by your doctor.
  • Do not apply for at least 5 minutes after hair removal (such as plucking, shaving). Do not wash the treated area for at least 4 hours.

How Efnithin 13.9% Cream Works

Efnithin 13.9% Cream works by blocking a specific natural enzyme in the skin called ornithine decarboxylase, which is located in the hair follicles. This enzyme is highly active during the growth phase of a hair shaft. By slowing down this enzyme's activity, the hair follicle is unable to produce new hair at its normal rate. As a result, hair growth is significantly delayed, and the hair that eventually emerges is much thinner and softer than before
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Alcohol

Caution

Interaction of Efnithin 13.9% Cream with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Efnithin 13.9% Cream.

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Pregnancy

Caution

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is a pregnancy category C drug. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Efnithin 13.9% Cream is prescribed to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.

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Breast Feeding

Caution

It is unknown whether Efnithin 13.9% Cream is excreted in human milk. Therefore, Efnithin 13.9% Cream is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.

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Driving

Safe if prescribed

Efnithin 13.9% Cream usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

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Liver

Caution

Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Efnithin 13.9% Cream.

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Kidney

Caution

Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases or renal impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Efnithin 13.9% Cream.

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Children

Unsafe

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is not recommended for children below 12 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established.

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Heart

Consult your doctor

Please consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding the use of Efnithin 13.9% Cream in heart patients.

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Geriatrics

Safe if prescribed

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is safe for use in elderly patients if prescribed by the physician.

What if I have taken an overdose of Efnithin 13.9% Cream

Because Efnithin 13.9% Cream is a topical cream, a serious skin overdose is highly unlikely. However, if the cream is accidentally swallowed, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control centre right away.

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Continue Hair Removal as Needed: Continue using your regular hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking, while using Efnithin 13.9% Cream, as the cream slows new hair growth but does not remove existing hair.
  • Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Apply a gentle, non-comedogenic sunscreen daily, as treated skin may become more sensitive to sunlight and UV damage.
  • Avoid Harsh Skincare Products: Avoid using harsh facial scrubs, alcohol-containing toners, or strong chemical peels on the treated areas, as these may increase skin irritation.

Health Queries

Are there any medications that can permanently remove unwanted hair without using wax or lasers, and how can I balance my hormones to help?

G.santoshini Reddy

G.santoshini Reddy

M Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics)

Hello. I understand how frustrating unwanted hair can be. While no medication permanently removes hair like lasers do, a prescription topical cream called eflornithine can significantly slow its growth. To address the root cause, we often look at balancing hormones. If an imbalance like excess androgens is present, oral contraceptives or an anti-androgen medication like spironolactone can be very effective in reducing new hair growth over time. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise helps naturally regulate hormones. I highly recommend discussing these options with a doctor or endocrinologist to find the safest, most effective plan for you. You are not alone in this, and we can find a solution together.

Please assist me in getting more facial hair. I want a face with a big beard.

Y. Lakshmi Thulasi

Y. Lakshmi Thulasi

Pharm-D (Post baccalaureate)

Individual results vary because hormones and genetics are the main variables determining the growth of a thick beard. Eating a diet high in protein and vitamins, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress are all ways to maintain good skin and encourage hair growth. One medicine that some men find helpful when applied gently to the beard area is minoxidil, however because of its side effects, it should only be used after consulting a doctor. Be patient, full beard development might not always be possible naturally, and it will need several months of consistent upkeep.

Does consuming Chawanprash promote the growth of facial hair?

Y. Lakshmi Thulasi

Y. Lakshmi Thulasi

Pharm-D (Post baccalaureate)

Chyawanprash does not encourage the growth of facial hair. Although genetics and hormones, especially testosterone, control facial hair growth, it is mostly utilised to enhance immunity and general health. Therefore, it won't specifically encourage the growth of facial or beard hair, even though it might improve general health.
health query

Have a query?

How Soon It Starts Working

The time required for Efnithin 13.9% Cream to start to work: The time required for Efnithin 13.9% Cream to show its action is unknown. The time for which the effects of Efnithin 13.9% Cream last: The duration of action for Efnithin 13.9% Cream is clinically unknown.

Storage

• Store Efnithin 13.9% Cream at room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

What if you forget to take Efnithin 13.9% Cream

If you miss an application, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled application, skip the missed one and return to your regular routine. Do not apply a double amount of cream to make up for a missed dose.

