melarsoprol

Arsenical. Indications: - Trypanosoma brucei-rhodesiense 1) stage II, abnormal CSF or stage I who fail suramin &/or pentamidine 2) because of toxicity, never the 1st agent for treatment of stage I Dosage: - three courses of treatment each 3 days in duration a) #1: 2-3.6 mg/kg/day IV divided TID b) #2: (1 week later) 3.6 mg/kg/day IV divided TID c) #3: (10-21 days later) 3.6 mg/kg/day IV divided TID Adverse effects: (highly toxic) 1) reactive encephalopathy 18% a) high fever b) headache c) tremor d) impaired speech e) seizures f) coma g) death 2) extravasation of drug produces intense local reactions 3) vomiting 4) abdominal pain 5) nephrotoxicity 6) myocardial damage

Related

arsenic [As] Trypanosoma brucei-rhodesiense

References

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 1196