Nifurtimox/eflornithine

Nifurtimox/eflornithine is a combination of two antiparasitic drugs, nifurtimox and eflornithine, used in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).^[1][2] It was developed by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and partners^[3] and is included in the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines.^[4] It is distributed in a kit with material to treat four patients, which weighs 39 kg and has a volume of 170 dm³ , making the transport to remote rural hospitals a logistical challenge.^[5]

Nifurtimox/eflornithine

Combination of
Nifurtimox	antiparasitic agent
Eflornithine	antiparasitic agent

A treatment regimen known as nifurtimox-eflornithine combination treatment (NECT) is used in second stage gambiense African trypanosomiasis throughout Africa where the disease is endemic.^[6] The regimen involves slow infusion of 400 mg of eflornithine every 12 hours for 7 days combined with 15 mg/kg of nifurtimox orally three times a day for 10 days.^[6] The World Health Organization 2019 guidelines still recommend NECT in cases of advanced disease, but otherwise advise the use of fexinidazole.^[7]