1 May 2026Injectable drugsSource update: October 2024
Eflornithine injectable
Injectable eflornithine guidance for meningoencephalitic African trypanosomiasis due to T.b. gambiense.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Trypanocide.
Indications
Meningoencephalitic stage of African trypanosomiasis due to T.b. gambiense, in combination with nifurtimox as first choice treatment or in monotherapy if nifurtimox is not available or is contra-indicated.
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 10 g in 50 ml ampoule, 200 mg/ml, to be diluted in a 250 ml bag of water for injection or, if not available, 0.9% sodium chloride, for IV infusion over 2 hours.
Dose and duration
In combination with nifurtimox
- Child and adult: 200 mg/kg every 12 hours for 7 days.
In monotherapy
- Child under 12 years: 150 mg/kg every 6 hours for 14 days.
- Child 12 years and over and adult: 100 mg/kg every 6 hours for 14 days.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- May cause haematological disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, seizures, tremor, fever, deep tissue infection, headache, alopecia, and dizziness.
- The catheter must be handled with great attention to avoid local or general bacterial superinfections.
- Pregnancy: contraindicated unless, due to the mother’s general condition, treatment cannot be delayed until after delivery.
- Diluted solution must be kept refrigerated and used within 24 hours.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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