Drug Warnings

  • Avoid Contact with Eyes and Mouth: Keep Efnithin 13.9% Cream away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If accidental contact occurs, rinse the area thoroughly with cool water.
  • Do Not Apply to Damaged Skin: Do not apply the cream to broken, sunburned, grazed, or severely irritated skin.
  • Apply After Hair Removal: Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes after shaving, waxing, or plucking before applying the cream to help reduce stinging or burning.
  • Use consistently: Be patient, as it may take 4 to 8 weeks of regular daily use before you notice a visible reduction in facial hair growth.
  • Continue Treatment as Directed: If you stop using Efnithin 13.9% Cream, facial hair growth will gradually return to its original rate within about 8 weeks. Use the cream regularly as prescribed to maintain its benefits.

Drug-Drug Interactions

verifiedApollotooltip
  • There are no widely recognized major drug-drug interactions with this topical cream. However, you should check with your doctor before applying other medicated creams, acne treatments, or skin peeling agents to the same areas of your face.
     
No Drug - Drug interactions found in our data. We may lack specific data on this medicine and are actively working to update our database. Consult your doctor for personalized advice

Drug-Drug Interactions

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Drug-Food Interactions

verifiedApollotooltip
  • There are no known food or beverage interactions with this topical medication.
No Drug - Food interactions found in our database. Some may be unknown. Consult your doctor for what to avoid during medication.

Drug-Food Interactions

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All Substitutes & Brand Comparisons

Habit Forming

No

Therapeutic Class

[MISCELLANEOUS]

FAQs

Efnithin 13.9% Cream is used to treat unwanted excess growth of facial hair (facial hirsutism) in women. It is also used to treat African sleeping sickness, a disease caused by protozoa.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream contains Eflornithine that stops the activity of an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase that involved in the production of hair on the face. It also used to treat sleeping sickness (a disease caused by a protozoan infection in Africa).
Yes, Efnithin 13.9% Cream may cause skin irritation, redness or peeling in some people. However, if the irritation persists or worsens, stop using Efnithin 13.9% Cream and consult a doctor.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream usually improves your skin condition in 4 to 8 weeks or longer of treatment. If you notice no improvement after a 5-6 month of treatment, please reach out to your doctor.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream is for topical (for skin) use only. Do not apply Efnithin 13.9% Cream on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped or irritated skin, mucous membranes, lesions, or large areas of skin. If the medicine gets into your eyes, nose or mouth, rinse with cold water. This medicine is for use only on the face and chin. Do not apply to other areas of the body.
No, it is not advised to stop using Efnithin 13.9% Cream even after your symptoms are relieved. You should complete the full course of treatment. You might see improvement in your symptoms, but hair growth may return to pretreatment levels after you stop using eflornithine topical. Consult your doctor for further advice.
No, Efnithin 13.9% Cream is not recommended for use in children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream does not remove hair or cause hair loss. However, it should not be used on other body parts or the scalp as Efnithin 13.9% Cream is used to treat unwanted growth of facial hair (facial hirsutism) in women.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream should be used for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will determine the duration of the treatment based on your condition.
Clean and dry the affected areas and apply Efnithin 13.9% Cream as a thin layer. Gently massage it into the skin with your fingers. Wash your hands before and after applying the medicine.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream may cause a mild stinging sensation. However, it is advised to consult the doctor if the stinging sensation persists or worsens.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream may cause side effects like acne, burning sensation, itching, scaling, skin dryness, mild tingling sensation or tenderness at the application site, bleeding, sore throat, and fever. Most of these side effects of Efnithin 13.9% Cream do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
You should consult your doctor before using Efnithin 13.9% Cream if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the safety of this topical cream during pregnancy has not been fully established. Talk to your doctor.
No, Efnithin 13.9% Cream does not permanently remove hair or act as a depilatory. It only slows down the growth rate. If you stop using the cream, your hair will return to its original growth pattern. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, you can apply cosmetics, moisturizers, or sunscreen over Efnithin 13.9% Cream. However, you should wait at least 5 minutes after applying the cream to let it dry and absorb completely. Talk to your doctor.
It is typically applied twice a day, at least 8 hours apart, or exactly as directed by your doctor. Talk to your doctor.
If you experience mild irritation, your doctor may suggest reducing applications to once a day for a short period. If the irritation persists or is severe, stop using the cream and talk to your doctor.
Efnithin 13.9% Cream is only studied and approved for slowing down unwanted facial hair in women. It is not recommended for use on male facial hair or beard areas. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, you will need to continue your usual hair removal methods alongside Efnithin 13.9% Cream, especially during the first few weeks, as Efnithin 13.9% Cream only slows down new growth rather than removing existing hair. Talk to your doctor.

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Country of origin

India
Other Info - EFNI635

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