Benznidazole is used to treat an infection called American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease).
Description
Benznidazole is a trypanocidal nitroimidazole derivative that is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract. At 2-4 hours, maximum plasma concentrations are reached, which then decrease with a half-life of approximately 12 hours. Benznidazole is partially metabolized in the body, and all metabolites are rapidly excreted in the urine and feces.
Applications
Treatment of acute American trypanosomiasis ( Chagas disease ). Cure rates of 80-90% have been obtained.
Precautions to consider
Patients with hepatic, renal or hematic insufficiency should only be administered the drug under strict medical supervision. Throughout the treatment, the blood count will be monitored, paying special attention to the leukocytes, and patients will be advised to abstain from alcohol.
Benznidazole can rarely lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing your chance of getting an infection. It can also rarely reduce the number of platelets, which are necessary for good blood clotting.
See your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection or if you have a fever or chills.
See your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding. Black and purple stools, blood in your urine or stool, or red dots on your skin.
Mix with alcoholic beverages
Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, or flushing of the face. Other preparations that contain alcohol (eg, elixirs, cough syrups, tonics) can also cause problems. Therefore, do not drink alcoholic beverages or other preparations that contain alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
Employment in pregnancy
As use in pregnancy has not been shown to be safe, treatment should be deferred until after the first trimester. Thereafter it must be applied immediately in order to avoid the risk of congenital transmission.
Effects caused by the medicine
Adverse effects are common. During the first two weeks of treatment, skin eruptions may appear that are generally benign; However, if they are serious and are accompanied by fever and purpura, the treatment will have to be definitively suspended. Nausea may also appear at the beginning of this.
Paresthesias or symptoms of peripheral polyneuritis are dose-related effects that, when they occur, require immediate discontinuation of treatment. Other more serious adverse effects include leukopenia and, in rare cases, agranulocytosis.
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor
- Most common – Seizures; numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet; reddish discoloration of the skin
- Rare – Fever or chills; little red spots on the skin; rash; throat pain; unusual bleeding or bruising
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention
- Most common – Abdominal or stomach pain; diarrhea; sickness; vomiting
- Rare – Confusion; difficult to focus; dizziness; headache; restlessness; temporary memory loss; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness