African trypanosomiasis is a major public health problem in affected countries. Medicines available for treating this infection are limited. Hence despite the toxicity profile, eflornithine is still used. There is a paucity of documented information specific to children and recommendations for adults are usually followed. The EMLc Subcommittee acknowledged that there is a lack of information on the effectiveness and safety of eflornithine in children, however the seriousness of the illness and experience of its use in the field means that there should be no change in the listing of this medicine. The Subcommittee therefore recommended that eflornithine be endorsed for the EMLc for treatment of second-stage African trypanosomiasis.