Common side effects include abdominal pain, headache, nausea, and weight loss.[2] There are concerns from animal studies that it may increase the risk of cancer but these concerns have not been found in human trials.[5] Nifurtimox is not recommended in pregnancy or in those with significant kidney or liver problems.[5] It is a type of nitrofuran.[5]
Nifurtimox has been used to treat Chagas disease, when it is given for 30 to 60 days.[7][8] However, long-term use of nifurtimox does increase chances of adverse events like gastrointestinal and neurological side effects.[8][9] Due to the low tolerance and completion rate of nifurtimox, benznidazole is now being more considered for those who have Chagas disease and require long-term treatment.[5][9]
In the United States nifurtimox is indicated in children and adolescents (birth to less than 18 years of age and weighing at least 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb) for the treatment of Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.[1]
Nifurtimox has also been used to treat African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and is active in the second stage of the disease (central nervous system involvement). When nifurtimox is given on its own, about half of all patients will relapse,[10] but the combination of melarsoprol with nifurtimox appears to be efficacious.[11] Trials are awaited comparing melarsoprol/nifurtimox against melarsoprol alone for African sleeping sickness.[12]
Combination therapy with eflornithine and nifurtimox is safer and easier than treatment with eflornithine alone, and appears to be equally or more effective. It has been recommended as first-line treatment for second-stage African trypanosomiasis.[13]
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Use of nifurtimox should be avoided in pregnant women due to limited use.[5][8][14] There is limited data shown that nifurtimox doses up to 15 mg/kg daily can cause adverse effects in breastfed infants.[15] Other authors do not consider breastfeeding a contraindication during nifurtimox use.[15]
Side effects
Side effects occur following chronic administration, particularly in elderly people.
Major toxicities include immediate hypersensitivity such as anaphylaxis and delayed hypersensitivity reaction involving icterus and dermatitis. Central nervous system disturbances and peripheral neuropathy may also occur.[8]
Nifurtimox is contraindicated in people with severe liver or kidney disease, as well as people with a background of neurological or psychiatric disorders.[5][16][20]
Mechanism of action
Nifurtimox forms a nitro-anion radical metabolite that reacts with nucleic acids of the parasite causing significant breakdown of DNA.[8] Its mechanism is similar to that proposed for the antibacterial action of metronidazole. Nifurtimox undergoes reduction and creates oxygen radicals such as superoxide. These radicals are toxic to T. cruzi. Mammalian cells are protected by presence of catalase, glutathione, peroxidases, and superoxide dismutase. Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide to cytotoxic levels results in parasite death.[8]
Society and culture
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Legal status
Nifurtimox is licensed for use in Argentina, the United States, Turkey and Germany amongst others.[citation needed] It was approved for medical use in the United States in August 2020.[3]
^ abcWorld Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
^Pepin J, Milord F, Mpia B, Meurice F, Ethier L, DeGroof D, Bruneel H (1989). "An open clinical trial of nifurtimox for arseno-resistant Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness in central Zaire". Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 83 (4): 514–517. doi:10.1016/0035-9203(89)90270-8. PMID2694491.
^"Chagas disease". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
^Clinical trial number NCT00601003 for "Study of Nifurtimox to Treat Refractory or Relapsed Neuroblastoma or Medulloblastoma" at ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved on July 10, 2009.
External links
"Nifurtimox". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.