This medicine is given by injection to treat Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection (sleeping sickness).

Proper Use

Treatment consists of IV infusions (slow drip into a vein) given by your doctor or nurse every 6 hours for 14 days.

Please Note

Frequent blood tests are necessary before, during, and after the treatment to find out how the medicine is affecting your blood. Keep all your appointments for blood tests.

Diarrhea may occur during treatment. Contact your doctor if diarrhea continues or gets worse.

Seizures or hearing loss occur rarely. Contact your doctor if you have these problems.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding an infant.

Possible Side Effects

Serious (report these to your doctor right away): Hearing loss, severe diarrhea, seizures. Other side effects are determined by blood tests.

Other: Vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, headache, facial swelling, dizziness.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Possible Drug Interactions

No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, be sure that you tell all doctors who treat you about all medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products.

This educational document includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Other Names For This Medication:

eflornithine hydrochloride, injection; Ornidyl (eflornithine hydrochloride, injection)